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Entercom Q2: “Great Progress.” Owing to the addition of CBS Radio, Entercom Communications’ second-quarter net revenue jumped, but fell on a same-station basis. Revenue nearly tripled from $125 million to $372.1 million; however, on a same-station basis, it decreased from $405.7 million to $372.1 million. Meanwhile, net income dropped from $6.4 million to $1.6 million. Entercom president and chief executive officer David Field notes, “We have made great progress across multiple fronts as we continue our work to capitalize on our transformational merger. We have signed a definitive agreement with Bonneville to complete our last required station divestitures; successfully launched the Entercom Audio Network with strong early revenues; terminated our painful relationship with United States Traffic Network; achieved rapid growth on our burgeoning Radio.com platform; and delivered a 5% reduction in Q2 expenses as we realize our merger-related synergies. Second-quarter revenues were down 8%, exacerbated by the loss of $12 million in revenues from USTN, but revenue performance is improving. We are currently pacing down 2% in the third-quarter, excluding the impact of USTN. For the fourth quarter, we are pacing up 3% on an unadjusted basis. I am proud of the outstanding team we have built and the terrific work they are doing to capitalize on our abundant scale-driven opportunities.”

Local Nielsen Media Impact Debuts. The planning system allows users to understand cross-media reach, frequency, and duplication on a local scale using advanced audience segments from Nielsen Scarborough. In addition, it enables advertisers, agencies, and media owners to reach their desired audience in the country’s 25 “Local People Meter” (LPM) Designated Market Areas (DMAs). Local Nielsen Media Impact is built with respondent level data to allow in-depth cross-platform analyses for both local television and radio separately, as well as TV and radio together. Beasley Media Group vice president of sales Bob McCurdy comments, “Local Nielsen Media Impact offers empirical data supporting radio’s ability to amplify and complement TV campaigns. This is the first time radio is included in this type of multi-channel media mix that enables users to derive cross media insights with currency grade accuracy. Nielsen Scarborough data within the NMI solution allows us to assess campaign scenarios against consumer insights.” According to Nielsen vice president of product leadership Jay Nielsen, “Local Nielsen Media Impact offers a unique lens to the industry, enabling effective decision-making about where and when to engage audiences with content and advertising on local levels. Similar to the solution clients have widely adopted on the national level, this local solution unlocks access to new insights on media allocation and schedule optimization to better reach a cross platform-based audience.”

Q2: Townsquare Media “Exceeds Previously Issued Guidance.” Second-quarter net revenue for Townsquare Media rose 1.9% to $11.96 million. Owing to the divestiture of North American Midway Entertainment, however, net income decreased by 70.6% to $1.6 million; net income from continuing operations improved 29.2% to $10.1 million. Co-chief executive officer Bill Wilson remarks, “Our second-quarter financial results exceeded our previously issued guidance, continuing the momentum we experienced in the first-quarter of the year. In the first six months of 2018, net revenue increased 2.6%, and 2.2% excluding political revenue; Adjusted EBITDA increased 6.6%. Our second-quarter and year-to-date revenue growth was primarily the result of continued stability in our broadcast products and strong revenue growth of our digital solutions.” Co-CEO Dhruv Prasad notes, “Through internal reorganization and the divestiture of North American Midway Entertainment, we have concluded the strategic reset that we initiated in late-2017 and have largely reoriented the company towards the stability, profitable growth, and cash generation of the advertising, marketing solutions, and live events businesses in our local market footprint. Our strong performance in the first half of this year reinforces that this was the right strategy, and we remain committed to this plan moving forward.”

Rush Limbaugh’s Impact on Radio and America Examined by News Site, Who. What. Why. (whowhatwhy.org) Veteran talk radio programmer and executive Jeff Schechtman of Napa Broadcasting interviews TALKERS founder Michael Harrison about Rush Limbaugh and the state of talk radio for this week’s WhoWhatWhy.org podcast. It is part of an article titled “The Mouth that Roared – How Rush Limbaugh Changed America” posted yesterday (8/7) marking the milestone of the talk radio superstar’s syndicated radio show reaching its 30^th anniversary last week. Schechtman and Harrison discuss the impact of the repeal of the Fairness Doctrine in 1987, Limbaugh’s major contributions to the rise of news/talk radio, how talk radio has changed over the decades, the driving factors behind those changes, the influence of the video screen on communications devices, and the general future of talk media. To read the article and listen to the podcast, please click here .

Making Music Great Again. It seems the talented Mike Gallagher isn’t the only member of the Salem roster of talk show hosts blessed with extraordinary gifts as a musical entertainer. These two super-suave lounge lizards pictured above are none other than Salem Radio Network host Larry Elder (left) and WNYM (“AM 970 The Answer”), New York morning man Joe Piscopo (right). The two are off-air buds and like hanging out together when they find themselves on the same coast. This bit of show biz magic was captured last night (8/7) as the two serenaded thrilled diners at Vitello’s, a swingin’ hot spot in Studio City, California. The song they were performing – Louis Armstrong’s classic, “What a Wonderful World.”

Sinclair Q2 Revenue Up 11.9%. While stats for its Seattle radio properties (KOMO “News Radio 1000 & 97.7, KVI “Talk Radio 570,” and hot AC KPLZ “Star 101.5) are not broken out in its earnings release, Sinclair Broadcast Group saw second-quarter revenue increase 11.9% year-to-year to $730.1 million; net income attributable to the company fell from $44.6 million to $28 million. Regarding the pending acquisition of Tribune Media Company, Sinclair president and chief executive officer Chris Ripley states, “We are working with them to analyze approaches to the regulatory process that are in the best interest of our companies, employees, and shareholders.” In terms of Q2 results, Ripley notes, “[They] came in well ahead of guidance in all key financial metrics, and we expect the second half of the year to continue to be robust, underlined by increasing distribution revenues and strong political advertising spend. This year’s mid-term elections are expected by many to have the most spending in U.S. history with broadcast television a primary beneficiary.”

Urban One Second-Quarter Net Revenue Down 2.1%. The year-to-year total slips to $115.2 million although broadcast and digital operating income is up 6.1% to $44.3 million. Overall operating income doubles to $24.8 million and net income improves from $802,000 to $23.6 million. Attributed to results in Atlanta, Philadelphia, St. Louis, and Raleigh, radio advertising fell 6% to $52 million. There was radio growth, however, in Dallas, Washington (D.C.), and Cleveland. Digital advertising, cable TV advertising, and event revenues are all off, as well; cable TV affiliate fees saw increases. Keeping pace with 2017, Tom Joyner’s 19^th “Fantastic Voyage” took place in the second-quarter and generated $9.4 million. Company president and chief executive officer Alfred C. Liggins, III remarks, “Our Q2 radio performance was in line with expectation. After a tough April, the quarter improved sequentially, and we are currently pacing approximately flat for third-quarter. We are launching a new network in January 2019 that will target African-American females and feature lifestyle and entertainment programming. The addition of a second network will help us continue to grow our TV business in the longer term, and has great potential synergy with our existing platform. Our digital segment came in below expectation for Q2, but has had a very strong start to third quarter and we remain optimistic for the back half of the year.”

Lotus Acquires Scripps Stations in Tucson and Boise. Eight stations are involved in the $8 million transaction between (buyer) Lotus Communications and (seller) The E.W. Scripps Company. Lotus president Jim Kalmenson remarks, “We are looking forward to getting to know the many talented professionals at these Scripps radio stations. Both companies share a genuine passion for producing excellent local radio and serving the public.” Scripps president and chief executive officer Adam Symson adds, “Lotus Communications’ commitment to serving local communities – with a focus on western region markets in particular – makes it a natural fit to run the Tucson and Boise stations. This deal sets up the stations for continued success.” In Tucson, Lotus picks up and will keep adult contemporary KMXZ “94.9 “Mix FM” and sports talk KFFN “ESPN Tucson,” but will spin urban-rhythmic oldies KTGV “106.3 The Groove” and news/talk KQTH. Its Boise acquisitions include classic rock KJOT “J-105”; rock KQXR “100.3 – The X”; triple A KRVB “94.9 The River”; and classic hits KTHI “107.1 K-Hits.”

TALKERS News Notes. Longtime New York City (WMCA, WINS, WCBS-AM) newscaster and talk host Ralph Howard has died. According to Salem Radio Network vice president of news & talk programming Tom Tradup, “Ralph personified New York City – vibrant, charming, a little edgy, and nonstop energy; I will miss him greatly.” Tradup produced “Ralph & Ryan” on WMCA in the early-1980s; “Ryan” was longtime NBC-TV newsman Bill Ryan. In addition to New York City credentials, Howard worked in Chicago at WIND, WBBM-AM, and WCFL, as well as for The Associated Press and ABC Radio. Until he retired in May 2013, he was a news anchor for Howard Stern, hosting “Howard’s World,” covering Stern’s SiriusXM exploits. This Sunday (8/12) at 3:00 pm, a celebration of Ralph Howard’s life will be observed at New York City’s Riverside Chapel; Howard was 76 years old ….. Alpha Media Portland’s KXL “FM News 101” adds Envision Networks’ two-hour Nik Miles-hosted “Our Auto Expert” to its Sunday afternoon lineup (2:00 pm – 4:00 pm). Alpha Media executive vice president of programming Scott Mahalick remarks, “When it comes to personality and compelling automotive talk, nobody does it better than Nik Miles. We are excited to share ‘Our Auto Expert’ with the world as part of our commitment to bring the best live & local programming to our listener community.” KXL operations manager Bruce Collins notes, “Nobody knows more about the auto industry than Nik. He is both informative and entertaining – we welcome Nik and his show to KXL.” Miles adds, “I am so excited be working with the country’s most forward-thinkers in radio. Being live and local every week gives listeners an opportunity to be the first to hear about groundbreaking automotive stories and stay informed.” ….. The former general manager of Ohana Media Group’s six Anchorage (Alaska) stations – Tom Oakes – is named operations manager for Scripps Radio’s five-station Springfield, Missouri cluster, which consists of KTTS “94.7 Country’s Best”; CHR KSPW “Power 96.5”; adult hits KRVI “106.7 The River”; and KSGF AM & FM “News/Talk 1260 & 104.1.” In addition, he will be the program director of KTTS. Springfield Operations vice president and general manager Rex Hansen notes, “Tom Oakes brings years of experience in all formats we operate here in Springfield. Our listeners, team, and advertisers will benefit greatly from his expertise. His coaching skills will make a difference for our air staff immediately.” Oakes remarks, “A busy fall lies ahead as we prepare for not only the next ratings sweep, but continue to work with our on-going projects, promotions and programming needs across the entire cluster.” Oakes previously was vice president of programming for Ohana’s 11 stations in Alaska and Oregon; worked for New Northwest Broadcasters in a variety of upper-management roles with their stations in Alaska, Montana, Oregon, and Washington; and has experience in Omaha, Madison, and South Bend (Indiana) ….. The annual Public Radio Program Directors (PRPD) content conference will be held later this month (8/20 – 8/23) at Austin’s Hyatt Regency Hotel. “Pixels and Place” author Kate O’Neill will be a keynote speaker. PRPD is the only national gathering devoted solely to public radio content and programming and this year’s conference, “will be the most format-inclusive in the organization’s history. As every public radio station grapples with consumption, relevance and sustainability, the PRPD is committed to creating a setting where content leaders can learn, network and advance their careers.” ….. Owing to a strategy change regarding original podcasts, Amazon’s Audible Originals senior vice president of original content development Eric Nuzum is departing. The former NPR executive made the announcement in an email earlier this week. Several other Audible Originals staffers – including the entire unit responsible for original spoken-word podcast content – are also exiting, according to published reports. After releasing high-profile shows in its short existence, Audible Originals has more recently shifted to signing major authors to audiobook-first deals.

Round Two of July 2018 PPM Data Released. The second of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s July 2018 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets, including Washington (D.C), Boston, Miami, Detroit, Seattle, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Denver, Tampa, Baltimore, and St. Louis. Nielsen Audio’s July 2018 survey period covered June 21 – July 18. See all the 6+ numbers from subscribing stations here.

TEGNA Releases Q2 Financials. The former television division of Gannett, Virginia-based TEGNA, reports that its second-quarter net income from continuing operations was up 87.8% to $92.5 million. “Subscription,” which is the company’s term for television retransmission consent revenue, was up 16%. President/CEO Dave Lougee notes, “Our progress in the quarter gives us confidence that our growth strategy is on track. Our business mix continues to evolve toward predictable and profitable subscription-based revenue streams. Contrary to conventional wisdom, our paid subscriber base is very stable, and in fact, our total number of paid subscribers was up year-over-year for the first time in recent years.” TEGNA owns or operates 47 TV stations in 39 markets. Results for its San Diego radio properties, news/talk KFMB-AM “AM 760 Talk & Breaking News” and rock KFMB-FM “100.7 KFM-BFM,” are not broken out in its earnings releases. The company completed its acquisition of KFMB-AM, KFMB-FM, and KFMB-TV from Midwest Television six months ago for a reported $325 million.

Ohio Special Election/Primaries, Manafort Trial/Gates Testimony, California Wildfire and the Environment, Trump China Tariffs, Alex Jones/InfoWars Banned by YouTube and Facebook, and MLB Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Discussed Yesterday (8/6). The cliffhanger special election in Ohio and key primaries in several states, the trial of former Donald Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort highlighted by the damaging testimony of Rick Gates; the deadly California wildfire and its connection to the environment; Alex Jones and InfoWars being dropped by several major social media platforms and MLB action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday (8/7), according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Music Radio News and Career Moves. Co-host of “The Bob & Tom Show” – Tom Griswold – will host two evenings of live comedy featuring Greg Hahn, Pat Godwin, and Josh Arnold one week from Friday (8/17) at Indianapolis’ Irving Theater and the following night (8/18) at Lafayette, Indiana’s Lafayette Theater. All proceeds from both shows will go to The Nora Dane Fund, which helps defray the costs of medical treatment and related expenses for two-year-old Nora Dane, who is being treated for a rare, aggressive malignant brain tumor. Griswold states, “Three of my favorite comedians are stepping up to help little Nora. I promise a great night of comedy to support the amazing efforts being made to help this wonderful little girl.” Preferred seating tickets for each show are $75 and include early access to the venue; a meet-and-greet with the featured talent; a photo; VIP laminate; and choice of seating. Griswold and co-host Bob Kevoian originate their Westwood One syndicated show from Cumulus Media Indianapolis flagship WFBQ “Q-95 Indy’s Classic Rock.” ….. In honor of mid-day talent Pat Martin’s 30^th anniversary with Entercom Sacramento’s KRXQ “98 Rock,” The Pat Martin All-Star Band will perform tonight (Wednesday, 8/8, 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm) as part of a free concert at Folsom, California’s Powerhouse Pub. Guest band members Jeff Keith from Tesla, composer Robert Sabino, and UFO’s “Atomik” Tommy McClendon are among others scheduled to appear. Martin currently fronts the longest consecutive running radio show in Sacramento history ….. As part of an exclusive long-term partnership with Saga Communications, Mediabase and BuzzAngle Music will provide Saga with comprehensive music listening and consumption data for more than 130 radio stations nationwide. Saga Communications vice president of programming Bob Lawrence comments, “Mediabase and BuzzAngle have proven to be essential tools for our many markets and programmers over the years. When presented with the opportunity to put them in our arsenal on a group-wide level, we simply could not resist.” Mediabase president and RCS Worldwide president/CEO Philippe Generali remarks, “We couldn’t be more thrilled to be chosen by the very talented programming team at Saga Communications. This partnership will expand the list of markets covered by Mediabase and complement it with the BuzzAngle sales and streaming data for all Saga stations.” Meanwhile, Jim Lidestri, chief executive officer of Border City Media, the makers of BuzzAngle Music, adds, “Mediabase’s airplay monitoring and BuzzAngle’s extensive consumer analytics is a powerful combination for programmers. We are delighted to partner with Saga to give them the most comprehensive tools to connect with – and engage – their listeners through music.” ….. Tickets go on sale this Friday (8/10) for Stephens Media Group Tulsa alternative KMYZ “Z-104.5 The Edge,”-sponsored “The Edge Halloween Haunt.” The October 31 event will feature The Struts, Meg Myers, and Albert Hammond, Jr. ….. After a four-year hiatus, Corey Garrison will return to Binnie Media Portland, Maine country outlet WTHT “99.9 The Wolf” later this month (8/20) as music director and afternoon driver. Operations manager Stan Bennett notes, “Corey has a great passion for country music. I could not be happier to see him return home and help an already veteran team keep ‘The Wolf’ Maine’s most-listened to country station.” Prior to working for three Blueberry Broadcasting stations in Lewistown-Augusta-Bangor, Maine (WABK, WBAK, and WBKA), Garrison was assistant program director/music director/afternoon talent at “The Wolf” (2007-2014). He takes over for J.C. Coffey, who left WTHT late last month ….. This past Saturday (8/4), 24-year-old Eric Manias was a victim of a home invasion at his New Albany (Ohio) apartment. Manias is a family member of Digi-Dude Nate, who is part of “Bailey and Southside,” the morning team on Cumulus Media Atlanta’s WNNX “Rock 100.5.” Manias was shot twice, beaten, and robbed. Transported to Grant Hospital, he is in critical condition with a fractured jaw and arm; broken hip; and numerous cuts and bruises; he’s had four surgeries thus far. Manias was born with pulmonary atresia, a heart disease in which the pulmonary valve is not properly formed. Shortly after his birth, he had three open-heart procedures. As of noon yesterday (8/7), a fund to help with his medical bills raised more than $5,700 toward a $10,000 goal ….. WOCQ-HD2 “Kool Oldies,” Salisbury-Ocean City (Maryland); WQTL “Kool Oldies 106.1,” Tallahassee (Florida); and KWML “Kool Oldies,” Las Cruces (New Mexico) are the latest affiliates of Envision Networks’ “Wolfman Jack Radio Show.” All three are Adams Radio Group properties. Its president & chief executive officer Ron Stone states, “We are thrilled to bring ‘The Wolfman’ back in our markets where we have great oldies stations playing the best music of all time. We believe the audience our oldies stations target are going to fall in love with ‘The Wolfman’ all over again.”

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

TALKERS | August 7, 2018

Field Answers USTN Lawsuit: “Ridiculous allegations.” As we reported last Monday (Talkers.com, 7/30), in a complaint filed in Harris County, Texas District Court, United States Traffic Network is suing Entercom for material and punitive damages “in excess of $5 million.” USTN alleges that Entercom entered into negotiations to buy the company and walked away from the deal at the last minute with the intent of developing a directly competitive business. Yesterday (Monday, 8/6), Entercom president/CEO David Field addressed the lawsuit in an internal memo. He writes, “The truth is we have acted in good faith and made every reasonable effort and then some to assist USTN in fixing their challenging issues.” Entercom released a statement including the following quote on the situation: “We are relieved to no longer be mired by the difficult USTN situation that was inherited as part of the CBS Radio merger. We will move quickly to augment our strong internal sales organization to ensure that we realize the full value of this inventory. With leading news brands like WINS, New York; KNX, Los Angeles; and WBBM, Chicago, Entercom has the industry’s most valuable traffic inventory. We are pleased to be in control of our own destiny as we pursue opportunities in this attractive market segment.” In response to the lawsuit, Field states, “Entercom believes it is entirely baseless, frivolous and frankly insulting. Entercom has worked tirelessly and constructively with USTN over the past six months to help USTN work through its significant financial issues. Entercom is owed substantial amounts of money by USTN, and the company intends to defend itself vigorously and assert all of its rights.” In yesterday’s memo, Field states, “To say the least, it is disappointing to read the ridiculous allegations that USTN has made when the truth is that we have acted in good faith and made every reasonable effort and then some to assist USTN in fixing their challenging issues. In order to set the record straight and ensure that you have all the facts regarding our relationship with USTN, I have included a summary of the events over the past 8 ½ months.” Click here to read the rest of Field’s memo.

Bortnick Joins iHeartMedia D.C. as Senior VP/Sales. Six-year vice president of sales for Entercom Washington (D.C.), Danny Bortnick crosses the street to become senior vice president of sales for iHeartMedia’s five stations in the Nation’s Capital. Region president Michael Preacher remarks, “We couldn’t be more pleased to welcome Danny to iHeartMedia. Danny has earned a great reputation building client-centric sales organizations while creating a positive work culture. He is the perfect fit for us.” Bortnick adds, “I am thrilled to be joining some of the most iconic brands in [the market], as well as one of the most recognizable media brands in the country.” Bortnick, who has a marketing and management degree from the University of Miami – School of Business, began his radio career 13 years ago as an account executive at Katz Radio in New York City and Atlanta. After a year at Katz, he became an account executive – and later, digital sales manager – at New York City all-news outlet WINS and then, director of sales for Salem Media Group New York City.

Saga Reports 6.5% Q2 Net Revenue Increase. For the quarter ending June 30, Saga Communications net revenue increased to $32.2 million. Meanwhile, operating income increased 2.7% to $6 million and station operating expense increased 8% to $23.1 million. Free cash flow from continuing operations was $6 million for the quarter, compared to $4.8 million for the same period last year. On a same station basis, net revenue decreased .6% to $30.1 million; operating income increased 1.5% to $6 million; and station operating expense decreased 1% to $21.2 million. The company had $52.9 million in cash on hand as of June 30, and $53.3 million as of yesterday (8/6). The company’s total long-term debt was $25 million as of June 30. Results for the quarter and six-month period were affected by the sale of the company’s television stations and purchase of radio stations in Charleston and Hilton Head (South Carolina) on September 1, 2017. Saga’s 2018 Q2 conference call will be at 11:00 am (ET) today (Tuesday, 8/7). Saga owns or operates 75 FM and 33 AM radio stations.

Gregg Receives Salute to Excellence Award. For the second consecutive year, Entercom Philadelphia’s KYW “News Radio 1060” community affairs reporter Cherri Gregg is recognized by the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). This time, she will receive a “Salute to Excellence Award” at the NABJ’s gala in Detroit. Entercom Philadelphia senior vice president and market manager David Yadgaroff states, “It comes as no surprise that Cherri has been recognized once again for the exemplary work she contributes to KYW. The hard work she has committed in less than a year demonstrates why she is deserving of this honor.” Gregg remarks, “I am honored and humbled by this great recognition. This acknowledgment validates the importance of creating conversation around social issues.” Gregg was recognized in the “Public Affairs” category in “Top 15 Markets, Radio.” The specific segment – “Police Transparency – When Should Names of Officers Who Kill Be Released?” – was from her weekly program “Flashpoint,” which airs Saturdays (9:30 pm) and Sundays (8:30 am). Launched in 2017, “Flashpoint” discusses community affairs, political news, civil rights and social issues. Last year, NABJ honored Gregg with a “Salute to Excellence Award” in “TV Investigative – Top 15 Markets” for her piece “Driving While Black,” a collaboration between Entercom and KYW-TV, Philadelphia (Channel 3). Gregg, who joined Entercom in 2010, was president of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists (2015 – 2016) and vice president of broadcast in 2013. A member of the Pennsylvania and Georgia Bars, she has an undergraduate degree (B.S.) from Boston University; a J.D. from Howard University School of Law; and an M.J. from Temple University’s College of Communications and Theater. Gregg was named one of the Philadelphia NAACP’s Most Influential Black Women and PABJ’s Journalist of the Year in 2013.

Remembering Bill Wattenburg. Cancer has claimed the life of 82-year-old Bill Wattenburg, who died last Thursday (8/2). For 39 years (1972 – 2011), “Dr. Bill” hosted a late night show on KGO, San Francisco where the former nuclear weapons designer at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory would answer questions about everything from car repairs to physics. Show promos often referred to him as “The smartest man in the world.” The three-hour program (“Open Line to the West Coast,” 10:00 pm – 1:00 am) aired Saturday and Sunday nights and originated from his home in the Sierras. An occasional caller was Clint Eastwood, who gave Wattenburg a few cameos in the “Dirty Harry” movies. Using the nom de plume Will Harvey, the inventor and former physics professor at the University of California – Berkeley authored an early-1970s best-selling book “How to Find and Fascinate a Mistress.” The success of that book led to him being booked on numerous television talk shows where he debated the merits of feminism with people such as the Gabor sisters and Gloria Steinem. As an inventor, Wattenburg had eight patents to his credit, one reportedly being the first home alarm system using electrical wiring for its communication medium. A 2011 KGO format modification from news/talk to news resulted in several hosts – including Wattenburg – exiting the station. Shortly thereafter, Wattenburg hosted a show on Zwerling Broadcasting System news/talk KSCO-AM, Santa Cruz (California), which – after his death – aired a two-hour retrospective of his radio career.

Spanish Broadcasting System Forecasts Q2 Sales, OIBDA Increases. Preliminary estimated quarter two financial results for Spanish Broadcasting System estimates that consolidated net revenue will be between $34.5 million and $34.8 million, an increase of between 1% and 2% over the same period in 2017. Adjusted OIBDA, excluding non-cash stock-based compensation, is projected at $10.8 million – $11.6 million, an increase of 34% – 44% over last year. SBS chair/chief executive officer Raul Alarcon notes, “The company has continued its positive operational momentum throughout the second quarter with strong OIBDA growth and operating margins that continue to be among the highest in the industry. In addition, the announced $14 million sale of our surplus real estate in New York City has successfully closed, allowing for our move to newer and more suitable facilities in midtown Manhattan. A correlated and corresponding repayment of the company’s 12.5% senior secured notes from the net proceeds of the real estate sale has been undertaken, as previously envisioned. We maintain our positive view as to the continuing momentum in 2018 and will be filing our finalized second-quarter results within the next week.”

Ten Radio Groups Support NAB’s Owner Cap Modification Stance. Represented in this particular assemblage of group owners is “a cross-section of the industry” with minority-owned and family-owned entities that have stations in large and small markets. In alphabetical order by group owner, the open letter is signed by Alpha Media CEO Bob Proffitt; Connoisseur Media founder/CEO Jeff Warshaw; Emmis Communications chair/CEO Jeff Smulyan; Midwest Communications COO Michael Wright; Mid-West Family Stations president Thomas Walker; Neuhoff Communications president/CEO Beth Neuhoff; NRG Media president/CEO Mary Quass; Perry Publishing and Broadcasting chair Russell Perry; Townsquare Media co-CEOs Dhruv Prasad and Bill Wilson; and Zimmer Radio of Mid-Missouri president/owner John Zimmer. Read the entire letter here.

Round One of July 2018 PPM Data Released. The first of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s July 2018 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island), Riverside, San Jose, and Middlesex-Somerset-Union. Nielsen Audio’s July 2018 survey period covered June 21 – July 18. See all the 6+ numbers from subscribing stations here.

TALKERS News Notes. Following stints on New Jersey outlets WMTR and WCTC, Jonathan Friedman’s “Talking Sports” (8:00 pm – 10:00 pm) debuts this Saturday (8/11) on Salem Media Group New York City’s news/talk WNYM “AM 970, The Answer.” The 52-year-old New Jersey resident notes, “I wanted to bring the show to a bigger stage. Growing up in Atlanta and being a huge fan of the Atlanta Falcons, Hawks, and Braves, my love for sports started early in my life. No matter who I talk to, the topic always seems to go to sports; that’s how I connect with people.” A 30-year advertising executive, Friedman has been with Success Communications Group the last 15 years and created the “Gotta Go To Mo’s” campaign for Modell’s Sporting Goods ….. St. Louis-based Project 21 co-chair Stacy Washington is broadcasting “Stacy on the Right” live nationwide. The first hour of the weekday talk program is available on all 180 stations of the American Family Radio Network. The national hour is 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm (ET) and can be streamed through the AFR website, TuneInRadio, Facebook, and YouTube. Decorated Air Force veteran and Emmy-nominated TV personality Washington began her broadcasting career several years ago as a fill-in host on news/talk KFTK, St. Louis and began a two-hour program on the Urban Family Talk Network in 2016 ….. Having added ten million listeners over the last few months, iHeartRadio officially surpasses 120 million registered users. It has over 20,000 podcasts in 20 different unique categories, including 750 iHeartRadio original podcasts ….. According to a report by Richard Deitsch in The Athletic, former NFL quarterback (St. Louis Rams, New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals) Kurt Warner will succeed Boomer Esiason as analyst on Westwood One’s “Monday Night Football” broadcasts. Hall of Famer Warner – who has filled-in when Esiason wasn’t available – would work alongside play-by-play announcer Kevin Harlan. According to Deitsch, a formal announcement of the deal is forthcoming ….. In a situation that will have him relocating to the network’s Chicago headquarters, Scott Krus – station manager of religious teaching WCRF “Moody Radio,” Cleveland – is promoted to general manager of the national Moody Radio Network. Three-month vice president, and former GM, Doug Hastings states, “Scott has the background, skills, and passion to take Moody Radio into our next season. He is very well known at Moody Radio; respected by staff and industry leaders; and has proven that he will effectively lead Moody Radio as general manager.” Krus, who begins his new duties in approximately four weeks (9/1), comments, “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve our teams and [am] energized by the challenge of navigating this ever-changing landscape of media ministry. I believe that Moody is strategically-positioned to expand on its role as a leader in the industry and uniquely equipped to inspire listeners to take that next step in their walk with Jesus Christ. I am looking forward with great excitement to all that God will do in the days to come.”

Paul Manafort Trial/Gates Testimony, Kushner Deleted Stories, Midterm Races, California Wildfire, MLB Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (8/6). The trial of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort highlighted by the juicy testimony of Rick Gates; claims that Jared Kushner deleted sensitive stories at his newspaper; the attempted drone assassination attempt of Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro; this fall’s midterm elections; the deadly California wildfire; and Major League Baseball action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Premiere Promotes Silcock to VP/Affiliate Relations – Morning Shows. Six-year, New York City-based director of affiliate relations Casey Silcock receives vice president stripes from Premiere Networks. In the newly-created position of vice president of affiliate relations – morning shows, Silcock will oversee affiliate sales and serve as the syndicator’s brand manager for programs featuring Elvis Duran; Bobby Bones; Brooke & Jubal; Johnjay & Rich; and Kane. Senior vice president of affiliate relations/talk and morning shows Peter Tripi comments, “Casey has been a valuable member of our team for the past six years, and he has made significant contributions to the growth of our industry-leading morning shows. I’m confident his leadership, sound judgment, and solid relationships with affiliate stations and talent alike will drive continued success for our programming.” Silcock previously was head of promotion for Verve Music Group, a division of Universal Music Group, and held management promotion and marketing positions at Virgin Records America.

Music Radio News and Career Moves. Weekend WTXF-TV “Fox 29,” Philadelphia sports anchor Sean Brace will appear each Friday at 8:20 am on iHeartMedia Philadelphia rhythmic hot AC WISX “Real 106.1” during “Chio in the AM.” In addition, Brace will contribute to the station’s website and host a Saturday night (7:00 pm – 12:00 midnight) music show. He formerly was heard on cross-town Greater Media (now Beasley Media Group) sports talk WPEN-FM “97.5 The Fanatic” ….. It is an eventful day for San Antonio air-on talent named “Cortez.” Taking to Facebook, Tony Cortez announces he is leaving his position as assistant program director/afternoon drive talent at Alpha Media’s CHR KTFM “Energy 94.1,” while “The Dana Cortez Show” was missing this morning at cross-town Univision Radio-owned rhythmic CHR KBBT “98.5 The Beat.” On Twitter, Dana Cortez tweets, “We have some exciting things in the works & want you to be part of.” ….. Promotions coordinator/night personality Edwin Guevara is elevated to promotions director/afternoon host at Townsquare Media Trenton, New Jersey CHR WPST “94.5 – Your New #1 Hit Music Station.” He replaces Tom Shinn, who exited last month. Guevara is approaching his third year at the station, arriving from Kemp Broadcasting Las Vegas rhythmic CHR KVEG “Hot 97.5” ….. Former Bonneville country KYGO, Denver program director Eddie Haskell is named senior vice president of programming for iHeartMedia’s Fort Collins (Colorado) stations. According to iHeartMedia Denver area president Amy Griesheimer, “I am thrilled to have someone of Eddie’s caliber and expertise partner with us to lead [our] Northern Colorado dynasty. Eddie’s passion and brand knowledge are unmatched.” Denver region senior vice president of programming Jason McCollim notes, “Eddie’s knowledge and experience in Colorado radio are second to none. His addition to the Fort Collins team will only help to increase our already strong footprint in Northern Colorado.” Haskell adds, “I am so stoked to join the team at iHeartMedia Fort Collins. We have great brands, great programmers, and a great management team.” His prior background includes being operations manager for Cumulus Media Albuquerque and he has held various programming roles in Detroit (WYCD) and Salt Lake City (KKAT-AM). The iHM cluster in Fort Collins includes country KXBG “Big 97.9”; classic hits-oldies KXBG-HD2 “B-107.3”; classic country KIIX “AM 1410 – Country’s Greatest Hits”; CHR KSME “96.1 – Kiss-FM”; classic rock KPAW “92.9 – The Bear”; alternative KPAW-HD2 “Radio 94.9”; and news/talk KCOL “Fox News Radio 600” ….. Grammy winner – and the first “American Idol” – Kelly Clarkson is filming a pilot for a daytime (TV) talk show. Clarkson has a deal with NBC Entertainment, but the pilot is currently not attached to any network; it is potentially being shopped for a fall 2019 debut.

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

TALKERS | June 20, 2018

RTDNA Announces National Edward R. Murrow Award Winners. From more than 4,400 entries, the awards recognize 89 local and network radio, television and digital news organizations for 118 examples of outstanding journalism in 16 categories. The leader in overall Radio Television Digital News Association awards with five – NPR – scores wins in “Continuing Coverage,” “Excellence in Social Media,” “Excellence in Sound,” “Excellence in Hard News,” and “News Documentary.” Hubbard Washington, DC all-news WTOP and New Hampshire Public Radio repeated their 2017 wins for “Overall Excellence” in large market radio and small market radio, respectively. RTDNA executive director Dan Shelley notes, “Winning an RTDNA National Edward R. Murrow Award means that a news organization has provided exemplary public service to its viewers, listeners, and readers. These honorees truly represent the very best in broadcast and digital journalism around the world. We cannot make our communities better unless we understand them, and these stories from news organizations large and small have educated, uplifted, inspired, uncovered, and enlightened. These winning pieces revealed the tragedies of human trafficking, kept audiences safe and informed during devastating hurricanes and fires, and provided desperately sought information and context during too-common moments of violence. They provided insight into healthcare, homelessness and immigration issues, engaged communities in learning about mental health and dug deep into election interference.” In addition to the “Overall Excellence” award won for the second time straight and 12th over 18 years, CBS News Radio was recognized for “Best Audio Newscast” for the sixth time in succession. This year, it was for “World News Roundup” coverage of Hurricane Harvey with Norah O’Donnell reporting from Houston and Steve Kathan anchoring from New York. Coverage of the mass shooting of concertgoers on the Las Vegas Strip last October earned the staff the “Breaking News” award for a report by Steve Futterman, Steve Dorsey, and Deborah Rodriguez. This year’s “Excellence in Writing” award went to Dave Ross for his daily feature. CBS News Radio general manager Craig Swagler states, “It is because of our great radio station affiliates that we are a better, stronger radio network.” Entercom was honored with three awards: Large Market Radio “Excellence in Sound” to all-news KCBS-AM, San Francisco for “Wine Country on Fire”; News Series to all-news WCBS-AM, New York for “The Breaking Point”; and the same station scored for “Newscast” (October 31, 2017, 5:00 pm). The national awards will be presented in four months (10/22) at the RTDNA “Edward R. Murrow Awards Gala” in New York City’s Gotham Hall.

KBME To Shuffle Its Lineup. Former National Football League quarterback Sean Salisbury will join the weekday lineup of iHeartMedia Houston’s KBME “Sports Talk 790” in afternoon drive (3:00 pm – 6:00 pm), starting in less than three weeks (Monday, 7/9). Director of AM programming for iHeartMedia Houston, Bryan Erickson, notes, “We are thrilled to be adding Salisbury to the team. The former quarterback brings a unique perspective from his days on the gridiron. We have put together an all-star lineup of guys who know sports and love talking about sports. [KBME] is truly the best destination for compelling local sports content in Houston.” Salisbury adds, “I have been blessed with a full career. This opportunity to work with iHeart and ‘Sports Talk 790’ was too good to pass up in so many ways. I don’t take these great moments lightly. The last five years have been special. I fully expect this new journey to be filled with ‘wow’ moments that make our listeners feel like they are getting the show they deserve.” Following his ten-year professional football career, Salisbury was an NFL analyst on ESPN, and served as a consultant for the 2005 remake of “The Longest Yard.” KBME’s revised lineup as of July 9 will include Josh Innes (6:00 am – 10:00 am); “In the Trenches with Koch & Kalu” (10:00 am – 12:00 noon); Matt Thomas (12:00 noon – 3:00 pm); and Salisbury from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm. The station will continue its broadcast partnerships with the Houston Astros, Houston Rockets, and the University of Texas football and basketball teams.

MacFarlane Donates $2 Million to NPR; $500,000 to KPCC. Opting to answer Fox News host Tucker Carlson’s comments about dishonesty in the media with his wallet, “Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane is making a $2 million donation to NPR and $500,000 to Los Angeles’ NPR membership station, KPCC. MacFarlane’s contribution will directly benefit NPR’s Collaborative Journalism Network, which connects NPR’s nearly 1,800 journalists so they are able to share resources and eliminate “news deserts” in the United States. An NPR spokesperson writes, “We are deeply appreciative of the generous gift from Seth MacFarlane, which will go to supporting local news coverage, allowing NPR and member stations to continue working together to tell the story of the whole country from everywhere in the country.” Southern California Public Radio president and CEO Bill Davis states, “We are deeply moved by Seth’s generous contribution to Southern California Public Radio, KPCC, and NPR. It is this local/national partnership that is the heart of our shared public service mission and we are committed to more fully realizing that mission thanks to this gift and his challenge for others to join us.” Last Thursday, Carlson stated, “If you’re looking to understand what’s actually happening in this country, always assume the opposite of whatever they’re telling you on the big news stations.” In a tweet, MacFarlane wrote that statements like Carlson’s “make me embarrassed to work for this company,” referring to Fox for whom MacFarlane has provided “Family Guy,” “American Dad,” “Cleveland,” and “Orville.” As a direct rebuke to Carlson’s remarks, MacFarlane further told his Twitter followers, “In other words, don’t think critically, don’t consult multiple news sources, and in general, don’t use your brain.”

TALKERS Founder Michael Harrison Says Fox News Channel Hosts Present “Legitimate” Point of View on the Current Border Controversy. TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison spoke this morning (6/20) on CNN’s Headline News Channel (HLN) program “Across America with Carol Costello” about the media’s role in the current border immigration controversy (pictured above). Costello asked Harrison for his perspective on threats by 21^st Century Fox show business producers such as Seth MacFarlane (“Family Guy”) and Steve Levitan (“Modern Family”) as well as director Paul Feig who have publicly expressed “disgust” and “embarrassment” over the way Fox News Channel has been covering the family-separation issue with hosts Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham and others showing support of President Trump’s stringent policy. Harrison said that he doesn’t take these threats seriously and the situation will probably be resolved with the country moving on to the next issue before they could even make good on them. If anything, Harrison said, this issue will force Trump to further tweak and define murky areas of his immigration policy. Harrison went on to say that the Hollywood establishment “which includes show business across the board such as Broadway and what took place at the Tony Awards” is hurting its own cause as well as its business interests by speaking out so vehemently for one side in what is a highly-charged polarized situation. Harrison stated, “Famous people whose media products are not directly involved in politics would be wise to stay out of the fray because they will only further alienate the significant segment of the public and electorate that is supportive of Trump… even to the point of strengthening its resolve.” When asked if he thinks the potential acquisition of Fox by Walt Disney Co. or Comcast could result in the Fox News Channel modifying its conservative stand, Harrison replied, “Probably not – they are in business and it is doubtful that they would do something to diminish the formidable earnings of a viable news venue serving a large portion of the population.” Harrison concluded, “No matter how harsh or even cruel Trump’s handling of this situation might be, there are many millions of Americans who support him on it and, thus, Fox News Channel is presenting a legitimate point of view within the highly diverse American marketplace of ideas. If Fox were to back off on its pro-Trump stance, you can be sure other venues such as Newsmax would be more than happy to swoop in and fill the void that would be waiting to be served.”

Westwood One News’ Vietnam Retrospective Nabs Gold Medal Award. Among the five citations Westwood One News received Monday night (6/18) from the New York International Radio Festival was a gold medal award for “Pain & Pride: Remembering Vietnam – 50 Years Later,” which aired during Veterans Day weekend (November, 2017). Westwood One host/Vietnam veteran Jim Bohannon narrated “Pain & Pride.” Bohannon, who served with the 856^th Radio Research Detachment in Cat Lai and Long Binh from 1967 -1968, won a NY Festival prize 30 years ago for his first “Pain & Pride” news special. He comments, “I am very gratified that producer David Oziel, the Westwood One News team, and I have received this recognition. For me, there is special meaning in that we did a 20-year look back special that won the New York Festival’s Grand Award in 1988. Also, I’ll be the keynote speaker [tomorrow, Thursday, 6/21] at the Branson, Missouri reunion of my Vietnam unit, the 199th Light Infantry Brigade. It is a delightful manifestation of what Vietnam vets say to each other – ‘welcome home.’” Bohannon gave the keynote address at the Vietnam Wall Memorial in Washington in 1990; was the principal MC for the Vietnam Veterans reunion in Branson in 2002; and hosted the “Rumble” at “TALKERS 2018” less than two weeks ago (6/8) in New York City.

PPM Analysis: All-News. Managing editor Mike Kinosian presents four analyses of the performances of stations based on data from Nielsen Audio’s May PPM survey. Today’s report focuses on the all-news format. A year-to-year improvement of nine-tenths (8.8 – 9.7, 6+) enables Hubbard’s WTOP to move from second to third in Washington, DC. It is the only all-news station in a PPM-market to rank first in May 2018. Moreover, with a 9.6 (6+), it once again boasts the strongest 6+-share among its all-news peers. The category’s runner-up in all six survey periods highlighted in this analysis (“Holiday” 2017 – May 2018) is iHeartMedia Sacramento’s KFBK (6.7, 6+, May 2018). See the entire all-news overview here.

Edison Research Releases 2018 Q1 “Share of Ear” Report. The study quantifies reach and time spent with of all forms of audio. Results indicate terrestrial AM and FM radio remains the centerpiece of audio. Among nuggets from the quarterly report as summarized on the Westwood One website by director of content marketing Lauren Vetrano: AM/FM accounts for 47% of all audio time spent among persons 18+. “Owned music” is next at 12%, followed by YouTube videos (9%); ad-free SiriusXM (5%) and TV music channels (5%). AM/FM’s share has been consistently strong throughout the last few years. Edison reports AM/FM radio’s daily reach also remains stable, while Pandora continues to see losses in share and reach; Spotify has grown 36% (3% to 4.1%). Since 2016, Pandora’s “Share of Ear” dropped 17%. From 2016 to 2018, millennials 18-34 daily reach jumped 39%. Daily reach among 25-54s increased 52%. In addition, podcasting’s daily reach is growing, especially among younger audiences, with listening share +39% in two years to 15.2% among those 18-34 and +52% to 9.7% in the same timeframe among 25-54s.

Salem Radio Network Sets Midterm Election Coverage. With its vice president of news & talk programming Tom Tradup commenting, “There is unprecedented interest in this year’s midterms,” Salem Radio Network will feed live Mike Gallagher-anchored coverage on (Tuesday) November 6 beginning at 7:00 pm (ET). Adding their perspective as well that night will be SRN host Hugh Hewitt; White House correspondent Greg Clugston; Senate correspondent Linda Kenyon; Congress correspondent Wally Hindes; Pentagon/military affairs correspondent Colonel Robert Maginnis; and SRN analyst/former presidential candidate Gary Bauer.

TALKERS News Notes. Having overseen the programming content strategy for 54 radio stations in Radio One’s 15 markets and Reach Media‘s nationally syndicated programming since January 2007, senior vice president of programming content Jay Stevens will leave the company when his contract expires the middle of next month. Immediately prior to joining Radio One, Stevens spent 16 years as vice president of programming for CBS Radio ….. It’s a busy week for Westwood One “Sterling on Sunday” host Walter (Sabo) Sterling who is filling in for Westwood One teammate Jim Bohannon tonight (Wednesday, 6/20) and tomorrow night (Thursday, 6/21). Sterling will be originating those shows from Entercom Pittsburgh news/talk KDKA-AM. Then, in approximately two weeks (7/5 and 7/6), he will guest host for Cumulus Media Little Rock news/talk KARN-FM afternoon drive talent Doc Washburn ….. Chicago media writer Robert Feder (RobertFeder.com) is first to report that veteran “Windy City” news anchor Dave Stewart (WGN, WLS-AM, WIND) will retire at the end of the month … Word from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Rodney Ho is that Elly Yu is remaining in the public news/talk arena but shifting from Atlanta Public Schools-owned WABE to American University’s WAMU as a general assignment reporter.

ABC Radio To Air Four July 4^th Specials. All will be three hours in length for broadcast over the upcoming holiday weekend. In “America’s Pastimes,” ABC News Radio correspondent Aaron Katersky enjoys the pastimes that comprise a classic American summer such as the back porch, barbeque, sports, and a day at the beach. Katersky will explore not only the traditional American summer hobbies, but also those that are new. ABC News Radio correspondent Alex Stone hosts “Great American Car Show” in which he examines America’s love affair with the automobile. He tours the presidential limousine that John F. Kennedy was in on that fateful day in Dallas; visits an assembly line making the Ford Mustang (pictured at left); and ponders a future with flying cars. Stone will take listeners on a tour down historic Route 66, do donuts with a Hollywood stunt car driver and learn about the latest in car technology. “Red, White and True-Blue Country Fan Salute” is hosted by Dustin Lynch, who reveals the special relationship between country artists and their fans. Among those included are Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Little Big Town, and Darius Rucker. They discuss their most memorable and strangest fan encounters, how they engage with fans on social media and what sets country fans apart from partisans of other musical genres. Eddie Money-hosted “Red, White & Rock 2018” celebrates cities, artists, and songs that comprise the landscape of American rock and roll. It will feature music from Aerosmith, Allman Brothers Band, Cheap Trick, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Tom Petty, Bob Seger, Bruce Springsteen, Van Halen, and ZZ Top.

Coleman Insights To Present Podcast Engagement Study. Results will be shared next month (7/25) in Philadelphia at Podcast Movement as part of the conference’s Industry Track. The study will reportedly offer second-by-second data in an analysis on listener reactions to “The Ben & Ashley Almost Famous Podcast,” hosted by former contestants from ABC-TV’s “The Bachelor.” Coleman Insights executive vice president/senior consultant Sam Milkman notes, “We will go well beyond the simple measures of listener and download counts that podcasters are used to seeing and examine content engagement. By looking at how the audience responds to specific content, podcasters can more effectively develop engaging content.” Podcast Movement co-founder Dan Franks remarks, “One of the biggest challenges for a podcaster is to figure out who their listener is, and what their listener wants. Coleman’s solutions for this problem are very exciting for us as organizers, as we get to help spread the word throughout the entire podcast community this July.” Milkman will present the findings with John Boyne and will be joined by iHeartRadio senior vice president of podcasting Chris Peterson.

For The Record. An item in yesterday’s TALKERS (Tuesday, 6/19) noted that “CBS World News Roundup” earned a “gold” medal in the New York Festivals International Radio Program Awards; “CBS World News Roundup” actually won a “bronze.” We apologize for the error.

NYC’s “Alt 92.3” Adds Segall, Stone. In two separate moves, Entercom New York’s WNYL “Alt 92.3” names Bryce Segall music director/evening talent and Dan Stone imaging director. Segall begins in less than two weeks (Monday, 7/2); Stone starts next Monday (6/25). Entercom New York regional president and market manager Susan Larkin comments, “Bryce has continuously displayed the ability to be innovative in the programming end of our industry; we are excited to add his talents. Dan’s previous imaging and voiceover experience will pay great dividends as he joins us in the same capacity.” According to Segall, “New York City is an iconic pillar of alternative culture. It has long deserved a radio station that not only pays tribute, but adds to that legacy. I am looking forward to working with the ‘Alt 92.3’ team to develop an outlet that truly adds value to the thriving, pre-existing music community.” Stone notes, “Helping to build an ‘Alt’ radio brand for New York City is a dream come true. This station’s passion for the format is unequalled; I can’t wait to wake up and be a part of that.” Segall previously was assistant program director/air personality for Seattle’s KNDD “107.7 The End,” and label manager for Mad Zoo. Stone was an imaging contributor/consultant for Cumulus Media Chicago. WNYL is the former WBMP – its calls were changed last Tuesday (6/12). Among persons 6+ in Nielsen Audio’s May 2018 sweep, the station ranked #19 (2.0).

Bevvy of Beasley Media Group Philly Activities. Several community-oriented activities undertaken by Beasley Media Group Philadelphia seemingly converged all at once. Many employees at the cluster were involved in its recent “Best Day of Caring” event to help the City of Philadelphia Community Life Improvement Program (CLIP). Team members from WMMR “93.3 Everything That Rocks”; WMGK “102.9 Philadelphia’s Classic Rock”; adult hits WBEN-FM “95.7 Ben FM”; sports talk WPEN-FM “97.5 The Fanatic”; sports talk WTEL “610 ESPN”; and WWDB “Talk 860” divided into two shifts to clean up a block in the city’s Frankford section. While there, they picked up trash and removed graffiti to help support the organization’s beautification project. Vice president and market manager Joe Bell comments, “This is truly what being a part of a local community is all about. I could not be more proud of our employees for paying it forward and helping our beloved city. I am proud to be on their team.” Meanwhile, last Friday (6/15), WMGK’s John DeBella raised over $143,000 for local veterans as part of his 13^th annual radiothon at the National Constitution Center. Over the past decade, the station has raised over one million dollars to support vets in need. Among those donating items used in a series of eBay auctions that occurred in conjunction with the radiothon were Def Leppard’s Rick Allen, Jimmy Buffett, Phil Collins, Eagles, Billy Joel, and Yes. Former leader of Creedence Clearwater Revival, John Fogerty, called the station to voice his support. The following day (Saturday, 6/16), the 13^thannual WMMR “I Bleed For Preston & Steve Blood Drive” produced 1,128 units of blood to benefit The American Red Cross Penn-Jersey Blood Services Region. Listeners showed up during a time when the American Red Cross needs blood the most and they received “Preston & Steve” T-shirts and “I Bleed For Preston & Steve” pint glass. Hundreds of donors were randomly selected to receive a pair of tickets to a summer concert. Free food and samples were also provided. Thus far, the annual event has collected nearly 15,000 pints of blood.

O’Brien Inks Multi-Year WCSX Extension. Four-year WCSX “94.7 The Classic Rock Station” morning drive personality (Big) Jim O’Brien signs a multi-year deal to continue hosting “Big Jim’s House” on the Beasley Media Group Detroit outlet. Vice president/market manager Mac Edwards comments, “It is really a pleasure to be associated with Jim and the healthy combination of creativity, wit, and passion for cars and classic rock he brings to his morning listeners in the ‘Motor City.’ Jim’s work to establish Glenn Frey Drive in Royal Oak and soon Bob Seger Boulevard in Ann Arbor; his tireless efforts on behalf of veterans; and his respect for all things Detroit prove he is an extraordinary ambassador for both WCSX and the city he calls home.” Program director JT Tarrants states, “I have been a ‘Big Jim’ fan since I arrived here. We are so glad to have him buttoned up to lead our morning show into the future.” O’Brien adds, “It is an honor to be part of the Beasley Media Group family in Detroit. I look forward to continue entertaining our dedicated ‘Motor City’ listeners for years to come.” O’Brien has been with WCSX since 2002 and is joined on the morning show by co-host Erin V and producer Ryan Logan.

San Andres Ascends to “Z-90” APD. XHTZ “Z-90 – Today’s Hit Music,” the Comunicación XERSA-owned mainstream CHR covering San Diego, promotes music director Kat San Andres to assistant program director. Program director R Dub comments, “It is team members behind the spotlight like Kat San Andres who are responsible for the incredible success of ‘Z-90’ and the other brands in this building. Kat’s relentless work ethic and passion for the business helps propel ‘Z-90’ forward every day; expanding her role here was overdue. Add to that, she is the ‘Z-90’ listener; has a great set of ears; and is a lot cooler than I will ever be.” With the station since 2004, San Andres remarks, “Fourteen years later, I am still in love with this career. I am always so thankful and grateful that I decided to take a risk to follow my dreams because it has led me to this wonderful adventure. I am so excited for this opportunity and cannot wait to start this new chapter.” Meanwhile, Kalyna Astrinos of San Diego’s KGTV-TV joins “Z-90” for weekends. She and R Dub worked together at iHeartMedia Los Angeles in 2009.

More Music Radio News and Career Moves. After 16 years in the CBS Radio Los Angeles – now Entercom – cluster, John Michael resigns. During his tenure, he was assistant program director/music director at mainstream CHR KAMP “97.1 Amp Radio”; music director for adult hits KCBS-FM “93.1 Jack FM’: and music coordinator/weekend air talent at alternative KROQ ….. Digital program director for iHeartMedia San Francisco Matty Staudt is elevated to iHeartRadio’s vice president of podcast programming. Staudt has launched more than 30 original locally-focused podcasts and hosts iHeartRadio’s “Access Podcast.” In 2008, he became part of the startup team and first director of content and community for the podcasting app Stitcher before moving to Premiere Networks as a consulting producer. A teacher at the Academy of Art University, Staudt will report directly to senior vice president of podcasting Chris Peterson …..Exiting Saga Columbus adult contemporary WSNY “Sunny 95” after 24 years is morning talent Dino Tripodis. Co-host Stacy McKay is the interim replacement named by program director Michelle Matthews ….. Morning drivers Chaz & AJ of Connoisseur Media New Haven’s WPLR “99.1 Connecticut’s #1 Rock Station” raised $18,000 for Connecticut based “Homes for the Brave.” WPLR operations manager Keith Dakin states, “It was truly inspiring to look at a packed house of people who were there not only for laughs but to help out a great organization making a difference in our community. ‘Homes for the Brave’ is doing great things in our state and we are so happy to write them this check.” Chaz adds, “With over a million U.S. veterans at risk of homelessness, this is the least we could do. It is up to us to help take care of those that gave for their country.” All money raised will go to help build homes, teach vocational training, and work with homeless veterans ….. The co-host of Cumulus Media’s “Nash Nights Live” – Elaina Smith – teams up with Nash Country Daily for an ongoing conversation about women in country music. Each article will feature a female county artist with an accompanying opinion piece, interview, podcast, or playlist. Profiled female artists will be featured on 90 Cumulus Media websites and more than 130 radio stations nationwide, with a reach of 400,000 people on Twitter and 180,000 on Facebook.

Friday, January 12, 2018

TALKERS | January 12, 2018

Most Talk Radio Programmers are Avoiding Use of the Term “Shithole” in Wake of Presidential Sh*tstorm. Once again, President Donald J. Trump – for better or worse – has shaken up the standards of traditional broadcasting and journalism. This time, with his controversial remark about immigration using the term “shithole” to describe countries from which he considers immigration particularly undesirable. The controversial racist aspect of this story notwithstanding, FCC-regulated broadcasters have had to make the quick decision to directly utter the term on the airwaves or buffer it with less offensive and non-potentially rule-breaking words. This decision has been made more difficult by the fact that many traditional, so-called mainstream cable outlets and online/print news media have chosen to use the word as the President said it. In conversations around the industry this morning TALKERS has learned that the prevailing tact on terrestrial talk radio has been NOT to use the word directly. Cumulus Media/Westwood One EVP Mike McVay tells TALKERS, “Despite cable television taking great joy in saying the ‘S’ word on TV, we are not saying the actual word on over the air radio. We recognize it as one of the seven words we cannot say. That has not stopped us from using it on our digital platforms.” Salem Radio Network senior VP, Phil Boyce says, “The word ‘shit’ is one of the FCC-banned words and our hosts should never use it, no matter if the president did or didn’t. My morning guy in Los Angeles, Brian Whitman, will be using the word “BLANK hole.” We want our shows to be safe for the whole family. No need to have listeners turn off the radio because kids are in the car.” Bold Gold Media Group CEO Vince Benedetto – owner of a number of stations in Pennsylvania and upstate New York – adds, “We haven’t changed our policy – we still do not say anything on air that violates George Carlin’s ‘Seven words you can’t say on television.'” ABC Radio VP/GM Steve Jones tells TALKERS, “ABC News Radio anchors and reporters are not speaking that word on air as it could be considered an FCC violation and it also might offend local community standards. Instead, we are referring to the phrase as an ‘expletive’ or ‘profanity.’ We have 1,650 affiliates and the majority use our ABC ‘Newscall’ service – which provides on-demand audio of reporters and actualities. We are more permissive in what we provide on that service because it is the decision of the station whether to run the audio – whereas as we control the newscast content and therefore have unilateral decision-making. If audio existed of any president using a profanity, we would put it on ‘Newscall’ and let stations decide its usage. If we determined language was so newsworthy we felt obligated to include it in a newscast, we would probably warn stations in advance. But, that’s hard to effectively control and I don’t recall it being done in many years.” Although the consensus is to avoid using the word directly on the airwaves, not everyone in talk radio fully agrees that the way to go. Nationally-famous, station owner/operator (and industry maverick) Michael Zwerling of KSCO/KOME, Santa Cruz tells TALKERS that he will use the word on his own show (“The Saturday Special”) but respects the rights of his air personalities to make their own decisions, “My position is to use the word on the air since it is a bona fide news story – but I just checked with the ‘Good Morning Monterey Bay’ staff [the station’s morning show] and was told they opted to say ‘s-hole’ and to play the Haitian national anthem.” Zwerling continues, “Trump apparently has denied using that word (which is one of my favorites) but even if he was falsely accused of using it by the news media almost universally out to get him – it has nonetheless become a legitimate news story and therefore would fall into my category of okay to use on the air. Besides, it moves our industry in the direction of parity with the ‘paid’ services that have been and are allowed to use profanity with impunity!” Media consultant/TALKERS columnist/and RT America host Holland Cooke says, “It is a big topic with heavy phones at my client stations this morning. My advice: Ask listeners, ‘If he said that word, should we, here on the radio?'” TALKERS legal editor and Bentley University law professor Steven JJ Weisman says, “It is my opinion that the use of the word ‘shithole’ in the context of discussing the president’s comments would be allowed.” For Weisman’s full comments, please read the story below.

Steve Weisman’s Legal Take on Terrestrial Radio’s Use of Term “Shithole.” TALKERS legal editor Steve Weisman offers his educated view on the terrestrial radio “shithole” issue prompted by President Donald J. Trump’s use of the term. To read the piece in its entirety, please click here.

Save the Date! Talkers 2018 Set for Friday, June 8, 2018 in New York City. The editorial board of TALKERS magazine is pleased to announce the date and location of the 21st annual installment of the talk media industry’s longest-running and most important national convention. Titled TALKERS 2018: Full Speed Ahead!, the power-packed, one-day event will take place on Friday, June 8, 2018 at the ultra-modern Helen Mills Event Space and Theater located in the colorful Chelsea district of Manhattan in New York City. This marks the second year in a row that the convention will be held at this very popular venue. The conference will feature top speakers from all aspects of the spoken-word media industry with a focus on talk radio and its role in the new digital age and dawn of a rapidly accelerating era. This will include programming, sales, marketing, and technology – the full spectrum of concerns, challenges and opportunities facing the modern day talk broadcaster and broadcasting organization. It will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, fireside chats, and exhibits of the latest services and equipment available to broadcasting professionals. The event will also provide its attendees with unparalleled networking opportunities and social mixers including breakfast, lunch and a closing cocktail reception. TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison states, “As has always been the case with this annual gathering, all the way back to its days as ‘The New Media Seminar,’ TALKERS 2018: Full Speed Ahead! will focus on the future. There is no doubt about it; we are at the dawn of an exciting new era – full of both daunting challenges and fabulous opportunities. Good things happen at this convention. We pack three days’ worth of content and activity into one dynamic day and comfortable space. It is not to be missed!” Complete agenda and hotel details will be posted in the coming days and weeks. As is customary with TALKERS conventions, TALKERS 2018: Full Speed Ahead! is only open to members of the professional media industry and communications students. Because seating is limited and the event has been an early sellout every year since the 1990s, in order to maintain this policy, non-refundable registrations can only be purchased via telephone with a credit card. Full registration, including all functions, meals, and refreshments costs $329 per person. However, an early bird special ($279 per person) is available for those who register before 5:00 pm ET on Friday, February 2. To register or obtain sponsorship information, call Barbara Kurland at 413-565-5413.

Gwiazdon Goes to Beasley Media Group Las Vegas as VP/MM. Most recently vice president and market manager of Midwest Communications’ Nashville adult contemporary WJXA “Mix 92.9”; adult hits WCJK “96.3 Jack FM”; and CHR WNFN “i106.7,” Dennis Gwiazdon began similar duties yesterday (1/11) for Beasley Media Group Las Vegas. According to Beasley Media Group executive vice president and chief operating officer Brian Beasley, “It is a privilege to welcome Dennis to the Beasley Media Group family. His proven track record and leadership skills are the perfect fit for our Las Vegas cluster as we continue to grow and expand our business in the market.” Gwiazdon, who was president of the Nashville Area Radio Association, states, “I am absolutely thrilled about joining the Beasley team. There is tremendous potential for us in Las Vegas and I’m grateful [to be given] the opportunity to make a difference.” Prior to his Nashville duties, Gwiazdon was president of San Diego-based Sales Insights. He previously held the vice president/general manager title at Seattle’s KRWM; San Diego’s KGB-FM and KPOP-AM; San Diego’s KMCG and KXGL; and Salt Lake City’s KKAT. With their Nielsen Audio December 2017 6+ AQH share and market rank in parentheses, Beasley Media Group’s Las Vegas cluster includes classic hits-oldies KKLZ “96.3 70s, 80s, and More” (6.3, #2); urban-rhythmic oldies KOAS “Old School 105.7” (4.0, #6); country KCYE “102.7 The Coyote” (3.7, #9); hot AC KVGS “Star 107.9” (2.8, #15); news/talk KDWN “AM 720” (.7, #26); and KCYE-HD2, which did not appear in the December 2017 sweep. The Las Vegas market leader is iHeartMedia adult contemporary KSNE “Sunny 106.5” (10.6, 6+), while Midwest Nashville’s WJXA “Mix” is on top (6+) with a 9.9.

WBUR, Reddit Debut “Endless Thread.” That’s the name of the weekly Ben Brock Johnson-hosted podcast done in partnership with Boston University-owned news/talk WBUR and Reddit, “the front page of the internet.” Starting today (1/12), weekly installments will be available every Friday to stream or download. According to Johnson, “Reddit is one of the most formidable communities online. Its lifeblood is people from all over the world sharing and organizing around every imaginable topic, making it an incredibly valuable resource for anyone trying to understand our world. As a journalist, I’ve been fascinated by Reddit for years, but I’ve also become an avid ‘redditor.’ I’m always surprised at what a mystery Reddit is to people who don’t use it. I’m looking forward to solving that mystery for the uninitiated, and helping ‘redditors’ share their incredible, real life stories with the world.” Reddit creative development manager Michael Pope remarks, “Reddit is home to the most authentic conversations on the internet and we know there is a massive opportunity to host thoughtful conversations about these stories in audio form. As one of the leading NPR affiliates in the country, we can’t wait to see what happens when we pair the production polish and talent at WBUR with the most compelling stories online.” The first episode, “No No No No Yes,” explores harrowing tales through first-hand interviews with ‘redditors’ who lived to tell their stories.

TALKERS News Notes. After a brief hiatus from a national platform, Dave Ross returns next Monday (1/15) with a daily, 90-second, CBS News Radio commentary, originally scheduled for a February 5 start date. Heard weekdays (“Seattle’s Morning News with Dave Ross”) on Bonneville-owned KIRO-FM, Ross is a five-time Edward R. Murrow award winner for best writing … This time next month (2/12), previous morning host of St. Louis hot AC KYKY “Y-98” Guy Phillips begins doing afternoons at news/talk KTRS “Big 550 The Talk of STL”; Julie Buck will be his co-host … Five Entercom Chicago stations – sports talk WSCR “670 The Score,” all-news WBBM-AM, CHR WBBM-FM “B-96,” triple A WXRT “93 XRT,” and country WUSN “US-99” – will be broadcasting from this year’s “Cubs Convention” today (1/12), tomorrow (Saturday, 1/13), and Sunday (1/14). Entercom Chicago senior vice president/market manager Jimmy de Castro comments, “We look forward to this event where our brands can interact with fellow Chicago Cubs fans. We are grateful for our continued partnership with the Chicago Cubs organization as the exclusive radio home of the Chicago Cubs.” This weekend’s event is taking place at Chicago’s Sheraton Grand Hotel. WSCR continues as the team’s radio flagship ….. Former Tribune Broadcasting White House correspondent and Long Island television news anchor/reporter Drew Scott joins JVC Media news/talk WRCN “Long Island News Radio 103.9” as a reporter. JVC Media president/CEO John Caracciolo comments, “Having someone like Drew is a complete win for us. His job will be to use the contact list he has developed over the years to help us open doors; get the story; and get the info Long Islanders need and want. This is live, local and hometown radio the way it is supposed to be.” WRCN operations director Frank Brinka notes, “Drew is a great addition to our staff. His wealth of news reporting and knowledge of the Long Island landscape will be an asset to the station. He will deliver a wealth of information to our listening audience.” Scott adds, “I am thrilled to be part of such a dynamic, live and local radio news organization. I am looking forward to helping ‘LI News Radio’ and JVC continue to grow and prosper.” ….. The flagship of MLB’s Minnesota Twins from 1961 – 2006, Entercom Minneapolis’ WCCO “News Radio 830,” returns in that capacity this year. The first of its 15-game spring training broadcast schedule will be (Thursday) February 22 when the Twins play the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers. Cory Provus, Dan Gladden, and Kris Atteberry comprise WCCO’s on-air team ….. Launching on SiriusXM next Wednesday (1/17) is “Barstool Radio,” the 24/7 channel for Barstool’s unfiltered approach to covering sports, men’s lifestyle, and popular culture. Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy remarks, “We are excited to launch our Barstool channel. It has been a wild ride to get to this point and this is another big step in our plan for total world domination.” SiriusXM senior vice president of sports programming Steve Cohen comments, “In today’s crowded media landscape, Barstool stands out as a unique and compelling voice. Live radio thrives on the kind of spontaneous and entertaining content that Barstool delivers every day. We don’t know what they are going to say next, but Barstool Radio on SiriusXM will be the place to hear it live and talk about it.” Weekday call-in shows will include: “The Barstool Radio Show” with Portnoy and Kevin “KFC” Clancy (4:00 pm – 6:00 pm, ET); “The Heartland Radio Show” with former NFL punter Pat McAfee (10:00 am -1:00 pm, ET); and “The Evening Yak” with Dan “Big Cat” Katz (6:00 pm – 7:00 pm, ET). Barstool Radio will be on SiriusXM’s “Power 85” and on the SiriusXM app ….. For over three weeks, Alpha Media Bakersfield (California) news/talk KNZR AM & FM “News-Talk-Dodgers,” mainstream CHR KLLY “Energy 95.3,” and urban-rhythmic oldies KKBB “Groove 99.3” collected food and water for fire victims in Ventura and Santa Barbara. KLLY program director Danny Hill comments, “I am very proud of my community and I love the support they always show. Bakersfield constantly gives to others and is at the forefront of a lot of charity events.” A local veterans chapter helped to deliver the supplies.

British Talk Show Host and TalkersRadio Personality Graham Mack Forced to Apologize for On Air Statement that PM Theresa May “Has No Balls.” It is always fascinating to compare and contrast American radio with broadcasting in other English-speaking countries when it comes to tolerance, freedom of speech and political controversy. Well-known English talk show host Graham Mack, host of the popular BOB-FM, Herfordshire (greater London) breakfast show got himself into a sticky situation on Wednesday (1/10) by boldly stating that British Prime Minister Theresa May “has no balls.” According to a report in the Hertfordshire Mercury, The comment came on yesterday’s (January 10) breakfast show during a lengthy rant about May’s recent Cabinet reshuffle, in which he also claimed that she was the “weakest Prime Minister” the country had ever seen. Mack went on to berate the reshuffle, saying that not enough women and ethnic minority MPs had been promoted to justify promises made by the Prime Minister in the preceding days. However, the maverick radio host appeared to backtrack on his claims this morning (January 11), telling listeners that he had to “correct” his comments. Mr. Mack said that although his remark about Mrs. May’s lack of balls was “anatomically correct,” he should not have made it. He also clarified that he could not be sure that May was the weakest Prime Minister the country had ever seen, as Clement Attlee or William the Younger could conceivably be weaker. In a statement, Mr. Mack said: “We received a serious complaint yesterday about what I’d said on the air. “Someone in a very senior position told me to make an apology. “I cannot reveal who made the complaint. The seriousness of the complaint did take me by surprise because a regular listener would realise that I take a swipe at all politicians regardless of which political party they represent.” Mr. Mack concluded his on-air correction by issuing an apology directly to the Prime Minister, saying that as the leader of the nation she must be respected. To listen to the segment of the program that got Graham Mack in trouble, please click here. Graham Mack also hosts “London Calling” a weekly program on TalkersRadio. TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison describes Mack as “one of the best radio talk show aahosts in the English-speaking world.”

iHeartMedia, MoviePass Announce Media Partnership. The agreement includes a marketing campaign across iHeartMedia’s multiplatform network to help build further brand awareness of MoviePass and target new subscribers in select United States metros. In addition, iHeartMedia will be an authorized reseller of ad inventory across the MoviePass website and mobile app. According to iHeartMedia Ventures president Joe Robinson, “We have the capability to build significant brand awareness for MoviePass through our unparalleled scale and reach of more than 270 million monthly listeners across the country and our multiplatform assets. We see a unique opportunity with MoviePass, and its ability to understand and analyze audience trends and behavior which is a great asset for our advertisers, especially those looking to further engage with millions of movie-goers.” MoviePass chief executive officer Mitch Lowe comments, “We expect that our partnership with iHeartMedia will fuel our continued growth by targeting more profitable subscribers in low-cost markets, while also opening up a new revenue stream with digital advertising. We also expect that this relationship will be beneficial to movie exhibitors because we hope to drive more traffic into theaters and to advertisers through our strong working intelligence on the preferences and behaviors of a substantial amount of movie-goers. Our subscribers are going to twice as many movies a month as other consumers and are buying one in every 50 movie tickets in the U.S.” MoviePass launched its current $9.95 per month subscription plan this past August.

Wynter Boosted to iHM EVP Urban/Hip-Hop. Los Angeles urban contemporary KRRL “Real 92.3” program director Doc Wynter adds corporate iHeartMedia duties as executive vice president urban/hip-hop. President/chief operating officer/chief financial officer Rich Bressler states, “No one understands urban and hip-hop programming like Doc. We are thrilled that he is expanding his role leading iHeartMedia’s programming strategy for those key formats. He has been instrumental in launching several of our urban and hip-hop stations nationwide and we’re excited for him to be even more hands-on with all of our urban brands in our over 150 markets.” Wynter adds, “Urban radio has been my passion for as long as I can remember. Having worked with iHeartMedia for almost three decades, I know we have some of the best programmers and on-air personalities in radio. I can’t wait to help our region and market presidents provide their local urban and hip-hop music fans with one-of-a-kind listening experiences that only a company like iHeartMedia can create.” In this newly-created position, Wynter – most recently the company’s senior vice president of urban programming/urban brand manager – will report to chief programming officer Tom Poleman. Wynter began overseeing the company’s urban radio stations in late-1999 and launched several iHeartMedia brands such as “Power 105.1 FM” in New York City (on WWPR); “Real 92.3” in Los Angeles (on KRRL); “V101.5” in Jacksonville (on WSOL); and “The Beat” in various cities.

More Music Radio News and Career Moves. After doing four years of night duty on iHeartMedia Los Angeles mainstream CHR KIIS “102.7 Kiss-FM,” Freddy Rivera transfers to co-owned Dallas hot AC KDMX “102.9 Now” for afternoon drive (2:00 pm – 7:00 pm). KDMX program director Jay Shannon comments, “Freddy is an outstanding on-air talent and we are very fortunate to add him to our lineup. Freddy is very much looking forward to calling DFW his home.” Rivera, who starts at KDMX in a little over three weeks (2/5), notes, “I am very excited to write the next chapter in my radio career with ‘102.9 Now.’ I have heard so much about the food, nightlife, and community – I can’t wait to jump right in.” Los Angeles-born/Inland Empire-raised Rivera began his radio career as an intern for former “Kiss-FM” wakeup talent Rick Dees and worked on-air at Riverside-Bernardino-Ontario rhythmic CHR KGGI ….. Changes at Merlin Media-owned/Cumulus Media-operated alternative WKQX, Chicago find morning driver Brian Phillips handling mornings by himself as his former co-host – Lou Lombardo – segues to evenings. In addition, Lombardo adds “digital content captain” duties. Former WKQX evening talent “Marconi” left the station about two weeks ago ….. Two-year KMLE, Phoenix morning show host Chris Matthews departs the Entercom country outlet, but Nina D and producer “Badger Gabe” remain in place ….. Steve Guittari departs Cumulus Media Indianapolis; Guittari was operations manager of the cluster and program director of the company’s WFMS “95.5 The Country Station” ….. Also in the “Circle City,” according to the Indianapolis Business Journal, iHeartMedia Indianapolis sports talk WNDE pulls the plug on the Dave “Gunner” Gunn and Don Stuck-hosted morning show “Flagrant Foul.” Gunn (3:00 pm – 7:00 pm) and Stuck (7:00 pm – 10:00 pm) continue though on classic rock sibling WFBQ “Q-95.” Clay Travis’ syndicated “Outkick the Coverage” returns to WNDE’s morning drive slot ….. Added to the weekend lineup of iHeartMedia-owned New York City rhythmic CHR WKTU “103.5 KTU” is Astra – who formerly did afternoon drive on cross-town mainstream CHR WBMP “Amp 92.3.”

Odom Out at WRXQ. The evening talent on Coal City, Illinois-licensed WRXQ “100.7 Q-Rock,” Ray “Crazy Ray” Odom, is pink-slipped by the Alpha Media station for remarks he made on CNBC’s “The Profit.” On a promo for that cable television show, Odom said, “I’m a sexist, egotistical, racist pig on the radio.” Alpha Media market manager Brian Foster notes, “We do not condone the views he expressed in the program. The feelings portrayed are that of his own and not of Alpha Media or ‘Q-Rock.’ After an internal review, we have decided to cut ties.” Odom is co-owner of Rayjus Outdoors, but he was placed on leave from that Morris, Illinois business, the subject of Marcus Lamonis-hosted “The Profit,” which offers financial help to struggling businesses. Lamonis acknowledges that Odom had, “a side job. I thought it may be a distraction, but I didn’t realize that the focus of it was to demonize minorities and degrade women.” Odom confirmed the firing, saying he worked hard to keep his radio persona separate from his business. “What I said got taken out of context completely – now I don’t have a radio job over it.” A Rayjus statement on Facebook reads, “Unfortunately, we cannot allow these statements to go unchecked. While an integral part of our organization, Ray will be taking a leave of absence to spend time with his family and reflect on what is in the best interest of his family and company.” Regarding what he has said on radio, Odom tells the (Joliet, Illinois) Herald-News, “Everybody has a different sense of what is funny and not funny.”

Entravision Expands La Suavecita. The Grupero/Cumbia La Suavecita format will be heard in 11 more markets, in addition to its Los Angeles area simulcast of KSSE, KSSC, & KSSD. Entravision president and chief operating officer Jeffery Liberman remarks, “Since its launch a year ago, La Suavecita has built an incredible following of loyal listeners and received strong advertising support in Los Angeles. We are excited to share this unique and exciting format with listeners in 11 new markets and to bring a powerhouse line-up of some of the most recognized on-air personalities in radio to La Suavecita. Los Angeles is the largest Hispanic radio market in the U.S. We believe our format, programming, and talent changes will allow us to better connect with our audiences, and in turn, our advertisers with their customers. La Suavecita is backed by a strong slate of on-air personalities that will drive engagement across our radio and digital platforms.” Coinciding with the national rollout of the La Suavecita format, El Genio will be heard 4:00 am – 10:00 am; “Piolin” (Eddie Sotelo) 10:00 am – 2:00 pm; Armida y La Flaka 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm; and Mayra 7:00 pm -12:00 midnight. Targeting women 25 – 49 and adults 25 – 54, La Suavecita surfaces in Houston (KGOL); Phoenix (KVVA and KDVA); Denver (KJMN and KMXA); Sacramento (KXSE); Las Vegas (KRRN); McAllen (KNVO); El Paso (KINT-FM); Stockton (KTSE); Modesto (KCVR); Palm Springs, California (KLOB); and El Centro, California (KSEH).

Cutbacks at Dick Broadcasting’s Three New Clusters. Back in September, Dick Broadcasting announced it would acquire Alpha Media’s 18 stations and two translators in Kinston-New Bern-Jacksonville (North Carolina); Myrtle Beach (South Carolina); and Savannah (Georgia) for $19.5 million. Staffing cuts have been made in all three markets. Exiting WXQR “Rock 105,” Kinston-New Bern-Jacksonville are program director/afternoon talent Tina Smash and night host Ryan Daniels. Departures at the Myrtle Beach cluster include production director/WXYY “G-100.1” afternoon driver Mark ‘Shark’ Eddis and WFXH “Rock 106.1,” Hilton Head Island assistant program director/night talent Ryan Koch. The business manager position has been eliminated in the three aforementioned markets.

Friday, January 5, 2018

TALKERS | January 5, 2018

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai Cancels CES 2018 Appearance Over Death Threats. That’s what’s being reported by Recode. The publication cites agency sources that say Pai’s scheduled appearance in Las Vegas at the Consumer Electronics Show 2018 is being cancelled due to “death threats” – presumably over his leading the charge to overturn the Obama era FCC’s net neutrality policy. Recode reports, “Democratic Commissioner Mignon Clyburn and Republican Commissioners Michael O’Rielly and Brendan Carr each plan to attend CES. So will Maureen Ohlhausen, the acting leader of their sister agency, the Federal Trade Commission. Ohlhausen had been slated to appear alongside Pai at the annual Vegas event.”

PPM Analysis: All-News. Managing editor Mike Kinosian presents analysis of the performances of stations based on data from Nielsen Audio’s December 2017 PPM survey, today focusing on all-news. Nielsen’s December survey covers November 9 through December 6 and the buildup to the holiday season appears to have taken its toll on the format as 13 stations saw (6+) ratings decreases while only two – WCBS-AM, New York and WBZ-AM, Boston – realized increases from the November survey to the December survey. Comparing December 2016 to December 2017, eight stations were down (6+) and four all-newsers – WINS, New York; WCBS-AM, New York; KRLD-AM, Dallas; and WWJ, Detroit – were up year-over-year. Only Hubbard Radio’s WTOP, Washington ranked #1 in its market during the December survey. View the entire report here.

WPEN-FM, Philadelphia Names Two to New Positions. There are two new full-time staffers at Beasley Media Group’s sports talk WPEN-FM, Philadelphia “97.5 The Fanatic.” Director of sports content Eric Johnson names Tyrone Johnson to producer of the Mike Missanelli show. Johnson previously served with WPEN but most recently was producing the nationally syndicated Buck Sexton show for Premiere Networks. He’s also served with the Wall Street Journal Radio Network, “New Jersey 101.5” and pubcaster WHYY, Philadelphia. Also, Natalie Egenolf moves from part-time to full-time as update anchor and ‘Fanatic’ social media coordinator. She has been serving part-time on Missanelli’s show three days a week. She is also an in-game reporter for “NFL Sunday Drive” on Sirius XM and covers the Philadelphia Eagles for ESPN. Eric Johnson says, “I’ve been watching Tyrone grow as a radio talent from his early days when I worked with him in the past. He has the perfect skill set for his new role as producer of our #1-rated Mike Missanelli show. Tyrone has the sports knowledge, radio experience and comedic timing that will enhance Mike’s show. Natalie Egenolf has so much passion for Philadelphia sports and is very plugged into the Philadelphia sports social media scene. Combining that with her on-air skills makes her uniquely qualified for her new responsibilities as afternoon drive update anchor and ‘97.5 The Fanatic’ social media coordinator.”

Wolff Book About Trump Campaign and Presidency Top News/Talk Story for Week of January 1-5. The controversial Michael Wolff book Fire and Fury – purporting to present an inside view of the Trump campaign and early presidency – was the most-talked-about story on news/talk radio this week, landing atop the Talkers Ten^TM. At 2# was the Donald Trump–Steve Bannon rift. Coming in at #3 was the severe winter weather and the related issue of global warming, followed by North Korea’s nuclear threats at #4. The Talkers Ten^TM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed on news/talk radio and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. View this week’s entire chart here.

TALKERS News Notes. Richmond news/talk WRVA is now heard on the FM band as new owner Entercom is simulcasting the station on translator W241AP, Midlothian, Virginia at 96.1 FM. Entercom Richmond SVP and market manager Bennett Zier says, “News and politics are integral to the communities we serve and we’re excited to better serve our audience by expanding the distribution of ‘News Radio 1140’ WRVA in Virginia’s Capitol City. ‘News Radio 1140’ WRVA has served the Richmond community since 1925 and to add it on the FM band is a real win for this legendary brand.”…..Along with the addition of new local sports talk shows, Dickey Broadcasting is re-branding the WFMO-AM/W292EV, Atlanta simulcast from the old “The Fan 2” to “The Sports X 1230AM and 106.3 FM.” The station recently added local programs “Hometeam and Hamilton” (with Brandon Leak and Joe Hamilton) and the Mark Zinno show to the program schedule…..CBS News fires political director Steve Chaggaris after investigating allegations of “inappropriate behavior.” The news organization issued the following statement: “In the last two weeks, accounts of inappropriate behavior by Steve Chaggaris were brought to our attention and were immediately investigated. As a result, CBS News has severed ties with Mr. Chaggaris for violating company policy, effective immediately.”…..WPGG, Atlantic City morning personality Harry Hurley (left) is pictured here serving as officiant administering the oath of office for Atlantic City councilman George Tibbitt (right). Hurley is a notary public and that permits him to administer such oaths. He tells TALKERS magazine he’s done it 10 times or so over the past 26 years.

Music Radio News and Career Moves. Miami country outlet WKIS “Kiss 99.9” names Dina Bonanni, a.k.a. Dina B, afternoon drive personality. Dina B has been with the Entercom station since 2010. Speaking about her new gig, she says, “I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to do what I love for a station that I grew up listening to. I’ve spent 12 years of my career in country radio, from Palm Beaches to the Keys, so to say I’m excited to be afternoon host of ‘Kiss 99.9’ in my hometown is an understatement.”…..In the Panama City, Florida market, Powell Broadcasting names Rhiannon to the midday air shift at rock WRBA “95.9 Rocks.” Program director Greg “Fitzdog” Fitzgerald says, “Rhiannon joins the winning team in Panama City with supportive and creative management and a group of stations community driven. We are proud to have her here at ‘95.9.’”…..The Source magazine releases its annual “Power 30” list of the most powerful players in hip hop culture and the Premiere Networks syndicated show “The Breakfast Club” – featuring DJ Envy, Angela Yee and Charlamagne Tha God – tops the list of radio DJs for the fifth consecutive year. The magazine dubbed the show “the most powerful talk show and squad period.”…..Cumulus Media Nashville announces that urban contemporary WQQK “92Q” is launching a new, weekly Gospel program, “Joy In The Morning,” starring hosts Crystal J and Carlos Hale, a.k.a. LOS. The program will debut this Sunday (1/7) from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Round Four of December PPM Ratings. December 2017 PPM ratings information has been released for 12 markets, including: Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Greensboro, West Palm Beach, Jacksonville, Memphis, and Hartford. Nielsen Audio’s December 2017 survey period covered November 9 – December 6. View all the 6+ numbers from subscribing stations here. Meanwhile, managing editor Mike Kinosian (Kinosian@Talkers.com) provides his “Takeaways” from all 12 of these PPM markets.

TWELVE TAKEAWAYS

1) Austin – Off by a combined -1.1 in November and December (7.9 – 7.6 – 6.8, 6+), University of Texas at Austin-owned news/talk KUT slips from second to third. Its -.3 in November ended three straight gains that netted +1.8 (6.1 – 6.5 – 7.1 – 7.9, 6+), with October’s 7.9 the highest 6+-share for KUT since 9.0 in November 2016. Elsewhere in the spoken-word arena, Emmis news/talk KLBJ-AM “News Radio 590 AM” exits the top ten (#10 to #12) with its third decline in a row for a collective -.9 (4.1 – 3.9 – 3.7 – 3.2, 6+), while iHeartMedia sports talk KVET-AM “AM 1300 The Zone” loses six-tenths (1.1 – .5, #23, 6+). Bouncing back from November’s -.8 (6.3 – 5.5, 6+), Entercom adult contemporary KKMJ “Majic 95.5 – Better Music For a Better Workday” hangs out a +2.1 to 7.6, its best 6+-stat since February’s 8.0, and zooms from fourth to second. Although flat at #4, iHeartMedia CHR KHFI “96.7 Kiss FM – Austin’s #1 Hit Music Station” tacks on seven-tenths to November’s gain of nine-tenths (5.5 – 6.2, 6+). From May through September, “Kiss” was trending 5.2 – 5.2 – 5.2 – 5.3 – 5.1 (6+), but logged a -.5 in October to 4.6, its weakest 6+-showing since December 2016’s 4.5. Conversely, December’s 6.2 is its best 6+-stat since posting a 6.5 in April 2016. This is the third straight up or flat sweep for Emmis Spanish contemporary KLZT-HD2 (1.8 – 1.8 – 2.0 – 2.9, 6+), which advances from a three-way tie at #18 to #13. Within 8.3 – 8.8 range (6+) for the sixth straight month, adult hits sibling KBPA “Bob” (8.8 – 8.4, -.4, 6+) is #1 for the tenth time in succession. November’s +.5 to 8.8 gave “Bob” its strongest 6+-stat since 9.1 in March and halted three down or flat trends for a collective -.4 (8.7 – 8.7 – 8.6 – 8.3, 6+). “Bob” was a combined -1.7 in April and May, with May’s 7.4 its lowest 6+-stat since 7.4 in June 2015. A one-half share increase (3.1 – 3.6, 6+) takes Univision Radio’s KLJA “107.7 Mas Variedad” (#12 to #11) to its strongest 6+-showing in more than three years (October 2014, 3.6, as well). On the heels of a November gain of nine-tenths, iHeartMedia-owned KVET-FM “98.1 All Time Country Favorites” sputters by -1.3 (6.6 – 7.5 – 6.2, 6+), dropping from third to fifth. From March through October, KVET-FM was within 6.1 – 6.7 range (6+) in each of those eight sweeps; prior to November, it last reached the seven-share level (6+) in January 2015 (7.0). Flat at #7, co-owned/similarly-formatted KASE “Austin’s #1 For New Country” drops one-tenth (4.6 – 4.5, 6+). Elsewhere in the format, “Genuine Austin Radio’s KOKE-FM “Austin’s Country Alternative” surrenders four-tenths to 1.9 (#16 to #18, 6+). Prior to trending 2.5 – 2.3 (6+) in November, KOKE-FM hadn’t been without a loss since February for an overall gain of eight-tenths (1.7- 1.7 – 1.8 – 1.8 – 1.8 – 2.0 – 2.2 – 2.4 – 2.5, 6+). October’s 2.5 was the best 6+-showing for “Austin’s Country Alternative” since September 2016 (2.5, as well). In four successive uptrends, University of Texas at Austin-owned triple A KUTX “98.9 The Austin Music Experience” has more than doubled its 6+-share (1.1 – 1.5 – 1.8 – 2.3 – 2.4, 6+) and carries on at #16.

2) Raleigh – A loss of one-half share in October halted six straight upticks that netted +2.4 (6.8 – 7.2 – 7.5 – 8.1 – 8.2 – 8.7 – 9.2, 6+). University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill news/talk WUNC “91.5 North Carolina Public Radio” (8.1 – 7.9 – 8.0, 6+) is in the runner-up slot for the fourth month in a row. Climbing from fifth to third, Capitol Broadcasting adult contemporary WRAL “Mix 101.5” is +2.1 in November and December (5.6 – 6.6 – 7.7, 6+), with 7.7 its strongest 6+-performance since 8.4 in May. November’s gain of one full-share put to an end eight successive sweeps without an increase for a combined -3.2 (8.8 – 8.5 – 8.5 – 8.4 – 7.1 – 6.9 – 6.7 – 6.4 – 5.6, 6+). Starting in February, “Mix 101.5” finished at #1 in four straight sweeps before slipping to third in June; it was under a six-share (5.6, 6+, October) for the first time since February 2013’s 5.9. Over and above adding one-half share to November’s +.2 (8.9 – 9.4, 6+), Radio One urban AC WFXC “Today’s R&B and Classic Soul” is #1 for the seventh straight month with its highest 6+-share since 9.6 in May 2011. Owing to a loss of four-tenths to 4.6 (three-way tie at seventh to tenth, 6+), Capitol Broadcasting sports talk WCMC “99.9 The Fan” has its string of consecutive improvements that more than doubled its 6+-share (+2.6) end at four (2.4 – 3.5 – 3.7 – 4.3 – 5.0, 6+). November’s 5.0 is its best-ever 6+-stat in the PPM-era. Flat at #7, iHeartMedia CHR WDCG “G-105 Raleigh’s #1 Hit Music Station” is an overall -1.9 in six monthlies in succession without an increase (6.9 – 6.2 – 5.2 – 5.2 – 5.1 – 5.0 – 5.0, 6+), with 5.0 matching its lowest 6+-share since “Holiday” 2013 (5.0, as well). Its cross-town competitor, Curtis Media Group’s WPLW “The Pulse FM – All the Hits,” picks up two-tenths (3.1 – 3.3, 6+) and remains at #13. Co-owned WQDR “Today’s Best Country 94.7 QDR” is off one full-share in November and December (7.7 – 6.9 – 6.7, third-place tie to fourth, 6+), while iHeartMedia’s WNCB “New Country B-93.9” rebounds from November’s -.8 with a +.2 (3.1 – 3.3, 6+), continuing at #13 (tied with WPLW). Prior to the November sweep, WQDR registered a 7.7 (6+) in three of the six previous ratings periods.

3) Indianapolis – Five up or flat trends in succession by Emmis-owned WFNI (1.7 – 2.1 – 2.4 – 3.0 – 3.1 – 3.1, 6+) account for a +1.4 as “The Fan – Indy’s Sports Center” (#13 to #14) matches the 3.1 it logged in March 2016. Not only does adult contemporary cluster-mate WYXB pull the plug on three straight downturns that accounted for an overall -1.4 (6.9 – 6.5 – 5.9 – 5.5, 6+), “Soft Rock B-105.7” hangs out a +2.3 to 7.8 (6+), catapulting it from seventh to first. Whereas December’s 7.8 is its best 6+-showing since “Holiday” 2016’s 17.7, November’s 5.5 was its weakest in five years (5.3, November 2012). At this time last year (December 2016), WYXB notched an 8.3 (6+). The lead over the station it displaces at #1 – Cumulus Media classic hits-oldies WJJK (7.7, -.1, 6+) – is just one-tenth. On top in September, October, and November, WJJK dropped three-tenths in November, halting three straight progressive months for an overall +1.8 (6.1 – 7.0 – 7.4 – 7.9, 6+). In addition, October’s 7.9 represents the highest 6+-share for WJJK in the PPM-era. Prior to August, WJJK was without an increase in five successive survey periods for a collective -1.6 (7.7 – 7.2 – 6.5 – 6.5 – 6.3 – 6.1, 6+). An overall -1.1 in four consecutive downward moves (4.4 – 4.0 – 3.9 – 3.8 – 3.3, 6+), Radio One rhythmic CHR WHHH “Hot 96.3 – All Hip-Hop and R&B” picks up one-tenth to 3.4 (6+) and carries on at #12. By tacking on a +1.6 to November’s one-half share increase (4.3 – 4.8 – 6.4, 6+), urban AC sibling WTLC-FM “106.7 – Indy’s R&B Leader” progresses from eighth to fifth with its best 6+-share since January’s 7.1. Just over one week into the December sweep (11/17), Cumulus Media transitioned urban-rhythmic oldies WRWM “93.9 The Beat” to CHR WYRG “Indianapolis’ Energy 93.9.” Via six successive sweeps without a loss, the Cumulus Media-owned frequency at 93.9 is a collective +.8 (2.6 – 2.6 – 2.6 – 2.6 – 2.7 – 2.8 – 3.4, #16 to #12, 6+). The market’s (6+) country share erodes by -1.6, as WYRG sibling WFMS “95.5 The Country Station” is off nine-tenths (second to fourth, 6+), while Emmis-owned WLHK “Country 97.1 Hank FM” regresses by seven-tenths (third to fifth, 6+). A combined +.8 in May and June, WFMS was -.9 in July; +.8 in August; +.5 in September; -.7 in October; +1.1 in November; and now -.9 in December (5.9 – 6.5 – 6.7 – 5.8 – 6.6 – 7.1 – 6.4 – 7.5 – 6.6, 6+). October’s +.8 took “Hank” to 7.1, its strongest 6+-showing since September 2015’s 7.6. In three straight sweeps without an increase (1.6 – 1.5 – 1.5 – .7, 6+), University of Indianapolis-owned WICR has lost more than 50% of its 6+-share (overall -.9) and departs the top twenty (#18 to #21). Albeit flat at #11, Emmis news/talk WIBC “93.1 Indy’s News Center” is a collective -1.6 in three straight downward moves (5.2 – 4.9 – 4.2 – 3.6, 6+) and has its lowest 6+-share in just over one year (3.5, November 2016). Locked on 4.4 (6+) in October and November, iHeartMedia-owned WOLT “Alt 103.3 – Indy’s Alternative” dips by one-half share to 3.9 (ninth to tenth), its lowest 6+-share since May’s 3.8.

4) Milwaukee – In an impressive streak, iHeartMedia’s WISN “News/Talk 1130” (steady at #2) is +1.9 in five straight gains (6.0 – 6.1 – 6.7 – 6.8 – 7.0 – 7.9, 6+). Its challenger – Scripps-owned news/talk WTMJ “Radio 620 Wisconsin’s Radio Station” – is flat at 6.4, slipping from fourth to fifth (6+). As the result of three consecutive downward moves that began in September (4.3 – 3.7 – 3.4 – 2.9, 6+), WLDB “B-93.3” regressed by a collective -1.4, but the Milwaukee Radio Alliance adult contemporary property dusts itself off with a gain nearly twice the size of that deficit (2.9 – 5.6, +2.7, 6+), rocketing from #14 to #7. This is the best 6+-stat for “B-93.3” since 8.3 in “Holiday” 2016. Unchanged at #13, alternative cluster-mate WLUM “FM 102.1 Sounds Different” is up one-half share to 3.8 (6+), halting three consecutive down or flat trends that accounted for an overall loss of one full-share (4.3 – 3.7 – 3.3 – 3.3, 6+). Winning ways continue for Saga Communications’ WKLH (fifth to third), which is an overall +3.0 since August in four consecutive increases (4.6 – 5.1 – 5.5 – 6.0 – 7.6, 6+). This is the first time that “96.5 Milwaukee’s Hometown Rock” has reached the seven-share level (6+) since the station reappeared in print exactly three years ago (December 2014). One-half share ahead of WISN is classic hits-oldies cluster-mate WRIT “95.7 Big FM – Milwaukee’s Greatest Hits,” which is on top for the 33^rd consecutive ratings period, even though it spirals by (-1.6, 6+). WRIT continues a down/up pattern that began in May (10.3 – 9.9 – 10.7 – 9.6 – 9.8 – 9.4 – 10.0 – 8.4, 6+). Co-owned urban contemporary WKKV “V-100.7 Milwaukee’s Only Hip-Hop and R&B” plummets by one full-share (5.5 – 4.5, sixth to eighth, 6+) after November’s +.3 ended four consecutive months without an increase for an overall -2.0 (7.4 – 7.1 – 5.9 – 5.4 – 5.4, 6+). The last time “V-100.7” fell below a five-share (6+) was in May 2016 (4.7). Without an increase for the fourth time in a row for a collective -.4 (4.8 – 4.5 – 4.4 – 4.4 – 4.4, 6+), WKTI “94.5 KTI Country” slides from eighth to ninth. Immediately in advance of its current trending, WKTI posted three straight gains for a collective +1.1 (3.7 – 3.8 – 4.0 – 4.8, 6+). Meanwhile, format rival – iHeartMedia’s WMIL – is a combined -2.6 in four successive downward moves (6.5 – 5.7 – 5.0 – 4.3 – 3.9, 6+) as “FM 106.1 – Milwaukee’s Best Country” departs the top ten (#9 to #11). Prior to August, “FM 106.1” was up or flat in four straight sweeps for a net +1.4 (5.1 – 5.3 – 5.3 – 5.5 – 6.5, 6+). Albeit that it is down for the third month in a row for a collective loss of nine-tenths (4.8 – 4.4 – 4.0 – 3.9, flat at #11, 6+), Entercom-owned CHR WXSS “103.7 Kiss FM” bypasses iHeartMedia’s similarly-programmed WRNW “97.3 Now” (4.0 – 3.6, -.4, #11 to #14, 6+). This is the first time in the last 11 sweeps that “Kiss” (3.9, 6+) has not been between 4.4 – 4.9 (6+). Frozen on 3.2 (6+) in August, September, and October, “Now” reached the four-share level in November (4.0, 6+) for the first time in more than five years (4.1, September 2012). It is a case of “slow and steady” for Milwaukee School of Engineering triple A WMSE, which gains a cumulative one-half share in eight straight ratings periods without a loss (.1 – .1 – .1 – .2 – .2 – .3 – .4 – .5 – .6, 6+) with no increase greater than one-tenth. Tied with it at #21 is iHeartMedia’s WOKY “The Big 920 – Milwaukee’s Sports Station,” which is up or flat for the fifth time in a row for a half-share gain as well (.1 – .1 – .3 – .3 – .5 – .6, 6+). Four straight negative moves (2.2 – 1.7 – 1.5 – 1.3 – .6, 6+) have resulted in Milwaukee Radio Alliance-owned WZTI losing roughly 70% of its 6+-share (-1.6); “Milwaukee’s True Oldies Channel” exits the top twenty (#17 to a three-way tie at #21 with WMSE and WOKY).

5) Nashville – Two of the market’s news/talk outlets (nearly equally) combine for a -2.4 (6+). Specifically, Cumulus Media’s WWTN “Super Talk 99.7” is -1.3 (#11 to #13, 6+), while Nashville Public Radio’s WPLN-FM “NPR News and Classical Music” is -1.1 (5.7 – 6.6, seventh to tenth, 6+). Up by +1.2 in September and October to 6.4, its best 6+-share in the PPM-era, WPLN-FM surrendered seven-tenths in November; “Super Talk 99.7” is -1.9 in November and December (5.0 – 4.4 – 3.1, 6+). Five straight positive spikes by Midwest Communications adult contemporary WJXA generate an overall +3.5 (6.4 – 6.5 – 6.7 – 7.4 – 7.7 – 9.9, 6+) as “Mix 92.9 – Your Life, Your Music” repeats at #1 with its best 6+-stat since “Holiday” 2016’s 13.1. Prior to November and December, the last time “Mix” occupied the pacesetter position was in April. When Cumulus Media sports talk WGFX “104.5 The Zone” faltered by two-tenths in November to 4.8 (6+), it ended a string of three straight increases that produced a +2.3 (2.7 – 3.2 – 4.0 – 5.0, 6+). The flagship of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans roars back in December though with a +1.4 to 6.2, its strongest 6+-showing in exactly one year (6.8, December 2016), and leaps from tenth to sixth. Before May’s one-half share increase, “The Zone” spiraled by -4.3 in six successive decreases (7.6 – 6.8 – 5.9 – 5.3 – 3.9 – 3.8 – 3.3, 6+). Bumping up by seven-tenths each are Midwest Communications adult hits WCJK “96.3 Jack FM – Playing What We Want” (6.6 – 7.3, 6+, third to second, 6+) and iHeartMedia-owned WNRQ “105.9 The Rock – Nashville’s Classic Rock” (6.0 – 6.7, fifth to fourth, 6+). “Jack” bounces back from November’s -.6, while “The Rock” has its best 6+-share since August (7.5). After dropping eight-tenths in November (3.3 – 2.5, 6+), Educational Media Foundation contemporary Christian WLVU “Positive & Encouraging K-Love” recaptures one-half share to 3.0 (6+) and carries on at #14. The station that WJXA succeeded at #1 in November after spending two months there – iHeartMedia urban contemporary WUBT “101.1 The Beat Nashville’s Home for Hip-Hop and R&B” – is without an increase for the third time in succession for a cumulative -1.7 (8.5 – 7.5 – 7.5 – 6.8, 6+), slipping from second to third. In October, “The Beat” relinquished two-thirds of September’s +1.5 (8.5 – 7.5, –1.0, 6+); 8.5 (September) was its highest 6+-share since July 2015’s 8.4. When “The Beat” gained four-tenths in August, it ended three successive downward moves that accounted for a loss of nine-tenths (7.5 – 7.2 – 7.1 – 6.6, 6+). Down for the third time in a row for a collective -1.2 (7.5 – 7.2 – 6.6 – 6.3, 6+), iHeartMedia CHR WRVW “107.5 The River” (third to fifth) has its lowest 6+-share since 5.9 in February. Likewise, Midwest Communications’ similarly-formatted WNFN “106.7 Nashville’s New Hit Music” is off an overall nine-tenths in three straight negative trends (3.1 – 3.0 – 2.4 – 2.2, 6+) and is anchored at #15. In the market’s country battle, Cumulus Media’s WSM-FM “95.5 Nash Icon” drops three-tenths (5.9 – 5.6, sixth to seventh, 6+); iHeartMedia’s WSIX “The Big 98 – Nashville’s #1 for New Country” is off two-tenths (5.1 – 4.9, flat at #9); while Cumulus Media’s WKDF “103.3 Nash FM” adds three-tenths (3.3 – 3.6, #13 to #12, 6+). Meanwhile, Ryman Hospitality Properties classic country WSM-AM “650 AM – The Most Famed Country Music Station in the World,” which had a 1.8 (#16, 6+) in June is unlisted for the sixth consecutive sweep.

6) Providence – Steady in seventh-place, Cumulus Media-owned news/talk WPRO-AM “News Talk 630” is a collective +.6 in its third straight upward move of two-tenths (3.2 – 3.4 – 3.6 – 3.8, 6+). Stuck on 1.9 (6+) in September, October, and November, public news/talk WGBH-FM picks up one-tenth and is back at 2.0 (6+), where it was in August (#11 to #10). Swapping places with WGBH-FM is iHeartMedia’s WHJJ, off one-half share (2.1 -1.6, 6+). Prior to dropping one-tenth in November, “News Radio 920” nearly quadrupled its 6+-share in six successive up or flat trends for a cumulative +1.6 (.6 – .6 – 1.0 – 1.0 – 1.2 – 1.4 – 2.2, 6+). While unchanged at #12, The Wheeler School news/talk WELH “Rhode Island Public Radio” is off two-tenths to 1.5 (6+), thus bringing to end five straight sweeps without a loss which nearly tripled its 6+-share since June with a +1.1 (.6 – .8 – .8 – 1.1 – 1.3 – 1.7, 6+). In a survey period where huge gains are the norm, other than iHeartMedia’s WHJY “94 HJY – Providence’s Home of Rock & Roll” (8.4 – 9.5, +1.1, steady at #2, 6+), no other station in this Rhode Island market improves by more than six-tenths (November 2017 – December 2017). Ever since appearing in print in June, Red Wolf Broadcasting classic hits-oldies WSKP “Good Times … Great Oldies – KOOL Radio” notches its strongest 6+-stat (.3 – .8, +.5, #16 to #14, 6+). Notwithstanding that it is off by one-half share (11.4 – 10.9, 6+), Cumulus Media adult contemporary WWLI “Lite Rock 105” is on top for the 27^th consecutive ratings period and in double-digits (6+) for the sixth month in a row. Prior to October, “Lite Rock 105” was a combined +1.6 as the result of three straight increases (9.8 – 10.0 – 10.8 – 11.4, 6+); 11.4 in September and November represents its strongest 6+-share since 18.0 in “Holiday” 2016. Following a 7.8 (6+) in September, co-owned CHR WPRO-FM “92 PRO FM Today’s Hit Music” posts an 8.2 (6+) for the third month in a row and is flat at #3. In addition to WWLI, Hall Communications’ WCTK “98.1 Cat Country” (8.2 – 7.7, third to fourth, 6+) drops one-half share. In November, “Cat Country” erased October’s -.4 with a gain of one-half share.

7) Norfolk – By adding three-tenths in November, iHeartMedia rhythmic hot AC WMOV pulled the plug on five straight decreases which resulted in a cumulative -1.8 or approximately 64% of its 12+-share (2.8 – 2.7 – 2.1 – 1.8 – 1.2 – 1.0, 6+). Now in December, “Movin’ 107.7 – The Rhythm of Hampton Roads” hauls out an increase more than ten times than that +.3 (1.3 – 4.4, +3.1, 6+) and jumps into the top ten (#11 to #6) with its best 6+-share since “Holiday” 2016’s 7.4. From June through November, Entercom adult contemporary WWDE registered a topline 6+-share of either 4.3 or 4.6 (4.3 – 4.3 – 4.3 – 4.6 – 4.6 – 4.3). Exploding in December with a +2.8 to 7.1 (6+), “101.3 2WD” advances from fifth to third. Mirroring WMOV, this is the strongest 6+-stat for WWDE since “Holiday” 2016 (13.4). Flashing gains of eight-tenths each are iHeartMedia urban contemporary and alternative siblings WOWI “103 Jamz – Norfolk’s #1 for Hip-Hop and R&B” (8.2 – 9.0, third to second, 6+) and WNOH “Alt 105.3 – Hampton Roads Alternative Rock” (unchanged at #8). This is the best 6+-showing for WOWI since September 2015’s 10.4, while WNOH more than doubles its 6+-stat (+1.5) in three successive increases (1.4 – 1.8 – 2.1 – 2.9, 6+). Following a November +.8 to 14.6, the highest 6+-performance by any Norfolk station in the PPM-era, Entercom urban AC WVKL “Smooth R&B from Yesterday & Today” surrenders -1.1 to 13.5 (6+), but remains at #1 for the 12^th time in a row. The old mark of 14.3 (6+) was set by WVKL just two ratings periods ago (September). “Smooth R&B from Yesterday & Today” registers a 6+-share of 11.0 or higher for the 20^th time in the last 21 sweeps. Before slipping by one-half share in October, WVKL – which earlier was on top for 55 consecutive ratings periods – posted three straight improvements accounting for a +2.4 (11.8 – 12.0 – 13.4 – 13.7 – 14.2, 6+). Having trended 8.6 – 8.2 – 8.2 – 8.2 – 8.6 (August – September – October – November, 6+), Saga Communications’ WNOR “FM 99 Rocks” freefalls by -1.9 (8.6 – 6.7, second to fourth, 6+) and notes its lowest 6+-share since April’s 6.2. Slipping from fourth to fifth, co-owned WAFX “106.9 The Fox – Hampton Roads’ Classic Rock” is a collective -1.6 in four successive sweeps without an increase (6.5 – 6.4 – 6.4 – 5.8 – 4.9, 6+). At the same time, owing to three straight negative moves, Entercom hot AC WPTE “94.9 The Point” is an overall -1.7 (4.4 – 3.5 – 3.2, 2.7, seventh to ninth, 6+). Down or flat for the sixth time in a row, WHOV “Smooth 88.1 – The Essence of Hampton University” is a collective -.4 (1.6 – 1.5 – 1.5 – 1.5 – 1.3 – 1.2 – 1.2, flat at #12, 6+), while Saga Communications’ adult standards WJOI “1230 AM – Great Songs, Great Memories” is without an increase for the fourth consecutive ratings period and has lost 80% (-.8) of its 6+-share since August (1.0 – .7 – .5 – .3 – .2, #13, 6+).

8) Greensboro – Along with its iHeartMedia Phoenix adult contemporary sibling KESZ, similarly-programmed WMAG registers the second-best (6+) November 2017 – December 2017 increase in the 48 PPM-markets: “99.5 – The Triad’s Best Mix” doubles November 2017’s 6+-stat to 11.8 (+5.9, fifth to second, 6+). Moreover, the increase applies the brakes to three losses in a row that accounted for a combined -1.3, (7.2 – 7.0 – 6.3 – 5.9, 6+). This is the most potent 6+-stat for WMAG since “Holiday” 2016’s 15.2; November’s 5.9 is its lowest since April (5.9, as well). For the record, the top honor for highest (6+) November 2017 – December 2017 increase goes to Bonneville Salt Lake City adult contemporary KSFI (7.0 – 13.6, +6.6, 6+). Despite the fact that Entercom rhythmic CHR WJMH trots out a +1.5 (7.5 – 9.0, 6+) for its strongest 6+-share since 9.6 in July, “102 Jamz The Hip-Hop Station” actually backslides from third to fourth. In a down/up pattern since September (12.7 – 11.9 – 12.4 – 12.0, 6+), urban AC sibling WQMG “97.1 QMG The Best R&B and Old School” is #1 for the seventh straight time (and each month in calendar year 2017 except April and May). A +1.5 in September as well as in June, WQMG records double-digits (6+) for the 13^th sweep in a row. Down for the third month in succession for a collective -2.2 (7.8 – 7.3 – 7.1 – 5.6, 6+), iHeartMedia owned WTQR “New Country Q-104.1” slips from fourth to sixth and is below a six-share (6+) for the first time since March (5.9). Leapfrogging “Q-104.1” is its format rival – Entercom-owned WPAW “93.1 The Wolf” – which adds two-tenths to 6.0 (sixth to fifth, 6+), halting three straight decreases that produced a -1.9 (7.7 – 7.2 – 7.1 – 5.8, 6+). Following November’s surge of nine-tenths, iHeartMedia rocker WVBZ “105.7 – Man Up!” forfeits -1.4 (4.9 – 3.5, 6+), but remains at #8; WVBZ had been within 4.0 – 4.9 range (6+) in each of the last eight sweeps. An overall +2.2 in five consecutive increases (3.3 – 3.4 – 3.6 – 4.4 – 4.5 – 5.5, 6+), iHeartMedia news/talk WPTI “94.5 Your News, Talk, & Sports Station” relinquishes just over half that bounty (4.3, -1.2, fifth to seventh, 6+). Prior to the November 2017 sweep, the last time WPTI reached the five-share level (6+) was in November 2016 with a 5.0. While it has been in double digits in each sweep since August, Entercom adult hits WSMW “98.7 Simon (says) We Play Everything” stumbles by eight-tenths to 10.5 (6+), shifting from second (where it had been from August through November) to third. December’s -.8 brings to an end five straight increases that netted +2.5 (8.8 – 9.3 – 10.1 – 10.2 – 10.9 – 11.3, 6+) and produced the strongest 6+-share (11.3) for “Simon” in its PPM-history. Unchanged at #9, Curtis Media Group regional Mexican WYMY “La Ley 101.1” falters by one-half share (3.4 – 2.9, 6+).

9) West Palm Beach – This Florida metro’s (6+) adult contemporary stat improves by +1.4, nearly equally split between iHeartMedia-owned WOLL “Today’s KOOL 105.5” (4.7 – 5.5, +.8, fourth to third, 6+) and Alpha Media’s WEAT “Sunny 107.9” (4.6 – 5.2, +.6, fifth to fourth, 6+). Off one full-share in September to 4.2, its lowest 6+ showing since 3.9 in July 2011, “KOOL” regained 60% of that decline in October (to 4.8, +.6, 6+). December’s 5.5 is the station’s highest 6+-share since January (5.9). By gaining one-half share in November, “Sunny” applied the brakes to four straight monthlies without an increase for an overall -2.4 (6.5 – 5.4 – 5.1 – 4.7 – 4.1, 6+). This (5.2) represents the highest 6+-share for “Sunny” since June’s 5.4. Notching gains of seven-tenths each are Alpha Media’s WIRK “103.1 South Florida’s Country Music” (3.9 – 4.6, eighth to fifth, 6+) and Moody Bible Institute’s WRMB “Moody Radio” (1.4 – 2.1, #13 to #12, 6+), which last reached the two-share level (6+) in September 2014 (2.2). Stuck on 11.2 (6+) in October and November, Alpha Media hot AC WRMF erodes by -2.3 to 8.9 but “97.9 Variety from the 90s and Now” ranks first for the 12^th consecutive month. Whereas11.2 (October and November) was the highest 6+-share for WRMF since November 2015 (11.3), December’s 8.9 is its softest since January’s 8.3. A one-tenth loss in September brought to a close four straight increases that netted +1.6 (9.3 – 9.4 – 9.5 – 10.4 – 10.9, 6+). Prior to the “Holiday” 2016 report, WRMF was #1 the previous five ratings periods. Flat at #10, iHeartMedia’s WZZR “Real Radio 94.3 – Real Talk for the Palm Beaches” is a collective +.5 in its third straight increase (2.2 – 2.4 – 2.5 – 2.7, 6+). In five sweeps in a row without a loss, JVC Media classic hits-oldies WSVU “True Oldies 95.9 The Palm” has nearly doubled its 6+-share (.7 – .7 – .8 – .8 – 1.1 – 1.3, 6+) and carries on at #14. Segueing from third to sixth, WAY Media Foundation contemporary Christian “WAYF “Uplifting-Upbeat-Real” regresses by six tenths (4.9 – 4.3, 6+) and has its weakest 6+-stat since 3.5 in March. At the same time that iHeartMedia news/talk WJNO “1290 The Palm Beaches’ News & Talk” picks up six-tenths in three (modest) upticks in a row (2.7 – 2.9 – 3.1 – 3.3, steady at #9, 6+), Alpha Media urban AC WMBX “X-102.3” loses a total of six-tenths in three straight (slight) decreases, (4.8 – 4.7 – 4.3 – 4.2, 6+), dropping from seventh to eighth.

10) Jacksonville – In another instance of two market facilities combining to bloat the (6+) adult contemporary share, Renda Broadcasting’s WEJZ “96.1 Jacksonville’s Official Work Station” improves by +2.6 (fourth to second, 6+), while Cox Media Group’s WEZI “Easy 102.9” posts a +.6 (2.9 – 3.5, #13 to #11, 6+). As the result of three straight sweeps without a loss, WEJZ is an overall +2.9 (6.1 – 6.4 – 6.4 – 9.0, 6+) and notches its highest 6+-share since 14.7 in “Holiday” 2016. It is dubious déjà vu for iHeartMedia-owned WQIK “99.1 – Jacksonville’s Country,” which replicates November’s -1.3 (13.6 – 12.3 – 11.0, 6+) but is #1 for the 12^th straight time. A combined -1.8 in July and August (12.2 – 11.6 – 10.4, 6+), WQIK followed with an overall +3.2 in September-October-November (10.4 – 11.7 – 13.6, 6+), with October’s 13.6 its best-ever (6+) PPM-performance. Bouncing back in November with a +1.1 following three straight losses for an overall -1.3 (4.6 – 4.3 – 3.9 – 3.3, 6+), WQIK’s format foe – Renda Broadcasting’s WGNE “99.9 Gator Country” – sputters with a decrease of one-half share (4.4 – 3.9, 6+) but carries on in ninth-place. At the same time, the consecutive string of (slightly) up or flat moves by Neal Ardman’s classic country WYKB which generated an overall gain of eight-tenths ends at nine (.1 – .1 – .2 – .2 – .2 – .3 – .3 – .4 – .5 – .9, 6+) as “Jax Country 105.3 Jacksonville’s Country Legend” is down two-tenths to .7 (unchanged at #18). A -1.1 by Cox Media Group’s WXXJ (3.9 – 2.8, #11 to #13, 6+) takes “X-106.5 Jacksonville’s Alternative” to below a three-share (6+) for the first time in the station’s PPM-history. News/talk cluster-mate WOKV is a combined -2.7 in three straight negative trends (9.7 – 8.5 – 7.7 – 7.0, third to fourth, 6+) and has its lowest 6+-stat since 6.6 in “Holiday” 2016. In September, “104.5 – Jacksonville’s News, Weather, and Traffic” was +1.3 to 9.7; prior to that, it last reached the nine-share level in April (9.3, 6+). A cumulative -.7 in its third straight decline (5.5 – 5.4 – 5.3 – 4.8, 6+), iHeartMedia urban-rhythmic oldies WSOL “V-101.5 Throwback Hip-Hop and R&B” falls from sixth to seventh, while urban contemporary sibling WJBT “93.3 The Beat” is off a combined seven-tenths in three straight decreases (5.3 – 5.2 – 4.9 – 4.6, 6+), dropping from seventh to eighth. Concurrent with Cox Media Group-owned CHR WAPE “95.1 Jacksonville’s #1 Hit Music Station” losing three-tenths (5.8 – 5.5, flat at #5, 6+), iHeartMedia’s similarly-formatted WKSL “97.9 Kiss FM” is off four-tenths (4.3 – 3.9, 6+) but actually improves from tenth to a ninth-place tie. In November, WAPE fully recaptured October’s -1.0 (5.8 – 4.8 – 5.8, 6+); “Kiss” was +.9 in October. Unchanged at #12, public WJCT is without an increase for the fourth sweep in a row for a collective -.3 (3.3 – 3.2 – 3.0 – 3.0 – 3.0, 6+).

11) Memphis – Having trended 7.5 – 7.4 – 7.2 – 7.4 (6+) since August, Entercom adult contemporary WRVR “104.5 The River – Continuous Soft Rock” busts out a +2.0 to 9.4 (6+), cruising from fourth to second with its best 6+-stat since 12.1 in “Holiday” 2016. The day after Christmas (12/26), though, WRVR began facing a head-on competitor, with Cumulus Media-owned WKIM flipping to adult contemporary as “98.9 The Bridge.” As a result of November’s +.9 (to 3.5, 6+), WKIM applied the brakes to four successive sweeps without an increase for a collective -1.1 (3.7 – 3.6 – 3.1 – 3.1 – 2.6, 6+). Known as “98.9 The Vibe” up until Halloween when it began playing all-Christmas music as “Christmas 98.9,” WKIM is flat in December at 3.5 (6+) but moves up from #11 to #10. Despite logging its fourth straight up or flat trend that has produced a +1.2 (7.6 – 8.0 – 8.2 – 8.2 – 8.8, 6+), iHeartMedia urban contemporary WHRK “K-97 Memphis’ Only Hip-Hop and R&B” backslides from second to third. Improving by one-half share each and appearing back-to-back are WHRK’s CHR sibling KWNW “101.9 Kiss FM – All the Hits for Memphis” (1.2 – 1.7, unchanged at #15, 6+) and Mid-South Public Communications’ WKNO “90.1 NPR for the Mid-South” (.8 – 1.3, steady at #16). Advancing from seventh to fifth, iHeartMedia gospel WHAL “95.7 Halleluiah – Memphis’ Inspiration Station” continues an alternating down/up pattern that started in June (6.2 – 6.0 – 6.3 – 4.6 – 5.3 – 5.0 – 5.4, 6+). In addition to netting an overall seven-tenths in five consecutive up or flat moves (2.7 – 2.7 – 2.9 – 3.1 – 3.4 – 3.4, #12 to #11, 6+), co-owned news/talk WREC logs its best 6+-share since February’s 3.6. After three straight improvements that yielded a +2.1 (9.2 – 10.0 – 10.4 – 11.3, 6+), urban AC cluster-mate KJMS “V-101” returns one full-share to 10.3 (6+), but is #1 for the fourth month in a row. A collective -2.6 in four losses in succession (6.3 – 5.5 – 5.4 – 4.9 – 3.7, eighth to ninth, 6+), Cumulus Media’s WGKX “Kix 106 – Today’s Best Country” is below a four-share (6+) for the first time since its 3.9 in “Holiday” 2016. With a -.3 to 2.5 (flat at #14, 6+), Entercom’s similarly-programmed WLFP “94.1 The Wolf” puts an end to being locked on fluctuations of seven-tenths. “The Wolf” gained seven-tenths in November after losing seven-tenths in both September and October (3.5 – 2.8 – 2.1 – 2.8, 6+). In September, it concluded three straight increases that accounted for a +1.1 (2.4 – 3.2 – 3.4 – 3.5, 6+). Hot AC sibling WMC-FM “FM 100 Today’s Best Mix” is a combined -.6 in three consecutive ratings periods without an increase (5.8 – 5.5 – 5.5 – 5.3, fifth to sixth, 6+). Also in that Entercom cluster, owing to a -.2 to 3.1 (6+), sports talk WMFS “ESPN 92.9” (flat at #13) snaps at four its successive string of increases that accounted for a +1.3 (2.0 – 2.2 – 2.6 – 2.9 – 3.3, 6+). Up one-half share in November to 5.1, its best 6+-performance since 5.2 in November 2016, Cumulus Media’s WXMX “Maximum Rock – 98.1 The Max” coughs up nearly twice that increase (5.1 – 4.2, -.9, sixth to eighth, 6+).

12) Hartford – Not only is Entercom adult contemporary WRCH on top for the 16^th successive ratings period, “Lite 100.5” registers its fifth consecutive up or flat trend for an overall +3.1 (9.9 – 10.2 – 10.2 – 10.3 – 11.0 – 13.0, 6+). Prior to July, “Lite” had been in double-digits (6+) eight times in the previous nine sweeps. At this time last year, “Lite” was at 10.8 (December 2016); this sweep’s 13.0 represents the station’s highest 6+-share since “Holiday” 2016’s 18.4. The online “stream” of WRCH continues an odd pattern: It scored a .5 (6+) in four straight survey periods before disappearing in print in August. It returned in September with a .5 (#15, 6+); vanished again in October; reappeared in November with a .5 (#14, 6+); and is gone again in December. As a result of its third increase in a row (5.6 – 6.4 – 6.5 – 7.5, 6+), co-owned rhythmic CHR WZMX “Hot 93.7 – Hartford’s #1 for Hip-Hop and R&B” is a combined +1.9 and cruises from fourth to second; 7.5 is its strongest 6+-showing since 7.6 in May. Winning ways continue for Red Wolf Broadcasting alternative WMRQ, which hangs out its fifth straight gain for a collective +1.6 (2.3 – 2.4 – 2.6 – 3.1 – 3.4 – 3.9, 6+) as “Radio 104.1” continues in tenth-place. For the sixth month in succession, iHeartMedia CHR WKSS “All The Hits – Kiss 95.7” is within 6.2 – 6.6 range (6.4 – 6.5 – 6.6 – 6.5 – 6.5 – 6.2, fourth to sixth, 6+). Without an increase in the last six ratings periods for an overall -2.6 (8.8 – 8.3 – 8.3 – 7.8 – 7.8 – 6.5 – 6.2, 6+), co-owned WWYZ “92-5 Connecticut’s Country Music” falls from fourth to sixth. In back-to-back sweeps, Connoisseur Media-owned WDRC-FM “102.9 The Whale – Hartford’s Classic Rock” (flat at #9) is a combined -1.5 (6.0 – 5.3 – 4.5, 6+), while Entercom news/talk WTIC-AM “News Talk 1080” is a collective -.8 (5.8 – 5.6 – 5.0, unchanged at #8, 6+).

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

TALKERS | October 4, 2017

Larrimore to Program WPRO, Providence. News/talk programming pro Neil Larrimore is named program director for Cumulus Media’s WPRO-AM, Providence “News Talk 630 and 99.7 FM.” Most recently, Larrimore was serving with iHeartMedia managing talk stations in the Phoenix and Tucson markets. Cumulus Providence vice president and market manager Holly Paras comments, “After an exhaustive nationwide search, I am pleased to have Neil Larrimore joining the WPRO team. The impact of Neil’s vast experience in the spoken-word format will no doubt be felt immediately. His ability to think strategically and use the digital platforms to grow the already-successful brand will be a welcome addition to WPRO.”

Talk Host Chris Merrill Exits KFYI, Phoenix. After three years hosting afternoons at iHeartMedia’s news/talk KFYI, Phoenix, Chris Merrill exits the station, saying in a Facebook post last Friday, “Can’t handle the crazy. Stepping away from radio for a bit. Today is last show.” In 2014, Merrill moved to Phoenix from San Diego where he’d been hosting at the company’s news/talk KOGO. Prior to that, he’d been a talk host at KMBZ, Kansas City.

Amanda Guerra Named to KRLD-AM, Dallas Mornings. At CBS RADIO’s all-news KRLD-AM, Dallas, Amanda Guerra is named to the “KRLD Morning News” program as co-anchor alongside Mike Rogers and Scott Sams. KRLD program director Paul Mann states, “Amanda is a trusted voice in Dallas-Fort Worth news. We look forward to her assuming an even bigger presence on KRLD in this new role.” Guerra has been a midday news anchor and reporter for KRLD since October 2016. Prior to that, she was an EMMY Award-winning anchor and reporter for KXAS-TV.

Sales Exec Moves at Scripps Milwaukee. At the Milwaukee operations of E.W. Scripps, Bill Herriott comes aboard as director of sales and national sales manager. The company says he’ll lead the revenue team for news/talk WTMJ and country WKTI. In this role, he’ll also concentrate on the Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers radio networks. Herriott comes to Scripps from his most recent role as general sales manager for news/talk WLS-AM, Chicago. At the same time, the company announces that Eric Lauer – general sales manager for WKTI – adds the same duties for WTMJ. Scripps Radio Milwaukee VP/GM Tom Langmyer comments, “Bill is a dedicated, mature, battle-tested, experienced leader who knows how to accomplish goals in a very competitive marketplace – and he most certainly understands how to lead at legendary stations like ours. Bill has driven strong results, selling major league teams. I saw this firsthand at WGN in Chicago with the Cubs, Blackhawks and other team partners – and it will be great to see what he’ll do here with the Packers and Brewers. We’re also very fortunate to have the confident and encouraging leadership of Eric Lauer. Eric has already made a big difference with our WKTI team – and he’s earned the opportunity to formally bring his passion and knowledge to the WTMJ team, as well.”

Two Execs Join PodcastOne. Podcasting giant PodcastOne announces the addition of two media executives to the company. The company says it is expanding its focus on scripted programming and is building on the recently announced PodcastOne Sports Network and names Casey Jacobs vice president of sports and development and Allyson Marino as director of special programs. Speaking about his new position, Jacobs says, “I’m thrilled to join the PodcastOne team as we build the premiere sports podcast network. In fact, this will be the first all-podcast sports network. Not only do we have top talent like Shaq, Steve Austin and Dan Patrick, but an incredible pipeline of new programs, including Jim Harbaugh’s new show, the legendary Dick Enberg, pro-football personality Dave Dameshek, and more.” Marino comments, “I am excited about my new role at PodcastOne because they have made a strong commitment to enter the narrative and scripted content world. Our founder and chairman Norm Pattiz has 40 years of success in personality driven programming, and our CEO is an expert in development, as the studio head behind The Help, Lincoln, Contagion and 50 other great films. We see narrative and scripted podcasts through a filmmaking lens, and know listeners, artists and brands all benefit from elegantly crafted brand messages that are additive to the podcast content. My role combines development and brand partnerships to execute this mission.”

TALKERS News Notes. A college basketball referee is suing Kentucky Sports Radio alleging tortious interference with a business, intentional infliction of emotional distress and invasion of privacy. The civil suit stems from a game between the University of Kentucky and North Carolina during last year’s NCAA tournament in which referee John Higgins was criticized for calling excessive penalties on Kentucky players. In the aftermath, the Kentucky Sports Radio network is alleged to have shared personal information about Higgins and his business that resulted in fans harassing him and his family and issuing death threats, according to the complaint. Higgins is seeking more than $75,000 in damages…..CBS RADIO’s WJFK-FM, Washington “106.7 The Fan” comes to terms with Monumental Sports & Entertainment to serve as the flagship station for Washington Capitals hockey this season. The games will also be heard on the team’s Caps Radio 24/7 digital service…..Salem Radio Network nationally syndicated talk show host Larry Elder is vising Minneapolis for a live event called, “An Evening with Elder” on October 24. Elder is heard in the market on Salem O&O WWTC “AM 1280 The Patriot.” Ed Morrissey of HotAir.com is moderating the event that will entail Elder and Morrissey discussing current events and the top 2017 news headlines.

Las Vegas Massacre/Gun Laws, Trump Visits Puerto Rico, SCOTUS Gerrymandering Case, 20-Week Abortion Ban, Trump Tax Plan, Yahoo Hack, MLB Playoffs, and NFL Action/Anthem Protests Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (10/3). The aftermath of the mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas and the related gun control issues; President Trump’s visit to hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico; the Supreme Court hears arguments in the Wisconsin district gerrymandering case; the House passes a bill making abortion illegal after 20 weeks; the Trump Administration’s plan to overhaul the U.S. tax code; the report that all Yahoo accounts were breached in the 2013 hack; Major League Baseball’s playoffs begin; and NFL action and the national anthem protests issue were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Cool On-Air Opportunity. In Charlotte, Entercom on-air personality positions for their three stations: news/talk WBT-AM/FM, sports talk WFNZ, and hot AC WLNK. The company says if you live to connect with your audience on air, online and in person— you’ll love it here! We are looking for experienced on-air talent. Are you a passionate storyteller who’s authentic, entertaining and a team player? Do you have a strong hand in social media? The ideal candidate should possess strong work ethic, solid show prep and the ability to deliver creative and compelling content. Experience is preferred. To be considered for this position, please apply here. No phone calls. Entercom Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Music Radio News and Career Moves. At adult contemporary WKQC, Charlotte “K 104.7,” Melany Myers is named the new midday personality. Beasley Charlotte operations manager and “K 104.7” program director John Reynolds states, “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Melany to Beasley’s Charlotte team. Not only is Melany a native from the Carolinas, but she has also been very successful at being on the air in this market for a long time. We are very excited to have her in the Beasley family.”…..The suit filed by Guaranty Broadcasting against self-syndicating morning duo Walton and Johnson – John Walton and Steve Johnson – has been “settled amicably,” according to a statement by Guaranty. Walton and Johnson recently left Guaranty’s rock WDGL, Baton Rouge “Rock 98.1” for iHeartMedia’s crosstown WJBO and clearance on iHM’s WRNO, New Orleans. Guaranty had claimed that there was an auto-renewal clause in the contract and since neither Walton and Johnson nor Guaranty notified the other about ending the deal, the auto-renewal was effective. No terms have been announced other than that it’s been settled…..Radio pro Kerry Collins returns to the radio biz, joining iHeartMedia’s Hartford cluster as director of production. Collins left iHeartMedia’s Connecticut operations, and the radio business, in 2005 but had recently been doing part-time on-air work at adult hits WHCN, Hartford. During his career, Collins has also served with Cumulus Media‘s news/talk WPRO-AM, Providence and CBS RADIO‘s WTIC-AM, Hartford.

Round Three of September PPM Data Released. The third of four rounds of September 2017 PPM ratings information from Nielsen Audio has been released for 12 markets including: Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Pittsburgh, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Cincinnati, Orlando, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Columbus. Nielsen’s September 2017 PPM survey period covered August 17 – September 13. See all the 6+ numbers from subscribing stations here. Meanwhile, managing editor Mike Kinosian provides his “Takeaways” from these 12 PPM markets.

TWELVE TAKEAWAYS

1) Portland – The market headline here is found at the top of the leader board where Oregon Public Broadcasting’s KOPB, which had occupied the runner-up position in each of the past 21 sweeps, takes over at #1. Recent trends for the news/talk outlet are +.9 in March; -.8 in May; +.6 in June; -.9 in July; +.6 in August; and now a whopping +1.4 in September (7.7 – 9.1, 6+). It replaces iHeartMedia adult contemporary KKCW “K-103,” which was #1 in 39 of the last 41 ratings periods but segues to #2. “K-103” is a collective -1.4 in three straight downward trends (9.1 – 8.6 – 8.6 – 7.7, 6+). June’s 9.1 was the highest 6+-share for KKCW since the 15.3 it posted in “Holiday” 2016. Down by a combined nine-tenths in July and August (5.0 – 4.7 – 4.1, 6+), co-owned KFBW “105.9 The Brew Portland’s Rock Station” recaptures all of it – plus two-tenths more – (5.2, +1.1, 6+), jumping from ninth to fourth with its strongest 6+-share since September 2015’s 5.5. Huge fluctuations are nothing new for “The Brew” which has been +1.0 in April; -.6 in May; +1.1 in June; -.6 in August; and now +1.1 in September. In the process, it bypasses Entercom-owned/similarly-formatted KGON “92.3 Portland’s Classic Rock,” which is down for the third straight time for a collective loss of one-half share (5.6 – 5.3 – 5.2 – 5.1, 6+) but remains at #5. Within 3.2 – 3.9 (6+) range in each of the last 13 ratings periods, Alpha Media triple A KINK “101.9 – Uniquely Portland” dials up a +.8 to 4.3 and cracks the top ten (#13 to #10, 6+). This is the best 6+-performance for KINK since June 2016’s 5.1. After improving by six-tenths in August to 5.4 – its best 6+-showing since 6.0 in March – Entercom hot AC KRSK “105.1 The Buzz – Today’s Best Mix” surrenders eight-tenths (5.4 – 4.6, 6+), falling from fourth to sixth. The market’s (6+) country share erodes by just over one-share as “The Buzz” cluster-mate KWJJ “99.5 The Wolf – Great Country for the Great Northwest” (-.4 in July) sputters by six-tenths (5.2 – 4.6, fifth to sixth, 6+), while Alpha Media’s KUPL “98.7 The Bull – #1 For New Country” returns in its entirety the one-half share it achieved in July (4.9 – 4.4, seventh to ninth, 6+). Prior to gaining three-tenths in June, “The Wolf” was a combined -1.8 in March, April, and May (6.4 – 5.5 – 4.8 – 4.6, 6+), while “The Bull” was down in consecutive sweeps for a -1.1 (5.5 – 4.5 – 4.4, April – May – June, 6+). The two country rivals finished back-to-back at seventh and eighth, respectively, in both May and June. A -.5 cuts the 6+-share of Educational Media Foundation contemporary Christian KLVP “Positive & Encouraging K-Love” in half (1.0 – .5, #28, 6+). Having posted a 2.6 (6+) six times in the previous seven survey periods, iHeartMedia-owned KXJM “Jam’n 107.5 – Portland’s #1 for Hip-Hop and Throwbacks” drops four-tenths (2.6 – 2.2, #16 to #17, 6+), while Alpha Media’s similarly-programmed KWEE “WE 96.3 – Portland’s Real Hip-Hop Station” gains three-tenths (1.8 – 2.1, #20 to #19, 6+).

2) Charlotte – This is the third month in a row that WKQC notches an increase with “K-104.7 More Music, Better Variety” up one full-share in that timeframe (3.8 – 4.1 – 4.3 – 4.8, 6+). Moreover, the Beasley Media Group-owned adult contemporary outlet advances from tenth to seventh. Logging a one-half share August – September increase as well is iHeartMedia’s WEND “106.5 The End – Charlotte’s New Rock Alternative” (3.3 – 3.8, #15 to #13, 6+), which posted a 3.1 (6+) in three of the last five sweeps. By picking up four-tenths to 2.3 (#18 to #17, 6+), Davidson College’s WDAV “Classical Public Radio” pulls the plug on seven straight down or flat trends that accounted for a combined -1.7 since January (3.6 – 3.2 – 3.1 – 3.0 – 3.0 – 2.3 – 2.3 – 1.9, 6+). Up two-tenths in both August and September (5.7 – 5.9 – 6.1, 6+), classic rock sibling WRFX “99.7 The Fox” marches from second to first. In four straight decreases between March and July, WRFX lost two full-shares (7.7 – 7.6 – 7.2 – 6.2 – 5.7, 6+). “The Fox” had been #1 in five consecutive survey periods before getting dislodged in June by co-owned WKKT “96.9 The Kat – Charlotte’s #1 For New Country.” Turnaround is fair play as “The Fox” now succeeds “The Kat,” which falters by one-half share, segueing from first to third (6.1 – 5.6, 6+) with its softest 6+-stat since “Holiday” 2016’s 4.0. Its format rival – Beasley Media Group-owned WSOC “Country’s Hottest Hits” – is without an increase for the fourth straight month for an overall -.5 (6.6 – 6.0 – 6.0 – 5.6 – 5.5, 6+) and moves from fifth to sixth. WSOC succeeded WKKT at #1 in July and WKKT supplanted WSOC at #1 in August. Sputtering by one-half share – in addition to WKKT – are Beasley Media Group urban contemporary WPEG “Power 98” (sixth to seventh, 6+) and its CHR sibling WNKS “Kiss 95.1 – Charlotte’s #1 Hit Music Station” (eighth to ninth, 6+). “Power” is a combined -1.1 in August and September (5.9 – 5.3 – 4.8, 6+), while “Kiss” has lost an overall full-share in three straight declines (5.4 – 5.1 – 4.9 – 4.4, 6+). As far as the direct competitors of those two stations are concerned, Radio One urban contemporary WQNC posted a +1.2 (2.2 – 3.4, 6+) in July, but “92.7 The Block” has squandered all of it in August and September, returning to 2.2 (#17 to #18, 6+). Following five consecutive downward trends for a collective -1.4 (4.9 – 4.7 – 4.3 – 4.2 – 3.6 – 3.5, 6+), iHeartMedia CHR WHQC “Channel 96.1” picks up two-tenths to 3.7 and carries on at #14 (6+). In March, “Channel 96.1” had its string of consecutive increases that produced a cumulative +1.4 snapped at three (3.5 – 3.6 – 3.8 – 4.9, 6+).

3) San Antonio – Trending 4.7 – 4.3 – 4.5 (June – July – August, 6+), Univision Radio regional Mexican KROM “Que Buena 92.9” breaks out an impressive +1.4 to 5.9, its strongest 6-share since February’s 6.6, and rockets from eighth to second. On the other hand, Alpha Media’s similarly-programmed KSAH “Norteno 104.1” records its fourth consecutive loss for an overall -1.2 (3.8 – 3.2 – 3.1 – 2.8 – 2.6, #16 to #18, 6+). Four-tenths ahead of “Que Buena” is Cox Media Group classic hits-oldies outlet KONO-FM “101.1 San Antonio’s Greatest Hits,” which is #1 for the eighth successive time (6.6 – 6.3, -.3, 6+). It departed the lead position in October after nine straight sweeps there. Recent (6+) fluctuations for “101.1 San Antonio’s Greatest Hits” include October 2016’s -1.0; November’s +.9; December’s -1.1; “Holiday” 2016’s -1.3; January’s +1.1; April’s +.8; May’s -.6; and August’s -.5. Down or flat in each of the last six ratings periods for an overall -.6 (5.3 – 5.3 – 4.9 – 4.9 – 4.8 – 4.7 – 4.7, 6+), Univision Radio rhythmic CHR KBBT “98.5 The Beat” applies the brakes by adding four-tenths to 5.1 (fifth to fourth, 6+). A similar streak ends for iHeartMedia’s KZEP “104.5 Latino Hits,” which was off eight-tenths in three down or flat trends (3.5 – 3.2 – 2.7- 2.7, 6+), but picks up three-tenths to 3.0 (#17 to #15, 6+). When co-owned WOAI gained one-tenth in August, it curtailed six straight down or flat sweeps for a -1.6 (4.7 – 4.7 – 4.5 – 4.5 – 4.4 – 3.3 – 3.1, 6+). The news/talk facility adds one-half share in September (3.2 – 3.7, 6+) to advance from #15 to #13. Prior to June, the last time WOAI fell below a four-share (6+) was September 2014 (3.7). At the same time though, Texas Public Radio news/talk KSTX (#13 to #15) erodes by eight-tenths to 3.0, its lowest 6+-share since April’s 2.5, 6+). Having regressed by one-half share in back-to-back sweeps (3.8 – 3.3 – 2.8, May – June – July, 6+), KSTX recouped that loss in its entirety with a +1.0 in August. It had been two years since KSTX last reached the three-share level (August 2015, 3.0, 6+) and owing to three straight increases, including May’s +1.3, it nearly doubled its 6+-share (2.0 – 2.1 – 2.5 – 3.8, 6+). In the market’s always intriguing country contest, Cox Media Group’s KCYY “Y-100 San Antonio’s New Country Leader” forfeits one-half share to 5.1 (second to fourth, 6+) and is within 5.1 – 5.8 range (6+) for the eleventh straight time. This, however, represents its lowest 6+-share in almost five years (5.0, “Holiday” 2012) and the decrease ends three straight sweeps without a decrease that netted two-tenths (5.4 – 5.4 – 5.4 – 5.6, 6+). Meanwhile, iHeartMedia-owned KAJA “KJ-97 San Antonio’s #1 Country Station” recaptures 60% of August’s one-half share loss (4.7 – 5.0, +.3, 6+), but actually backslides from fifth to sixth. Prior to August, “KJ-97” registered three consecutive uptrends for a collective gain of eight-tenths.

4) Pittsburgh – Owing to a +.2 to 7.2, iHeartMedia CHR WKST “96.1 Kiss FM – Pittsburgh’s #1 Music Station” (steady at #4, 6+) concludes a skein of three straight decreases that accounted for a -2.1 (9.1 – 8.7 – 7.6 – 7.0, 6+); August’s 7.0 was its lowest 6+-share since 6.7 in the “Holiday” 2016 report. Locked on 9.6 (6+) in June, July, and August, classic hits-oldies cluster-mate WWSW “94.5 – 3WS” erupts with a +1.1 to 10.7 (6+) and is #1 for the sixth straight month with its strongest 6+-stat since “Holiday” 2016’s 13.7. After posting three consecutive increases netting a +1.3 (9.1 – 9.9 – 10.3 – 10.4, 6+), WWSW forfeited eight-tenths in June. Immediately before picking up eight-tenths in March, “3WS” was -4.6 since “Holiday” 2016 (13.7 – 9.3 – 9.1, 6+). In second-place for the third consecutive sweep – after being tied at #1 with WWSW in June – rock sibling WDVE posts its third straight decline and is off one full-share (9.6 – 9.2 – 8.7 – 8.6, 6+) with its lowest 6+-stat since “Holiday” 2016’s 8.4. A combined +.9 in June and July (2.9 – 3.5 – 3.8, 6+), co-owned WPGB “Big 104.7 – Pittsburgh’s #1 For New Country” is now a collective -.9 in August and September (3.8 – 3.7 – 2.9, #11 to #13, 6+). Its format rival – CBS Radio-owned WDSY “Y-108 Pittsburgh’s Country” – adds four-tenths (4.5 – 4.9, 6+) to climb from ninth to seventh. A -.1 in August snapped at three its consecutive string of up or flat trends that netted seven-tenths (3.9 – 4.4 – 4.4 – 4.6, 6+). Following three straight improvements for an overall +.9 (4.2 – 4.5 – 4.7 – 5.0 – 5.1, 6+), hot AC cluster-mate WBZZ “Star 100.7 Plays the Hits” returns roughly half that gain (4.6, -.5, 6+) to skid from seventh to nine. At the same time, Steel City Media’s similarly-programmed WLTJ drops one-tenth to 3.3, curtailing at four a consecutive streak of up or flat moves for a cumulative gain of six-tenths (2.8 – 2.8 – 3.0 – 3.2 – 3.4, 6+); “Real Variety Q-92.9,” however, actually inches up from #12 to #11. Dropping by one-half share in addition to WBZZ is Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting triple A WYEP (1.4, unchanged at #14, 6+), which gained six-tenths in August to 1.9, the best 6+-stat in the station’s PPM-history.

5) Sacramento – With a +.8 in September to 4.8 (6+), Entercom’s KRXQ jumps from ninth to fifth and more than erases its combined -.6 in July and August (4.6 – 4.1 – 4.0, 6+). This is the best 6+-showing for “98 Rock” since “Holiday” 2016 (4.8, as well). In seven consecutive sweeps without a decrease, co-owned KKDO “Radio 94.7 – Sacramento’s Alternative” is up one full-share (2.8 – 2.9 – 2.9 – 3.1 – 3.1 – 3.1 – 3.2 – 3.8, 6+). Moreover, it cracks the top ten (#12 to a three-way tie at #9) and has its best 6+performance since March 2016’s 3.8. Not only is this the third straight improvement for KFBK netting a combined +1.3 (6.5 – 6.7 – 7.1 – 7.8, 6+), the iHeartMedia news/talk hybrid advances from third to second with its strongest 6+-stat since February’s 8.2. Regaining the one-half share it lost in August (1.9 – 1.4 – 1.9, 6+) Educational Media Foundation contemporary Christian KLVB “Positive & Encouraging K-Love” elevates from #19 to a four-way scrum at #15; 1.4 in August was its lowest 6+-share since December’s 1.4. Picking up one-half share as well (3.0, steady at #14, 6+) is Entravision-owned country KNTY “101.9 – The Wolf,” which pulls the plug on four straight decreases for an overall -.9 (3.4 – 3.3 – 2.8 – 2.6 – 2.5, 6+). As a result of a loss of one-tenth in May, “The Wolf” had its streak of successive increases which generated a +1.5 end at five (1.9 – 2.1 – 2.3 – 2.4 – 2.7 – 3.4, 6+). Following August 2017’s +1.4 to 9.7, its strongest 6+-showing since 9.9 in August 2016, Entercom-owned KSEG “96.9 The Eagle – Sacramento’s Classic Rock” surrenders all but four-tenths (8.7, -1.0, 6+) but is #1 for the third time in a row. Prior to August, “The Eagle” posted an 8.3 (6+) three times in the previous four ratings periods (8.3 – 8.3 – 8.5 – 8.3, 6+). The classic rock format takes a further hit in September as iHeartMedia’s KYRV “93.7 The River” falters by seven-tenths (4.5 – 3.8, 6+) to drift from fifth to ninth; 3.8 is the lowest 6+-share for “The River” since March (3.5). There are more ups and downs for CBS Radio adult contemporary KYMX “Mix 96” (second to third, 6+), which was a combined -.6 (February – March – April); +.6 in May; a collective -1.4 in June and July; +.5 in August; and now -.8 in September to 7.5, its softest 6+-share since November’s 6.6. Ranked third for five straight sweeps before reaching #1 in “Holiday” 2016, “Mix” rebounded from January’s -4.8 with a full-share February increase (13.0 – 8.2 – 9.2, 6+). As Entercom CHR KUDL “106.5 The End” (3.9, -.2, flat at #8, 6+) concludes four straight gains for an overall +.8 (3.3 – 3.5 – 3.8 – 3.9 – 4.1, 6+), CBS Radio’s KHTK “Sports 1140” (#16 to #15, 6+) extends to four its string of up or flat trends that has netted three-tenths (1.6 – 1.7 – 1.7 – 1.7 – 1.9, 6+).

6) Salt Lake City – In three straight monthlies without a loss, iHeartMedia CHR KZHT is a combined +1.5 (5.0 – 5.0 – 5.3 – 6.5, 6+). This is the strongest 6+-stat for “97.1 ZHT – Salt Lake’s #1 Hit Music Station” in exactly one year (6.6 in September 2016) as it inches up from fourth to third. In only three straight downward moves (5.7 – 5.2 – 3.5 – 3.1, 6+), format foe – Broadway Media’s KUDD “Mix 105.1 – All the Hits” – has eroded by -2.6 and drops from #11 in August to #15. “Mix” was a combined +1.5 in March and April; -.9 in May; and +1.6 in June to 5.7, the highest 6+-stat in its PPM-history. Repeating in the runner-up slot is Bonneville news/talk KSL (5.8 – 6.9, 6+). Eleven recent KSL fluctuations include +2.0 (October 2016), -.9 (November), +1.1 (December), -1.5 (“Holiday” 2016); +2.1 (January 2017); -2.1 (February); +.6 (April); -1.1 (May); -.9 (July); +.6 (August); and now +1.1 (September). Improving by six-tenths each are iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies KODJ “94.1 Salt Lake’s Greatest Hits” (seventh to fifth, 6+) and Cumulus Media adult contemporary KBEE “B-98.7 – Today’s Hits & Yesterday’s Favorites” (#16 to #10, 6+). This is the fifth consecutive improvement for KODJ for an overall +1.7 (3.9 – 4.3 – 4.5 – 4.6 – 5.0 – 5.6, 6+) and its highest 6+-share since June 2016’s 6.6; “B-98.7” has its third successive gain for a +1.1 (2.4 – 2.6 – 2.9 – 3.5, 6+) and matches March’s 3.5. More than four full-shares ahead of “B98.7” is Bonneville’s similarly-formatted KSFI “FM 100.3 – Better Music Better Work Day,” which occupies the #1 slot for the fourth straight month (7.4 – 7.8, +.4, 6+). Up eight-tenths in three straight up or flat trends (2.7 – 2.7 – 3.2 – 3.5, 6+), iHeartMedia hot AC KJMY “My-99.5 More Music, More Variety” surrenders one-half share to 3.0, spiraling from #11 to #16 (6+). Off by one-tenth (5.8 – 5.7, 6+) and dropping from second to fourth is Capital Broadcasting’s similarly-formatted KBZN “Now 97.9 Today’s Best Music,” which was +.5 in August and -.6 in July. Within 2.0 – 2.8 range for the 16^th consecutive sweep, Broadway Media rhythmic CHR KUUU “U-92” is off one-tenth (2.1 – 2.0, 6+) and slips from #17 to #18. Separated by just one-tenth and finishing back-to-back at #7 and #8, respectively, are country rivals Cumulus Media’s KUBL “K-Bull” (5.1 – 4.7, -.4, 6+) and independent KSOP-FM “Z-104 Utah’s #1 Country” (4.9 – 4.6, -.3, 6+). A -.1 in July by “Z-104” halted at four its streak of consecutive improvements that netted a +2.1 (4.0 – 4.3 – 4.5 – 5.3 – 6.1, 6+). June’s 6.1 represents the strongest ever 6+ PPM share for “Z-104,” which was -1.1 in August.

7) Las Vegas – While ratings information for the 12 PPM-markets listed here was released one day after the horrific mass murder in Las Vegas (and covered August 17 – September 13), any impact of associated listening will not be seen until results from the October sweep (September 14 – October 11). The rollercoaster ride continues for Beasley Media Group-owned KCYE “The Coyote – We Are Country,” which logged three straight gains for a collective +1.8 (3.1 – 3.4 – 3.5 – 4.9, 6+) before faltering by an overall two full-shares in June, July, and August (4.9 – 4.7 – 3.7 – 2.9, 6+). It answers in September though with a +.7 to 3.6 as it returns to the top ten (#13 to #10). Replicating August’s +.6 is CBS Radio hot AC KMXB “Mix 94.1,” which inches up from third to second in what is actually its third successive gain (4.6 – 4.7 – 5.3 – 5.9, 6+). A positive spike of one-half share nearly doubles the 6+-stat of Farmworker Educational Radio regional Mexican KYLI “Campesina” (.6 – 1.1, #23, 6+). This is the third straight month at #1 for Beasley Media Group classic hits-oldies KKLZ “96.3 – 70s, 80s and More” (6.7 – 6.9, +.2, 6+). July’s 7.1 was its strongest 6+-share since last November’s 7.2. Following an August +1.3 to 5.3, its best 6+-stat since March (5.5), CBS Radio-owned KLUC “98.5 Las Vegas #1 Hit Music Station” relinquishes all but three-tenths of that increase (4.3, -1.0, third to sixth, 6+). In an up/down pattern, Lotus classic rock KXPT “97.1 The Point” was off by six-tenths in July; up one-half share in August; and now down eight-tenths in September (5.4 – 4.8 – 5.3 – 4.5, third to fifth, 6+). Via three straight decreases, iHeartMedia adult contemporary KSNE “Sunny 106.5” erodes by nearly two full-shares (7.5 – 6.7 – 6.3 – 5.6, second to third, 6+). Recent fluctuations for “Sunny,” which had been on top between December 2016 and June 2017, are +1.8 in March; -1.1 in April; -1.2 in May; +1.4 in June; -.8 in July; and now -.7 in September. Owing to a one-half share decline to 3.9 (seventh to eighth, 6+), Faith Communications contemporary Christian KSOS “SOS Radio for Life” returns 50% of the full-share it gained through three straight increases (3.4 – 4.0 – 4.1 – 4.4, 6+). Despite being an overall -1.9 in three straight decreases (6.0 – 5.6 – 4.7 – 4.2 – 4.1, 6+), Beasley Media Group’s KOAS “Old School 105.7” actually improves from eighth to seventh.

8) Cincinnati – Powered by a gain of one full-share to 4.8 – its highest 6+-performance since November’s 5.3 – iHeartMedia-owned WEBN “Cincinnati’s Rock Station” erases the combined half-share it lost in July and August (4.3 – 3.9 – 3.8, 6+) and progresses from tenth to sixth. Owing to a +.7 to 4.3 (6+), co-owned CHR WKFS pulls the plug on three straight decreases that accounted for a -1.0 (4.6 – 3.9 – 3.8 – 3.6, 6+) as “Kiss 107.1 – Cincinnati’s #1 Hit Music Station” cracks the top ten (#11 to #9). When Educational Community Radio’s WOBO dialed up a +.7 in August to 1.6 (6+), that became the highest 6+-share “The Station with Something for Everyone” reached since first appearing in print in April 2014, eclipsing November 2016’s 1.0. It is a short-lived record though as WOBO follows with a +.5 to 2.1 (#18 to #16, 6+). Albeit down two-tenths (9.6 – 9.4, 6+), iHeartMedia news/talk WLW repeats at #1. It had been one year (August 2016) since WLW was last in sole possession of the top spot – it was tied for the lead in May 2017. “The Big One” returned to the top in August 2017 after back-to-back stays in the runner-up slot. Locked on 5.5 (6+) in July and August, Cumulus Media-owned WOFX “92.5 The Fox – Cincinnati’s Classic Rock” (fifth to eighth) sputters by -1.1 to 4.4, it lowest 6+-share since “Holiday” 2016’s 3.8. Falling by one-half share each are co-owned WFTK “96 Rock” (#8 to #13, 6+); Hubbard rhythmic hot AC WREW “Mix 94.9” (5.1 – 4.6, sixth to seventh, 6+); and Cincinnati Public Radio-owned classical WGUC “Music For Your Heart, Mind, and Spirit” (1.9 – 1.4, #16 to #18, 6+). “96 Rock” ends at three a consecutive string of increases that netted one full-share (2.9 – 3.1 – 3.8 – 3.9, 6+).

9) Orlando – No doubt influenced by recent hurricane activity that ravaged Florida (and neighboring locales), news/talk scores huge points in September. Heading the list is Cox Media Group’s WDBO-FM, which follows August’s positive spike of nine-tenths with a whopping +2.0, the largest 6+ August 2017 – September 2017 increase by any station in the 48 PPM-markets. With a robust 6+ July – August – September line score of 3.2 – 4.1 – 6.1, WDBO-FM cruises from tenth to sixth. Prior to August, it was -1.0 via three straight negative trends (4.2 – 3.8 – 3.6 – 3.2, 6+). Having lost more than two full-shares of its 6+-share as the result of six consecutive decreases (3.6 – 3.3 – 2.9 – 2.2 – 2.0 – 1.8 – 1.5, 6+), iHeartMedia news/talk WTKS “Real Radio 104.1 – We Say What We Want” roars back in September with a +1.1 (2.6, #17 to #15, 6+). Spiraling by two full-shares in July, Spanish tropical sibling WRUM “Rumba 100” was flat in August, but chalks up a +.9 to 11.6 (6+) and is #1 for the ninth consecutive month. The 12.8 it registered in April was the best-ever 6+-share in its PPM-history. The +2.2 co-owned WJRR achieved through five consecutive increases (3.7 – 4.2 – 4.7 – 5.5 – 5.6 – 5.9, 6+) is sliced in half with a -1.1 to 4.8 (sixth to seventh, 6+). “Orlando’s Rock Station” previously showed a (6+) December 2016 – March 2017 line of 3.9 – 3.7 – 3.7 – 3.9 – 3.7. A loss of eight-tenths (7.9 – 7.1, third to fourth, 6+) takes Cox Media Group classic rock WMMO to its lowest 6+-share since April’s 7.0. Registering a 5.4 in three of the last four ratings periods, CBS Radio hot AC WOMX falters by six-tenths to 4.8 but “Mix 105.1” remains in eighth-place. Co-owned CHR WQMP was without an increase in each of the last three sweeps for an overall +.7 (3.6 – 3.6 – 3.8 – 4.3, 6+), but “101.9 Amp” drops one-half share to 3.8 and exits the top ten (#9 to #11). Actually advancing from fourth to third, iHeartMedia CHR WXXL “XL-106.7” is -2.4 in five straight monthlies without an increase (9.9 – 8.8 – 8.1 – 7.8 – 7.5 – 7.5, 6+), following a +2.7 as the result of four consecutive progressive trends (7.2 – 8.0 – 9.0 – 9.7 – 9.9, 6+). April’s 9.9 was its strongest 6+-share since September’s 10.4. Three consecutive declines by Cox Media Group urban AC WCFB result in a collective -1.3 (6.1 – 5.6 – 5.0 – 4.8, 6+) yet “Star 94.5” progresses from eighth to seventh. In June, “Star” bounced back from May’s -.9 with an increase of six-tenths.

10) Cleveland – A combined -.7 in July and August (7.3 – 6.7 – 6.6, 6+), iHeartMedia news/talk – and Cleveland Indians flagship – WTAM (sixth to third, 6+) trots out a whopping +1.3 to 7.9, its highest 6+stat since November’s 9.1. The key FM station of the Cleveland Browns, meanwhile, CBS Radio sports talk WKRK “92.3 The Fan,” is up a collective full-share through three straight gains (2.7 – 2.8 – 3.0 – 3.7, 6+) and carries on at #12. The combination of a one-half share loss by iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WMJI “Majic 105.7 Cleveland’s Greatest Hits” (8.9 – 8.4, 6+) and a three-tenths gain by Radio One urban AC WZAK (8.1 – 8.4, second to first, 6+) results in a tie between the two at #1. WMJI progressed from second to first in July with a +1.1 to 9.1, its strongest 6+-share since 9.8 in “Holiday” 2016. “Cleveland’s Greatest Hits” occupied the top spot from January through April and was in the runner-up slot in May and June. WZAK logs its third consecutive positive move for an overall +.9 (7.5 – 7.6 – 8.1 – 8.4, 6+). Urban contemporary cluster-mate WENZ “Z-107.9” (sixth to fifth) is a combined +1.5 via six straight sweeps without a decrease (5.3 – 5.4 – 5.8 – 6.4 – 6.6 – 6.6 – 6.8, 6+). With a +.3 to 2.4 (steady at #13, 6+), Ideastream news/talk WCPN pulls the plug on four negative trends in succession that produced a collective -1.3 (3.4 – 3.1 – 2.9 – 2.5 – 2.1, 6+). Entering the September sweep, iHeartMedia adult hits WHLK was trending 7.3 – 7.6 – 7.5 – 7.5 – 7.6 – 7.7 – 7.6 (6+), but “106.5 The Lake – We Play Anything” plummets by one full-share to 6.6 (third to sixth, 6+). Unchanged at #9, CBS Radio adult contemporary WDOK “Cleveland’s Star 102” regresses by six-tenths to 5.4, its softest 6+-share since November 2013’s 5.3.

11) Kansas City – Registering an August – September improvement of eight-tenths is Entercom hot AC KZPT “99.7 The Point” (4.6 – 5.4, seventh to fourth, 6+), which notches its strongest 6+-share since January’s 6.0. This marks the fifth straight increase for Steel City Media’s KFKF (5.6 – 5.7 – 5.9 – 6.0 – 6.1 – 6.9, 6+), which is +1.3 in that timeframe; “Country 94.1” holds down the #3 slot for the fifth month in a row. Co-owned KBEQ “Q-104 #1 for New Country” gains four-tenths to 3.8 (#15 to #12, 6+), applying the brakes to four successive sweeps without an increase for an overall -1.3 (4.7 – 4.4 – 3.5 – 3.5 – 3.4, 6+). Elsewhere in the country format, Entercom’s WDAF “106.5 The Wolf” is off four-tenths to 4.4 (fifth to seventh, 6+) after August’s +.7 to 4.8, the highest 6+-share for “The Wolf” since 4.9 in April 2015. Perhaps things are setting down for Cumulus Media classic rocker KCFX “The Fox,” which is a modest -.2 to 8.5 (6+) and #1 for the ninth consecutive time. A -1.6 in August halted five straight increases that accounted for a cumulative +2.8 (7.5 – 8.5 – 8.7 – 9.4 – 10.3, 6+). By reaching 10.3 in July, it marked only the fifth time a Kansas City station has registered double-digits (6+) in the PPM era. “The Fox” bounced back from a -.8 in March with a full-share gain in April. Before that, it recorded three consecutive declines accounting for a -1.5 (9.0 – 8.5 – 8.3 – 7.5, 6+). Following five consecutive up or flat trends in which it nearly quadrupled its 6+-share (1.2 – 2.7 – 2.7 – 3.1 – 3.7 – 4.4, 6+), Entercom’s sports talk and Kansas City Royals flagship KCSP “610 Sports Radio – Our Teams, Our Town” returns six-tenths of that +3.2 (3.8, 6+) and departs the top ten (#9 to #12); August’s 4.4 was its highest 6+-share since June 2016’s 4.7. Trending 4.1 – 4.6 – 4.5 (June – July – August, 6+), Cumulus Media CHR KCHZ “95.7 The Vibe – All the Hits” drops one-half share to 4.0 (eighth to tenth, 6+). Co-owned KCJK “X-105.1 Kansas City’s Alternative” is off by one-tenth to 2.8 (flat at #16, 6+), thus drawing to a close seven straight up or flat trends for an overall gain of one full-share (1.9 – 2.3 – 2.5 – 2.5 – 2.5 – 2.5 – 2.6 – 2.9, 6+).

12) Columbus – Roaring back from July’s loss of seven-tenths, Radiohio-owned WBNS-FM follows August’s +.9 with an even greater +1.2 (1.9 – 2.8 – 4.0, 6+) as “Sports Radio 97.1 The Fan” enters the top ten (#12 to #7) with its best 6+-performance since May’s 4.1. “The Fan” ended its (6+) February through May sequence of 3.9 – 4.2 – 3.9 – 4.1 by slumping -1.5 in June to 2.6 (6+). After sputtering by six-tenths in August, iHeartMedia adult hits WODC “93.3 The Bus” answers with a full-share gain to 5.5 (seventh to fifth, 6+). It is the highest 6+-share for “The Bus” since February’s 5.6. Without an increase the past five ratings periods for an overall loss of
seven-tenths (6.4 – 6.3 – 6.3 – 6.3 – 6.3 – 5.7, 6+), news/talk cluster-mate WTVN picks up two-tenths to 5.9 (6+) to climb from fourth to third. Albeit off a combined -1.5 in August and September, country cluster-mate WCOL is #1 for the third straight time. In June and July, WCOL produced a whopping +3.5 (9.2 – 10.6 – 12.7, 6+). July’s 12.7 was the highest 6+-share by any Columbus station since WCOL reached 12.9 in July 2015. It was +2.2 in January; -1.2 in February; +.8 in March; -1.3 in May; +1.4 in June; +2.1 in July; -.9 in August; and now -.6 in September (11.8 – 11.2, 6+). After being an overall +1.9 in four straight up or flat trends (2.8 – 3.0 – 3.0 – 3.5 – 4.7, 6+), Ohio State University news/talk WOSU-FM relinquishes roughly half that gain (3.8, -.9, sixth to eighth, 6+). Another positive streak concludes as Saga Communications classic hits-oldies WNND “Rewind” drops seven-tenths to 2.2 (#10 to #14, 6+), halting three successive upticks that netted eight-tenths (2.1 – 2.2 – 2.8 – 2.9, 6+).

Thursday, September 28, 2017

TALKERS | September 28, 2017

FCC Chairman Pai Asks Apple to Activate FM Chips. In a statement issued today (9/28), Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai is asking Apple – the lone major smartphone manufacturer holdout – to agree to activate the FM chips installed in phones. Pai says, “When wireless networks go down during a natural disaster, smartphones with activated FM chips can allow Americans to get vital access to life-saving information. I applaud those companies that have done the right thing by activating the FM chips in their phones. Apple is the one major phone manufacturer that has resisted doing so. But I hope the company will reconsider its position, given the devastation wrought by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. That’s why I am asking Apple to activate the FM chips that are in its iPhones. It is time for Apple to step up to the plate and put the safety of the American people first.” There has been no public response to Pai’s statement by Apple.

Price Tag for Entercom-EMF Deal: $57.75 Million. We know the price for the three Entercom radio stations sold to Educational Media Foundation after Entercom filed with the FCC. These three stations are the first of the divestitures required to facilitate the merger of Entercom and CBS RADIO. Educational Media Foundation is paying Entercom $57.75 million for KSWD, Los Angeles; KSOQ, Escondido (San Diego market), and WGGI, Benton, PA (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton market).

WSB, Atlanta’s Condace Pressley Receives Local Honor. The Atlanta Business League has just announced its 2017 list of “Atlanta’s Top 100 Black Women of Influence” and WSB Radio manager of program operations and community affairs Condace Pressley is honored as a member of this year’s list. Pressley was recognized during the “Women of Vision” breakfast on Tuesday (9/26) at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel. Since 1994, the list has reflected the names of black women in the metro Atlanta community who have reached senior level positions within their profession, are leading entrepreneurs in their industry, or have attained the ability to influence large public bodies politically and in government. WSB-AM/WSBB-FM director of branding and programming Pete Spriggs comments, “Condace quietly and humbly moves through Atlanta’s communities and serves, mentors and leads every day. And, she’s done that throughout her entire career with WSB and ‘KISS 104.’ I am so proud and pleased that she gets this kind of due fanfare.”

Financial Talker Ray Lucia Seeks Supreme Court Ruling to Get Back into Investment Business. Financial talk radio host Ray Lucia is taking his ouster from the securities industry by the Securities and Exchange Commission to the U.S. Supreme Court. The San Diego Reader has a lengthy story on the matter here. The short version is that Lucia was banned in 2013 after the SEC ruled that his “Buckets of Money” investment plan was not “backtested.” He has appealed the ruling to no avail. Now, he’s arguing that the administrative law judge responsible for the decision to kick him out of the industry was appointed unconstitutionally. Lucia’s attorney tells the paper he believes the SCOTUS will hear the case. Lucia’s program is syndicated via the Biz Talk Radio network.

TALKERS News Notes. As part of its “Community Conversation” series, Scripps’ Milwaukee news/talk WTMJ’s news department is presenting a program addressing the controversy surrounding player protests during the national anthem at NFL games. The uninterrupted, one-hour special takes place this afternoon (9/28) at 4:00 pm CT. The conversation will lead directly into WTMJ Radio pregame coverage of the Green Bay Packers vs Chicago Bears game at Lambeau Field. WTMJ director of programming and news Eric Brooks states, “The protests by NFL players during the national anthem have sparked debate and raised awareness of the issues of social justice in the country. WTMJ Radio is the flagship station of the Green Bay Packers and the de facto town hall for the state of Wisconsin. We feel it’s our duty to provide a high-profile place for all sides of the conversation to be heard.” WTMJ hosts John Mercure and Melissa Barclay will moderate the special that is also being streamed at wtmj.com and via Facebook Live…..Dallas talk show host Jon-David Wells announces via Facebook that his talk show “The Wells Report” is soon to be heard in the market on Salem Media Group’s KVCE-AM, Highland Park as it flips from a simulcast of Christian teaching KWRD-FM to news/talk as “1160 AM KBDT – Big D Talk.” Wells says his program, previously heard on Salem’s news/talk KSKY, is also being distributed via USA Radio Network…..Pictured at right is Salem Radio Network East Coast affiliate relations manager Jim Bligh in a still shot from a promo for this weekend’s season premiere of “Saturday Night Live.” Bligh plays a security guard who won’t let guest star Ryan Gosling upstairs without a guest pass. See the video here. When Bligh is not scratching his acting itch (he’s appeared in motion pictures such as Man on a Ledge and Ricki and the Flash), he’s securing new affiliate stations for SRN’s Hugh Hewitt, Mike Gallagher, Larry Elder and others.

PodcastOne and Former Staffer in Legal Tangle. Former PodcastOne producer Raymond Hernandez and company founder and chairman Norm Pattiz have very different views of the issues surrounding Hernandez’s claims against Pattiz. As reported first in Variety, Hernandez is suing PodcastOne for unlawful termination, claiming that he was let go for protesting instructions from Pattiz to “inflate download numbers” of the company’s podcasts. PodcastOne attorney Marvin Putnam, however, says, “Mr. Hernandez was fired for stealing intellectual property from PodcastOne — a theft he has admitted to committing.” In the complaint, Hernandez says Pattiz, who is a reserve sheriff’s deputy, set his revolver on a desk with the barrel pointing toward him in order to intimidate him. Pattiz reponds, “This guy must be crazy. I’ve never met alone with him. I didn’t hire him or fire him. I barely know who he is. The fact that I’m a law enforcement reserve is well known as I have public service awards in my office. I didn’t and would never act in the manner that’s been described… His allegations are absurd.”

Alliance for Women in Media ‘Women Who Lead’ Honorees Named. At this November’s Women Who Lead luncheon, five women media executives are being honored by the Alliance for Women in Media at the Marriott Marquis in New York City. The event “recognizes and celebrates women who have had a significant impact on the media industry, as trailblazers and extraordinary leaders in their chosen field.” This year’s honorees are: Caroline Beasley, CEO, Beasley Broadcast Group; Amy Emmerich, chief content officer, Refinery29; Kathleen Finch, chief programming, content & brand officer, Scripps Networks; Susan Swain, co-CEO, C-SPAN; and Julie Talbott, president, Premiere Networks. For more information about the event or to reserve your seat, click here.

Trump Tax Reform Plan, Roy Moore Victory, NFL Protests, Cost of Illegal Immigration, Puerto Rico Devastation, ObamaCare Repeal Efforts, Hugh Hefner Dies, Rick Pitino Corruption Case, MLB Playoff Push, and NFL Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (9/27). The outline of President Trump’s tax reform plan and his speech promoting the effort in Indianapolis; controversial former judge Roy Moore wins the GOP primary in the Alabama U.S. Senate race; ongoing debate over NFL players protesting during the singing of the national anthem; the FAIR study concluding illegal immigration costs taxpayers almost $116 billion per year; the lack of power, potable water and food in Hurricane Maria-stricken Puerto Rico; the efforts by the GOP to repeal the Affordable Care Act with the Graham-Cassidy Bill; Playboy founder Hugh Hefner dies at age 91; the federal investigation into corruption in Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino’s program; the final week of the regular season in Major League Baseball; and NFL action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Cool News Radio Opportunity. WNRP seeks a morning drive news anchor/reporter. “NewsRadio1620 ▪ FM92.3” in Pensacola, Florida has an immediate opening for an experienced AM drive radio news anchor. Join the team that local newspaper readers have twice voted “Best Morning Show.” Includes news on sister station “CatCountry98.7.” Strong writer, fast audio producer, conversational style, plus a passion for local news gathering. Seven Edward R. Murrow awards for local news coverage. FOX Radio News affiliate. Independent and locally owned. Excellent employee benefits, including 401k plan and health/dental/vision insurance. Great lifestyle near beaches in NW Florida panhandle. EOE. Send audio with resume here.

Clive Davis Visits ‘Jonesy’s Jukebox.’ Music biz legend Clive Davis visited Cumulus Media’s classic rock KLOS, Los Angeles on Tuesday (9/26) to chat with “Jonsey’s Jukebox” host Steve Jones about his new documentary film, Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives, that opened in LA at Cinerama Dome/ArcLight Hollywood. From KLOS, Davis also spoke with Matt Pinfield for “Flashback”; with WKQX, Chciago’s Brian & Lou; and WLS-AM, Chicago’s Bob Sirott and Marianne Murciano. Pictured above are (from l-r): Evan Saxon of film distributor Abramorama, Davis, Jonesy, and film and music promoter Elliot Kendall. Photo: Mark “Mr. Shovel” Sovel.

More Music Radio News and Career Moves. In Baltimore, rock programming pro Steve Huber moves from Hearst Communications’ WIYY “98Rock” to Times-Shamrock’s crosstown classic rocker WZBA “100.7 The Bay.” The move lifts him from assistant PD to program director and takes effect on October 2. WZBA general manager Jefferson Ward states, “We had a tremendous response to our open PD position and I had the chance to talk to a number of excellent programmers, people that might have easily been hired had Steve not come into our picture. Steve is deeply passionate about radio and has a broad and strong skill set. Those qualities along with his understanding of radio’s opportunities today and his vision about where radio can go made Steve a perfect fit for ‘100.7 The Bay.’”…..Alternative rock WRMR, Wilmington, North Carolina “Modern Rock 98.7” names Laura Lee program director and afternoon drive host. Sunrise Broadcasting sought to replace Paul Cannell, who exited last month to join Cumulus Media’s New Orleans operations. Lee was most recently with Adams Radio Group where she handled promotions director duties in Salisbury-Ocean City in addition to programming classic rock WGBG “BIG 98.5” and serving as music director and midday personality…..As reported in Billboard, Apple is now saying that it has hit the 30 million paid subscribers mark. That compares with Spotify’s 60 million paid subscribers. Neither service offers a free tier as do Pandora and iHeartRadio. The story notes that income from the service is part of Apple’s larger Services segment that reported third quarter 2017 revenue of $7.3 billion, a year-over-year increase of 22%…..Superadio Networks announces an affiliation and sales agreement with Marvin Sapp’s Praise Place, LLC to syndicate his eponymous weekly Gospel radio show. All affiliate and national advertising sales will be handled by Superadio and American Urban Radio Networks.

Friday, September 8, 2017

TALKERS | September 8, 2017

NAB/RAB Radio Show Report. Media consultant Holland Cooke files this report from Austin and the NAB/RAB Radio Show. In Cooke’s convention notes this morning are takeaways from the “Creating Unforgettable User Experiences” panel, some thoughts from the “Advertiser Breakfast,” a bunch of handy tips for sales people in the “Selling to Car Dealers” session, and some wisdom for “Attracting and Retaining Top Sales Talent.” Check out Cooke’s report here.

2017 Marconi Award Winners Announced. The winners of the 2017 Marconi Awards from the National Association of Broadcasters were announced at the NAB Marconi Awards Dinner & Show at the NAB/RAB Radio Show in Austin last night (9/7). Some notable winners from the spoken-word formats include: all-news WCBS-AM, New York wins Legendary Station of the Year; all-news WTOP-FM, Washington is named Major Market Station of the Year; news/talk WDBO-FM, Orlando is honored with News/Talk Station of the Year; news/talk KRMG-FM, Tulsa wins Medium Market Station of the Year; and KTCK-FM, Dallas takes home the Sports Station of the Year honors.

Hofstra University’s WRHU-FM, Hempstead Wins Second Marconi Award. College station WRHU, Hempstead, New York was honored with its second NAB Marconi Award for Non-Commercial Station of the Year. WRHU won the award in the same category in 2014. TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison is a Hofstra graduate, charter inductee in the WRHU Hall of Fame, and member of the university’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication executive advisory board. Harrison states, “I am bursting with pride at my association with this amazing institution and radio station. Receiving the Marconi Award as best non-commercial radio station in the nation – not just once, but twice in the past three years – is a remarkable accomplishment. It is a tribute to Dean Evan Cornog, station general manager Bruce Avery and WRHU operations director John T. Mullen, as well as the Hofstra faculty and serious-minded students that this school continually attracts.” Pictured at the Marconi Awards last night (l-r): Hofstra alumnus Mike Leslie, Avery, and Weiss Agency executive VP (and member of the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication executive advisory board) Heather Cohen.

NYPost: Carton Charity Reported ‘Zero’ Money Spent on Program Expenses. Things are not getting better for suspended WFAN, New York morning personality Craig Carton after his arrest on Wednesday (9/6) on federal fraud charges in connection with an alleged concert tickets resale Ponzi scheme. Today, the New York Post is reporting that Carton’s charitable foundation Tic Toc Stop – set up in 2013 to “fight Tourette Syndrome” – documented in its 2015 tax filing that it spent $0 on program expenses. Those expenses would be to fund programs designed to serve those with Tourette. The story quotes charity watchdog group Charity Navigator saying, “We rarely ever see organizations report zero for program expenses…we occasionally see low ratios, but this is definitely far outside the norm.” There’s no official allegation that Carton spent funds donated to the charity on gambling debts – the alleged reason for his involvement in the Ponzi scheme – but, obviously it doesn’t look good for Carton. Read the Post story here.

St. Louis Personality Frank O. Pinion Moving to Crosstown KFNS. Afternoon drive talk show host Frank O. Pinion announced recently that he’s leaving CH Holdings talk station KTRS, St. Louis after 20 years there. Now, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Dan Caesar reports that O. Pinion, a.k.a. John Craddock, will join Randy Markel-owned sports talker KFNS for the afternoon drive slot. O. Pinion doesn’t talk sports – he even confesses he knows little about sports – so he’ll do the kind of show he’s been doing in the market. As was his deal with KTRS, O. Pinion will broker his show on KFNS. KTRS president and GM Mark Dorsey says KMOV-TV meteorologist Kent Ehrhardt will host afternoons Monday through Thursday while they seek a full-time host. Paul Harris continues to host the Friday show. Get the Post-Dispatch story here.

Dave Ramsey’s Smart Money Tour in Baton Rouge. With the help of affiliate station WBRP, Baton Rouge “Talk 107.3 FM,” nationally syndicated talk superstar Dave Ramsey brought his “Smart Money” tour to the Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge . At yesterday’s event, Ramsey personalities Chris Hogan and Anthony O’Neal walked attendees through topics like budgeting, paying off debt and saving for retirement. Pictured above are Guaranty Media team members with Chris Hogan, all holding a copy of his latest book. They are: Mike Benson, Trey Honore, Stephanie Morris, Ellen Diedrich, John Burke, Jessi Mapes, Leah Gaiennie, TJ Solis, Mary LeBlanc, Casey McKenzie, Blain Bech and Hogan.

Skyview Networks and NHL’s Golden Knights Partner. Broadcast solutions firm Skyview Networks and the NHL’s newest franchise – the Vegas Golden Knights – announce their partnership for maximum distribution of Golden Knights programming broadcast on radio partner Lotus Broadcasting’s network of affiliates. The companies say that as the season begins, Skyview will “provide the Golden Knights with their turnkey satellite distribution, as well as AdView Inventory Management and Live Read Logging software for full control of the organization’s advertising inventory. The seamless communication between Skyview’s full menu of services will allow the highest quality of broadcast management from advertiser to on-air performance.” Golden Knights president Kerry Bubolz comments, “Skyview is an innovative leader in the broadcast technology industry. Their expertise in this space will ensure that our network affiliates receive best-in-class broadcast quality and business services.”

Westwood One Reveals Podcast Research. It’s called The Podcast Download Fall 2017 Report and syndication and sales unit Westwood One calls it a “deep-dive into the consumption habits of podcast listeners” that brings to light some major takeaways on listeners’ tolerance for advertising within the on-demand space. The report was created in partnership with MARU/Vision Critical to “give brands, content creators, and podcast producers a look at the consumption habits and attitudes of these coveted media junkies.” WW1 says some of the key findings include that: Heavy podcast listeners are voracious media and tech junkies; Podcasts are under commercialized – there is an opportunity to add more commercial breaks and ad units; Heavy podcast consumers are more accepting of pre-produced ads; and “speed listening” is real – 42% of weekly podcast listeners say they have increased the speed of the podcast. Half of heavy podcast listeners have speed-listened. This DVR-style “ad zipping” is a reality for podcasting. See more here.

Trump’s Deal with Democrats Top News/Talk Story of the Week. The deal President Trump struck with Democratic leaders for disaster relief, a temporary budget and a short-term debt ceiling hike was the most-talked-about story on news/talk radio this week, landing atop the Talkers Ten^TM. At #2 this week was Hurricane Irma’s path toward Florida and the related Hurricane Harvey aftermath. Coming in at #3 was North Korea’s nuclear threats, followed by Hillary Clinton’s latest book at #4. The Talkers Ten^TM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. View this week’s entire chart here.

Radio Prepares for Hurricane Irma. With Hurricane Irma predicted to hit Florida this weekend, Beasley Media Group reports that its stations in the state have their Hurricane Action Plans in place. The company says, “All of our stations in Tampa are doing regular updates on air with our weather partner, ABC Action News. The jocks are giving updates on weather, shelters, sand bag stations, etc. We’re directing everyone to the station websites /Storm (ex. 995QYK.com/Storm) for all updates. On the Storm pages, we’re populating feeds from ABC Action News and posting information and announcements from our local governments and the state. The pages are featured in our rotators and we have a breaking news bar across the top of the sites. When we social any updates we direct people back to this page where all of the information is being updated.” In the Fort Myers market, Beasley is teaming with WBBH-TV (NBC) and WZVN-TV (ABC) to co-ordinate and provide hurricane information. In the Boca Raton market, the company is teaming with WPEC-TV (CBS). At iHeartMedia, the company says that its five Tallahassee stations – led by news/talk WFLA-FM – are regularly tracking updates and are prepared with a full staff to broadcast wall-to-wall coverage of the storm, including up-to-date storm and traffic information as well as resources for emergency situations and community relief. The company says if the storm comes close to the region, they will simulcast WFLA-FM across all stations with staff from each station helping with the broadcast, station operations and phones. On the network level, ABC News Radio is providing extensive live coverage with correspondents Jim Ryan and Alex Stone reporting from Florida. ABC will provide multiple one-minute updates each hour beginning 6:00 am ET on Saturday. On Sunday, live coverage will be anchored by correspondent Aaron Katersky from 6:00 am – 12:00 noon, ET and 7:00-8:00 pm, ET, joined by Ryan and Stone, and correspondent Karen Travers.

TALKERS News Notes. During the third annual Interactive Advertising Bureau Podcast Upfront, iHeartRadio unveils four new, original podcasts. iHeartRadio says the announcement underscores “a year of tremendous growth from the podcast platform, which has seen a 60% increase in listenership from iHeartRadio’s more than 100 million registered users.” The new shows are: “The Oh My Disney Podcast,” celebrating all things Disney and pop culture by Disney fans, for Disney fans; “The Fatherly Podcast,” a weekly podcast about parenting, hosted by veteran journalist and Fatherly editor-at-large Joshua David Stein; “Scrubbing In With Becca Tilley,” hosted by beloved two-time contestant of “The Bachelor,” Becca Tilley; and “Summit: Chairlift,” a weekly podcast that gives listeners a substantive look into the minds of today’s most innovative thinkers, recorded as they ride a chairlift to the summit of Powder Mountain in Utah…..Just ahead of last night’s 2017 NFL season opener between the reigning champion New England Patriots and the Kansas City Chiefs, CBS RADIO announced that it and the Patriots have inked a multi-year contract extension to keep Pats games on sports talk WBZ-FM, “98.5 The Sports Hub.” CBS reports that Bob Socci and Scott Zolak will continue as play-by-play host and color analyst, respectively. CBS RADIO has served as the flagship radio partner of the Patriots since 1994 when the games aired on all-news WBZ-AM, before transitioning to then-rock WBCN-FM in 1995…..Cox Media Group’s Atlanta stations – led by news/talk WSB-AM/WSBB-FM “News 95.5 and AM750 WSB” – partnered with WSB-TV and the Atlanta Journal Constitution on a bottled water drive for victims of Hurricane Harvey. Listeners, viewers and readers came out to support the Convoy of Care in force, packing 10 trucks of clean drinking water over only two days. At times, the line of vehicles waiting to drop off bottled water stretched nearly a half mile. Donations came from private citizens as well as local businesses and organizations…..CBS RADIO Philadelphia radio stations KYW “Newsradio,” news/talk WPHT, sports talk WIP-FM, classic hits WOGL, AC WTDY, and country WXTU are partnering with The Travis Manion Foundation to host 9/11 Heroes Run 5K races and 1 mile Fun Runs in the Philadelphia region during the month of September. The Travis Manion Foundation’s Houston office is currently assisting in flood recovery and aid. At all 9/11 Heroes Run race locations around the country, CBS will run with a Texas flag that will then be sent to Houston, which hosts the largest 9/11 Heroes Run in the country each year (more than 5,000 participants). Due to the tragic flooding, the Houston 9/11 Heroes Run has been postponed until November 11 – Veterans Day…..ESPN O&O WEPN, New York “ESPN 98.7FM” adds the services of New York Giants safety Landon Collins to its Giants coverage with his weekly, Monday afternoon appearances on the afternoon drive Michael Kay program. Also, New York Jets linebacker Bart Scott will be a part of WEPN’s coverage of Jets football this season.

Michael Berry Is This Week’s Guest on Harrison Podcast. One of the most interesting and provocative individuals on talk radio today, Michael Berry of KTRH, Houston, is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “Up Close and Far Out with Michael Harrison,” as Texas’ largest city remains in the spotlight of our nation’s concerns. Harrison and Berry discuss the talk show host’s personal and terrifying experience during the devastation of the storm. He was in Louisiana on business when he got word that his wife and two young sons had to be rescued from the flood in a boat. Berry talks about his efforts to get back to them in the chaos of closed roads and flooded routes. Fortunately, the family was eventually safely reunited but the feelings and lessons learned will last a lifetime. The conversation, however, does not stop there. Berry – whose edgy satire often makes him the target of accusations of being a racist – is actually the opposite of a racist. He is married to an Indian woman and the couple has two black, adopted sons from Ethiopia. Berry candidly discusses his fascinating family life and personal views on matters of race and integration. Emerging as a talk media figure to be taken quite seriously, he does two shows per day on the iHeartMedia Houston powerhouse in addition to being independently syndicated on a network of 20-plus stations. He is a high-ranking member of the TALKERS Heavy Hundred. He is this past year’s recipient of iHeartMedia’s in-house Talk Show Host of the Year award. Though he portrays himself with somewhat of a redneck persona, Berry has impressive academic legal credentials and is a long-time, well-known figure in Houston where he once served as a member of the city council and as Mayor Pro Tem. His wife, Nandita Venkateswaran Berry, is a former Texas Secretary of State. Michael Harrison describes him as “one of the most interest people ever to appear on this podcast.” To listen to the podcast in its entirety, please click here or click on the “Up Close and Far Out” player box located in the right-hand column on every page of Talkers.com.

Music Radio News and Career Moves. Some not-so-surprising news out of Chicago comes as Hubbard Radio announces Kathy Hart – formerly one half of the “Eric & Kathy” show on hot AC WTMX – will not return to the program she’s been away from since April. The official memo from Hubbard Radio Chicago VP Jeff England says, “We wish her all the best as she moves on to the next phase of her career. To our listeners and clients, rest assured that Eric [Ferguson], the morning show team, and all of us at ‘The Mix’ will continue to serve you as we enter a new era of morning radio on the station.” Chicago media writer Robert Feder reports on the matter, noting that Hart’s absence was widely believed to be over her compensation for her performance on the top-rated show. However, as she sat out and attempted via agents to restructure her deal, the show’s ratings didn’t suffer at all, hurting her case for a new contract. Although both Ferguson and Hart are well paid, it’s believed Ferguson makes much more than Hart and that was the real issue for her. Read Feder’s report here…..Cumulus Media is presenting a new contest to discover “the nation’s newest rock star.” Saying that “rock is on the rise again,” the company unveils the “neXt2rock 2017” competition. The neXt2rock 2017 contest is being announced on-air by iconic Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale. The winner of this four-month-long competition receives a record deal with Big Machine/John Varvatos Records. Sixty-one Cumulus stations in 47 markets will conduct local, grassroots searches, with additional national participation made possible by Cumulus’ digital properties and syndicated rock shows. Cumulus CEO Mary Berner says, “With the renewed interest in the rock genre among Millennials and Gen Xers, Cumulus has even more opportunities for growth, providing expanded exclusive content and programming for fans, and an even larger audience for America’s newest rock star.” The finalists in this competition will compete at a live concert event, hosted at the Viper Room in Los Angeles on December 12, where the panel of celebrity mentor judges will select the neXt2rock 2017 winner…..iHeartMedia adds a new urban AC signal to the Houston market, flipping FM translator K283CH (fed by KTBZ-HD2) and branding it “104.5 KISS FM” with the slogan “Houston’s Best R&B.” Company urban brand coordinator Michael Saunders says, “We have a great opportunity to deliver some of the hottest names and music in the R&B industry to the diverse Houston audience combined with spoken-word entertainment from some of the biggest names in show business with Steve Harvey and Keith Sweat.”

Round Three of August PPMs Released. The third of four rounds of August 2017 PPM ratings information from Nielsen Audio has been released for 12 markets including: Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Pittsburgh, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Cincinnati, Orlando, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Columbus. Nielsen’s August 2017 survey period covered July 19 – August 16. You can view all the 6+ numbers from subscribing stations here. Meanwhile, managing editor Mike Kinosian provides his “Takeaways” from these 12 PPM markets below.

TWELVE TAKEAWAYS

1) Portland – Six negative trends in succession deflated KXL-FM by more than two full-shares (4.9 – 4.5 – 4.1 – 3.9 – 3.6 – 3.5 – 2.8, 6+), but the Alpha Media news/talk facility bounces back with a gain of eight-tenths to 3.6 (#15 to #12, 6+). Wild fluctuations continue for Oregon Public Broadcasting’s KOPB, which was +.9 in March; -.8 in May; +.6 in June; -.9 in July; and now +.6 in August (7.1 – 7.7, 6+). This marks the 21^st straight time that news/talk KOPB occupies the runner-up position. Improving by six-tenths as well is Entercom hot AC KRSK “105.1 The Buzz – Today’s Best Mix” (4.8 – 5.4, 6+), which has its best showing since March (6.0, 6+) and jumps from eighth to fourth. Not only does an uptick of two-tenths to 4.1 (6+) by Alpha Media’s KBFF pull the plug on three consecutive (minor) downward trends that resulted in a loss of one-half share (4.4 – 4.3 – 4.2 – 3.9, 6+), “Live 95.5” (#11 to #9) pulls ahead of iHeartMedia CHR KKRZ “Z-100 Portland’s #1 Hit Music Station” (4.0 – 3.9, -.1, #10 to #11, 6+). Flat at 8.6 (6+), “Z-100” cluster-mate – adult contemporary KKCW “K-103” – is #1 for the 39^th time in the last 41 ratings periods. June’s 9.1 was the highest 6+-share for “K-103” – which was down by one-half share in July – since the 15.3 it posted in “Holiday” 2016. Co-owned KFBW “105.9 The Brew Portland’s Rock Station” though is down by a combined nine-tenths in back-to-back sweeps (5.0 – 4.7 – 4.1, 6+) but carries on in ninth-place. Flat at #16, rhythmic CHR sibling KXJM “Jam’n 107.5 – Portland’s #1 for Hip-Hop and Throwbacks” is a model of consistency, as it posts a 2.6 (6+) for the sixth time in the last seven survey periods. Having progressed by six-tenths in July, Entercom’s KNRK “94/7 Alternative Portland” surrenders all but one-tenth of that gain (3.9 – 3.4, -.5, 6+), slipping from #12 to #14; July’s 3.9 was its highest 6+-share since 4.6 in February 2014. The seven-tenths advantage Entercom-owned KWJJ “99.5 The Wolf – Great Country for the Great Northwest” had in July over Alpha Media’s KUPL “98.7 The Bull – #1 For New Country” is whittled down to three-tenths as “The Wolf” (+.7 in July) is off four-tenths (5.6 – 5.2, fourth to fifth, 6+), while “The Bull” (+.5 in July) is flat at 4.9 (6+), but drops from sixth to seventh. Prior to gaining three-tenths in June, “The Wolf” was a combined -1.8 in March, April, and May (6.4 – 5.5 – 4.8 – 4.6, 6+), while “The Bull” was down in consecutive sweeps (April – May – June) for a -1.1 (5.5 – 4.5 – 4.4, 6+). The two country rivals finished back-to-back at seventh and eighth, respectively, in both May and June.

2) Charlotte – After losing two full-shares since March via four straight decreases (7.7 – 7.6 – 7.2 – 6.2 – 5.7, 6+), iHeartMedia classic rock WRFX “99.7 The Fox” picks up two-tenths to 5.9 (6+) and jumps from fourth to second. “The Fox” had been #1 in five straight survey periods before getting dislodged in June. Immediately in advance of its just-concluded string of four straight declines, WRFX posted three consecutive positive trends that accounted for a +1.3 (6.4 – 7.2 – 7.3 – 7.7, 6+). Its +.8 in January curtailed a series of three consecutive downward moves that yielded a -1.5 (7.9 – 7.3 – 6.7 – 6.4, 6+). Rocketing from #17 to #12, Educational Media Foundation contemporary Christian WRCM shares (6+) honors for highest July 2017 – August 2017 gain by any station in the 12 PPM-markets whose data was released Thursday (2.4 – 3.8, +1.4, 6+). Moreover, this is the best 6+-performance for Charlotte’s “Positive & Encouraging K-Love” since returning in print exactly one year ago (August 2016). A gain of one-half share takes Entercom’s WFNZ “Sports Radio The Fan” (steady at #19) to 1.2, its best 6+-stat since February (1.2, as well). Another month means another opportunity for a country station to be #1 in “The Hornet’s Nest.” Taking its turn in August – as it did in June – is iHeartMedia’s WKKT “96.9 The Kat – Charlotte’s #1 For New Country,” which advances from #4. Displaced at the top and falling to #5 is Beasley Media Group-owned WSOC “Country’s Hottest Hits”; WKKT gains four-tenths (5.7 – 6.1, 6+) whereas WSOC loses four-tenths (6.0 – 5.6, 6+). When WSOC succeeded WKKT at #1 in June, it likewise did so by jumping from fourth-place. Having logged a very consistent (6+) January 2017 through May 2017 line of 5.7 – 5.9 – 5.7 – 5.9 – 5.8, “The Kat” was up six-tenths in June to 6.4 (6+). Consequently, it bypassed “Country’s Hottest Hits,” which (in June) relinquished the six-tenths it gained in May (6.0 – 6.6 – 6.0, 6+), shifting from second to fourth. Prior to April (when it was +.8), WSOC was a cumulative -1.8 in three successive downward moves dating back to the “Holiday” 2016 report (7.0 – 6.3 – 5.8 – 5.2, 6+). Moreover, 5.2 in March was the lowest 6+-share in its PPM-history. In “Holiday” 2016, “The Kat” trailed “Country’s Hottest Hits” by three full-shares (7.0 to 4.0, 6+). In the 12 survey periods of calendar year 2015 (excluding “Holiday” 2015), WKKT was #1 six times: February, May, August, September, October, and December; WSOC was on top five times: January, March, April, June, and July. Making it a clean sweep, the two shared the penthouse in November of that year. Following July’s +1.2 to 3.4, its highest 6+-stat since reappearing in print in November 2016, Radio One urban contemporary WQNC “92.7 The Block” forfeits 75% of the increase (2.5, -.9, 6+), dipping from #14 to #17. Decreasing by six-tenths each are Beasley Media Group urban contemporary WPEG “Power 98” (5.9 – 5.3, 6+), which shifts from second to sixth, and iHeartMedia adult hits WLKO “102.9 The Lake” (4.5, seventh to ninth, 6+). “The Lake” had been an overall +1.3 via three straight increases (3.8 – 4.0 – 4.9 – 5.1, 6+). A collective -1.4 in five consecutive downward trends (4.9 – 4.7 – 4.3 – 4.2 – 3.6 – 3.5, 6+), CHR sibling WHQC “Channel 96.1” slips from #13 to #14. In March, “Channel 96.1” had its string of consecutive increases that produced a cumulative +1.4 snapped at three (3.5 – 3.6 – 3.8 – 4.9, 6+). Down or flat for the seventh straight time, but unchanged at #18, Davidson College’s WDAV “Classical Public Radio” is a combined -1.7 since January (3.6 – 3.2 – 3.1 – 3.0 – 3.0 – 2.3 – 2.3 – 1.9, 6+).

3) San Antonio – Regressing by one-half share in back-to-back sweeps (3.8 – 3.3 – 2.8, May – June – July, 6+), KSTX recoups that loss in its entirety with a +1.0 in August. As a result, the Texas Public Radio news/talk outlet is back at 3.8, moving from #16 to #13 (6+). It had been two years since KSTX last reached the three-share level (August 2015, 3.0, 6+) and owing to three straight increases, including May’s +1.3, it nearly doubled its 6+-share (2.0 – 2.1 – 2.5 – 3.8, 6+). Despite a one-tenth uptick to 3.2 (6+), thus halting six straight sweeps without an increase for a -1.6 (4.7 – 4.7 – 4.5 – 4.5 – 4.4 – 3.3 – 3.1, 6+), iHeartMedia news/talk WOAI backslides from #14 to #15. Prior to June, the last time WOAI fell below a four-share (6+) was September 2014 (3.7). An improvement of six-tenths by cluster-mate KRPT takes “The Bull – San Antonio’s Classic Country Station” to 1.0, the first time it has reached the one-share level (6+) since December 2013’s 1.1. While it is #1 for the seventh successive time, Cox Media Group classic hits-oldies outlet KONO-FM “101.1 San Antonio’s Greatest Hits” is off by one-half share (7.1 – 6.6, 6+). It departed the lead position in October after nine straight sweeps there. Recent (6+) fluctuations for “101.1 San Antonio’s Greatest Hits” include October 2016’s -1.0; November’s +.9; December’s -1.1; “Holiday” 2016’s -1.3; January’s +1.1; April’s +.8; May’s -.6; and now August’s -.5. Having posted three consecutive uptrends for a collective gain of eight-tenths (4.4 – 4.7 – 4.8 – 5.2, 6+), iHeartMedia-owned KAJA “KJ-97 San Antonio’s #1 Country Station” returns one-half share to 4.7, but remains at #5 (6+). Meanwhile, after being frozen at 5.4 in May, June, and July, Cox Media Group’s KCYY “Y-100 San Antonio’s New Country Leader” adds two-tenths to 5.6 (6+) to progress from third to second. In the runner-up slot the last two months, KQXT “Q-101.9 – San Antonio’s Best Variety” slips to fourth-place (6.1 – 4.8, 6+). On top in the “Holiday” 2016 report with an 11.8 (6+), the iHeartMedia adult contemporary outlet lost one full-share (-1.0) in February; was a collective +1.5 in March and April (5.2 – 4.2 – 4.7 – 5.6, 6+); regressed by -1.0 in May (5.6 – 4.6, 6+); regained May’s loss in its entirety in June (5.6, +1.0, 6+); was +.5 in July; and is now -1.3 in August. At the same time, with a one-half share gain to 1.8 (6+), its regional Mexican HD3 channel erases the collective loss of four-tenths via four straight down or flat trends (1.7 – 1.7 – 1.7 – 1.6 – 1.3, 6+) and enters the top twenty at #20.

4) Pittsburgh – In the market’s hot AC tussle, CBS Radio’s WBZZ “Star 100.7 Plays the Hits” posts its third straight improvement for an overall +.9 (4.2 – 4.5 – 4.7 – 5.0 5.1, 6+) and remains at #7, while Steel City Media’s WLTJ “Real Variety Q-92.9” is without as decrease for the fourth consecutive survey period for a cumulative gain of six-tenths (2.8 – 2.8 – 3.0 – 3.2 – 3.4, 6+), climbing from #13 to #12. A collective +1.8 as the result of four successive up or flat trends between February and June (3.3 – 3.3 – 4.1 – 5.1 – 5.1, 6+), iHeartMedia alternative WXDX returned it all in July (-1.8), but “The X at 105.9” regains half of that mammoth loss (3.3 – 4.2, +.9, 6+) to return to the top ten (#11 to #10). In July, WYEP was part of a three-way scrum at #14, but with a +.6 to 1.9 (6+), the Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting triple A has the #14 slot all to itself. Moreover, 1.9 represents the best 6+-stat in the station’s PPM-history. Despite being locked on 9.6 (6+) in June, July, and August, iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WWSW “94.5 – 3WS” remains on top for the fifth straight month. After posting three consecutive increases netting a +1.3 (9.1 – 9.9 – 10.3 – 10.4, 6+), WWSW forfeited eight-tenths in June. Immediately before picking up eight-tenths in March, “3WS” was -4.6 since “Holiday” 2016 (13.7 – 9.3 – 9.1, 6+). Co-owned CHR WKST “96.1 Kiss FM – Pittsburgh’s #1 Music Station” erodes by a collective -2.1 in three straight decreases (9.1 – 8.7 – 7.6 – 7.0, 6+), but carries on in fourth-place; 7.0 is its lowest 6+-share since 6.7 in the “Holiday” 2016 report. Trending 9.6 – 9.3 – 9.6 – 9.2 (6+) since April, rock sibling WDVE sputters by one-half share to 8.7 (6+), which is – likewise – its softest 6+-stat since “Holiday” 2016 (8.4); WDVE remains at #2. WWSW and WDVE were tied at #1 in June. Unchanged at #9, CBS Radio-owned WDSY “Y-108 Pittsburgh’s Country” drops one-tenth to 4.5 (6+) to snap at three its consecutive string of up or flat trends that netted seven-tenths (3.9 – 4.4 – 4.4 – 4.6, 6+). Off by one-tenth as well (to 3.7, 6+), iHeartMedia’s WPGB “Big 104.7 – Pittsburgh’s #1 For New Country” drops out of the top ten (#10 to #11); “Big 104.7” was a combined +.9 in June and July (2.9 – 3.5 – 3.8, 6+).

5) Sacramento – Apparently tired of posting an 8.3 (6+) three times in the last four ratings periods (8.3 – 8.3 – 8.5 – 8.3, 6+), Entercom-owned KSEG explodes with a +1.4 to 9.7, its strongest 6+-showing in exactly one year (9.9, August 2016) as “96.9 The Eagle – Sacramento’s Classic Rock” repeats at #1. A combined -.6 in back-to-back monthlies (9.2 – 9.0 – 8.6, 6+, February – March – April), CBS Radio adult contemporary KYMX “Mix 96” recaptured all of it in May only to be a collective -1.4 in June and July (9.2 – 8.7 – 7.8, 6+). “Mix 96” dusts itself in August though with a gain of one-half share to 8.3 (6+) and continues at #2. Ranked third for five straight sweeps before reaching #1 in “Holiday” 2016, “Mix” rebounded from January’s -4.8 with a full-share February increase (13.0 – 8.2 – 9.2, 6+). Registering a gain of six-tenths (3.9 – 4.5, 6+), Capital Public Radio news/talk KXJZ advances from eighth to fifth and has its highest 6+-showing since November’s 4.8. As a result of six consecutive survey periods without an increase, Entravision Spanish adult hits KXSE lost exactly half of its 6+-share (2.2 – 2.2 – 2.1 – 2.1 – 1.6 – 1.5 – 1.1, 6+), but “104.3 Radio Jose” makes up roughly half of that -1.1 with a one-half share gain to 1.6 and cracks the top twenty (#18, 6+). Up two-tenths in both June and July (5.6 – 5.8 – 6.0, 6+), CBS Radio’s KNCI “New Country 105.1” sputters by six-tenths in August to 5.4 (6+) but remains in fourth-place, while iHeartMedia’s similarly-formatted KBEB “The Bull” (+.2 in July after June’s -.2) flounders by eight-tenths (3.1 – 2.3, 6+), dropping from #12 to #15. Even though it is off for the fourth straight time for an overall -.9 (3.4 – 3.3 – 2.8 – 2.6 – 2.5, 6+), Entravision-owned country KNTY “101.9 – The Wolf” nonetheless overtakes “The Bull” and actually improves from #15 to #14. As a result of a -.1 in May, “The Wolf” had its streak of successive increases which generated a +1.5 (1.9 – 2.1 – 2.3 – 2.4 – 2.7 – 3.4, 6+) end at five. June’s -.2 by “The Bull” concluded three straight improvements that netted eight-tenths (2.3 – 2.7 – 2.9 – 3.1, 6+). By dropping one-tenth to 4.4 (6+), CBS Radio hot AC KZZO “Now 100.5 – Today’s Best Hits Without the Rap” halts at three its consecutive string of up or flat trends that netted six-tenths (3.9 – 4.0 – 4.0 – 4.5, 6+) and falls from sixth to seventh. Regressing by one-half share (1.9 – 1.4, 6+) Educational Media Foundation contemporary Christian KLVB “Positive & Encouraging K-Love” slides from #16 to #19 and has its lowest 6+-share since December (1.4, as well).

6) Salt Lake City – Returning to the runner-up slot after skidding to fifth in July, Bonneville news/talk KSL (5.8, 6+) is locked there with Capital Broadcasting hot AC KBZN “Now 97.9 Today’s Best Music” (5.3 – 5.8, +.5, 6+), which was off by six-tenths in July. Ten recent KSL fluctuations include +2.0 (October 2016), -.9 (November), +1.1 (December), -1.5 (“Holiday” 2016); +2.1 (January 2017); -2.1 (February); +.6 (April); -1.1 (May); -.9 (July); and now +.6 (August). Off by a collective -1.2 via three straight dips (3.6 – 3.4 – 3.0 – 2.4, 6+), University of Utah news/talk KUER “90.1 NPR Utah” regains just over half of that loss with a +.7 to 3.1 (6+) and inches up from #16 to #15. Frozen on 1.1 (6+) in April, May, and June before falling to .8 (6+) in July, Alpha Media regional Mexican KDUT “104.3 La Gran D” spikes by seven-tenths as well, nearly doubling July’s .8 to 1.5 (#23, 6+). Notching a 3.7 in four of the last five survey periods (3.7 – 3.7 – 3.9 – 3.7 – 3.7, 6+), Broadway Media’s KXRK “X-96 Utah’s Original Alternative” hangs out a half-share increase to 4.2 (tenth to ninth), its best 6+-performance since June 2016 (4.2, as well). Rhythmic CHR sibling KUUU “U-92” is within 2.0 – 2.8 range for the 15^th consecutive sweep (2.2 – 2.1, #18 to #17, 6+). Notwithstanding an August -.6 to 7.4, (after July’s +1.1 to 8.0, 6+), Bonneville adult contemporary KSFI “FM 100.3 – Better Music Better Work Day” occupies the #1 slot for the fourth straight month. Following three consecutive sweeps on top, “FM 100.3” shifted to #2, having dropped 12.3 shares in January (20.6 – 8.3, 6+). Until that massive spiral, “FM 100.3” didn’t have a decrease since April 2016 (5.3 – 5.7 – 6.2 – 6.3 – 6.7 – 7.0 – 7.3 – 7.3 – 11.4 – 20.6, 6+), nearly quadrupling its 6+-stat since then with a staggering +15.3. It would be quite the understatement to note Broadway Media CHR KUDD is been on an extremely wild ride lately. To recap, “Mix 105.1 – All the Hits” was a combined +1.5 in March and April; -.9 in May; +1.6 in June; -.5 in July; and now a staggering -1.7 in August (5.2 – 3.5, 6+). June’s 5.7 was the highest 6+-stat in its PPM-history, while the 3.5 in August is its lowest since February. Prior to March, “Mix” was trending 3.5 – 3.9 – 3.5 (6+); it fades from the top ten (#5 to #11). Eroding by -1.1 each are Bonneville’s KRSP “103.5 The Arrow – Utah’s Classic Rock” (5.1, second to fifth, 6+) and independent KSOP-FM “Z-104 Utah’s #1 Country” (6.0 – 4.9, third to eighth, 6+). “The Arrow” was a combined +1.6 as the result of four successive monthlies without a loss (4.6 – 4.9 – 4.9 – 5.5 – 6.2, 6+); July’s 6.2 was its strongest 6+-share since last November’s 6.8. A -.1 (to 6.0, 6+) in July by “Z-104” halted at four its streak of consecutive improvements that netted a +2.1 (4.0 – 4.3 – 4.5 – 5.3 – 6.1, 6+); June’s 6.1 represents KSOP-FM’s strongest ever 6+ PPM share. Following four straight upticks that nearly doubled its 6+-share (.9 – 1.1 – 1.4 – .6 – 1.7, 6+), Alpha Media Spanish contemporary KBMG “Latino 106.3” falters by one-half share to 1.2 (#24).

7) Las Vegas – Advancing from #9 to a three-way logjam at #3, CBS Radio-owned KLUC “98.5 Las Vegas #1 Hit Music Station” hauls out a +1.3 to 5.3, its best 6+-stat since March (5.5). A gain of six-tenths (4.7 – 5.3, 6+) takes hot AC cluster-mate KMXB to its highest 6+-share since 5.4 in March as “Mix 94.1” (fifth in July) joins KLUC at #3. Trending a repetitive 1.7 – 2.1 – 1.7 – 2.1 (6+) since April, Univision Radio Spanish contemporary KRGT busts out a +.8 to 2.9 – its best 6+-performance in exactly one year (3.7, August 2016) and “Latino Mix 99.3” rockets from #20 to #13 (6+). Notching positive spikes of one-half share each are Lotus classic rock and Spanish adult hits siblings KXPT “97.1 The Point” (4.8 – 5.3, fourth to third, 6+) and KWID “La Buena 101.9” (3.1 – 3.6, #13 to #10, 6+). Ironically, “The Point” and “La Buena” were both off by six-tenths in July. Four-tenths of a share separated the top two finishers in July and that’s the case again in August as Beasley Media Group classic hits-oldies KKLZ “96.3 – 70s, 80s and More” drops four-tenths (7.1 – 6.7, 6+) as does iHeartMedia adult contemporary KSNE “Sunny 106.5” (6.7 – 6.3, 6+). With its strongest 6+-share since last November’s 7.2, KKLZ was +1.0 in July and it repeats at #1, while “Sunny” (-.8 in July) remains at #2. Prior to August, the five most recent fluctuations for “Sunny,” which had been on top in each of the last eight ratings periods, are +1.8 in March; -1.1 in April; -1.2 in May; +1.4 in June; and -.8 in July. Following three successive downward trends (8.1 – 7.4 – 6.0 – 5.7, 6+), KSNE was +.7 in September and +.6 in October, climbing to first – where it had been for 22 successive ratings periods. A collective +.9 in June and July (1.6 – 2.1 – 2.5, 6+), University of Nevada jazz/smooth AC KUNV “95.1 The Source” erodes by roughly 50%, surrendering a -1.3 to 1.2 and plummets from the top twenty (#15 to #23, 6+). Having reeled off three straight gains for a collective +1.8 (3.1 – 3.4 – 3.5 – 4.9, 6+), Beasley Media Group-owned KCYE “The Coyote – We Are Country” falters by a collective two full-shares in June, July, and August (4.9 – 4.7 – 3.7 – 2.9, 6+) and exits the top ten (#10 to #13). It is a similar story for co-owned KOAS “Old School 105.7,” which is -1.8 in three straight decreases (6.0 – 5.6 – 4.7 – 4.2, 6+) and falls from fifth to eighth. Off by one-half share as well are CBS Radio rhythmic hot AC KXQQ “Q-100.5” (3.8, seventh to ninth, 6+), which returns the +.5 it gained in three straight up or flat trends (3.8 – 4.0 – 4.0 – 4.3, 6+), and Lotus-owned KOMP “92.3 The Rock Station” (3.7 – 3.2, #10 to #11, 6+).

8) Cincinnati – Until now, the highest 6+-share that Educational Community Radio’s WOBO has reached since first appearing in print in April 2014 is November 2016’s 1.0. That changes in August though as “The Station with Something for Everyone” trots out an increase of seven-tenths, taking WOBO to 1.6 (#20 to #18, 6+). Consistent in its last four (6+) trends (3.2 – 3.3 – 3.2 – 3.1), Cincinnati Public Radio news/talk WVXU adds one-half share to 3.6 ((#13 to #11, 6+), mirroring what it recorded in March. Improving by four-tenths to 2.8 (#15 to #14, 6+), Radio One urban-rhythmic oldies WOSL “100.3 R&B + Old School” brings to a close a successive string of five downward trends accounting for a -1.5 (3.9 – 3.6 – 3.4 – 2.9 – 2.8 – 2.4, 6+). Once the perennial market leader, WLW was last in sole possession of the top spot in August 2016 and was tied for the lead in May 2017. With a gain of three-tenths (9.3 – 9.6, 6+), the iHeartMedia news/talker returns to the top after back-to-back stays in the runner-up slot. Co-owned news/talk WKRC gains three-tenths to 3.6 (#12 to #11, 6+), thus pulling the plug on three straight declines that resulted in a loss of two full-shares (5.3 – 4.3 – 4.2 – 3.3, 6+). Dislodged from #1 is Cumulus Media classic hits-oldies outlet WGRR, which erodes by a full-share (9.7 – 8.7, 6+) and fills WLW’s vacated runner-up slot. On top between January and July, WGRR was a combined +.7 in June and July (9.0 – 9.3 – 9.7, 6+); 9.7 was the station’s best 6+-performance since last October’s 9.8. Following a -.7 in March, WGRR posted a +1.0 in April (9.2 – 8.5 – 9.5, 6+). Prior to the “Holiday” 2016 sweep, it occupied the top spot for four straight months. A +.8 in January ended four successive down or flat sweeps that produced a -1.6 (9.8 – 9.8 – 9.6 – 8.8 – 8.2, 6+) as WGRR progressed from second to first. After more than doubling its 6+-share in three up or flat trends (.9 – 1.4 – 1.9 – 1.9, 6+), Hubbard’s WYGY “97.3 The Wolf” falters by six-tenths to 1.3, skidding from #17 to #19 (6+). Returning one-half share of July’s +.8 (5.2 – 4.7, 6+), Radio One urban contemporary WIZF “101.1 The Wiz” segues from sixth to seventh.

9) Orlando – Not only does WDBO-FM all but wipe out the -1.0 that resulted in three straight negative trends (4.2 – 3.8 – 3.6 – 3.2, 6+) with a +.9 (to 4.1, 6+), the Cox Media Group news/talker enters the top ten (#12 to #10). Unchanged at #5, CBS Radio classic hits-oldies WOCL “Sunny 105.9” dials up a +.8 to 6.8, its strongest 6+-stat since 7.0 in November 2015. Carrying on in sixth-place, iHeartMedia-owned WJRR “Orlando’s Rock Station” extends to five its consecutive string of increases accounting for a +2.2 (3.7 – 4.2 – 4.7 – 5.5 – 5.6 – 5.9, 6+). It previously showed a (6+) December 2016 – March 2017 line of 3.9 – 3.7 – 3.7 – 3.9 – 3.7. Picking up six-tenths each are Cox Media Group country outlet WWKA “K-92.3” (4.0, flat at #11, 6+) and Community Communications’ news/talk WMFE (3.0, #14 to #13, 6+). In four straight negative trends (5.0 – 4.7 – 4.4 – 4.1 – 3.4, 6+), “K-92.3 was a collective -1.6; WMFE had been within 2.0 – 2.9 range the past 34 ratings periods. Flat at 10.7 (6+) – after plummeting two full-shares in July – iHeartMedia’s WRUM “Rumba 100” is #1 for the eighth consecutive month. The 12.8 it registered in April was the best-ever 6+-share in its PPM-history. Prior to January, “Rumba” was on top in October, November, and December. Co-owned CHR WXXL “XL-106.7” (flat at #4) is -2.4 in four three straight dips (9.9 – 8.8 – 8.1 – 7.8 – 7.5, 6+), following a +2.7 via four consecutive progressive trends (7.2 – 8.0 – 9.0 – 9.7 – 9.9, 6+). April’s 9.9 was its strongest 6+-share since September’s 10.4. Meanwhile, as the result of six consecutive decreases, FM news/talk sibling WTKS has lost more than two full-shares of its 6+-share (3.6 – 3.3 – 2.9 – 2.2 – 2.0 – 1.8 – 1.5, 6+) and drifts from #15 to #17. Trending 4.2 – 4.4 – 4.2 (May – June – July, 6+), Cox Media Group rhythmic CHR WPYO “Power 95.3” spirals by one full-share to 3.2 and departs the top ten (#9 to #12, 6+). Co-owned urban AC WCFB “Star 94.5” is off by a collective -1.1 in back-to-back sweeps (6.1 – 5.6 – 5.0, sixth to eighth, 6+). In June, “Star” bounced back from May’s -.9 with an increase of six-tenths.

10) Cleveland – A cumulative -1.4 in three successive declines (6.2 – 5.8 – 5.1 – 4.8, 6+), iHeartMedia-owned WMMS “100.7 – Cleveland’s Rock Station” reduces the deficit by roughly one-third with a gain of one-half share and enters the top ten (5.3, #11 to #10, 6+). Unchanged at #15, its alternative HD2 channel picks up one-tenth (to 1.0, 6+), thus curtailing ten straight down or flat trends that began last October and accounted for a net loss of just four-tenths (1.3 – 1.3 – 1.3 – 1.3 – 1.2 – 1.1 – 1.0 – 1.0 – 1.0 – .9 – .9, 6+). It is tied at #15 with Moody Bible Institute’s WCRF “Moody Radio Cleveland” (up from #16 in July), which improves by three-tenths to 1.0 (6+), halting five straight sweeps without an increase for an overall -1.6 (2.3 – 1.9 – 1.2 – 1.2 – .9 – .7, 6+). In addition to “100.7 – Cleveland’s Rock Station,” Radio One urban AC WZAK notches a gain of one-half share (7.6 – 8.1, 6+) and jumps from fourth to second. A combined +1.3 via five straight up or flat trends (5.3 – 5.4 – 5.8 – 6.4 – 6.6 – 6.6, 6+), urban contemporary cluster-mate WENZ “Z-107.9” climbs from seventh to sixth. Although down three-tenths to 8.9 (6+), WMJI “Majic 105.7 Cleveland’s Greatest Hits” repeats at #1. The iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies outlet was +1.1 in July to progress from second to first; July’s 9.1 was its strongest 6+-share since 9.8 in “Holiday” 2016. WMJI occupied the top spot from January through April and in the runner-up slot May and June. Off seven-tenths in three consecutive decreases (7.3 – 7.1 – 6.9 – 6.6, 6+), cluster-mate WGAR “99.5 Cleveland’s Country” pulls the plug with a +.2 to 6.8 and advances from seventh to fifth (6+). The last seven (6+) trends for co-owned adult hits WHLK “106.5 The Lake – We Play Anything” (unchanged at #3) are 7.3 – 7.6 – 7.5 – 7.5 – 7.6 – 7.7 – 7.6. Exploding by +1.1 in July to 7.0, its finest 6+-showing since December 2013’s 7.1, CBS Radio hot AC WQAL “Q-104” relinquishes roughly half of that increase (6.4, -.6, 6+) and falls from fifth to eighth. Prior to July, “Q-104” was trending 5.9 – 6.0 – 5.9 (6+). Owing to four negative trends in succession (3.4 – 3.1 – 2.9 – 2.5 – 2.1, 6+), Ideastream news/talk WCPN (flat at #13) is a collective -1.3.

11) Kansas City – By registering its fifth consecutive up or flat trend, Entercom’s KCSP has nearly quadrupled its 6+-share (1.2 – 2.7 – 2.7 – 3.1 – 3.7 – 4.4, 6+) and moreover, “610 Sports Radio” cracks the top ten (#13 to #9) with its highest 6+-share since June 2016’s 4.7. Improving by seven-tenths as well is country sibling WDAF “106.5 The Wolf” (4.1 – 4.8, 6+), which catapults from #12 to #5. This is the highest 6+-share for “The Wolf” since 4.9 in April 2015. With a +.6 to 4.0 (#15 to #11, 6+), co-owned news/talk KMBZ-FM recaptures two-thirds of the collective nine-tenths it lost in the last two sweeps (4.3 – 3.8 – 3.4, 6+). In a similar vein, University of Northwestern St. Paul contemporary Christian KJNW “Life 88.5” gains one-half share to 2.8 (steady at #17, 6+), erasing all but one-tenth of May-June-July’s -.6 (2.9 – 2.7 – 2.3, 6+). Unchanged at #16, Cumulus Media-owned KCJK “X-105.1 Kansas City’s Alternative” is up or flat for the seventh straight time for an overall gain of +1.0 (1.9 – 2.3 – 2.5 – 2.5 – 2.5 – 2.5 – 2.6 – 2.9, 6+). Having eroded by two full-shares as the result of six straight down or flat trends (3.9 – 3.9 – 3.7 – 3.1 – 3.0 – 2.2 – 1.9, 6+), University of Missouri-owned news/talk KCUR adds two-tenths (to 2.1, 6+) and stays at #18. Owing to four straight (modest) increases (5.6 – 5.7 – 5.9 – 6.0 – 6.1, 6+), Steel City Media’s KFKF “Country 94.1” nets one-half share and carries on in third-place, while co-owned, similarly-programmed KBEQ “Q-104 #1 for New Country” (#14 to #15) is without an increase for the fourth successive sweep for a -1.3 (4.7 – 4.4 – 3.5 – 3.5 – 3.4, 6+). Notwithstanding it has the largest (6+) July 2016 – August 2017 erosion by any station in the 12 PPM-markets listed here (10.3 – 8.7, -1.6, 6+), Cumulus Media classic rocker KCFX “The Fox” is #1 for the eighth consecutive time. The decrease draws to a close five straight increases that accounted for a cumulative +2.8 (7.5 – 8.5 – 8.7 – 9.4 – 10.3, 6+). By reaching 10.3 in July, it marked only the fifth time a Kansas City station has registered double-digits (6+) in the PPM era. “The Fox” bounced back from a -.8 in March with a full-share gain in April. Before that, it recorded three consecutive declines accounting for a -1.5 (9.0 – 8.5 – 8.3 – 7.5, 6+). Another positive streak ends in dramatic fashion as well with co-owned urban AC KMJK spiraling by -1.1 to 3.7, curtailing four consecutive sweeps without a loss for a +1.0 (3.8 – 3.9 – 4.7 – 4.7 – 4.8, 6+); “Magic 107.3 Kansas City’s Best Mix of R&B” freefalls from #6 to #14, (6+). Despite being off six-tenths to 4.8 – its lowest 6+-share since January’s 4.7 – Carter Broadcasting urban contemporary KPRS “Hot 103 Jamz” continues in fifth-place. Likewise, Steel City Media CHR KMXV “Mix 93.3 Kansas City’s #1 Hit Music Station” sputters by one-half share (5.7 – 5.2, 6+) but remains at #4.

12) Columbus – Progressing from eighth to sixth, Ohio State University news/talk WOSU-FM is up an astonishing combined +1.9 in four straight up or flat trends (2.8 – 3.0 – 3.0 – 3.5 – 4.7, 6+). Rebounding from July’s loss of seven-tenths, Radiohio-owned WBNS-FM trots out a gain of nine-tenths (1.9 – 2.8, 6+) as “Sports Radio 97.1 The Fan” climbs from #14 to #12. “The Fan” ended its (6+) February through May sequence of 3.9 – 4.2 – 3.9 – 4.1 by slumping -1.5 in June to 2.6 (6+). Gaining three-tenths to 3.5 (6+), iHeartMedia urban contemporary WZCB “106.7 The Beat – Columbus Real Hip-Hop and R&B” (steady at #9) manages to apply the brakes to four consecutive down or flat monthlies that accounted for a -1.3 (4.5 – 4.2 – 3.8 – 3.8 – 3.2, 6+). Even though it falters by nine-tenths to 11.8 (6+), country cluster-mate WCOL repeats at #1. In just two back-to-back ratings periods (June and July), WCOL produced a whopping +3.5 (9.2 – 10.6 – 12.7, 6+). July’s 12.7 was the highest 6+-share by any Columbus station since WCOL reached 12.9 in July 2015. It was +2.2 in January; -1.2 in February; +.8 in March; -1.3 in May; +1.4 in June; +2.1 in July; and now -.9 in August (10.5 – 9.3 – 10.1 – 10.5 – 9.2 – 10.6 – 12.7 – 10.8, 6+). After back-to-back increases in June and July yielded a +1.4 (6.1 – 7.2 – 7.5, 6+), Saga Communications WLVQ “Q-96.3 – Iconic Rock” craters by that same margin (6.1, -1.4, 6+) but carries on in third-place. Regressing by six-tenths each are iHeartMedia news/talk and adult hits siblings WTVN, without an increase for the fifth sweep in succession for an overall -.7 (6.4 – 6.3 – 6.3 – 6.3 – 6.3 – 5.7, flat at #4, 6+) and WODC “93.3 The Bus” (5.1 – 4.5, sixth to seventh, 6+). Stuck on 2.8 (6+) in May, June, and July, Radio One urban AC WXMG “Magic 95.5 Columbus Best R&B” drops three-tenths to 2.5 (6+) and exits the top ten (#10 to #13).

Monday, August 7, 2017

TALKERS | August 7, 2017

Emmis Extends Walsh. A contract extension given to Patrick Walsh will keep the Emmis Communications president and chief operating officer in-place through July 2019. As far as particulars of the pact that officially began the first day of this month are concerned, Walsh will earn $625,000 a year with annual increases of up to 2.5%; Emmis can allocate up to 10% of the base in its common stock. He will be entitled to annual incentive pay, with the target for each year 100% of the base salary. In addition, Walsh will be eligible for a performance bonus at the end of the contract with a fair market value of $300,000; $500,000; or $700,000 based on stock price. Other perks are included as well for Walsh, who joined Emmis from iBiquity Digital in 2006 as chief financial officer; he was promoted to chief operating officer and chief financial officer two years later (2008). Emmis owns three radio properties in New York City; four in St. Louis; four (and Network Indiana) in its Indianapolis hub; and seven stations in Austin. The sale of Emmis Los Angeles’ KPWR “Power 106” to Meruelo Media became final just last week. The rhythmic CHR had been programmed by Meruelo Media since July 1 under a Local Marketing Agreement.

NYMRAD Names Morgan Treasurer; Hopeck Boosted to Secretary. In a pair of executive committee moves, the New York Market Radio Association (NYMRAD) appoints Emmis New York’s Charlie Morgan treasurer, and promotes iHeartMedia New York president Scott Hopeck to secretary. NYMRAD chairman/CBS Radio New York senior vice president and market manager Marc Rayfield notes, “I am very excited about working with Charlie in this seamless transition of the executive committee. Charlie has brought energy in his contributions to board meetings. Under his leadership, we will continue to develop initiatives that will advance radio in the vibrant New York marketplace.” Morgan comments, “Working with [executive director) Deborah Beagan and my talented New York radio peers in this period of time where radio has more to offer advertisers than ever before is invigorating. It is a privilege to play a role in advancing radio’s profile and value proposition.” Prior to joining Emmis New York in January 2016 as senior vice president and market manager, Morgan performed the same duties for eight years at the company’s Indianapolis stations and spent more than 21 years before that as vice president and market manager for Susquehanna’s Indianapolis cluster. He succeeds Univision New York vice president and general manager Ramon Pineda, who becomes senior vice president and regional general manager for that company’s stations in Atlanta, Philadelphia, Puerto Rico, Cleveland, and Raleigh.

“ESPY Day” Raises $5.2 Million. This marked ESPN’s fourth annual such “ESPY Day” that solicits funds for the V Foundation cancer charity. ESPN president John Skipper notes that he is “grateful to Bristol-Myers Squibb, whose charitable contribution to the V Foundation, including support of the Sports Humanitarian Awards, helped push this year’s fundraising efforts to be one of our best ever.” The 2017 total of $5.2 million is a 32% increase from last year’s event. Half the money ($2.6 million) will go to the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund. The event included ESPN Radio’s ESPY Day Auction, the 17th annual ESPY Celebrity Golf Outing, and the third annual Sports Humanitarian Awards. Elsewhere at ESPN, senior writer Seth Wickersham receives a contract extension, while Buzzfeed News senior writer Joel Anderson and ESPN The Magazine/“ESPN Insider” college football contributor Phil Steele are added to its reporting and analyst staff. The three will appear on ESPN Radio, as well as ESPN’s linear television and digital platforms. ESPN vice president/editorial director, domestic digital content Chad Millman comments, “Seth has long been one of our most talented journalists whose stories on the inner-workings of the NFL have elevated our coverage and delighted fans. Re-signing him as well as adding Joel and Phil increases what’s possible for our editorial team and elevates our ability to serve fans.”

Osgood to be Honored with NATAS Lifetime Achievement Emmy. The host of Westwood One’s long-running “The Osgood File” (which airs on 386 radio outlets throughout the United States) – Charles Osgood – will be honored by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences with the 2017 “News & Documentary Emmy Award for Lifetime Achievement.” The honor is given to a journalist or filmmaker who has “made a lasting and distinguished contribution to broadcast journalism or documentary film.” After a 22-year run as anchor of CBS-TV’s “Sunday Morning,” Osgood retired from that role in September 2016. His special recognition will take place in New York City in approximately two months (10/5). Charles Osgood Photo: Craig Blankenhorn/CBS©2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

WYDE Shuffles Its Weekday Lineup. Modifications on Crawford Broadcasting Birmingham news/talk WYDE “Superstation 101.1” start in morning drive (6:00 am – 10:00 am), where Michael Hart and Jessica Borklund team up for “AM with Michael & Jessica,” produced by Mickey Bell, who hosts “The Dixie Gospel Caravan” on sister gospel property WXJC-FM. Scott Beason segues from 9:00 am – 11:00 am to 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, while “Yellowhammer Radio” moves from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm to 12:00 noon – 3:00 pm. Airing from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm is Andrew McLain and Jim Moore-hosted “The Line with Andrew & Jim.” WYDE operations director Josi McCurdy remarks, “We are excited to introduce our new lineup to the Birmingham listening audience. In keeping with our tradition of bringing the best in conservative talk radio, we are always looking for ways to build on our team of amazing talent. The new show host combinations have a powerful dynamic, which we feel will prove to be both informative and entertaining. As always, we will continue our focus on being local, relevant and current.” None of Crawford Broadcasting’s five Birmingham stations appeared in Nielsen Audio’s spring 2017 book for that Alabama market.

WRNN-FM and Coastal Carolina University Athletics in Partnership. The agreement reached between Alpha Media Socastee-Myrtle Beach, South Carolina’s WRNN-FM “Hot Talk 99.5” and Coastal Carolina University is through the 2019 – 2020 season. It will include the school’s football, men’s and women’s basketball, and baseball contests, with some games bumped to sister sports talk WRNN-AM “ESPN Myrtle Beach.” Alpha Media Myrtle Beach general manager Josh Gertzog comments, “We are thrilled to be part of the growth happening at Coastal Carolina University. Being the radio partner of one of only three NCAA Division I [Football Bowl Subdivision] FBS programs in South Carolina is an honor. With a wonderful athletic pedigree, including a baseball national championship, it is great to be able to broadcast [CCU] Chanticleer games and to partner in other ways. Our motto is ‘Live and Local,’ and there is no more local university to the Myrtle Beach-Grand Strand than CCU.” Coastal Carolina University director of corporate sales and sponsorships Rhett Graham adds, “We are excited about this new partnership and the opportunity for Chanticleer student-athletes to be featured across the strong signal and market-leading listenership of WRNN.” Sister Alpha Media Myrtle Beach outlets (CHR) WMYB “Energy 92.1,” alternative WKZQ “96.1 New Rock,” and classic rock WYAV “Wave 104” will promote Chanticleer games as well.

Recent Station Sales. The previously announced $2 million transaction of Radio One news/talk WCHB, Detroit to Crawford Broadcasting is now complete. Among persons 6+ in Nielsen Audio’s June 2017 PPM sweep, WCHB finishes at #23 (.3). Meanwhile in Reno (Nevada), Times-Shamrock Communications has agreed to sell three stations to Lazer Broadcasting and one to John Burkavage’s Bighorn Media. Lazer will acquire CHR KWNZ “All Hit Radio”; FM news/talk KNEZ; and KZTI “Z-105.3 Rock Hard,” while Bighorn will purchase KRZQ “The Real Alternative.” Lazer president Alfredo Plascencia states, “We are delighted to be acquiring these fine stations from our friends at Times-Shamrock as an addition to our existing cluster to better to serve the Reno market.” Previously the general manager of Times-Shamrock Reno, Burkavage remarks, “Station ownership is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for me and I am excited by the opportunity.”

Young and Younger. KGO, San Francisco Gen X midday talk host Ethan Bearman (l) recently invited Westwood One syndicated Millennial music radio host Zach Sang of “Zach Sang and the Gang” (r) into his studio for some inter-generational on-air chat. Heavy Hundred member Bearman tells TALKERS, “Zach is deeply connected to what Millennials are thinking about culturally. There has been so much talk about Justin Bieber cancelling his tour because of his newfound religion and I needed to get to a source who knows Bieber. Best of all, Zach is one of the nicest guys around and is simply magical behind the mic!” The two up and coming broadcasters met at a TALKERS convention in New York, stayed in touch and work together when they can for the benefit of their audiences.

TALKERS News Notes. After a 36-year run, anchor/reporter Barbara Boylan exited CBS Radio Pittsburgh news/talk KDKA-AM last Friday (8/4). Boylan joined KDKA-AM in July 1981 from crosstown WKTQ (now WJAS) as a reporter-producer-talk show host ….. Very sad to note the passing of Darren “Dutch” Daulton, who died yesterday (Sunday, 8/6) after a battle with a recurrence of brain cancer. The former Philadelphia Phillies and Florida Marlins catcher hosted “Talkin’ Baseball” on Beasley Media Group Philadelphia sports talk WPEN “97.5 The Fanatic” from 2010 – 2013. After surviving the first round of brain cancer, he established the Darren Daulton Foundation, which provides financial assistance to brain cancer patients. According to Phillies chairman emeritus Bill Giles, “Darren was a true leader of men. The Phillies would not have gone to the 1993 World Series without his leadership. In addition to being an outstanding clubhouse leader, he was also a fighter. I really enjoyed watching him for 14 years in uniform. Darren was a super human being. His teammates loved him and I loved him like he was one of my own.” Glioblastoma has also claimed the lives of other notable baseball players, including Gary Carter, Tug McGraw, and Johnny Oates. Daulton was just 55 ….. Hole-by-hole coverage of the PGA Championship, co-produced with Westwood One, will be broadcast later this week (8/10 – 8/13) from 12:00 noon – 7:00 pm (ET) each day on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio. The broadcast team from Charlotte’s Quail Hollow Club will include: Fred Albers, Doug Bell, Mark Carnevale, John Maginnes, Dennis Paulson, Bob Rosinski, Charlie Rymer, and Taylor Zarzour ….. As detailed in The Chicago Tribune and RobertFeder.com, former Chicago talk radio host Ted Lauterbach, 70, died July 31 after battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure. Lauterbach’s on-air “Windy City” credits include WIND (1982 – 1983); WCFL (1984); WLS-AM (1989 – 1990); and co-hosting WMAQ’s “Sports Huddle” with Steve Olken and Tom Greene in 1994. In addition, he was general manager and program director of Tele-Communications, a cable system.

Univision Q2 Radio Revenues Down 8.6%. Compared to $73.1 million for a similar period in 2016, second quarter revenue for Univision Communications’ radio division declined 8.6% to $66.8 million. National, network, and local advertising dips led to radio’s advertising revenue falling by 9.2% to $64 million from $70.5 million in 2016. Univision Communications president and chief executive officer Randy Falco notes that for the company as a whole, total revenue in the quarter was nearly $765 million and core revenue was up 5%. “Net income increased $31 million and we continue to deliver as evidenced by our reduction of net debt by approximately $200 million over the first half of the year.”

Westwood One Hall of Famers. Last night (8/6) in Canton (Ohio), Kurt Warner (left) and Jason Taylor (right) were enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Warner is one of Westwood One’s “Monday Night Football” analysts and Taylor was just named the new “Sunday Night Football” analyst. The NFL season kicks off in just over four weeks (Thursday, September 7).

Washington-Based Executive Producer and Radio Engineer Sought by Courtside Entertainment. Two positions are currently open at Norm Pattiz’s Courtside Entertainment. The first is an executive producer position based in Washington, DC. This position is with “one of the nation’s most popular conservative talk radio programs” and requires a “driven, intelligent, and organized person to oversee the day-to-day production of the show.” For application information and to see more about this position, click here. The second opening is for a radio engineer. That person “shall install, configure, and maintain radio broadcasting equipment as needed.” The candidate must have “relevant technical knowledge with good people skills and have excellent written and verbal communication skills.” For application information and to see more about this position, click here.

KEGL Announces “The Freakers’ Ball.” The annual concert sponsored by iHeartMedia Dallas rocker KEGL “The Eagle” will take place October 15 at Verizon Theater in Grand Prairie (Texas). Senior vice president of programming for iHeartMedia Dallas Patrick Davis notes, “Freakers’ Ball has become one of fall’s best rock lineups around the country. We couldn’t have asked for a better lineup around Halloween than to include Marilyn Manson, In This Moment and more [including Beartooth, and Greta Van Fleet].” Program director Don Davis comments, “Our Eagle ‘Rockaholics’ have come to expect a great themed show for our annual Freakers’ Ball. Who better to headline our annual event than Marilyn Manson?” A special ‘Rockaholic’ pre-sale will take place this Thursday (8/10) from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm. Listeners can also win tickets for a “Win It Before You Can Buy It” promotion today (Monday, 8/7) through Friday (8/11).

Entercom Miami Schedules Riptide Music Festival. More than 20 alternative, pop, rock, and adult contemporary acts will perform (Saturday) December 2 and (Sunday) December 3 at Entercom Miami’s Riptide Music Festival at Fort Lauderdale Beach Park. Marketing director and Riptide executive producer Von Freeman states, “It was an incredible success last year with over 25,000 festival-goers. There is just nothing better than seeing people hanging out in December on the sands of Fort Lauderdale [as they] sing every word to every song. The festival embraces the brands of our four top notch radio stations that reach over two million listeners per week and we will be giving away trips all over the United States and the world.” Riptide is produced by the staffs of alternative WSFS “104.3 The Shark”; classic hits-oldies WMXJ “102.7 The Beach”; adult contemporary WLYF “101.5 Lite FM”; and sports WAXY “790 The Ticket.”

More Music Radio News and Career Moves. Having already launched this summer’s “World of Dance” starring Jennifer Lopez – and with Carson Daly-hosted “The Voice” a mainstay on its roster – NBC-TV is reportedly developing a music reality series for 2018. The new program will be one of at least two more music reality genre series scheduled for next year, along with “American Idol” (moving from Fox to ABC and with KIIS “Kiss-FM,” Los Angeles morning talent Ryan Seacrest remaining in-place as host) and Fox developing an adaptation of the singing competition format “The Final Four” ….. Jury selection begins today (8/7) in the trial between former KYGO, Denver air talent David Mueller (air name “Jackson”) and singer Taylor Swift in Denver. Mueller filed suit against Swift in U.S. District Court two years ago (September 2015), seeking lost wages for allegedly getting fired from the then Entercom-owned country station (now a Bonneville property) after the singer claimed that he lifted her skirt and grabbed her during a meet-and-greet before her June 2013 concert. Swift filed a countersuit claiming sexual assault against Mueller; she is expected to testify. The case is expected to last two weeks, with opening statements beginning as soon as tomorrow (Tuesday, 8/8). Swift is seeking damages of $1, “serving as an example to other women who may resist publicly reliving similar outrageous and humiliating acts,” while Mueller – also expected to testify – is seeking $3 million in lost wages ….. Changes at Entercom San Diego adult contemporary KXSN “Sunny 98.1” find midday talent Dawne Davis and evening personality Nick Upton leaving their on-air shifts to focus on production and digital, respectively. Program director Brooks O’Brian segues from morning drive to take over for Davis in middays, while Dorothy Tran replaces Upton at night. Until a successor to O’Brian is found in morning drive, part-timer Dave Mason will cover that daypart ….. Morning show co-host Melissa Moran will depart Hall Communications country WPCV, Lakeland (Florida) this Wednesday (8/9) in order to focus on her voiceover business, which she started three years ago. Operations manager and program director Mike James comments, “Melissa is a phenomenal radio and voice talent. It is no surprise that her audio book and voiceover career has become so successful. We will miss her greatly and wish her the absolute best.” Moran joined WPCV in 2008.

Friday, April 14, 2017

TALKERS | April 14, 2017

Cumulus Media Promotes Three to Executive Vice President. Three current Cumulus Media executives are promoted to newly created EVP positions: Mike McVay rises from senior vice president, content & programming to executive vice president, content & programming; Dave Milner, moves up from senior vice president, operations to executive vice president, operations; and Bob Walker is elevated from senior vice president, operations to executive vice president, operations. Cumulus Media president and chief executive officer Mary Berner states, “These promotions recognize the strong performance of these key members of our senior leadership team. Mike, Dave and Bob are terrific executives and have each been instrumental to the success we’ve achieved during the first year of executing our turnaround plan for the company.”

Ryan Wrecker Joins KMOX, St. Louis as ‘Overnight America’ Host. Talk radio pro Ryan Wrecker moves from his most recent gig as PD at Pathfinder Communications’ WOWO, Fort Wayne to CBS RADIO’s heritage St. Louis news/talker KMOX to host the station’s late-night program, “Overnight America,” beginning Monday (4/17). The program airs from 10:00 pm to 3:00 am. KMOX program director Steve Moore comments, “Ryan is a passionate advocate of local radio who comes to us from a legacy station and brings a great appreciation for KMOX and its role in the community. In addition, Ryan understands how creating unique digital and social media content can quickly expand his reach in the market and grow his listener base.” Speaking about his new gig, Wrecker states, “We’re going to have fun on ‘Overnight America.’ It’s a show that’s inclusive to new voices and topics. Every night we will present fresh and unique ideas to the audience and explore them in a way that’s different from any other radio show.” The “Overnight America” show had been hosted by Jon Grayson, who exited KMOX in February to host the midday show at crosstown news/talk KTRS.

Kaplan Promoted to Marketing Director for Cumulus Media Dallas. For the past two years, Rebecca Kaplan has been promotions director for Cumulus Media’s Dallas country signals KSCS and KPLX “99.5 The Wolf.” Now, she is promoted to marketing director for the seven-station cluster that includes news/talk WBAP, news/talk KLIF-AM, sports talker KTCK-AM and KESN-FM, and CHR KLIF-FM “HOT 93.3.” Cumulus regional vice president Dan Bennett states, “Rebecca has proven herself with outstanding event execution for our country stations KPLX and KSCS. Our seven-station cluster will benefit greatly from her involvement in the future with all our stations.”

TALKERS News Notes. The NBA Playoffs begin this weekend and ESPN Radio is presenting its coverage starting with the Cavaliers versus the Pacers Saturday at 2:00 pm ET. Marc Kestecher and Jon Barry will call the action. Sunday’s contest will be the Warriors vs Trailblazers with Adam Amin and P.J. Carlesimo on the call…..When the NHL’s new franchise the Vegas Golden Knights takes to the ice next fall, Lotus Communications’ KRLV, Las Vegas “FOX Sports 1340” will serve as the flagship station for radio. Lotus plans to begin simulcasting the station on FM translator K255CT, Henderson, Nevada. As part of the deal, some of the games will also be broadcast in Spanish on Lotus’ KENO-AM “1460 ESPN Deportes.”…..In podcasting news, Apple is changing the name of its podcast platform from “iTunes Podcasts” to “Apple Podcasts.”…..TALKERS magazine sends condolences to the family and friends of longtime Cleveland sports media personality Kendall Lewis, a.k.a. The BSK — the Big Sports Kahuna, who died on April 11 at the age of 56. Lewis’ most recent work was on digital platforms, but for years he was a host on sports talk WKNR, Cleveland “ESPN 850.” He also was a fixture at FOX Sports Net Ohio and served with WOIO-TV, Cleveland.

U.S.-Russia Relations/Syria Gas Attack Top News/Talk Stories This Week. The tense relations between the U.S. and Russia over the Syria sarin attack and the U.S.’s airstrikes in Syria were the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio for the week of April 10-14. At #2 this week was the North Korea nuclear missile threats. Coming in at #3 was the United Airlines passenger removal case and the resulting PR blowback, followed by the FBI’s monitoring of Trump adviser Carter Page at #4. The Talkers Ten^TM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed on news/talk radio during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. View this week’s entire chart here.

Michael Harrison Interviews Judy Collins on this Week’s Podcast. Folk singing/pop music legend Judy Collins is this week’s special guest on the award-winning PodcastOne hit series “Up Close and Far Out with Michael Harrison.” In the words of Harrison, “Although she sings like an angel and performed on a number of hits and concert stages across the nation, creating a total of more than 50 albums along the way – not to mention authoring books, painting, and even directing a film – she lived a deeply troubled existence. We’re talking about severe depression and emotional disturbance that nearly drove her to suicide. We’re talking about substance abuse and eating disorders…and on top of everything, coping with the suicide of her son in 1992.” The TALKERS founder continues, “This amazing woman has survived to not only overcome these challenges but to be of great service and help to others, as well. She is a tireless advocate of those who suffer from similar emotional afflictions and has made significant contributions in bringing public awareness of mental illness out of the shadows and into the open.” On April 27, in recognition of her service to others, Collins will receive the 2017 Beatrice Stern Media Award at a major gathering in Los Angeles – The Erasing the Stigma Leadership Awards. It is an annual event thrown by Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, a leading non-profit provider of free community mental health and substance abuse services for children and adults for over 75 years. Harrison and Collins engage in a remarkably candid and informative discussion about the state of mental illness in our healthcare system and culture. They also talk about the early days of her career, her relationship with rock legend Stephen Stills and her storied connection to his Crosby, Stills and Nash masterpiece, “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes.” To listen to the podcast in its entirety, please click here or click on the “Up Close and Far Out” player box located in the right hand column on every page of Talkers.com.

Music Radio News and Career Moves. Audio content syndicator Westwood One is partnering with dick clark productions to help promote the 2017 Billboard Music Awards and offer its broadcast partners branded, long-form and short-form content and promotions. Westwood One will welcome more than 20 radio stations to its Westwood One Backstage at the BBMAs event with live performances and celebrity interviews during rehearsals the day before the 2017 Billboard Music Awards (Saturday, May 20) at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Talent taking part in the Saturday event include WPLJ, New York personality Jayde Donovan; WPLJ and WPRO-FM, Providence host Ralphie Aversa; and syndicated personalities Adam Bomb and Zach Sang…..The three urban-formatted Philadelphia stations owned by iHeartMedia – urban contemporary WDAS-FM “Philly’s Best R&B & Throwbacks,” hip hop WUSL “Power 99,” and smooth jazz WDAS-AM “Smooth Jazz ‘JJZ 1480” – are organizing the inaugural “Sista Strut 3K Breast Cancer Walk” taking place on Saturday, June 17 at Xfinity Live! in Philadelphia. Proceeds will benefit The American Association for Cancer Research. The stations note that the walk aims to raise breast cancer awareness among African American women, who are 41% more likely to die from the disease than white women, making screenings and early detection crucial. WDAS-FM personality Frankie Darcell comments, “As one of the founders of Detroit’s ‘Sista Strut,’ I’m ecstatic that nearly 20 years later the event will be held in our Philadelphia community.”…..Country KNIX, Phoenix and Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire are cooperating on a “Rise From The Fire” Concert Flyaway Sweepstakes. Consumers ages 21+ can enter for a chance to win a trip for two to New York for a benefit concert featuring a top music act. The event concludes an 11-city iHeartRadio concert series to benefit firefighters and communities affected by fire. The Phoenix stop in the concert series will feature national recording artist, Brett Young, and will take place on April 19 at the Hall of Flame Fire Museum. The sweepstakes and concert series are part of an effort by Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire to raise funds in support of the Fire Family Foundation, an organization that offers immediate assistance to firefighters and their families, fire victims, fire departments and charities. The Foundation believes that by coming together as a “Fire Family,” assistance can be provided by those impacted by fire.

Monday, January 23, 2017

TALKERS | January 23, 2017

Odds & Sods. There’s news to report from the Nielsen–Bubba the Love Sponge legal war. Bubba’s legal team has been arguing that Nielsen’s arguments for keeping certain documents confidential are unfounded and that they should be made part of the public record. However, Friday, U.S. District Court Judge James Whittemore ruled against Bubba, stating that “challenging a confidentiality designation is not the proper procedure for a court to decide whether the public has a right to access a pleading.”…..Longtime CBS Radio News reporter Dan Raviv leaves the news organization in surprising fashion – with a tweet at the end of his coverage of the Presidential Inauguration. He wrote, “Radio friends, I had the bittersweet honor of declaring (I swear it was short) at the end of our 90-min. coverage that it is my last on CBS.” Raviv had been with CBS Radio News since 1978.

Trump Sworn In/ObamaCare Executive Order, Women’s Marches, Trump Press Team’s Inauguration Crowd Dispute, Allegation of Trump Business Interests Conflicts, Cabinet Confirmation Hearings, and NFL Conference Championships Among Top News/Talk Stories Over the Weekend. Friday’s inauguration of President Donald Trump and his signing of an executive order pertaining to the Affordable Care Act; the Women’s March on DC and the marches in various cities across the nation; the Trump press team’s offering of “alternative facts” regarding the size of the crowd at the inauguration; the planned suit by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington over Donald Trump’s business interests; the confirmation hearings of the several cabinet nominees; and Sunday’s NFC and AFC Conference Championship games were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio over the weekend.

Louisville Non-Com Hacked; Anti-Trump Song Plays on the Air. Non-commercial low power FM WCHQ, Louisville was the victim of a hack on Friday afternoon (1/20) that resulted in the rap tune “F*ck Donald Trump” by YG & Nipsy Hussle playing in a loop for about 15 minutes. The Louisville Courier-Journal reports that station manager Kathy Weisbach was able get the digital song file to stop playing. Station program director Gary Simpson tells the paper that whoever hacked the station got in via the software it uses for its FM audio and that the software permits EAS alerts from getting on the air. He speculates that since other stations use the same software, other outlets could be vulnerable to a hack. See the Courier-Journal story here.

Danny Meyers to Program ‘Movin’ 107.7’ in Norfolk. Programmer Danny Meyers joins iHeartMedia’s Norfolk cluster to serve as program director and morning drive personality at urban contemporary WMOV “Movin 107.7, Hampton Roads’ Feel Good Music.” The station says Meyers – who was most recently morning host at CHR WXLK, Roanoke – will oversee WMOV’s “on-air content and music programming, as well as broadcast the local morning show with his perspective on pop culture and community news.” Meyers says, “I’m excited to start a new chapter at ‘Movin’ 107.7’ and become part of the iHeartMedia Norfolk family, especially after a record-setting revenue year for the station. I know the team is ready for an even bigger 2017!”

More Music Radio News and Career Moves. Alternative KDGE, Dallas is no more but iHeartMedia is not letting go of the annual “Edgefest” concert promotion. Now, the company’s rock KEGL “97.1 The Eagle” is presenting “Edgefest 2017” scheduled for April 1, 2017 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. The acts signed up for the daylong, two-stage event are: Blink 182, The Offspring, 311, Chevelle, The Toadies, Naked and Famous, The Nixons, The Record Company, Goodbye June, Black Pistol Fire, Dreamers, Missio, Badflower and The Wrecks. iHeartMedia regional SVP of programming Patrick Davis comments, “This year’s ‘Edgefest’ has one of the strongest lineups we’ve ever had, with a variety of established and rising star artists. As a nod to the 25th anniversary of the show, we are pleased that several of these ‘Edgefest’ alums are back to celebrate with us.”…..At the Saginaw, Michigan station group of Alpha Media, Joby Phillips is adding the program director responsibilities for hot AC WGER “MIX 106.3” to his workload. He’ll continue to program country WCEN “94-5 The Moose” and host the station’s afternoon show.

Monday, November 21, 2016

TALKERS | November 21, 2016

Kevin Graham to Program WBAP and KLIF-AM in Dallas. Current WBAP and KLIF-AM program director Tyler Cox is retiring at the end of this year and Cumulus Media is announcing that it has hired Kevin Graham to take over the PD role at the Dallas news/talk outlets. Graham leaves his position as brand manager for Entercom’s sports talk WEEI-FM, Boston, the Red Sox Radio Networks, and his role as sports radio format captain for Entercom. Cumulus Media Dallas-Houston regional vice president Dan Bennett comments, “Kevin Graham is one of the country’s brightest spoken-word PDs and is an innovative thinker who will take us into the next chapter of WBAP and KLIF’s on-air and digital growth. His major market experience in Boston and New York has prepared him for this next step in his career.” Prior to joining WEEI, Graham was program director and afternoon host for KFNZ, Salt Lake City. He’s also programmed KTAR-AM/ArizonaSports.com in Phoenix; WXYT, Detroit; and WEPN, New York City. Graham says, “I am very humbled and excited to join the Cumulus Dallas team. I have long admired Dan Bennett’s and OM Jeff Catlin’s work. I consider it a great honor to follow in Tyler Cox’s footsteps to assist in the continued growth of two of the most successful news/talk brands in the country – WBAP/KLIF.”

KTAR-FM, Phoenix to Launch Darin Damme Show on January 3. Phoenix news/talker KTAR-FM is replacing its “Arizona’s Evening News” program with “Reality Check with Darin Damme,” effective January 3. Bonneville Phoenix VP of content and operations Ryan Hatch says of the former KZZP and KZON morning personality, “Darin is an exciting talent who will bring a conservative voice and strong opinions that will represent the values of so many in the Valley. Born and raised in Arizona, he also has a passion to improve our community and deliver a voice for a better Phoenix.” The evening news-driven show will air from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Trump Transition, Mike Pence-‘Hamilton’ Incident, Dakota Access Pipeline Protests, Facebook Fake News Policy, AMAs-Melania Trump Bit, Obama at APEC Summit, Arctic Sea Ice Levels/Global Warming, and NFL Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Over the Weekend. The transition period for the Trump Administration including potential cabinet nominees; the flap over VP-Elect Mike Pence receiving a personal message from the cast of ‘Hamilton’ while attending the show in NYC; clashes take place between authorities and those protesting the Dakota Access pipeline; Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg addresses the social medium’s intent to root out fake news; Saturday’s American Music Awards and controversy over Gigi Hadid’s impersonation of Melania Trump; President Obama meets Russia’s Vladimir Putin and other world leaders at the APEC Summit in Lima, Peru; reports of historically low levels of Arctic Sea ice and the larger topic of global warming policies; and the weekend’s NFL action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Herskovitz: Another Race to Win. Radio sales maven Al Herskovitz writes today about sponsorable aspects of programming that some sales execs – and even a few sales managers – may have overlooked. The beauty of the sports talk and news/talk formats is that their traditional programming is flush with elements that can be sponsored. Some of these – traffic, weather, sports scores, etc. – are readily available via digital avenues, but don’t toss the baby out with the bathwater. If consumers are listening to your station – especially in the car – they will be listening to the “service elements” that can be very profitable. Read Al Herskovitz’s piece here.

Odds & Sods. Alaska radio pro Scott Smith is inducted into the Alaska Broadcasters Hall of Fame. The 27-year broadcasting vet worked his way from an account executive to market manager and has served on the Alaska Broadcasters Association for 20 years. The Alpha Media Alaska market manager says, “It is an enormous honor to be added to the list of pioneers in Alaskan broadcasting whose efforts brought live media to the 49th State. I am humbled and thrilled to be a part of the greatest industry in our nation – one in which we protect, educate, inform, entertain, and engage with our listeners and clients.”…..NextRadio announces the launch of Newsfeed – a new feature designed to further strengthen the bond that radio listeners have with their favorite stations. Newsfeed allows sharing of more radio station content and delivering it in an interactive way that consumers are used to experiencing with apps. NextRadio says Newsfeed “enriches the in-app experience by serving up station-centric content, such as trending Tweets from the user’s favorite radio shows. Other content pushed by NextRadio Newsfeed is specific to the user’s favorite formats and includes artist and song facts, the day’s hottest song, and which artists are coming to town with the ability to buy concert tickets through Vivid Seats.” Additionally, NextRadio has partnered with Global Security Systems to provide ALERT FM emergency messages to users of Newsfeed in the app. NextRadio app users can opt-in to emergency alerts that will show up in their Newsfeed…..The “Motley Fool Money” radio show featuring host Chris Hill adds new affiliate station KGUM, Guam “Newstalk K57.”…..Alpha Media’s KFQD, Anchorage wins the Best Radio Newscast honors from the Alaska Broadcasters Association. The award recognizes the station’s “KFQD Morning News” program featuring anchor Joe Campbell, producer Steve Moor and traffic anchor Colleen Bailey.

Friday, September 16, 2016

TALKERS | September 16, 2016

John R. Gambling Retires from WNYM, New York ‘AM 970 The Answer.’ The Gambling name is legendary in New York radio history – John B. Gambling started hosting mornings on WOR in 1925, his son John A. Gambling took over the show in 1959, and John R. Gambling joined his father as co-host in 1985. Now, the third Gambling is announcing his retirement from his radio show on Salem Media Group’s WNYM, New York “AM 970 The Answer.” Gambling told his listeners at the start of today’s program (11:00 am ET) that he’s been dealing with problems recuperating from a broken knee cap that is hastening his decision to step down. Gambling retired from WOR in December of 2013 but later joined WNYM. WNYM general manager Jerry Crowley tells TALKERS, “His grandfather is often credited with inventing talk radio, his dad was # 1 in all radio ratings surveys and John somehow transitioned that genre to contemporary talk radio with a right-of-center view but absolutely never ticked a guest off. No one else ever pulled that off. Radio listeners knew this and appreciated his insightful, courtly way of conducting major league interviews and his amazing insights. When John left WOR the first time around, we were inundated with sacks of mail not for a day or week but months – amazing. When I brought him back to Salem NY You could almost hear the thunderous applause reverberate across the region. John was great in every way and we will all miss his calming, dulcet tones.”

Dave Ramsey Kicks Off the Fall Tour in Dallas. It’s the fall “Smart Money” tour, to be more precise. Nationally syndicated talk radio superstar and best-selling author Dave Ramsey brought his fall edition of his ongoing live event tour to a sold-out crowd in Dallas yesterday (9/15) at First Baptist Church Dallas. The “Smart Money” program focuses on winning with money, getting out of debt and investing for the future. Best-selling author and financial expert Rachel Cruze joined Ramsey on stage. Ramsey combined forces with local affiliate KRLD, Dallas “News Radio 1080” to promote the event. CBS RADIO Dallas local sales manager Paul Davis states, “Dave’s appearances in Dallas are always a huge deal for our listeners, clients and staff. He spent quality, one-on-one time with our partners and then entertained us and about 3,000 others at the sold-out Smart Money event! We wish Dave could come to North Texas more often!” Pictured here are (from l-r): Ramsey; Paul Mann, KRLD news director; Davis and Cruze.

A Rare Golden Mic for Dan Gaffney. In honor of 30 years of serving southern Delaware, WXDE, Lewes “Delaware 105.9” morning personality Dan Gaffney is honored with a golden microphone gifted to him by Kevin Short, owner of local business Mid South Audio. Short acquired the golden mic from the same artisan who crafted the golden microphones for Premiere Networks talk superstar Rush Limbaugh and Premiere/KIIS, Los Angeles personality Ryan Seacrest.

Arnie States Hosts Afternoon Show at KUUB, Reno. The former member of the trio Rob, Arnie, and Dawn – Arnie States – is back on the air hosting a sports talk show on Lotus Communications’ KUUB, Reno “ESPN 94.5.” (Rob and Dawn still host mornings on rock KRXQ, Sacramento as “Rob, Anybody, and Dawn.”) States exited the trio in March of 2015. For a while he was part of KRXQ’s afternoon show before leaving that gig to return to Reno to care for his father. Now, he’s back on the radio doing sports talk.

Galaxy to Enter Events Consulting Biz. The New York State-based broadcasting firm Galaxy Communications announces it is starting up a division focusing on creating event partnerships with fellow radio and television broadcasters. The division is called Galaxy Events Consulting and reports it has commitments to enter 10 new markets in 2017. They include: Buffalo, Rochester, Binghamton, Watertown and Long Island in New York, plus Philadelphia, Charlotte, Raleigh and Sarasota, Florida. Galaxy president and CEO Ed Levine states, “This idea has been percolating for some time. As acknowledged industry leaders in this space, we’ve had many conversations with other radio and TV broadcasters. We think we’ve come up with a model that can generate guaranteed revenue for the partner broadcaster with no risk. Experiential/event marketing is a key element for both radio and television’s future revenue growth. We’ve been in this space for a decade and are now prepared to help other broadcasters navigate these waters.” Galaxy owns 14 radio stations in the Syracuse and Utica-Rome markets. Its Galaxy Events division is responsible for many of the biggest community events in Central New York, highlighted by ‘Taste of Syracuse,’ which draws 200,000 people annually.

The Presidential Race Again Tops Talkers Ten^TM for Week of September 12-16. For obvious reasons, the presidential race is likely to be the most-talked-about story on news/talk radio through the elections in November and this week was no different with the activities of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton at #1. At #2 this week was the issue of each candidate’s health. Coming in at #3 was the United States’ refugee policy that calls for an additional 110,000 to be allowed into the country, followed by the National Anthem protests at #4. The Talkers Ten^TM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed on news/talk radio during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. View this week’s entire chart here.

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

TALKERS | September 13, 2016

A Walk Down Pop Music Memory Lane with Freddy Cannon. One of the true legends of the pop rock ‘n’ roll era, Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon is this week’s featured guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series “Up Close and Far Out with Michael Harrison.” Cannon rose to international stardom in the early 1960s with a string of memorable hit singles that included “Tallahassee Lassie,” “Way Down Yonder in New Orleans” and “Palisades Park” among many others. His records were known for their pounding drums, rhythmic guitars and vibrant Bob Crew (Four Seasons) production. Cannon has remained active as a rock ‘n’ roll oldies act to this very day. He has just released a novelty song (video and audio) titled “Svengoolie Stomp” for Halloween – dedicated to the iconic Saturday night television horror movie host Svengoolie seen nationally on MeTV (where it debuted last week). Harrison and Cannon talk about the early 60s pop era, amusement parks, horror films and more in a delightful, invigorating conversation that spans the coasts and the decades. Not to be missed by rock ‘n’ rollers of all ages! To hear the entire podcast, please click here or click on the “Up Close and Far Out” player box located in the right-hand column on every page of Talkers.com and RadioInfo.com.

Dave Ramsey Show Hits 575 Affiliate Mark. The nationally syndicated Dave Ramsey show announces it has topped the 575 radio affiliate-mark. Ramsey Media vice president Brian Mayfield says, “We are extremely excited about the continued growth of Dave’s show. Radio is the cornerstone of our success and we remain focused on growth and exposure within the industry. Our digital reach, led by an industry leading podcast, provides the ability to reach new and emerging audiences every day and ensures the future longevity of the show.” Mayfield notes that in addition to terrestrial radio, the program is available on multiple digital platforms. “The Dave Ramsey Show” podcast was acknowledged as one of the top 10 most-downloaded podcasts of 2015 and averages more than 2 million weekly downloads. The three-hour show is also available on iHeartRadio. “The Dave Ramsey Show” video channel can be streamed in HD on You Tube, “The Dave Ramsey Show” app and at DaveRamsey.com/Show.

Salem Seeks Peroyea’s Replacement. There’s little information available other than that Salem Media Group’s John Peroyea has resigned from his vice president of operations and general manager post at the company’s Dallas station group that includes news/talk KSKY “660 The Answer,” business news KEXB, Christian contemporary KLTY, Christian teaching KWRD, and Spanish Christian KTNO. Peroyea will remain with the company as a consultant to KLTY and Salem is searching for his replacement.

The Presidential Race/Clinton Health Issue, Syrian Conflict/U.S.-Russia Tensions, North Korea Nuclear Threat, Iran Threatens U.S. Military, NCAA Pulls NC Events Due to LGBT Issues, U.S.-Philippines Relations, NFL Anthem Protests, and MLB Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (9/12). The activities of presidential candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, including concerns about Clinton’s health after a pneumonia diagnosis; the Syrian civil conflict and the U.S. and Russian tensions as a ceasefire is negotiated; North Korea’s latest nuclear test and threats against America; Iran’s threat to shoot down U.S. spy planes; the NCAA’s withdrawal of several tournament events from North Carolina due to the state’s anti-LGBT laws; Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte’s demand that U.S. Special Forces leave their base in his country; the various National Anthem protests and Black Power salutes that took place during the NFL’s opening weekend; and Major League Baseball action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Serialized Drama Comes to PodcastOne Via ‘Telling Stories: The Podcast.’ This new series is a collaborative effort between PodcastOne and Blackstone Audio and results in a dramatic, scripted series titled, “Telling Stories: The Podcast.” They are serialized, daily episodes with a new story beginning each Monday. This week features “Telling Stories: Extinction Horizon,” which follows Team Ghost and their race against the clock to find the cure for a deadly strain of Ebola that turns men into monsters and threatens the survival of mankind. Blackstone CEO Josh Stanton says, “I believe that anyone who enjoys hearing a riveting and exciting story will want to listen to each of our new weekly story podcasts. In addition to just being wonderful stories – and most everyone loves to have a good story told to them – they are a perfect way to pass the time whether you’re traveling, exercising, cleaning the house, driving in the car, or just relaxing.”

Odds & Sods. Family relationship expert and psychologist Dr. Claudia’s “Parenting Pointers” feature is now available to stations via production and syndication firm Smilecom Media. The LA-based company says daily feature “targets families with tips and advice for parents,” and is compatible with not only news/talk stations but AC and country formats, as well. Dr. Claudia is media savvy and, as an expert guest on radio, has made appearances on KABC and KFI in Los Angeles…..September marks the 20th anniversary of the national syndication of the Dr. Bob Martin show. The weekend health talk program is heard on more than 130 AM and FM affiliates across the U.S. via Radio America, Genesis Communications Network and Better Health Network…..iHeartMedia sports talker WOKY, Milwaukee “The Big 920” announces the addition of Green Bay Packers lineman Kenny Clark to the Mike Heller show on Wednesdays from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm live from The Stadium View Bar & Grille in Green Bay. Also, Packers great Gilbert Brown will appear on the Mitch Nelles show on Wednesdays from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm for the station’s “Green and Gold Wednesday” programming.

KLAC’s Eric Dickerson Show Welcomes Rams Back to SoCal. Los Angeles sports talk outlet KLAC “AM 570 LA SPORTS” kicked off the Rams’ first game as the Los Angeles Rams in 21 years with a live broadcast of the new, weekly “Eric Dickerson Show” live from BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse in Orange. This show will happen throughout the NFL season, airing live from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm from a different BJ’s Restaurant and Brewery. Pictured here at yesterday’s inaugural show are (from l-r): Former Rams tight end David Hill, KLAC’s Fred Roggin, Dickerson, and former Rams cornerback LeRoy Irvin. The show will also feature LA Daily News writer Vinny Bonsignore.

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

TALKERS | August 9, 2016

Williams Appointed SVP/MM of Emmis Indianapolis. Eleven-year Radio One Indianapolis market manager Chuck Williams joins cross-town Emmis as senior vice president and market manager of its four-station cluster as well as its statewide news service, Network Indiana. Williams succeeds Charlie Morgan, who served in that capacity the past seven years before being named interim market manager of Emmis New York earlier Emmis this year. Emmis president and chief operating officer Patrick Walsh explains, “We have competed against Chuck throughout his career and always viewed him as a gifted, high integrity leader uniquely positioned to build on our foundation of success in Indianapolis. We are thrilled he has agreed to lead our team. With his deep knowledge of the Indianapolis radio market and the advertisers it serves, we expect him to jump right in and assist our talented team to continue to grow and prosper.” Williams comments, “I have long been an admirer of the Emmis culture, their people and their unfailing pride and leadership in the industry and their communities. Charlie Morgan built outstanding heritage stations with very talented people. I am looking forward to joining [Emmis Indianapolis vice president of sales] Tracey Bean, [VP/programming] Bob Richards, and the whole team at Emmis.” Before joining Radio One, Williams was general manager of Bonneville Chicago; he is the past chair of the Indiana Broadcasters Association. With each station’s share and market rank in parenthesis, here’s how the four Emmis Indianapolis outlets performed in the July 2016 Nielsen Audio PPM report: adult contemporary WYXB “B-105.7” (6.4, #4, 6+); country WLHK “Hank” (5.1, #7, 6+); talk WIBC (3.8, #11, 6+); and sports WFNI “The Fan” (2.1, #15, 6+).

Conservative Talker Andrew Wilkow Celebrates 10^th Anniversary on SiriusXM. Today (8/9) marks the 10th anniversary of talk show host Andrew Wilkow‘s “The Wilkow Majority” on SiriusXM’s “Patriot Channel.” Wilkow carved out his niche over a period of time, then expanded upon it in the 12:00 noon ET to 3:00 pm ET time slot as an alternative to Rush Limbaugh. A member of the TALKERS 2016 “Heavy Hundred,” Wilkow has become one of the biggest stars created by SiriusXM. He tells TALKERS, “I am honored and delighted to be on Sirius for so long, and appreciate my extremely loyal and passionate audience.” He says that the show’s nickname, “The Next Generation of Great Talk Radio,” still applies 10 years later.

Bott Radio Network Extends Mid-Missouri Footprint. Adding three FM signals in Columbia (at 100.9); Fulton (92.5); and St. Robert-Fort Leonard Wood (106.5), Bott Radio Network (BRN) expands its Christian talk network in mid-Missouri. All are rebroadcasting BRN’s 50,000-watt station at 89.9 FM from Bott-Radio-Network Columbia and Jefferson City. Mid-Missouri area manager Sue Stoltz comments, “These three new signals will be a blessing to many in mid-Missouri and the surrounding area where even more people can now hear quality Christian talk radio. I am excited about how this will benefit mid-Missouri families and our business sponsors.” BRN president and chief executive officer Rich Bott notes, “We are excited about this opportunity to reach more people with God’s word. This is a wonderful step forward to strengthen families and change lives through Bott Radio Network’s quality bible teaching, Christian news and information programming.” The addition of the new signals brings BRN’s number of stations nationwide to 107, including 46 in Missouri.

Silver Sensations. American divers Steele Johnson and David Boudia proudly display their silver medals to Steve Mason (left) and Kevin Kugler (second from the right), who are covering the Rio Olympics for Westwood One Sports.

Odds & Sods. Anchor/producer Heather Jordan (formerly Heather Martinez) exits Cox Media Group Orlando talker WDBO-FM to succeed Libby Denkmann as afternoon news anchor for “The John & Ken Show” on iHeartMedia Los Angeles’ KFI. Her lengthy radio resume includes stops in Dallas (KRNB); Miami (WEDR “99 Jamz” and WHQT “Hot 105”); Denver (KDJM “Jammin’ 92.5”); Kansas City (KPRS “Hot 103 Jamz”); and Des Moines (WHO). In addition, Jordan has done television work for WBBM-TV, Chicago; KTVT-TV, Dallas; and WFOR-TV, Miami ….. Longtime Pittsburgh Penguins radio producer pags Ray Walker (Ray Weitzel), 56, passed away Sunday (8/7) of complications from lymphoma. He joined the NHL team’s broadcasts in September 1999. His wife is iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WWSW “3WS,” Pittsburgh on-air talent Sheri Van Dyke ….. Recently added affiliates to Joe Pagliarulo‘s “Joe Pags Show” are: KUIK, Portland; WPTR, Albany, New York (Empire News Network); WAIX, Albany, New York (Empire News Network); WHBY, Appleton, Wisconsin; WAAM, Ann Arbor, Michigan; KERV, Kerville, Texas; WDMJ, Marquette, Michigan; and WIAN, Ishpeming, Michigan. Pagliarulo is now on more than 60 stations.

Monday, August 1, 2016

TALKERS | August 1, 2016

Julie Talbott To Oversee Total Traffic and Weather Network. Oversight of iHeartMedia’s Total Traffic & Weather Network is now a part of Premiere Networks president Julie Talbott’s responsibilities. iHeartRadio and iHeartMedia Networks president Darren Davis makes the announcement that Total Traffic & Weather Network and 24/7 News Network are now a part of Premiere Networks. The company says Talbott will oversee the operations of the newly configured Premiere Networks and will lend her experience, relationships and knowledge of the radio industry to all three network teams. She will continue to report to Darren Davis.

Talent Moves at ‘105.7 The Fan’ in Baltimore. At CBS RADIO’s sports talk WJZ-FM, Baltimore “105.7 The Fan,” a couple of talent moves take place, effective today (8/1). Rob Long moves from the midday show to morning drive to serve as co-host with Ed Norris, replacing Steve Davis, who exits. Taking over his spot on the midday show with Vinny Cerrato is Bob Haynie. The station also notes that after “Baltimore Baseball Tonight,” and when the Orioles are off, Jerry Coleman will handle the 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm show.

Capitol Broadcasting Welcomes Steve Logan’s Return for Sports Programming. Former East Carolina head football coach Steve Logan returns to the Capitol Broadcasting organization after a year coaching quarterbacks with the San Francisco 49ers. At Capitol’s sports talk WCMC, Raleigh “99.9 The Fan,” Logan will make one-hour radio appearances on Fridays throughout the football season starting September 2. He’ll also host his own radio show on Saturdays, starting September 3, airing from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon. Logan will be paired with WRAL-TV sports anchor Jeff Gravley on Sundays at 11:00 am on WRAL-TV from September 4 through November 27. Additionally, he’ll have television contributions on the Friday 11:00 pm newscasts on WRAL-TV and will produce special weekly video features to stream at WRALsportsfan.com. All of Logan’s efforts will be branded as “The Logan Zone.” Capitol Broadcasting sports radio operations manager and program director Dennis Glasgow says, “We’re thrilled to have Coach Logan back on our team. He’s built up a lot of equity in the Triangle and there’s no one better that will tell it like it is in regard to the NFL and college football.” Logan worked with Capitol Broadcasting from 2013 through 2015 as a football insider.

KRLD-AM, Dallas Chief Meteorologist Bob Goosman Resigns After Twitter Post Controversy. The now former chief meteorologist for CBS RADIO’s news/talk KRLD-AM, Dallas took to Twitter recently to express his thoughts about the appearance of mothers of black men killed by police at the DNC. He Tweeted, “As many of you have probably noticed, I’ve stayed away from politics on FB. The DNC parading the mothers of slain thugs around on their stage has me furious.” Not surprisingly, the comment raised some controversy. Goosman subsequently resigned his position with the station but commented on the Dallas News site saying he did not intend the comment to have racial overtones but understands why his actions caused problems for KRLD and said, had he not resigned, he should have been fired.

The Presidential Race, Rio Olympics Troubles, Chute-less Skydive, Miss Teen USA Controversy, PGA Championship, and MLB Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Over the Weekend. The activities of presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, including Trump’s spat with the Khan family; the threats of terrorism at the Olympics and reports of Rio De Janeiro’s state of unpreparedness for the games; the successful parachute-less skydive by Luke Aikins; the controversy over Miss Teen USA Karlie Hay’s past use of the “n-word” on social media; this weekend’s PGA Championship tournament; and Major League Baseball action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Odds & Sods. Sports programming giant ESPN is reporting that its ESPN Radio division had a very good spring from an audience standpoint. The company says ESPN Radio saw a “27% overall increase in impressions from the same time last year, according to Nielsen Audio in PPM markets. Across all affiliates, ESPN Radio now owns a 50% share of all Men 25-54 sports radio listening, up from 42% over the same period last year. In addition, ESPN Radio grew its female audience by 42% over last year.”…..Former Miami Dolphins star Jason Taylor will be part of the radio play-by-play team broadcasting the team’s games this season. Taylor will be an analyst in the booth alongside Jimmy Cefalo and Joe Rose. Taylor has also worked on the radio with both SiriusXM and Westwood One.

Friday, July 15, 2016

TALKERS | July 15, 2016

WISN, Milwaukee’s Mark Belling Reverses Course on Trump. Usually, who a talk show host says he or she is going to vote for in a presidential election is not news, but WISN, Milwaukee personality Mark Belling is one of six Wisconsin talk show hosts who gained national attention for vigorously opposing Donald Trump during the contentious Wisconsin GOP primary race. Recently, Belling wrote a piece for the Waukesha Freeman in which he explained that his decision to now support Trump is because he believes Hillary Clinton is a worse candidate. At WISN’s crosstown rival WTMJ, host Charlie Sykes – one of the six aforementioned personalities – tells the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he’s still against both Trump and Clinton. “So I’ll probably be spending a lot of time this fall talking about the Packers.”

WJOX-FM, Birmingham Drops Evening ‘Matt and Scot’ Show. The Cumulus Media sports talker cuts ties with evening duo Matt McClearin and Scot Harrison. The two worked for Cumulus at KTCK, Dallas before moving to Birmingham to host at WJOX-FM. According to AL.com, the station is airing repeats of the syndicated Paul Finebuam show during the 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm slot for now. McClearin tweeted the following to listeners, “JOX is a phenomenal station with a lot of talent, very thankful we were able to be a part of it for 3½ years, love my time here in BHam.”

Police Violence Against Blacks Top News/Talk Story of the Week. Deadly police violence against blacks was the most-talked-about story in the wake of the deaths of men in Baton Rouge and Minneapolis, landing at #1 on the Talkers Ten^TM. At #2 this week was the Dallas cop slayings. Coming in at #3 was the presidential race followed by the Hillary Clinton email case at #4. The Talkers Ten^TM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed on news/talk radio during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. View this week’s entire chart here.

Bill Kristol Show to Launch on PodcastOne. Leading conservative media voice Bill Kristol — editor of The Weekly Standard and an ABC News contributor – is launching a new podcast titled, “The Kristol Clear Podcast,” on PodcastOne. Kristol will be joined by Media DC creative director Michael Graham in the weekly conversation about politics. PodcastOne founder and executive chairman Norm Pattiz says, “Bill is a tremendous voice in the world of politics, which makes bringing an additional program to his fans each week all the more important this election season. Michael and Bill have built great content across The Weekly Standard brand and we’re excited to launch this next MediaDC show with Bill’s well-known personality.” Earlier this year, MediaDC and PodcastOne announced a partnership, kicking off with the launch of podcasts “Weekly Standard Confab” and “Washington Examiner’s Examining Politics.”

Odds & Sods. Portland and nationally syndicated talk show host Lars Larson is hosting a fundraiser today (7/15) to benefit the Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. The event at Paradise Harley-Davidson in Tigard, Oregon is in partnership with Leader Capital and prominent Portland businessman Harry Merlo. Leader Capital is pledging to match total donations up to $15,000, while Harry and Flo Merlo have pledged to match total donations up to $5,000 for a combined pledge to match total donations up to $20,000. Larson will broadcast both his regionally syndicated Pacific Northwest show – based at KXL, Portland – and his nationally syndicated program from 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm PT…..Alpha Media Amarillo’s three stations – including news/talk KGNC-AM – set a record with 332 units of blood collected during the June 24 “Boots vs Badges Blood Drive.” This is an annual blood drive and this year local law enforcement and first responders cooked for the community and set up emergency vehicles for display and tours during the drive…..The NFL’s Baltimore Ravens and Hearst-owned stations news/talk WBAL and rock WIYY are extending their deal to have the two stations serve as the flagship for the team’s radio broadcasts for another six years. This season, every Ravens game will continue to be called by the radio team of play-by-play voice Gerry Sandusky and analysts Stan White and Qadry Ismail. The team will also handle pre-season television broadcasts…..FOX News Radio will be in Cleveland broadcasting live from the Republican National Convention. Jared Halpern and analyst Tony Sayegh will anchor primetime coverage throughout the week. Live hourly updates, interviews and special feature reports will air on Fox News Headlines 24/7 on SiriusXM…..Midway Broadcasting Corporation’s WVON, Chicago is presenting its “Sixth Annual Taste of WVON” neighborhood festival tomorrow (7/16) from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm at Lorraine Dixon Park. The event will feature more than 100 food and craft vendors, live entertainment, a children’s pavilion and much more!…..The folks who run the charity Kars4Kids are launching a cool promotion based on the notoriety of their ubiquitous radio and TV jingle. They write, “After receiving death threats to our jingle writer and being bombarded with cries for help from the torture our listeners are enduring, we decided to create a platform that would give our listeners an outlet to vent out all that anger and frustration…We just launched the official Kars4Kids Jingle Fever Game at karsforkidsjingle.com. Listeners can now actually get a chance to kill the jingle once and for all and truly bring back peace of mind to mankind. Our jingle plays in all major markets across the US with a reach of an estimated 80 million listeners/viewers.” Check out the creative video that promotes the game – and the charity – here

Monday, June 27, 2016

TALKERS | June 27, 2016

WGN, Chicago Renews Steve Cochran Through 2020. This is the latest in a series of contract renewals at Tribune’s news/talker WGN Radio. Morning drive host Steve Cochran’s pact with the station is extended through 2020. Station VP of content and programming Todd Manley says, “Steve makes it look easy with his affable brand of intelligence, but nobody works harder to gather and share the stories Chicagoans care about. He’s got the raw talent and work ethic we need for many years to come.” The Cochran morning show team includes co-anchor and reporter Andrea Darlas, news by Steve Grzanich, sports by Dave Eanet and traffic by Mary Van De Velde. Last week, the station made public new deals for afternoon drive star Roe Conn and, on Friday, an extension for programmer Manley. Cochran worked at WGN from 2000 through 2010 when he was let go. He rejoined WGN in 2013. In a story this morning by Chicago media writer Robert Feder, Cochran speaks glowingly about the new regime at WGN – and rather frankly about the one that fired him. You can read Feder’s piece here.

Melissa Harrison Named AM Co-Anchor at KRLD, Dallas. News pro Melissa Harrison becomes part of the KRLD Morning News alongside Mike Rogers and Scott Sams, beginning Friday, July 1. Harrison has most recently been working as a freelance reporter for KXAS-TV, Dallas-Fort Worth. She formerly worked as a television news reporter in New York, Birmingham, Jackson, Waco, and Abilene. KRLD director of news and programming Paul Mann says, “Melissa’s extensive journalism experience will further strengthen the award-winning KRLD news team. As with co-anchors Mike Rogers and Scott Sams, Melissa’s roots run deep in North Texas and she is passionate about our community.”

‘Brexit’ Vote/Financial Markets Activity, The Presidential Race, SCOTUS Immigration Ruling, Coming SCOTUS Abortion Ruling, Sacramento Rally Violence, and MLB Action and Copa America Final Among Top News/Talk Stories Over the Weekend. Britain’s vote to leave the European Union and the reactions by the world’s financial markets; the activities of presidential candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton plus the hiring of former Trump aid Corey Lewandowski by CNN; the effects of the recent Supreme Court ruling halting President Obama’s immigration executive orders; this week’s expected ruling by the Supreme Court on Texas’ abortion laws; the violent clash of protestors at a ‘white power’ rally in Sacramento; and MLB action and the Copa America soccer final were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Odds & Sods. Radio personality Anthony Cumia has pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges – third-degree assault and a charge of blocking someone’s breathing – related to an incident with his then-girlfriend in December of 2015. Cumia – former partner of Gregg “Opie” Hughes on both SiriusXM and AM/FM radio – currently hosts an internet talk program. Newsday is reporting that Cumia must complete six months of outpatient alcohol abuse treatment and a six-month batterer’s intervention program. Upon completion of those programs, he can get the charges reduced to non-criminal harassment counts…..Salem Radio Network VP/news & talk programming Tom Tradup tips TALKERS magazine that Chicago media writer Robert Feder is celebrating his 36^th year in the business of covering radio and television in the Windy City. Tradup and Feder recently shared a lunch in Chicago where Tradup was once president and general manager of news/talk WLS-AM…..SiriusXM is offering comprehensive live coverage of The Championships, Wimbledon 2016 beginning today through the Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s Singles Finals on Saturday, July 9, and Sunday, July 10. The broadcasts are airing courtesy of rightsholder ESPN Audio…..Audio content aggregator TuneIn is now offering Scripps-owned Newsy’s daily news reporting. TuneIn premium subscribers can access two weekly podcasts focused on politics — “Newsy Politics” — and culture — “Givin’ Takes” – plus three daily podcasts focused on U.S. and world news; tech, science and health; and current events…..Alpha Media’s Salina, Kansas news/talker KSAL-AM “NewsRadio 1150” collects two honors in the 2016 Salina Journal Reader’s Choice Awards. KSAL was named “Favorite Radio Station.” KSAL personality Clarke Sanders was chosen “Favorite Radio Host.” Fellow staffers Rich Alexander and Mike Hammett were finalists in the host category. Alpha Salina market manager Bob Protzman says, “We’re very proud of Alpha Media’s representation in the 2016 Salina Journal Reader’s Choice Awards. Once again, ‘News Radio 1150’ KSAL takes ‘Favorite Radio Station’ showing that AM radio is alive and well – all it takes is quality local programming.”

BIA Kelsey Releases State of Radio Industry Report. As part of its state of the radio industry report, BIA Kelsey releases “The Position of Local Radio Stations: Trends for 2016 & Beyond.” Using data from Nielsen Audio, Edison Research, Miller Kaplan, and more, the study looks at AM/FM radio’s reach and revenue over the past five years and projects where radio is likely to be five years down the road. It notes recent industry-wide dips in local station revenue. “We believe local radio stations will be able to turn around this negative over-the-air revenue growth slightly. As long as the economy maintains moderate growth in the next few years, we expect total radio advertising to grow in the 1.0 % to 1.25 % CAGR range.” The BIA Kelsey study also points to digital and live events as pieces of the radio revenue pie that have helped AM/FM survive spot sales declines that will continue to be crucial to radio’s bottom line in the years ahead.

Friday, April 29, 2016

TALKERS | April 29, 2016

Red Sox-WEEI Streak Continues. While financial terms of the highly expected deal were not disclosed, Entercom Boston sports outlet WEEI will carry on its role as the radio flagship of the Boston Red Sox through (at minimum) the 2023 MLB season. WEEI and the Red Sox have been partners since 1995. Entercom chief operating officer David Field states, “WEEI and Entercom are delighted to be extending our outstanding relationship with the Boston Red Sox well into the future. It is a true privilege to be partnered with this extraordinary, iconic organization and their world-class team of professionals, both on and off the field. Red Sox fans across the country will continue to hear outstanding Sox play-by-play broadcasts and 24/7 team coverage on WEEI and WEEI.com, the home of Red Sox baseball.” Red Sox president Sam Kennedy comments, “We are pleased to extend our partnership with WEEI for another seven seasons. We look forward to this new phase of our partnership and sharing more winning baseball through the airwaves with our fans across New England.” The WEEI play-by-play crew consists of Red Sox Hall of Fame announcer Joe Castiglione and Tim Neverett, who this year succeeded Dave O’Brien (now doing Red Sox telecasts on NESN); Hamden, Connecticut native Castiglione is in his 34th year in the Red Sox radio booth. In addition to WEEI, the Red Sox Radio Network consists of 55 affiliates throughout the six New England states. To see how WEEI-FM and 28 other MLB radio flagships performed in Nielsen Audio‘s March 2016 PPM sweep, please read today’s exclusive TALKERS special features piece which appears below.

PPM Analysis: MLB Flagships. TALKERS managing editor Mike Kinosian introduces Major League Baseball‘s 2016 radio flagships with a ratings overview based on data from Nielsen Audio’s March 2016 PPM survey period. Highlighted are each key station’s 6+ share; 6+ market rank; month-to-month and year-to-year fluctuations; and a special breakout chart featuring the flagships by league/division. See the first of Mike’s exclusive special feature pieces about MLB flagships here.

TALKERS 2016: Bridging the Generations Is Nearing a Sellout! If you haven’t made your reservations to attend the forthcoming 19^th annual edition of the talk media industry’s longest-running and most important national convention, now is the time to do so. It is nearing an early sellout and there will be no registrations sold at the door. TALKERS 2016: Bridging the Generations will take place three weeks from now on Friday, May 20 on the fabulous campus of Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY (on Long Island, just outside of NYC). Featuring a powerful lineup of more than 60 luminous speakers, panel discussions, presentations, breakfast, lunch, closing reception, techno exhibits, live broadcasts and more – this is shaping up to be the most exciting and productive industry networking events of its kind in years. Registration cost is $299 per person and can only be arranged with credit card over the phone. The event is only open to media professionals and communications students. Please call 413-565-5413 for registration, sponsorship, and hotel information. Complete up to date agenda info can be found by clicking here.

Knapp, KCMO-AM Cut Ties. After more than five years as KCMO-AM, Kansas City’s afternoon drive host, Greg Knapp departs the Cumulus Media talk outlet. Regarding his dismissal, Knapp writes on his Facebook page, “I was told repeatedly it was not about my performance. My general manager was very kind in telling me how much she appreciated my show and my work [but] corporate decided it was cheaper to run syndicated programming than it was to pay me a salary. I have consistently had the highest ratings on the station; everyone at Cumulus Kansas City has been very good to me. The good news is I learned a long time ago to always have more than one source of income. I am now ramping up my personal development business [but] I am also looking for new opportunities in radio.” Knapp previously did afternoon drive on KLIF, Dallas; was a syndicated Radio America talk talent; and owned a guest-hosting service. Down or flat for the fourth successive sweep (1.9 – 1.6 – 1.6 – 1.5 – 1.5, 6+), KCMO-AM ranks #21 in Nielsen Audio‘s March 2016 PPM report for Kansas City; Entercom hot AC KZPT “The Point” is the market leader (6.5, 6+).

Presidential Race Tops “Talkers Ten” for Week of April 25 – 29. Activities of the presidential candidates and the battle for delegates were the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 were the European terrorism investigations and the arrest of Salah Abdeslam, tied with the United States’ Syria military policy. Coming in at #3 was the controversy over state laws affecting public restroom use and gender identification, followed by North Korea’s recent missile tests at #4. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed on news/talk radio during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. View this week’s entire chart here.

“Robbins & Markley” Becomes “Markley & van Camp.” Owing to health concerns that have sidelined Scott Robbins since late-August (2015), there is a title change for the weekday program on Alpha Media Portland’s KXL “FM News 101” and co-owned WMBD, Peoria (Illinois). David van Camp will permanently join Jamie Markley for the “Markley and van Camp Show,” which airs 9:00 am – 12:00 noon on KXL and from 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm on WMBD. Alpha Media executive vice president of programming Scott Mahalick comments that, “David van Camp brings a unique perspective to the show and a great balance to Jamie Markley; together, they are magical.” The first official day of the newly-named “Markley and van Camp Show” will be next Monday (5/2).

SiriusXM Q1 Revenue Rises 11%. The increase is to a record $1.2 billion, with SiriusXM net income up 62% to $171 million; adjusted EBITDA improves 11% to $441 million. The satcaster adds nearly one-half million new subscribers, ending with almost 30.1 million. First quarter results exceeded expectations of chief executive officer Jim Meyer who comments, “I am especially pleased we were able to add 465,000 net new subscribers, leading to an 8% increase in subscribers over the prior year. With excellent subscriber growth so early in the year, we are raising our guidance for full year net subscriber additions to 1.6 million. We set first quarter records for revenue, adjusted EBITDA, and free cash flow, and we are on track to achieve all of our financial goals this year. With a new full-time music channel from Kenny Chesney, live broadcasts from major music festivals, special popup channels for David Bowie, and Billy Joel, as well as new talk shows, and unmatched coverage of the presidential primaries, SiriusXM continues to be the leader in audio entertainment. We are always looking to deliver new, compelling content to our subscribers.” Chief financial officer David Frear notes that during the first quarter, “We reduced our outstanding share count by about 3%, spending $588 million to repurchase 159 million shares of our common stock. Our debt to adjusted EBITDA remained low at just 3.4 times, leaving plenty of flexibility to continue capital returns to our stockholders or make acquisitions while also making investments in our technology, content, and new satellite infrastructure.”

State of the New York Market Report Released. Among the findings from a New York Market Radio Association (NYMRAD) overview is that several industries expanded their footprint in the New York area contributing to a strong first-quarter start. NYMRAD executive director Debbie Beagan remarks, “With luxury retailers and department stores opening locations across the Tri-State area, radio offers high-end businesses an engaging environment for reaching consumers with household incomes of $250,000 and higher. New York market radio reaches 91% of high-income households, $250,000+, [as well as] over 90% of those who own a second home; those planning on buying a luxury car; dined in upscale restaurants; purchased fine jewelry in excess of $500; and vacations in excess of $10,000.” The report addresses latest information about New York’s economy, commuting information, radio and politics, and national radio advertising/usage. Analysis of the New York marketplace is designed to help advertisers understand radio’s impact on consumers and its role in the local advertising landscape. NYMRAD’s “State of the Market Report” provides business trends as well as local information from a variety of sources including Nielsen Audio, Media Monitors, and The New York Times.”

Execs Named to Build Digital Content Network for TheBlaze. Three digital media industry veterans have been added to TheBlaze‘s leadership team. Former Core Media Group chief marketing officer Chris Gannett joins as senior vice president of marketing; previously with CNN and the weekend edition of ABC-TV‘s “Good Morning America,” Matt Frucci is appointed senior vice president of content & programming; and Lisa Fowler – from BET Networks – joins as vice president of talent and culture. TheBlaze president Stewart Padveen notes, “TheBlaze is investing heavily in our mission to redefine the way digital media is delivered and consumed. Chris, Matt, and Lisa are a significant part of a new high-performing culture and a diverse lineup of superstar talent.” Ironically, the additions at Glenn Beck‘s TheBlaze come after cuts across offices in New York, Los Angeles, Washington (D.C.), and Columbus, where a documentary group had been based. Sources tell TVNewser, between 35-45 staffers have been pinkslipped. These layoffs follow what a source calls a “brain drain” of talent over the last year. Chief executive officer Betsy Morgan left the company last summer and her interim replacement, former Premiere Networks chief operating officer, Kraig Kitchen, exited earlier this year. According to The Daily Beast, the latest cuts are meant to “satisfy the requirements of a multi-million dollar bank loan taken out recently to keep Beck’s revenue-challenged enterprise running.” TheBlaze is consolidating the company’s operations to its Irving, Texas headquarters.

Friday, February 26, 2016

TALKERS | February 26, 2016

Alpha Media Closes on Digity Purchase. This is no ordinary acquisition as Alpha Media balloons to approximately 250 stations in 50+ markets by closing on in excess of 110 Digity properties. Over and above that, Alpha Media becomes the country’s third-largest broadcast company in terms of number of markets and fourth-largest regarding station count. Alpha Media chair Larry Wilson comments, “We are very pleased to get this remarkable transaction done. In our fold is now an exceptional stable of diversified stations and markets, serving not only their towns but surrounding areas and communities. It has been a tremendous pleasure to work with respected broadcaster [Digity chief executive officer] Dean Goodman and his management team. We look forward to joining forces with the phenomenal people at Digity doing radio the right way.” Goodman remarks, “I have been honored to work with the great broadcasters of Digity. They know their roots are in live and local and their future is dynamic. They will excel with Alpha as individual and collective entrepreneurs. We hand off a thriving company, up this year at the top of the industry. I wish Larry [Wilson] and his team all the best; they have assembled a great platform.” Only two of the 28 Digity markets are PPM-metros – San Jose and West Palm Beach. The other facilities are in Missouri: (Bethany-Cameron, Clinton, Farmington-Festus, Moberly-Macon, and Waynesville-Lebanon); Iowa (Fairfield, Fort Dodge, Grinnell-Newton, and Mason City); Minnesota (Albert Lea-Austin, Luverne, Mankato, and Redwood Falls); South Dakota (Brookings, Madison, and Watertown); Illinois (Aurora and Joliet); Nebraska (Columbus and Lincoln); Michigan (Saginaw-Bay City-Midland); North Carolina (Greenville-New Bern-Jacksonville); Ohio (Canton); South Carolina (Myrtle Beach); Texas: (North Dallas-McKinney); and Wisconsin (Kenosha-Waukegan). When this deal was first announced in August 2015, the purchase price was reported to be $264 million.

WFAN and Brooklyn Nets Extend Broadcast Rights Agreement. The multi-year deal between CBS Radio New York sports outlet WFAN “The Fan” and the NBA‘s Brooklyn Nets goes beyond NBA basketball to cover other parts of the business at Barclays Center, including select college basketball games, concerts, and live events. As it has since the 2004 – 2005 season, WFAN will continue as the team’s radio flagship. According to CBS Radio president Andre Fernandez, “CBS Radio is proud to continue our association with the Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center. We have defined our position in sports broadcasting by delivering the most extensive coverage of local programming and events. We continue to make aggressive investments in exclusive content our audiences can’t find anywhere else.” Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment chief executive officer Brett Yormark comments, “Our relationship with CBS Radio continues to give us a major voice in the nation’s largest market. This new agreement comes on the heels of our recent extension with YES Network, providing the team with premium exposure on two of the country’s most popular sports outlets.” WFAN news sibling WCBS-AM will be the Nets’ secondary radio outlet. Prior to relocating to Brooklyn, the team was called the New Jersey Nets. Among persons 6+ in Nielsen Audio’s January 2016 PPM report for New York City, WFAN ranks ninth (3.8, 6+); iHeartMedia adult contemporary WLTW “Lite FM” leads the field with a 6.7 (6+).

Hyde Heads to Entercom Sacramento as GSM. Fourteen-month Pandora account executive Corey Hyde joins Entercom Sacramento as general sales manager. Vice president and market manager Lance Richard comments, “It is exciting to add Corey to our team. He has an impressive track record of success and he brings experience in developing dynamic, integrated campaigns and long term partnerships for local clients. His leadership skills and experience in this market make him the perfect fit for Entercom Sacramento.” Hyde remarks, “I am thrilled to be joining Lance Richard and the team at Entercom Sacramento. Radio is stronger than ever, and we have the best local stations in the market. I look forward to using our wide array of marketing assets to drive real results for our clients.” In his 13-year radio career, Hyde spent nearly 10 years with CBS Radio Sacramento as a senior account executive and three years with iHeartMedia Sacramento as an AE. Entercom Sacramento consists of KCTC “ESPN 1320″; CHR KDND “The End”; alternative KKDO “Radio 94-7”; KRXQ “98 Rock”; classic rock KSEG “The Eagle”; and hot AC KUDL “Star 106.5.”

Baldwin Exits Weekend “Baldwin/McCullough LIVE.” Effective immediately, actor Stephen Baldwin departs “Baldwin/McCullough LIVE.” The two-hour syndicated weekend program carried by approximately 250 affiliates on Kevin McCullough‘s eight-year-old XtreMEDIA and simulcast on BizTV is rebranded “Radio Night LIVE.” As Baldwin’s work schedule increased the past few months, McCullough explains, “The more difficult it has become for him to make the show. For the past eight years, we have enjoyed the liveliest and – on most nights – the funniest weekend radio broadcast in America. Our listeners will immediately feel the impact of Stephen’s absence from the talk radio airwaves. To be realistic, however, because of his filming schedule in 2015, his workload severely prevented him from being with us even one out of two weeks. This is great for him because his passion is acting. Our staff, our sponsors, and listeners will miss Stephen’s unique humor and spunk. His personality is one-of-a-kind and Stephen will always be welcome to a microphone we have named in his honor; we are thrilled though at this chance to take our broadcast to another level. ‘Radio Night LIVE’ will take the signature humor we have developed over the years, add cutting edge ‘next generation’ guests, experts, and entertainers and explode Saturday night in ways previously unseen.” Baldwin comments, “God has been so good to me and all I want to do is to follow where He is leading me. My time doing the show is something I will always remember. Our listeners brought much laughter and insight into my life.” It is possible that McCullough will utilize a series of rotating guest hosts such as KRLA, Los Angeles’ Elisha Krauss; Karol Markowicz of The New York Post; YouToo America‘s Gina Loudon; as well as Ashley Papa and Kayleigh McEnany. McCullough continues hosting his weekday 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm “After Hours” show on Salem Media Group New York’s WNYM “AM 970 The Answer”; the “Kevin McCullough Show” for Salem Media Group; and “News That Makes You Think.”

Four More Years: WGN, Northwestern Extend Rights Agreement. The union between 50,000-watt WGN, Chicago and Northwestern University will keep Wildcats football and men’s basketball on the Tribune talker through the conclusion of the 2019 – 2020 season. In addition, the voice of Wildcats football since 1990 and men’s basketball since 1996 – Dave Eanet – signs a four-year contract. WGN Radio president and general manager Jimmy de Castro comments, “We are proud to present Northwestern basketball and football anchored by Dave ‘Mr. Cat’ Eanet. We look forward to bringing our listeners the excitement of Chicago’s Big Ten team in the years to come.” According to Northwestern vice president for athletics and recreation Jim Phillips, “The Northwestern Wildcats and WGN Radio have forged a special relationship over the last two decades. WGN not only is a broadcasting force, but a true Chicago institution. We have shared many thrilling moments through the years, and we look forward to many more memories with WGN Radio as the home of Chicago’s Big Ten team.” Eanet was inducted into the WGN Radio Walk of Fame last year. Former Chicago Bear Ted Albrecht is WGN’s football analyst on Wildcat broadcasts, while former college and pro head coach Joey Meyer provides analysis on basketball broadcasts. WGN has been the radio home of the Wildcats since 1996. Among persons 6+ in Nielsen Audio’s January 2016 PPM report for Chicago, WGN ranks fifth with a 4.2 – its best showing since last June’s 4.3; CBS Radio‘s all-news WBBM-AM is on top with a 6.8 (6+).

Louisville Lineup Changes at WHAS, WKRD. Starting next Monday (2/29), former WKXW “New Jersey 101.5,” Trenton personality Mary Walter will oversee a weeknight 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm program on iHeartMedia Louisville talker WHAS. Of Walter, director of iHeartMedia Louisville’s AM programming Kelly Carls comments, “She is always prepared; keeps her finger on the pulse of the news; and she does a great job connecting with listeners. We are delighted she will be offering her unique perspectives every day.” A WHAS fill-in beginning in 2009, Walter remarks, “I am so excited to be with the WHAS audience on a regular basis. I have grown to love the local listeners over the years. They are so engaged and informed that it makes the job fun.” She previously worked at radio stations in Washington, DC; Phoenix; Denver; and Omaha. Meanwhile, at co-owned all-sports WKRD “790 KRD,” Howie Lindsey is named 7:00 am – 10:00 am host; contributors Matt Willinger and Katie George will join him. Another change there will find TheCardinalConnect.Com founder Nick Coffey taking on 12:00 noon – 3:00 pm duty. “We are very excited to expand our local sports coverage on WKRD,” notes Kelly Carls. “Mornings, mid-days and afternoons, we now have local sports fans covered with updates, insights, and compelling conversation about the teams and games that really matter.” Lindsey and Coffey will debut one week from Monday (3/7). Among persons 12+ in Nielsen Audio‘s winter 2016 book, WHAS ranks #1 (7.4) and WKRD is #12 (1.2).

Cumulus Media Dallas Sets Fourth Spring Job Fair. Jobseekers and hiring companies will come together in less than two weeks (3/9) as Cumulus Media Dallas presents its fourth annual Putting Texans Back to Work Spring Job Fair at the Plano Centre. In attendance will be representatives from over 100 companies in search of quality candidates from the Dallas, Collin, and Denton County areas of North Texas. No registration is required for job seekers; however, registration deadline for companies looking for qualified individuals is one week from Monday (3/7). The Cumulus Dallas cluster includes sports KESN “ESPN Radio 103.3”; talk KLIF-AM; CHR KLIF-FM “Hot 93.3”; country KPLX “The Wolf”; KSCS “New Country 96.3”; sports KTCK “The Ticket; and talk WBAP.

BTC Begins HD Radio Data Services in Canada. A partnership between the Broadcaster Traffic Consortium (BTC) and exclusive mapping and technology data partner HERE leads to Canada’s first in-vehicle HD Radio Traffic service. Honda is the first brand to offer the service to its customers on certain 2015 and 2016 models. Broadcaster Traffic Consortium president Paul Brenner comments, “The BTC and all of our member stations are excited to be the first to market for HD Radio data services in Canada. Honda and HERE are valued partners that expect constant innovation and quality services regardless of our borders or radio station ownership. Unified broadcasters, collaborating to deliver a common service, bringing innovation solutions to automakers is better for the strategic and long-term viability of the broadcast radio industry. BTC is proud to be a leader in this space.” HD Radio Traffic enables drivers and passengers to view detailed information on local traffic conditions in real time on their vehicle’s audio display screen. The BTC has stations providing coverage in most areas within greater Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary; the service is expected to expand to additional Canadian markets. Originally founded in 2007 with eight broadcast groups – Beasley Broadcast Group; Bonneville International Corporation; Cox Radio; Emmis Communications; Entercom Communications; Greater Media; NPR; and Radio One – BTC has grown to include 23 broadcast groups in the United States and Canada. It builds a nationwide terrestrial broadcasting network to distribute local traffic and other map-related data via FM and HD Radio technology.

Presidential Race Tops Talkers Ten^TM for Week of February 22-26. Primary races and activities of presidential candidates were the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio during the week, landing atop the Talkers Ten^TM. Coming in at #2 was Apple’s refusal to hack the phone of one of the San Bernardino terrorists. At #3 was the battle over the timeline for replacing Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, followed by Islamic State’s reported threats against Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey at #4. The Talkers Ten^TM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed on news/talk radio during the week; it is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. View this week’s entire chart here.

BFA to Fete Fritts with “Excellence in Broadcasting” Award. Former 23-year National Association of Broadcasters president and chief executive officer Eddie Fritts is named this year’s Broadcasters Foundation of America‘s recipient of the Lowry Mays “Excellence in Broadcasting” award. Underwritten by The Mays Family Foundation, the award is given each year to a broadcaster, “whose work exemplifies innovation, community service, advocacy, and entrepreneurship.” Fritts’ past recognition includes “Broadcaster of the Year” awards at both the New York State Broadcasters Association and the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters. In addition, he is the past recipient of the Broadcasters Foundation’s “Golden Mike” and “Chairman’s” awards. Inducted into the Giants of Broadcasting’s Hall of Fame in 2010, he received the NAB’s “Distinguished Service” award one year later. Fritts – who launched The Fritts Group in March 2006 – will be honored with this particular acknowledgement in approximately two months (4/20) during the NAB Show in Las Vegas. The Broadcasters Foundation has distributed millions of dollars to thousands of broadcasters and their families. Individual donations can be made to the Guardian Fund. Corporate contributions are accepted through the Angel Initiative; bequests can be arranged through the Legacy Society.

Cumulus Media Florida Outlets Aid in Tornado Recovery. Personal and household items, as well as monetary donations, are being collected by 14 Cumulus Media stations in Fort Walton Beach-Destin, Mobile, and Pensacola (Florida) for those affected by this week’s tornadoes in Century and Pensacola. Radio station staffers will be at various locations for six hours today (Friday, 2/26), nine hours tomorrow (Saturday, 2/27), and four hours on Sunday. Listeners are being asked to help tornado victims with water, personal hygiene items, household cleaning items, tarps, laundry detergent, diapers, wipes, book bags, crayons, pens, pencils, paper, clothing, and non-perishable food items. Cash donations should be directed to the Gulf Coast recovery effort through the American Red Cross and the United Way.

Cool Job Opportunities at CBS, Los Angeles. TALKERS has learned that CBS Radio Los Angeles is now looking to fill the following positions as soon as possible at all-news KNX 1070: news reporter, writer, and news production assistant. For more details and to apply, please click here: WWW.CBSRADIO.COM/CAREERS.

Odds & Sods. Pittsburgh-based “The Union Edge” adds suburban Minneapolis talker KTNF “AM 950 The Progressive Voice of Minnesota” as its 27th affiliate. KTNF president Chad Larson comments, “KTNF has been a longtime union advocate, covering labor issues since 2004 in the Twin Cities. We look forward to carrying another program focused on the many accomplishments labor has made for our nation as well as the modern threats facing working families and our ability to collectively bargain in the workplace.”

Friday, February 19, 2016

TALKERS | February 19, 2016

Mark Levin Launches New Show on Digital Television Platform. WABC, New York-based, nationally syndicated radio talk star and best-selling author Mark Levin is broadening his media presence with a new TV show in partnership with CRTV. LevinTV is a subscription-based digital television platform that Levin calls “America’s new televised Town Hall meeting” and “the next step in the evolution of digital conservative media.” Beginning March 7, the LevinTV program will stream live at 9:00 pm ET and episodes will be available to subscribers on demand. There’s no green screen for Levin; his show will emanate from the “state-of-the-art studio built exclusively for the show” that you see pictured here. (It looks like a legal eagle’s man cave, complete with pool table and a bar.) As for the program itself, Levin and CRTV say it will be “a commercial-free explosion of Mark Levin’s engaging personality, unique intellect and passionate commentary about history, economics, philosophy and the latest political and current events. The show will also feature exclusive, long-form interviews with compelling guests from all walks of life.” Levin comments, “I have the greatest audience in the world and I give them my best every night. I am thrilled we are expanding our Town Hall meeting place for patriots, by taking TV broadcasting to a new level on multiple platforms where I will speak directly to my audience — uncensored, without middlemen, and commercial free.” The regular, full-year price for access to LevinTV is $69 per year or $7.99 per month.

Presidential Race Continues to Ride Top of Talkers Ten^TM. For another week, the activities of the candidates for president and the issues comprising the election season were the most-talked-about story on news/talk radio, landing atop the Talkers Ten^TM. At #2 were the nation’s immigration and refugee policies. Coming in at #3 was the Middle East military escalation including Turkish-Kurdish violence in Iraq and the ongoing Syrian conflict followed by the replacement of Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court and theories about his death at #4. The Talkers Ten^TM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed on news/talk radio during the week. It is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. View this week’s entire chart here.

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Names Radio Hosts to Elections Advisory Committee. Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick – former talk radio personality and owner of KSEV, Houston – has appointed six members of the media to the state’s Elections Advisory Committee. Each will serve a two-year term on the committee, whose objective is to “evaluate the reporting and tabulation of unofficial election returns in both primary and general elections. The committee then makes recommendations to the office of the Texas Secretary of State.” KSKY, Dallas talk host Mark Davis and KFYO, Lubbock’s Chad Hasty are two talk personalities serving on the committee. The others are: Ross Ramsey of the Texas Tribune, Pedro Rojas of Univision, Mike Ward of The Houston Chronicle, and Jason Whitely of WFAA-TV.

Round Three of January PPM Data Released. The third of four rounds of January 2016 PPM data from Nielsen Audio has been released for 12 markets including: Portland, Charlotte, Pittsburgh, Sacramento, San Antonio, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Kansas City, Orlando, and Columbus. The survey period was December 31 – January 27. TALKERS magazine’s sister publication RadioInfo has all of the 6+ numbers from subscribing stations here. In addition, managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his “Top Takeaways” from this batch of ratings on the main page at RadioInfo.com here.

Zidarevich Upped at Premiere Networks. Sixteen-year FOX Sports Radio manager Annie Zidarevich is promoted to vice president, West Coast operations for Premiere Networks. She’s been with FOX Sports Radio since its inception in 2000, most recently as VP, network operations. In that role she also managed studio operations and program staffing needs for Premiere in Los Angeles. In this new role Zidarevich will oversee all West Coast programming operations for Premiere.

Odds & Sods. Pro soccer comes to CBS RADIO’s Houston cluster after it signs a multi-year deal to broadcast Houston Dynamo matches. Both KILT “Sports Radio 610” and KIKK “CBS Sports Radio” will air games with KIKK serving as the primary outlet for MLS matches. KIKK will also air ancillary programming including “The Players Show” and “The Coaches Show.”…..Podcasting pioneer Carl Kozlowski – founder of the podcast platform RadioTitans – is expanding into live event production and is one of the organizers of FERRIS FEST – a celebration of the 30^th anniversary of the release of the John Hughes film, Ferris Beuller’s Day Off. The festival takes place the weekend of May 20-22 in the Chicago area. The highlight of the weekend will be a special screening of the film, accompanied by film cast members and hosted by Chicago Sun-Times film critic (and talk radio pro) Richard Roeper.

NYMRAD Reports New York Spot Revenue Up 3% in Q4 of 2015. That figure is based on data from Miller, Kaplan & Arase and the increase was fueled by growth in the communications, health care and food & beverages categories. Getting more specific, the New York Market Radio report indicates wireless carriers increased their radio spend in the market by 10% during 2015 and public utilities spent 22% more during the year. Health care advertising on radio was up 10% for the year as was the food and beverage category.

Thursday, February 4, 2016

TALKERS | February 4, 2016

Report: iHeartMedia Considering Securities Sale to Retire Debt Due in 2019. According to a report from Bloomberg News, iHeartMedia is looking at a plan to offer up for sale securities in one of its units to help retire some $1.4 billion in bonds. The report states that the company would create a subsidiary called Broader Media LLC. Existing debtholders would be offered the opportunity to exchange for the new obligations. According to Bloomberg, $8.3 billion in debt is coming due in 2019 for iHeartMedia. “iHeart’s plan would erase $192.9 million of 5.5 % unsecured notes due December 2016 that are already considered current,” a source told Bloomberg. “The proposal is also intended to retire the company’s $190 million revolving loan due December 2017, the $850 million of 10% unsecured notes due January 2018 and the $175 million of 6.875% unsecured notes due June 2018.” Read the Bloomberg piece here.

Greater Media Promotes Buzz Knight to SVP of Program Development. Fourteen-year Greater Media staffer Buzz Knight is promoted to SVP of program development for the company. Knight’s new duties include responsibility for “overseeing programming development for all of Greater Media’s radio properties and collaborating with the individual stations to build winning content, digital and brand management strategies.” Greater Media CEO Peter Smyth comments, “Buzz has done an outstanding job overseeing our programming brands across the company over the past 14 years. His insight and leadership plays an important role in the continued success of our company.”

Iowa Caucuses Aftermath/Presidential Race, Battle Against Islamic State, $1.7 Billion Iran Payment Controversy, Zika Virus Concerns, Bill Cosby Sexual Assault Case, Ken Stabler CTE Issue, and Run-Up to Super Bowl 50 Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (2/3). The aftermath of the Iowa Caucuses, the focus on the New Hampshire Primary and the activities of the candidates for president; the U.S. military policy on defeating Islamic State; the controversy over the United States’ $1.7 billion payment to Iran as part of the nuclear agreement; fears about a potential pandemic of the Zika virus; the status of the sexual assault case against Bill Cosby; the results of the post-mortem on NFL great Ken Stabler and its effect on football’s CTE problem; and the week’s activities leading up to Sunday’s Super Bowl 50 were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

MIW: Women Gaining in GM and SM Roles; Stagnating in Programming Management. According to data from the most recent Gender Analysis Study from the Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio Group (culled from data from M Street Publications), since 2004 the number of women serving in general manager positions has risen from 14.9% to 17.3% in 2015. However, a tally of women in program management positions shows a negligible increase of 10.9% in 2015 compared to 10.7% in 2004. MIW spokeswoman Kay Olin states, “Tracking the leadership roles of women in media brings awareness to the continued need to reach back and lift up. There is an incredible talent pool of strong and capable female leaders and they stand ready to make a difference. It is the responsibility of all of us in the media industry to make sure that we are conscientiously and consistently practicing inclusion.”

Odds & Sods. After just a year hosting afternoon drive at iHeartMedia’s news/talk simulcast KALZ-FM/KRZR-AM, Fresno “PowerTalk 96.7 and AM 1400,” Christopher Gabriel exits the station. On his Facebook page, Gabriel states, “Hey folks, here’s a little news: PowerTalk 96.7 and I have parted ways as of this morning. I want to thank them for the opportunity to come to Fresno, work with a ton of talented radio artists and have some fun California adventures. So… what’s next? I guess we’ll see!”…..Former NBA star Dennis Rodman will appear as a special guest at WIP, Philadelphia’s “Wing Bowl 24” tomorrow (2/5) at the Wells Fargo Center. The competitive eating event is pitting last year’s champion, Patrick “Deep Dish” Bertoletti, former champ Molly Schuyler, and the infamous LA Beast, against the field of local eaters. Philadelphia Eagles long snapper Jon Dorenbos will act as the commissioner of Wing Bowl 24. Local rock legend Tommy Conwell will perform the National Anthem. Rodman will also be appearing at the WIP/SugarHouse Casino official after party of Wing Bowl 24. WIP’s Michael Barkann and Ike Reese will broadcast from SugarHouse Casino from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and the casino will feature food and drink specials all day long.

National Signing Day Remote for WQAM, Miami. Remote broadcasts can present any number of technical and/or programming challenges, but the afternoon drive air staff at CBS RADIO’s sports talk WQAM, Miami was able to put on a brave face and forge ahead as it broadcast on Wednesday (2/3) at a local Twin Peaks restaurant. The “Hochman, Crowder, and Krantz” show broadcast live for National Signing Day – the day when top high school athletes announce which college they’re going to attend. Surrounded by the hard-working service staff at Twin Peaks are (from l-r): Channing Crowder, Zach Krantz, and Marc Hochman.

Former Talk Host Benjamin Dover Dead at 57. Former Texas talk show host Benjamin Dover died back on January 1 after complications from pneumonia, according to an obituary published in the Dallas Morning News. Dover was born Lance Blumen. As his obit states, he got into the consumer advocacy business after a near-fatal motorcycle accident in 1989. He not only hosted a radio program on such signals as KLIF and KRLD-AM in Dallas and KFI, Los Angeles, he was a columnist for the Dallas Morning News from 1998 through 2004.

Friday, January 8, 2016

TALKERS | January 8, 2016

KFI’s Carroll Announces His Departure. With approximately 90 seconds remaining in Thursday’s (1/7) broadcast, KFI, Los Angeles midday talent Bill Carroll revealed he is leaving the iHeartMedia talk property effective immediately. In addition to sharing his reason for departing KFI (#9, 3.4, 6+, December 2015 Nielsen Audio PPM), Carroll implored his listeners to grant an election-day request. “Hey, I wanted to say one thing before I wrap up the show today,” Carroll began, as he sought to “explain” his “cryptic New Year’s Day tweet” which many people asked him about on Facebook. “[My wife Sylvie and I] have been considering this for a while and we came to the conclusion that it is time to get closer to home.” Carroll’s father passed away in 2010; Scotland born/Canada raised Carroll joined KFI in February of that year. “I did not get to see him much,” he lamented. “My mother is older so we are leaving. We still do not know exactly where we are going to land [but] this is my last show – maybe we will talk again in the future.” That led Carroll to rhetorically ask, “Can you just do one final favor for me? For God sakes, when I am gone, do not elect Donald Trump. You are better than that. Do not let anger sweep you away. Do not elect Donald Trump. I came to live among you because I admire you for your graciousness, your openness, and your religious freedoms. Don’t elect Donald Trump – I am begging.” It is unclear how long it will be before KFI program director Robin Bertolucci names a permanent replacement for Carroll; apparently, several guest hosts will be utilized in the station’s 10:00 am – 1:00 pm slot. Prior to his six-year KFI tenure, Carroll worked in Toronto at CILQ “Q-107,” and CFRB-AM. The 56-year-old Carroll appears at #47 on TALKERS’ 2015 “Heavy Hundred.”

Obama ‘Guns’ Town Hall Top News/Talk Story of the Week. Thursday night’s “town hall” on gun control presented by CNN and the White House along with President Obama’s announced plans to use executive power to alter some gun laws were the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio during the week, landing atop the Talkers Ten^TM. At #2 this week was the presidential race. Coming in at #3 was the battle against Islamic State, followed by the Saudi Arabian and Iranian diplomatic break and the growing rift between Shiite and Sunni-majority Middle Eastern states at #4. The Talkers Ten^TM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed on news/talk radio during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. View this week’s entire chart here.

WTMJ, Milwaukee to Present Special Program ‘Beyond Making a Murderer.’ The Netflix original program “Making a Murderer” is attracting large audiences across the country but in Wisconsin, where film subject Steven Avery is currently incarcerated, the case is now the subject of a special program to be presented this weekend on E.W. Scripps-owned news/talk WTMJ, Milwaukee. The special, “Beyond Making a Murderer,” will present update coverage of the case of convicted murderer Avery. The station says it has covered the Avery story since the beginning. The Netflix series has sparked a petition demanding a presidential pardon, curious tourists are traveling to Wisconsin, and critics are claiming there’s more to the story. WTMJ vice president and general manager Tom Langmyer says, “The story of Steven Avery is not only a big story in our backyard but also a story of national significance. WTMJ is Wisconsin’s Radio Station and we are leading the way with exclusive interviews and expanded local coverage to advance the story.” This weekend, “Wisconsin’s Morning News” host Gene Mueller will anchor a two-hour special “WTMJ Presents: Beyond Making a Murderer” that will air on Saturday at 7:00 pm and on Sunday at 11:00 am, immediately prior to coverage of the Packers vs Redskins playoff game. WTMJ executive producer of news Erik Bilstad will anchor coverage live from Manitowoc, Wisconsin with one-on-one interviews, videos and exclusive digital coverage. WTMJ program manager Eric Brooks adds, “‘Wisconsin’s Radio Station’ is working to go beyond the documentary, to talk with the people involved in the case and give our audience updated information. We are talking with family members, justices, jurors, law enforcement, and prosecutors to learn everything new we can. WTMJ is providing content for not only our Wisconsin audience, but for those interested worldwide.”

Radio’s Hot New (Old) Format: ‘The Puddle.’ In an opinion piece published today (1/8), ABC Television director of business continuity Howard B. Price writes about the sensational amount of global interest in Periscope’s “The Puddle” – a camera shot at a puddle of water in the U.K. Price says the people watching the puddle on their smartphones have “rediscovered the magic of radio…If you really believe all radio is local – and GREAT local radio is all about making compelling content out of the everyday events and observations in the communities it serves — then ‘the puddle’ can be seen as a metaphor for what radio’s core mission has always been, and which it used to execute better than any other medium.” Read his entire piece here.

Kibler Named iHeartMedia’s EVP Multi-Cultural Marketing. Executive vice president of operations for iHeartMedia‘s Texas major markets Kelly Kibler is appointed executive vice president of multi-cultural marketing. According to iHeartMedia chair and chief executive officer Bob Pittman, “Kelly has been a constant innovator in this company. She is the perfect choice to head up our focused multi-cultural advertising efforts at the market level. Her success as executive vice president of operations, as well as in her role as a sales leader and market president and her leadership of numerous iHeartMedia initiatives, have enabled her to grow her career with us. We look forward to her using all of her experience and relationships to build this new capability for our company.” The bilingual Kibler comments, “I could not be more excited to take on this new position at iHeartMedia, using the tools and experience we’ve developed in Texas and applying them across our 150 markets in a space that continues to grow in both importance and footprint across America.” Kibler began her career in 1991 at Telemundo. Before becoming iHeartMedia’s executive vice president of operations for the company’s major markets in Texas, she was a market president in Dallas, San Diego, and Las Vegas.

Emmis Confirms Layoffs; Executive Pay Cuts. After a fiscal third quarter report that showed a 5.1% drop in radio net revenue, Emmis Communications is confirming that it has laid off 32 company staffers and instituted pay cuts for corporate senior executives. During the recent conference call with investors, Emmis CEO Jeff Smulyan stated, “We’ve made some changes and they’re very painful changes. This is always very, very hard for us.” The moves are designed to trim some $5.3 million from the radio sector’s budget.

Rich Broadcasting Adds Three Signals to News/Talk KID, Idaho Falls. The announced expansion of Rich Broadcasting’s heritage news/talk KID, Idaho Falls will expand the reach of the station within the Idaho Falls market and some 90 miles east to the Jackson, Wyoming market. The company says, beginning Monday, KID “Newsradio” will be heard on KQEZ-FM in Idaho Falls and to KSGT-AM, Jackson and translator K242BU at 96.3 in the Jackson market. KID, Idaho Falls is also simulcast on KIDG-FM, Pocatello, Idaho. Rich Broadcasting president Richard Mecham says, “KID has served the eastern Idaho market since 1928 and we are both pleased and excited to substantially expand its impact and coverage with the addition of three more frequencies, which not only will substantially expand its geographical reach but also, and very significantly, will enhance its nighttime coverage. With the addition of 106.3 FM, it now will be heard regionally from Ashton to Pocatello. Additionally, we are very pleased to expand the KID brand into the Teton County radio market, and in the process enhance the synergy between the eastern Idaho and Jackson markets. We look forward to providing to our listeners the very best in news and information for years to come.”

CES 2016 Wrap Up. Radio consultant Holland Cooke files his final report from Las Vegas where this week he’s been attending the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show. Today he writes about the ubiquitous phone camera, drones, the head-on challenges facing television, and new technologies that are doing what radio stations traditionally helped people do. Read Holland Cooke’s entire report here.

Odds & Sods. The digital production field and studio tool suite Control Room Pro is now being used at stations including CBS RADIO’s WFAN, New York; Bonneville’s WTOP-FM, Washington; iHeartmedia’s WIOD, Miami; and news/talk WHO-AM and sports KXNO-AM in Des Moines, The suite of tools is produced by Harris Media and is repped by AdLarge Media…..Next Thursday and Friday (1/14-15), (and for the second time in the last three weeks!) Sid Rosenberg and “Imus in the Morning” executive producer Bernard McGuirk are sitting in for “Curtis & Kuby” co-hosting the midday show at Cumulus Media’s WABC, New York.

Pittman to Receive BFoA Golden Mike Award. Jackson, Mississippi native Bob Pittman began his radio career at the age of 15 and the iHeartMedia chair/chief executive officer is set to be honored with the Broadcasters Foundation of America‘s 2016 “Golden Mike” award. Broadcasters Foundation vice chair Dan Mason declares, “Bob is an extraordinary broadcaster. As an architect of today’s iHeartMedia, Bob’s focus on innovation – and his deep belief in broadcast radio – has expanded radio into new areas and platforms. We are proud to recognize his contributions to broadcasting.” Pittman states that, “Radio reaches more Americans than any other medium. [It is] the best friend in the seat next to them and their trusted companion and information source across multiple platforms. I feel extremely fortunate to be in broadcasting during the most exciting time in our industry’s history. I am grateful to the Broadcasters Foundation for this honor, and I thank them for their deep commitment to supporting our broadcast colleagues in their times of need.” Pittman programmed WMAQ, Chicago and famously became program director at WNBC, New York at the age of 23. Also included on his impressive, extensive resume is being co-founder/programmer of the team that created MTV; CEO of MTV Networks; AOL Networks; Six Flags Theme Parks; Quantum Media; Century 21 Real Estate; and Time Warner Enterprises. He was chief operating officer of America Online and later of AOL Time Warner. Pittman was named one of Advertising Age‘s “10 Marketers Who Changed American Culture”; received the Robert F. Kennedy “Ripple of Hope” award; and he was named one of LIFE Magazine‘s “Five Original Thinkers of the 1980s.” He will receive his “Golden Mike” award next month (2/29) at New York City’s Plaza Hotel.

Broadcaster Poe Declares Congressional Candidacy. Former Florida Democratic Party chair Bob Poe made his intentions official yesterday (Thursday, 1/7) that he is seeking to represent Florida’s 10th congressional district, which is based in west Orlando. The 61-year-old Poe comments that, “Many people are aware that I’ve been blessed with a tremendous amount of success in my life – but what most people don’t know is that my success had some humble beginnings. I come from this community. I became successful because of what I learned in this community, and I think I bring a very different perspective of how we grow the economy. I didn’t graduate from college, but I built a technology business that I’m proud of and that keeps people safe, because I never quit. Too many politicians today are too busy playing the game of musical chairs – running for one office and then another – to truly stand up and fight for us.” Prior to a nine-year run as president of Emergency Communications Network, Poe spent three years as vice president and general manager of WMMO, Orlando; four years as director of broadcasting and sponsorship sales for the NBA‘s Orlando Magic; and 12 years as vice president and general manager of Orlando talk station WKIS and the Florida Radio Network.

Monday, January 4, 2016

TALKERS | January 4, 2016

Cumulus Shuffles Talent at WBAP and KLIF in Dallas; Rick Roberts Debuts Show on WBAP. The new program schedule at Cumulus Media’s news talkers WBAP “News/Talk 820AM” and KLIF “News & Information 570AM” launches today. Westwood One-syndicated “Savage Nation” moves from afternoons on WBAP to the same 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm slot on sister KLIF. That move bumps Grant Stinchfield’s “Stinchfield Report” to the 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm slot on KLIF. Meanwhile, at WBAP, Rick Roberts assumes hosting duties for the 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm daypart. Roberts was most recently with iHeartMedia at KTOK, Oklahoma City. During the 1990s, Roberts served on air at crosstown KRLD. Other changes at KLIF include Premiere Network’s Glenn Beck show starting an hour earlier at 8:00 am, the return of the Laura Ingraham show at 11:00 am plus the addition of Premiere’s “Coast to Coast AM” with George Noory airing from 12:00 midnight to 5:00 am.

iHeartMedia Denver Promotes Ross Kaminsky to KHOW Mornings. A financial markets expert by trade, Ross Kaminsky had been hosting a weekend program at iHeartMedia’s KOA, Denver for the past several years. Effective today, Kaminsky assumed the morning drive duties at sister talker KHOW, taking over for Mandy Connell who is now the midday personality on KOA. She just took over market legend Mike Rosen’s show. Kaminsky spoke to Denver’s alt-weekly Westword, in which he says, “I’ve greatly benefited every step in my short radio career so far from people willing to give me a chance, and put me on the air, even when they didn’t have great reason to know what I could do. I’m appreciative to all those people, and I still remember who every one of them is.”

CES 2016 Gets Underway in Las Vegas. Radio consultant Holland Cooke is in Las Vegas reporting for TALKERS from the enormous Consumer Electronics Show 2016 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. This morning he writes: Even this place can barely handle the crowd. Last year, CES strained ‘Vegas hotel capacity and bent the airline ticket cost curve. “This is the biggest thing here all year,” a cabbie grinned. So this year they capped attendance at last year’s 176,000 of us. And they even changed their name! What was “The Consumer Electronics Association” is now “The Consumer Technology Association,” because there’s more to tech than gadgets. The world’s biggest retailer doesn’t own a single store: Amazon dot com. Google and Uber are verbs, not gadgets. Uber – which now equals “car” to a growing worldwide customer base – has a bigger market cap than General Motors. The world’s biggest taxi fleet doesn’t own any cars…it’s a social network. The physical layout here — in the sprawling Las Vegas Convention Center and other Exhibit Hall locations along The Strip — demonstrates where technology and we are taking each other:

There’s 40% more floor space than last year for health & wellness exhibitors. Hey, we’re getting older.
80% more space than last year for virtual reality;
25% more acreage for Automotive: Nine auto makers and over 100 auto tech companies are here;
Also bigger than ever: 3D printing.
And three times the exhibit space for…you guessed it: drones.

More than 2,200 companies’ products are on-display. 80% of them are small businesses, many of ‘em start-ups that presidential candidates call “the risk-takers.” Many of THEM are lining-up for ABC-TV’s “Shark Tank,” which is doing open auditions here. Tech is big business, $285 billion this year in the USA alone, and I’ll tell you all about it all this week, here; and on “America in the Morning,” the Jim Bohannon show and Doug Stephan’s “Good Day” and my client stations. Follow my real-time Tweets from CES @HollandCooke.

Rosenberg Out at WMEN, Ft. Lauderdale. Longtime New York broadcaster and morning host at sports talk WMEN, Ft. Lauderdale since 2012 Sid Rosenberg has been let go from the station. The move took place over the holidays and Palm Beach Broadcasters has replaced him in the morning drive daypart with FOX Sport Radio’s “Daybreak with Andy Furman and Mike North.” Rosenberg worked for years on the “Imus in the Morning” program.

Odds & Sods. The FM simulcast of Federated Media’s news/talk WOWO-AM, Fort Wayne, Indiana changes from WFWI-FM at 92.3 (until recently using the calls WOWO-FM) to the translator W298BJ at 107.5. Federated has launched a classic hits format on WFWI. The new classic hits format features Mike Ragozino as morning drive personality. He’d been serving as afternoon personality and program director at Alpha Media’s sports talk KXTG-AM, Portland…..Entercom announces that after a three-month national search, the company has named Tim Neverett as the new play-by-play host for Boston Red Sox radio broadcasts on the WEEI Sports Radio Network. Neverett will work with color man Joe Castiglione, who’s been part of the broadcast team since 1983. Neverett – a New Hampshire native who attended Boston’s Emerson College (and lettered in baseball for four seasons) – beat out some 200 other applicants for the plum gig…..A lack of enough revenue to keep the show going is what management at news/talk KFQD, Anchorage is citing for the end of the “Bernadette Live” program hosted by Bernadette Wilson. Station manager Joe Campbell tells the Alaska Dispatch News that the 8:30 am to 11:00 am show was not generating enough revenue to continue in 2016.

Michael Harrison Rings in 2016 – Discusses Scams and Cyber Fraud with Steve Weisman. It’s a brave new world out there and the internet is rewiring our human nervous systems, let alone giving criminals around the world powerful and insidious new tools to steal from unwitting victims. On the latest installment of the Podcast One hit series “Up Close and Far Out,” Michael Harrison talks with famous attorney and professor Steve Weisman about the latest hi-tech, low-tech, and even no-tech scams being cooked up for us in 2016. To listen to it in its entirety, please click here or click the “Up Close and Far Out” player box located in the right-hand columns of every page on Talkers.com and RadioInfo.com.

Saudi Executions/Iran Diplomatic Ties Severed, Oregon Standoff, New Year’s Holiday, and NFL Playoff Push Among Weekend Talk Topics. The recent execution of 47 in Saudi Arabia – including a Shiite cleric – and the diplomatic problems the move has created; the standoff between armed protesters at an Oregon wildlife refuge; the New Year’s holiday; and the final weekend of NFL games before the playoffs were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

TALKERS | December 8, 2015

Williams to Program Denver’s KKFN & KEPN. Currently the program director of Townsquare Media Albany (New York) sports outlet WTMM-FM “104.5 ESPN The Team,” Armen Williams will join Bonneville Denver’s KKFN “Sports Radio 104.3 The Fan” and KEPN “1600 The Zone” in a similar capacity the middle of next month. According to Bonneville Denver vice president and market manager Bob Call, “Armen brings a perfect balance of winning sports radio programming, plus an exceptional knowledge of digital media. Armen has worked with a number of high-profile sports personalities through his career, plus he developed some solid NFL play-by-play network experience.” Williams – who co-hosts WTMM’s afternoon drive show in addition to his PD duties – states, “I am excited to be part of one of the best sports radio brands in the country. ‘The Fan’ is a first-class organization and Bonneville is a great company. I am looking forward to working with the extremely talented staff to continue giving Denver sports fans the highest quality of sports talk radio.” Before his tenure at Albany’s “Team,” Williams was a producer for CBS Radio-owned KRLD “The Fan,” Dallas, where he worked with the Dallas Cowboys Radio Network; he previously worked in the promotions department at KESN “ESPN Radio,” Dallas. According to 6+ stats from Denver’s most recent (November 2015) Nielsen Audio PPM results, KKFN ranks #16 (3.6, up one full-share from September‘s 2.6) and KEPN is #33 (.1); Entercom classic rocker KQMT “The Mountain” is #1 with a 6.3 (6+). The only stations listed in Nielsen Audio’s summer 2015 report for Albany are five iHeartMedia outlets.

Gallagher Meets Cruz on Campaign Trail; Salem Preparing for December 15 GOP Debate Coverage. While in South Carolina on the campaign trail, GOP presidential candidate Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) stopped to speak with Salem Radio Network host Mike Gallagher in Greenville. Gallagher (right) is pictured here conducting the one-on-one with Cruz (left). (A Monmouth University study has Cruz polling ahead of Donald Trump in Iowa right now with 24%.) Meanwhile, Salem Radio Network has exclusive radio distribution of the CNN/Facebook Presidential Debate at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas. SRN says Bill Bennett, Gallagher, Michael Medved, Dennis Prager and Hugh Hewitt will all originate their programs from the hotel on December 14 and 15. SRN’s Hewitt will serve on the CNN debate panel as well. SRN SVP Phil Boyce will serve as live announcer for the network’s radio coverage, and SRN VP/news & talk programming Tom Tradup will be executive producer of all on-site SRN shows and the CNN/Facebook Debate coverage.

WMAL-AM/FM, Washington Raises $316,000 for Fisher House Foundation. Last Friday and Saturday (12/4-5), Cumulus Media news/talk WMAL-AM/FM, Washington held its second annual “Operation Fisher House 2015 Radiothon” and raised $316,000 for the charity that builds and provides group homes for families of America’s wounded servicemen and women as they undergo treatment. The station reports that over the past 12 years WMAL listeners have donated almost $5 million dollars to the Fisher House Foundation. Station program director Bill Hess comments, “Our listeners step up year after year. Their response to our talent and the stories of these heroes and their families is incredibly rewarding.”

More Than $277,000 Raised at Annual WOAI Elf Louise Broadcast. The Elf Louise Christmas Project charity was founded in 1969 and this year iHeartMedia news/talk WOAI, San Antonio held its 20^th annual two-day radiothon on December 4 and 5 to raise funds for the charity that helps buy Christmas presents for more than 19,000 children in the area. In addition to listeners donating money, several benefactors helped, including local attorney Thomas J. Henry whose family pledged to match 25% of every donation up to $200,000 and ended up donating $50,000. Pictured here at the broadcast are (from l-r): WOAI personalities Cari Laque, Joe “Pags” Pagliarulo and charity founder Louise Locker.

Odds & Sods. Programmer Jeff Beck is promoted to operations manager for the Alpha Media Fredericksburg, Virginia cluster that includes news/talk/sports simulcast WNTX-AM/W243BS at 96.5 FM…..Bonneville’s KIRO-FM, Seattle is hosting the 27th Annual Foster Child Holiday Magic Radiothon on December 10 to benefit the Treehouse, a non-profit agency that ensures that kids in foster care have access to the essential services required to help them make it to high school graduation and beyond. The past three years, KIRO Radio Foster Child Holiday Magic Program has raised more than $500,000 each year through listener donation and sponsor matching funds. “Ron & Don Show” co-host Don O’Neill says, “Each year at KIRO Radio we strive to give every foster child in Washington State a gift during the holiday season. A holiday gift is a symbol, a reminder to a young person that they are important, they are part of our village, and they have not been forgotten! We can’t wait to spread a little Holiday Magic again this year, with the help of all our great listeners throughout the Pacific Northwest!”

Obama’s San Bernardino Address, Trump Anti-Muslim Rhetoric/2016 Presidential Race, Battle Against Islamic State, Turkey-Russian Tensions, Iran Missile Test, NFL Action, and New Star Wars Film Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (12/7). Reaction to President Obama’s Sunday evening national address on the San Bernardino shootings; GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump’s post-San Bernardino statements about preventing any Muslims from entering the United States and the activities of the other candidates for president in 2016; the military campaign against Islamic State in Iraq, Syria and beyond; the ongoing tensions between Turkey and Russia; allegations Iran has fired a test rocket in violation of the recently signed nuclear deal; the weekend’s NFL action; and anticipation over the new Star Wars: The Force Awakens film were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Pioneering DC Sports Talker Ken Beatrice Dies at 72. A trailblazing radio sports talk host in Washington passed away at age 72 after a bout with pneumonia. Ken Beatrice hosted an evening sports talk show on WMAL-AM from 1977 through 1995. He worked another five years at crosstown WTEM, retiring in 2000. Beatrice is credited with providing WMAL with thorough and insightful coverage of the NFL’s Washington Redskins during the team’s successful years in the 1980s through early 1990s. Steve Repsher writes a homage to Beatrice in the Washington Post here.

Thursday, November 12, 2015

TALKERS | November 12, 2015

Cooke: C.T.A. in Santa’s Sleigh. Radio consultant Holland Cooke reports for TALKERS from the Consumer Technology Association’s annual preview of the enormous Consumer Electronics Show scheduled for Las Vegas in January. (Yes, the Consumer Electronics Association has changed its name to the Consumer Technology Association.) As Cooke notes, the data from the CTA is instructive for radio people. According to CTA research, the top five items being sought by consumers this year are (in order of desire): TVs, tablets, smartphones, notebook/laptop computers, and videogame consoles. Read Cooke’s entire report here.

WPHT, Philadelphia Adds Award-Winning Journalist Dawn Stensland to Rich Zeoli’s PM Drive Show. Respected television journalist Dawn Stensland is joining CBS RADIO’s WPHT, Philadelphia, as part of the afternoon drive show with Rich Zeoli. According to the company, she’ll join him to provide news, traffic and weather updates as well as her views on the day’s trending stories. Stensland joined CBS’ KYW-TV in 1997 and anchored afternoon and evening newscasts. She hosted the “CBS News Saturday” morning network broadcast in New York and in 2001, she began an eight-year run as the anchor of WTXF-TV’s “Fox Philadelphia’s 10 O’Clock News Hour.” She has numerous “Best of Philly” honors from Philadelphia Magazine under her belt. Station OM Andy Bloom comments, “Dawn is a well-known voice and face to the Philadelphia public. She has two decades of success in Philadelphia, New York and other major markets that will be an asset to ‘Talk Radio 1210 WPHT.’ In getting to know Dawn, I’ve been struck by her charismatic presence and infectious laugh. I think the audience will truly enjoy what she brings to the ‘Rich Zeoli Afternoon Show.’”

Colin Cowherd Performing for FOX Sports. The arrival of sports media personality Colin Cowherd at FOX Sports produced satisfying numbers in its first month for the company. According to FOX Sports and radio syndicator Premiere Networks, “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” had a “total reach” of 19.5 million people between September 8 and October 9. Here’s how FOX and Premiere break it down: video clips of the show drew 11.7 million video views via Facebook, YouTube, FOXSports.com, FOXSportsRadio.com, the live-streaming FOX Sports Go app and Twitter video player; on television, a combined 5.8 million viewers watched at least one minute of the program on FS1 and FS2 (based on Nielsen data); and program podcasts ranked #2 in the Sports & Recreation podcast category on iTunes, netting 1.2 million downloads. On the radio, Los Angeles affiliate KLAC “experienced a 106% gain” in its time slot with Men 25-54 over the previous year.

Odds & Sods. Chicago radio legend Milt Rosenberg’s program at Kovas Communications-owned suburban talk station WCGO, Evanston will end soon with the company citing financial reasons for canceling the two-hour afternoon drive program. Rosenberg’s “Extension 720” program aired for years on Tribune’s WGN, Chicago…..iHeartMedia Denver extends its deal to broadcast University of Colorado sports for another four years. The deal extends Buffalos play-by-play on KOA “NewsRadio 850 AM & 94.1 FM” with select games airing on sister station talk KKZN “Real Talk 760.”…..PodcastOne reports that the first episode of “Heather Dubrow’s World” – the new podcast from the “OC Housewives” star – debuted at #3 on the iTunes chart. PodcastOne says that Dubrow trended on Twitter when the episode was released resulting in hundreds of thousands of downloads.

Chris Krok in ‘The Office.’ WBAP, Dallas evening personality Chris Krok (right) is pictured in this selfie with actor John Krasinski (left) at this year’s AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. Krasinski was the race’s Grand Marshal. Krok is celebrating his third year partnering with the track. This year’s “Krok and His Flock” offered listeners a chance to get a tour of the Sprint Cup Series Garage, a concert with Sammy Hagar and the opportunity to hold the American Flag during the National Anthem, all before watching the race.

2016 Presidential Race/Debate Aftermath, Immigration Policy, Hillary Clinton Wig Flap, Climate Change Controversy, University of Missouri Racial Tensions, Veterans Day, Russian Airliner Crash Investigation, and Early Snow Hits Midwest Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (11/11). The activities of the candidates for president in 2016 and discussion about Tuesday night’s GOP primary debate in Milwaukee; talk about the United States’ immigration policy; speculation about whether Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton is wearing wigs; the threat of climate change and the international climate talks scheduled for December in Paris; the racial tensions at the University of Missouri; the observance of Veterans Day; the ongoing investigation into the downing of a Russian airliner in the Sinai desert; and early snow hitting the Upper Midwest were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Tag: "Dallas"

September 2018 PPM Ratings

Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Friday, January 12, 2018

Friday, January 5, 2018

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Thursday, September 28, 2017

Friday, September 8, 2017

Monday, August 7, 2017

Friday, April 14, 2017

Monday, January 23, 2017

Monday, November 21, 2016

Friday, September 16, 2016

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Monday, August 1, 2016

Friday, July 15, 2016

Monday, June 27, 2016

Friday, April 29, 2016

Friday, February 26, 2016

Friday, February 19, 2016

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Friday, January 8, 2016

Monday, January 4, 2016

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Tag: "Dallas"

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