Tag: "John B. Wells"
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Howie Carr’s Exit from WRKO, Boston Official. As the Boston consumer press is reporting, longtime WRKO afternoon personality Howie Carr has exited the station after working out his final contract with the Entercom news/talker. Carr is on vacation and his last day is technically tomorrow (11/14). Carr’s program is also heard on stations across New England and the Boston Globe – which confirms his exit from WRKO through Entercom director of communications Greg Kaufman – reports rumors in the city are that Carr will continue his program at crosstown WUFC, owned by Blackstrap Broadcasting. The Globe reports the station’s call letters as WMEX – heritage calls in the market that have been associated with the 1500, 1470 and current 1510 frequencies.
Hubbard Radio to Acquire 16 Minnesota Stations. The stations to be added to the Hubbard portfolio are owned by Omni Broadcasting and are in the small Minnesota markets Alexandria, Bemidji, Brainerd and Wadena. Hubbard Broadcasting chair and CEO Ginny Morris says, “Hubbard Broadcasting is deeply committed to local radio and to Minnesota, and this is a great opportunity to expand the company’s presence into some wonderful local communities. We have long admired Lou Buron and Mary Campbell, whose stations have been nationally recognized for both excellence in programming and 
commitment to local community service. We are committed to maintaining that dedication to excellence and community, and we look forward to welcoming all Omni employees to the Hubbard Broadcasting family.” Omni employs 100 people in the four markets and expects no programming or personnel changes at any of the stations. Stations to be transferred upon FCC approval include: country KIKV, Sauk Centre; oldies KULO, Alexandria; adult contemporary KKZY, Bemidji; classic rock KLLZ, Walker; country KBHP, Bemidji; classic hits WQXJ, Blackduck; sports talk KBUN, Bemidji; adult contemporary WJJY, Brainerd; classic rock KLIZ-FM, Brainerd; country KBLB, Nisswa; business news KVBR, Brainerd; oldies KUAL, Brainerd; sports talk KLIZ-AM, Brainerd; country KKWS, Wadena; country KWAD-AM, Wadena; and country KNSP-AM, Staples. As a result of the expansion, Dan Seeman, vice president and market manager for Hubbard Radio Minneapolis-St. Paul, is named vice president and regional manager of Minnesota Radio Operations for the company. He’ll continue his current role in managing KS95, myTalk 107.1, 1500 ESPN and the Hubbard Radio Network in the Twin Cities.
WHPT, Tampa Producer’s Infant Daughter Dies. Five-week-old Serena, daughter of Rob Garguilo, has died from injuries suffered after she, her five-year-old brother and her mother were hit by a car while crossing a busy boulevard in Largo, Florida. Garguilo is executive producer of the Mike Calta show on the Cox Media Group hot talk outlet. Garguilo recently relocated to the Tampa area after years working as producer of Shane “Rover” French’s “Rover’s Morning Glory” program on WMMS, Cleveland. Rover started a GoFundMe campaign earlier this week to assist the family. Mother Sarah Arlia and son Benjamin are reportedly in stable condition. Authorities have told the media the driver did nothing wrong and will not be cited in connection with the accident.
Odds & Sods. Albany market talk personality Bob Cudmore announces his retirement from WVTL, Amsterdam, New York after 10 years hosting the morning drive show, according to a piece in the Albany Times-Union…..CBS RADIO’s news/talk WPHT, Philadelphia re-ups with Learfield Sports to continue serving as the flagship for Temple University men’s basketball. Owls games have been broadcast by WPHT for the past 14 seasons.
Radio Legends Celebrated at National Radio Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. The National Radio Hall of Fame celebrated its seven inductees for 2014 at a black-tie ceremony at the Cicada Club in Los Angeles on Sunday, November 9.
The event was hosted by Premiere Networks personality Delilah and the announcer for the broadcast of the evening’s festivities was Westwood One’s Jim Bohannon. Sound Mind LLC president and founder Kraig Kitchin served as the chairman of the steering committee. The seven inductees this year included: Charlie & Harrigan, Barry Farber, Jon Miller, Agnes Moorehead, Dick Orkin, “This American Life with Ira Glass,” and broadcasting titan Stanley E. Hubbard. Pictured above left are Barry Farber (left) and Southern California talk radio legend Michael Jackson. Pictured at right are (from left to right) top 40 radio icon and program syndicator Rick Dees; KFI and KEIB, Los Angeles program director Robin Bertolucci; and Kraig Kitchin.
Calling All Financial Shows! One of the most important and traditional subgenres of talk radio has been the financial show hosted by the financial expert and advisor. This has been part of the larger segment of the talk pie known as “business” talk radio. Unfortunately the financial and business talk show arena has been tarnished over the years by a number of rogue hosts who have abused the privilege and trust given them and gotten into trouble with the law. These bad apples are a small fraction of the bigger picture of the genre and financial discussions shows and hosts have proven their value over the years, withstanding the media’s critical approach to the ilk. Boston’s LoneBeaconMedia has undertaken an initiative to shine the spotlight on the best of money talk media by finding the financial programming that fits today’s pressing need for comprehensible and relevant data. LoneBeaconMedia is inviting hosts of financial programs to enter and take part in the Financial Broadcasting Awards. Talk show hosts who have radio programs focused on finance are invited to enter. Click here for more information.
Covering the President in China. With President Obama in China is CBS News Radio’s Peter Maer, pictured here using some personal time to visit the Great Wall of China. Maer recently announced he will be retiring from CBS at the end of this year.
Obamacare Architect Controversy, Lame Duck Congress, Obama Amnesty Executive Action Plan, U.S.-China Climate Pact, Russia to Patrol Gulf of Mexico, and Rosetta Probe Lands on Comet Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (11/12). The controversy over videotaped remarks of Affordable Care Act architect Jonathan Gruber calling the American public “stupid”; the agenda for the lame duck congress; concerns over President Obama’s plans to issue executive orders granting amnesty to illegals; the debate over President Obama’s climate pact with China; Russia’s threat to begin patrolling the Gulf of Mexico with military jets; and the landing of the Rosetta probe on a comet were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Arbitron Reports Radio Listening Up; 1.4 Million Listeners Added. According to Arbitron’s RADAR 111 National Radio Listening Report, 1.4 million more Americans ages 12-plus are listening to radio on a weekly basis compared to the RADAR report released one year ago. “The number of persons 12 and older listening to radio each week now reaches an estimated 241.3 million, representing 93% of the population 12 and older,” according to Arbitron. The report concludes, “In addition to adding 1.4 million weekly listeners during the past year, radio listening among key demographics continues to hold steady. Compared to the December 2010 RADAR report, teens aged 12 to 17 remains consistent at 22.8 million, or 92% of that demographic’s population. Radio listeners aged 18 to 34 increased slightly versus the December 2010 RADAR report. Radio now reaches 66.3 million weekly listeners in this age range, that’s 93.4% of this demographic.” The report also highlights the large increase of Hispanic listeners – more than 1 million 12-plus — from year-to-year. Arbitron states the sample size for RADAR is 395,502 persons 12-plus which is “designed to provide more stability for key demographic estimates, dayparts and Market-by-Market Analysis reports, which report all individual DMAs®.
John B. Wells Joins “Coast to Coast AM” Air Staff. Premiere Networks announces long-time “Coast to Coast AM” fill-in host John B. Wells becomes a regular host of the Saturday weekend edition of the program. Wells becomes part of the staff after current weekend host Ian Punnett announces he must reduce his duties with the program to seek aggressive treatment for a debilitating case of tinnitus with which he’s suffering. He’ll continue to host one weekend program per month. (Punnett also continues to co-host the morning show at Hubbard Radio’s KTMY, Minneapolis with his wife Margery.) On joining the program, Wells says, “Spending Saturday nights talking to millions of ‘Coast to Coast’ fans is a dream come true. After guest hosting the show off and on for the last few years, it’s a real honor to officially join the ‘Coast to Coast’ and Premiere Networks crew. This is going to be a lot of fun and a real adventure!”
Norman Goldman Snags Denver Affiliation. Compass Media Networks talk host Norman Goldman becomes the PM drive personality at Clear Channel’s KKZN, Denver. Goldman’s program has been in national syndication for two years and is heard in major markets including Chicago, San Francisco and Boston as well as numerous others. Of his newest affiliation, Goldman says, “We are thrilled and excited to be part of the live programming schedule offered daily by AM 760, Colorado’s Progressive Talk. Our highly engaged, socially connected audience expects to interact with and comment about the live events happening around the world and respond in real time. My sincere thanks to KKZN PD Dan Mandis for this amazing opportunity to make great live radio.” Compass Media Networks notes Goldman began his program in 2009 with the pledge of serving local affiliates. “Throughout the past 24 months, Goldman has held rallies, Town Halls, advertiser appearances, and events – at no charge to his stations. His emotion-filled message of hard work, tenacity and passion for justice resonates with listeners and advertisers alike.”
Fox Sports Radio Adds Bobby Bones and Andy Roddick for Weekend Show. Tennis great Andy
Roddick partners up with Austin, Texas-based syndicated CHR morning show host Bobby Bones for a weekend program on Fox Sports Radio Network beginning on January 7, 2012. Roddick and Bones are long-time friends and the two have talked sports on Bones’ morning show numerous times. They also subbed on FSRN this past summer. Bones says, “I can’t wait to get paid to talk about sports, especially since Andy and I have been doing it for free for years. We’re pretty excited to get to use real microphones and be heard by a real audience, on Fox Sports Radio!” Fox Sports Radio VP/GM Don Martin states, “We are proud to bring the amazing talents of Bobby Bones and Andy Roddick into the Fox Sports Radio family. This unique duo will blow the minds of the sports talk radio audience.”
CBS Radio Names Neil Salvage Head of Digital Sales. Neil Salvage comes to CBS Radio from CityGrid Media where he was executive vice president of advertising. In his new position he will oversee all sales efforts on a national and local level related to CBS Radio’s digital assets, including the division’s websites, a variety of mobile assets, and online streaming initiatives. CBS Radio president of sales Michael Weiss states, “In Neil, we have succeeded in hiring an incredibly seasoned local advertising pro with experience at well-respected companies such as Citysearch, Yellowpages.com and BellSouth. With his background we’re confident we can acquire new clients whose focus is deeply rooted in digital marketing, and claim a greater share of incremental dollars in 2012 and beyond.”
Radio-thon for the Troops. Cumulus’ WMAL, Washington, DC morning program personalities (from l-r) Brian Wilson, Mary Katharine Ham and Bryan Nehman work a remote broadcast on December 2 as part of the day-long 8th Annual WMAL Fisher House Radio-thon. The station raised $256,000 for the Fisher House Foundation which provides housing near military hospitals for the families of convalescing and rehabbing military personnel who’ve been injured in the line of duty. Program director Bill Hess states, “WMAL’s listeners have contributed more than $3.7 million over the past eight years through fund drives and events. It’s a cause about which we – and our very supportive listeners – feel quite strongly.” WMAL talk host Chris Plante also worked the radio-thon as part of the station’s effort.
Cain Suspends Presidential Race, Euro Zone Downgrade/Financial Markets Response, Putin’s Political Future and Iran Tensions Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (12/5). Herman Cain’s suspension of his presidential campaign, the S&P downgrade of 15 Euro Zone countries and its effect on financial markets, Vladimir Putin’s political future in Russia and the tension over Iran’s military buildup were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
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