Tag: "John B. Wells"

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 8^th 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.