Tag: "Missouri"
Friday, April 3, 2020
NOW POSTED: New Installment of “The Michael Harrison Wrap: An Overview of the National Conversation.” The vibrant, one-hour weekend special, “The Michael Harrison Wrap,” that looks back each week at the hottest topics discussed in American talk media per the research of TALKERS magazine, is now posted. The new episode titled, “Behind Closed Doors!” looks back at this past week of March 30-April 3, 2020 and features guests (in order of appearance): Kevin Casey, executive editor, TALKERS; Jim Blasingame, talk show host, “The Small Business Advocate”; Harry Hurley, talk show host, WPG, Atlantic City; Doug Stephan; talk show host, the “DJV Show”; Mike Bendixen, program director, CFRB, Toronto “Newstalk 1010”; Ethan Bearman, attorney/correspondent, FOX News Channel; and Dr. Renee Kohanski, forensic psychiatrist, Psychcast-MDedge. This acclaimed news/talk radio show airs each week on its flagship, WONK-FM, Washington, DC, Friday evenings at 6:00 pm ET. It also airs throughout the weekend on WRKO, Boston; KSCO, Santa Cruz, CA; KDFD, Denver “Freedom 93.7”; KFNX, Phoenix; WVLY, Wheeling, WV; WVOX, Westchester, NY; KBDT, Dallas; KQSP, Minneapolis; KBKW, Aberdeen, WA; WGDJ, Albany, NY; the Virginia Talk Radio Network and Pioneer Valley Radio in Springfield, MA. To listen to this week’s episode (and the program’s complete archives), please click here. To view the latest TALKERS magazine topic research, please click here. “The Michael Harrison Wrap” is now available in syndication via Talk Media Network to stations across America on a market exclusive basis. For affiliation information, please click here or call 616-884-8616.
Radio’s John McConnell Cheats Death Thanks to Anti-Malaria Drug. Former ABC Radio SVP of programming and current EVP of talent and content management agency Workhouse Media, John McConnell, narrowly escaped the clutches of COVID-19 thanks to Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) – a drug used to
combat malaria, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis. McConnell tells TCPalm.com’s Laurence Reisman that after being admitted to Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital in Vero Beach in very bad shape, he and his wife had made out their wills and, after a time, had even said goodbye to each other, expecting the worst. Staff were preparing to put him on a ventilator and McConnell had heard about the poor recovery rates for ventilated patients. But Dr. Gene Posca was also talking to McConnell about the pros and cons of Plaquenil and McConnell decided to try it. The first 12 hours did not provide relief, but soon thereafter, McConnell began to feel better. He says he’s feeling better every day and his main concern is to not get exposed again.
Missouri Radio Personality Recovering from COVID-19. “American Viewpoints” host Mike Ferguson believes he contracted the coronavirus during a recent trip to Chicago. Feeling ill about a week after his trip, Ferguson saw a doctor who
diagnosed a bad cold. KRCG-TV, Columbia, Missouri reports that diagnosis was wrong, and Ferguson ended up spending nine days in a St. Louis hospital before being released. Ferguson produces the “American Viewpoints” program that airs across numerous radio stations in Missouri, including on Zimmer Broadcasting’s talk stations KWOS-AM, Jefferson City and KSSZ-FM, Fayette “93.9 The Eagle.” He tells KRCG-TV, “It was very painful in the lungs. When I would start having a coughing fit, and these would last 90 seconds to 2 minutes, you would get residual pain from headaches, abdominal strain and things like that. The really scary part is when you just can’t suck in enough air and you just keep coughing out more air than you can bring in.” Ferguson was given a three-day treatment of anti-malaria medicine.
Sterling: Call in Your Chips. Talk show host Walter M. Sterling wonders why the industry that put the current administration into power – radio – isn’t asking to be saved from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. “Right now, radio companies are firing people. Why? Isn’t radio eligible for the bailout? Every radio company expense line could easily fit into a two trillion-dollar package. Isn’t that bailout for media as well as other industries?” Read his column here.
John Minko Takes Early Buyout from WFAN. As reported by Newsday, WFAN, New York update anchor John Minko is taking a buyout from the Entercom sports talk outlet, thereby creating a position for another staffer. The 67-year-old Minko
has been with the station since June 29, 1987 – two days before it flipped to sports. It was about a year later that Emmis executive Rick Cummings (remember, Emmis owned the station at the time) saved Minko’s job at the station. Minko tells Newsday he told Cummings, “I said, ‘There’s no way I can thank you for this,’ And he said, ‘Yes, there is a way… you could do this for somebody else someday.’” He adds, “I thought that if I took it now, which was the right thing to do, if that prevented somebody else from getting fired, then I thanked Rick [for what he did].”
Entercom’s KGMZ, San Francisco and KWFN, San Diego Present ‘Virtual Game of the Week.’ Sports talk outlet KWFN, San Diego “97.3 The Fan” and KGMZ-FM,
San Francisco “95.7 The Game” are inviting fans to “97.3 The Fan’s Virtual Game of the Week,” a baseball game featuring the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants on SonyPlayStation 4’s “MLB The Show 20” video game. The contest will be streamed on the stations’ Facebook pages and will feature real-time commentary from air talent Ben Higgins, Steve Woods, John Kentera, Tony Gwynn Jr. and Chris Ello. KGMZ-FM personalities Joe Fortenbaugh, Lorenzo Neal, Dan Dibley, Joe Shasky and Ryan Covay will also participate.
TALKERS News Notes. WFAN, New York sports talk host Mike Francesa and station owner Entercom have issued a cease-and-desist order to a Twitter user – and regular Francesa antagonist – for that person to stop posting audio and video of Francesa’s program. The New York Post reports that the anonymous person behind the Funhouse Twitter account will abide by the order but tweeted, “He just went from being mostly irrelevant to completely irrelevant. Don’t misunderstand… I’m a nobody, but I lost count of how many people told me they only hear him via my clips. He didn’t think this through.”…..The previously announced RAB webinar, “Data Drives Revenue” featuring Analytic Owl will feature brand-new granular data. COVID-19 has challenged marketers to find the best messaging and methods to communicate with consumers. The RAB says that in this one-hour webinar, Analytic Owl’s David Shapira will share new data and insights for the current business unusual landscape. It’s free for RAB member and takes place Tuesday (4/7) from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon ET and Thursday (4/9) from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm ET…..Podcast listens continue to rise for FOX Sports Radio. Premiere Sports Network says FSR realized one million more podcast listens in March 2020 than in February 2020, when there was a full month of live sporting events. FSR goes on to say that year-over-year, the network’s total podcast audience grew by 67%…..Pineapple Street Studios and The Meteor announce the launch of “Doctor’s Log: A COVID-19 Journal,” a limited-run podcast series on which leading ER physician Dr. Esther Choo reports from the frontlines of the coronavirus crisis — the emergency room of a busy American hospital — as health professionals encounter the most significant health threat and pandemic in modern history. She says, “There is a gap between what we’re experiencing and worrying about on the healthcare delivery side and what the general public sees. My experience is just one piece of the global healthcare response to the pandemic, but hopefully with this podcast, I can represent the voices of my colleagues, honor their work, and share their struggles as the entire country grapples with an unprecedented threat.”
Statistics About COVID-19 Infections and Projections of Future Cases Top News/Talk Story for Week of March 30 – April 3. Statistics and projections about the infection and fatality rates of the coronavirus were the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the strain placed on the U.S. health care system by the pandemic. Coming in at #3 was the state of the world’s financial markets, the economy, and the relief package approved by congress and signed by President Trump, followed by the politics surrounding the pandemic and its effect on the November presidential race 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. See this week’s entire chart here.
Music Radio News and Career Moves. On-air pro Mike Waters is joining NRG Media’s classic hits KOKZ, Cedar Rapids/Waterloo as morning drive personality, effective Monday (4/6). Station operations manager Jeff
Winfield says, “We are thrilled to have Mike join NRG Media as the voice for 105.7 KOKZ for the morning drive. He brings more than 30 years’ experience in the radio industry across a variety of formats. Mike understands the importance of NRG’s mission to provide great local radio.” Waters adds, “I look forward to the opportunity to work with a great team already in place in the market! I’m excited about the opportunity to work with a very talented group of individuals, a great radio company. I can’t wait to get on air.”…..SiriusXM – with the help of pop star Taylor Swift – is launching a Home DJ series on its CHR channel SiriusXM Hits 1. Beginning today, Swift (followed by other pop artists) will take over SiriusXM Hits 1 from her home. Swift and the other stars will be playing the most requested hits and their favorite music, providing commentary and more to connect with their fans all across North America. Others to take part in the program will include: Niall Horan, Camila Cabello, Sia, 5SOS, Diplo, Kelsea Ballerini, Charlie Puth, Pete Wentz, and more. SiriusXM president and chief content officer Scott Greenstein says, “We love to connect fans with their favorite artists, and our Home DJ series will bring some of the biggest names in music into our homes as people look for ways to be entertained. Taylor Swift will lead the way and will be followed by many stars on Hits 1 in the days ahead as they play their favorite music for the channel’s faithful national audience and new listeners too. Our new Stream Free option opens up our channels to anybody who wants some diversion and great music.”
Thursday, February 20, 2020
Key Networks to Launch Jesse Kelly Show in National Syndication. Syndicator Key Networks says Jesse Kelly is a “fresh voice in conservative talk.” The U.S. Marine veteran, former congressional candidate, and conservative radio and television host will launch his new, 9:00 am to 12:00 noon ET talk radio show on
April 6. Key Networks says network advertising is included within the show, with no additional barter units for stations to run. Currently, Kelly hosts a two-hour version of “The Jesse Kelly Show” on KPRC, Houston as well as the “I’m Right” program on The First TV, a news and talk channel on Pluto TV. Kelly was deployed to Iraq as an infantry Marine during the Second Persian Gulf War and received an honorable discharge after four years. In 2010, he ran for congress and was narrowly defeated 
by Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. The race initially ended in a vote recount. After his congressional run, Kelly continued to be a major voice among conservatives, using his large social media following as a platform to continue many of the conversations started on the campaign trail. He says, “I love talk radio and I’m beyond humbled that Key Networks realizes that I’m a generational talent. While my background might be more blue collar than other radio hosts, I’m confident my huge ego will help make up for my lack of education. I’m excited to bring something new to stations nationwide.” iHeartMedia Houston region president Eddie Martiny comments, “Listeners won’t be able to see that Jesse Kelly stands 6 foot 8, but his towering humor and intellect will absolutely captivate the listening audience. Jesse is an Iraq War veteran who will win the hearts and minds of listeners with the wit of a stand-up comic. He’s been featured on most major TV networks, especially FOX News with Tucker Carlson who says, ‘Jesse cracks me up.’ Jesse is a fresh voice of a rational conservative for a new generation. My listening audience and advertising community in Houston embraced Jesse immediately. Informative, entertaining, but most importantly, unique!”
Kevin Battle Joins KDKA-AM, Pittsburgh’s Morning Show. Radio programmer, host, and journalist Kevin Battle is joining “The KDKA Radio Morning News with Larry Richert” as co-host, effective March 9. Entercom Pittsburgh SVP and
market manager Michael Spacciapolli says, “As we celebrate the centennial of KDKA Radio, the world’s first radio station, we were focused on adding a host that can reflect the energy and pulse of where Pittsburgh is in 2020 and beyond. Kevin Battle is the perfect person to join Larry Richert on the KDKA morning show and tell the story of our 
great city.” During his career, Battle has served as program director and air personality for Entercom’s sports talk WJZ-FM, Baltimore “105.7 The Fan,” been director of marketing and promotions and on-air personality for rock WDVE-FM, and was a member of the inaugural staff of “FOX News Headlines 24/7.” The Pittsburgh native comments, “There have been three morning hosts at KDKA Radio in my lifetime – Jack Bogut, John Cigna, and Larry Richert, and I am thrilled I get to work with one of them. Larry is part of the fabric of Pittsburgh. I have been a fan of KDKA for a long time and fondly remember listening with my family each morning. I cannot wait to help our listeners start their day off well-informed.”
FCC Permanently Dismisses License Renewal Applications for Four St. Louis Signals. An administrative law judge has ruled that the applications for license renewal for four radio stations owned by Entertainment Media Trust are “dismissed without prejudice due to the applicant’s failure to prosecute.” Judge
Jane Hinckley Halprin states in the ruling that Trustee Dennis J. Watkins’ failure to respond to a January 24 Order that was a final attempt to get information from EMT was the last straw in a series of non-compliances on the part of Watkins. The stations in question are: KFTK-AM (formerly WQQX-AM), East St. Louis, Illinois; WQQW-AM, Highland, Illinois; KZQZ-AM, St. Louis; and KQQZ-AM, DeSoto, Missouri. The case goes way back to 2012 when Mark A. Kern filed a petition to deny the license renewals, alleging that talk host and convicted felon Robert Romanik actually controlled the stations, in violation of FCC regulations. Romanik’s Insane Broadcasting Co. operates the stations under an LMA, but is not allowed to own stations. The ruling notes that the Media Bureau investigated the allegations and “found evidence that it concluded supports the claim that Mr. Romanik exercises defacto control over the stations. The Media Bureau also adduced evidence suggesting that Mr. Romanik, who hosts a weekday talk show on one of the stations, has held himself out as the stations’ owner and is personally involved in station business.” Romanik hosts a show on KQQZ-AM and positions himself as a local raconteur, calling himself “The Grim Reaper of Radio.” Read the judge’s ruling here.
New Afternoon Show Among Lineup Changes at Sports Talk ‘105.7 The Fan’ in Baltimore. With WJZ-FM “105.7 The Fan” afternoon drive personality Scott Garceau named the new play-by-play broadcaster and pre-game and post-game
host for Baltimore Orioles broadcasts on cable’s MASN-TV, he leaves his daily talk show duties at the Entercom sports station. His co-host Jeremy Conn moves to evening show duties and host of “Orioles Baseball Tonight.” Beginning March 9, the new afternoon drive show is “Inside Access” with co-hosts Jason La Canfora and Ken Weinman. La Canfora is a RADIO.COM Sports and CBS Sports insider. Weinman is a longtime WJZ-FM air personality. Entercom Baltimore SVP and market manager Tracy Brandys says, “This revamped programming schedule will allow us to continue providing around-the-clock content for Baltimore’s biggest sports fans. Adding Jason and Ken to our already successful lineup is a big win for our market. We are also excited about Scott and Jeremy’s new roles. All are an integral part of the success of ‘105.7 The Fan.’”
Presidential Race/Las Vegas Debate, Stone Sentencing/Barr Criticism, Coronavirus Pandemic/Deadly Flu Season, Germany Mass Shooting, and Grenell to Lead Intelligence Agencies Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (2/19). The Democrats battling to take on President Trump in November and last night’s debate in Las Vegas; the controversy surrounding the sentencing recommendation for former Trump adviser Roger Stone and the related criticism of Attorney General William Barr’s leading of the Justice Department; the status of the Covid-19 pandemic and the deadly influenza season in the U.S.; the slaying of nine people in the German city of Hanau by a reported right-wing extremist; and President Trump’s naming Ambassador Richard Grenell acting director of national intelligence were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Round Two of January PPMs Released. The second of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s January 2020 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets, including: Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San
Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis. Nielsen’s January 2020 survey period covered January 2 – 29. Rebounding from the challenging Holiday 2019 survey, a number of spoken-word stations performed well – weekly, 6+ AQH share – in January. Cumulus Media’s news/talk WMAL-FM, Washington rises 1.9 shares from the Holiday survey to post a 6.9 share and climbs to the #5 rank in the market. Hubbard Radio’s all-news WTOP-FM adds five-tenths to finish January with a 7.4 share and the #2 rank. In Boston, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WRKO tacks 
on seven-tenths to finish the survey with a 3.5 share, while sister all-news WBZ-AM adds two-tenths for a 6.2 share and the #3 rank in the market. Bonneville’s KIRO-FM, Seattle breaks out with 1.1 share increase to finish the month with a 6.0 share and the #2 rank. iHeartMedia’s news/talk KDFD-AM, Denver adds eight-tenths to finish the January survey with a 3.3 share, its best since it flipped from sports talk in July of 2019. You can see all the 6+ numbers from subscribing stations here. Meanwhile, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways here.
TALKERS News Notes. Las Vegas-based, USA Radio-syndicated talk show host Wayne Allyn Root tells TALKERS magazine his Newsmax TV show, “The Wayne
Allyn Root Show: Raw & Unfiltered” is moving to a new air time – 10:00 pm ET – effective March 3. Root says, “It’s a great honor to be part of Newsmax TV’s primetime lineup. When I first began hosting my show in June 2017 on Newsmax TV it reached 15 million homes. Then 30 million. Then 50 million. Then 60 million. Now just under 80 million. And Cox cable added Newsmax TV a few weeks ago – so now my television show reaches the entire Las Vegas area, my hometown! Kudos to Chris Ruddy, CEO of Newsmax, for building America’s fastest growing cable news network.”…..SiriusXM announces its MLB Network Radio channel presents its annual MLB Spring Training tour beginning Saturday (2/22) and running through March 13. MLB Network Radio’s experts and insiders will visit all 30 MLB team camps to give fans an in-depth preview of every ball club. It will consist of 30, two-hour shows, each focused on a single MLB team. SiriusXM’s hosts – many of whom are former general managers or players – will be on location at each spring training ballpark to interview managers, players and executives, and share an insider’s view of each club as it prepares for the 2020 season…..iHeartMedia announces that it has partnered with Flatiron Books on a book imprint based on iHeartRadio’s popular curiosity podcasts. The imprint, named “Stuff You Should Read: An iHeartBook,” launches with STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW: An Incomplete Compendium of Mostly Interesting Things, to recognize “Stuff You Should Know” – one of the first podcasts to reach one billion downloads. iHeartMedia says it believes that this is the first line of podcast-based books between a major book publisher and leading podcast network.
Pop Music Historian and Curator Barry Scott of “The Lost 45s” Is This Week’s Guest on Harrison Podcast. One of the true legends of oldies radio, Barry Scott, is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” Scott is the host of the long-running, Boston-based music radio show, “The Lost 45s,” which has been on the radio since 1981 and in national syndication since 1993. The premise of the show is that top 40 radio of the golden era (1960s – 1990s) missed a tremendous number of valid hit records that
deserved airplay due to faulty research, closed-mindedness and a lazy, follow-the-leader mentality. (“It’s not on the list suggested by our consultant.”) Many of these songs have gone on to be completely forgotten within music radio culture. Harrison states, “I had the pleasure of programming Barry’s flagship station in Boston back in the 80s and was amazed at the loyal following this weekend show generated – even within the context of a classic rock format. Barry’s excellent curation and fascinating storytelling created tremendous interest in songs that were either obscure or considered unprogrammable within standard format categories. In today’s music radio desert, where pop music history is largely ignored or generally forgotten, this show is a priceless beacon of the culture that originally illuminated music radio.” To listen to the podcast in its entirety, please click here or click on the player box located in the right-hand column on every page of Talkers.com.
Music Radio News and Career Moves. At Detroit rock outlet WRIF, Beasley Media Group promotes Jade Springart to assistant program director and midday host. She has served with WRIF for the past 12 years, most
recently as music director and weekend personality. Springart says, “This is an amazing opportunity for me to continue working and winning with a brand that I have grown up with. It has been a privilege to learn from some of the best in the industry. I’m very grateful for the support of everyone in the Beasley Media Group family and am excited to be able to continue 101 WRIF’s legacy in the active rock format here in the Motor City.”…..Air personality J.R. joins Beasley Media Group’s country WQYK, Tampa Bay to host “Tampa Bay’s Morning Krewe with J.R. and Melanie,” effective March 2. He’ll join station air personality Melanie Mineau for the 6:00 am to 10:00 am program. He was most recently co-host of the “J.R. & Beth Show” on Cox Media Group’s country KCYY, San Antonio “Y100.” He also currently serves as the host of United Station Radio Networks’ syndicated “Twenty Country Countdown.” J.R. says, “This is a very exciting time for me. To be able to build a show under the direction of [operations manager] Travis Daily and alongside a talented co-host like Melanie Mineau is the opportunity I have been looking for. We are going to have a lot of fun in an amazing city! I am very grateful to Travis and the Beasley family for this opportunity and can’t wait to create live, local, and unique radio for the Tampa area.”…..Entercom stations and staffers are honored with three Academy of Country Music (ACM) Radio Awards. KILT-FM, Houston “100.3 The Bull” (KILT-FM) was named Major Market Station of the Year and WUSY-FM, Chattanooga “U.S. 101” was named Medium Market Station of the Year – the 8th time the station has received this honor. WYCD, Detroit’s afternoon drive show “Rob and Holly” program was given the Major Market Personality of the Year honor.
Friday, August 9, 2019
Nunn Boosted to YEA Networks President. Three-year YEA Networks executive vice president of sales Shawn Nunn is elevated to the 
newly- created position of president at the independent radio and podcast company. Chief executive officer George Laughlin notes, “I’ve had the privilege of working with Shawn for more than 20 years. He is a trusted advisor and a highly-effective leader, who has been essential to the incredible growth and expansion of the company over the past three years. Under his leadership, YEA Networks will continue to deliver the highest quality products and services to the audio industry.” Nunn adds, “I am more than grateful to George for this opportunity. I have worked with many on the YEA team for much of my career and I am honored to take the lead. George’s vision and passion for this industry is immeasurable and I look forward to continuing this journey with him.” Texas native/Texas State University alum Nunn previously spent five years as Townsquare Media’s vice president of national sales; four years as GAP Broadcasting’s vice president of sales; and has held media industry positions in Dallas, Seattle, and Colorado Springs. YEA Networks’ syndicated programs include: various Kiddnation podcasts, “The Hollywood 5,” “The Kidd Kraddick Morning Show,” and “Tino Cochino Radio.
WCMC-FM Shifts “SportsChannel8: The Radio Show” to Weekdays. Saturday morning’s 10:00 am -12:00 noon “SportsChannel8” will begin airing weekdays in the same slot on Capitol Broadcasting Raleigh sports talk WCMC-FM,
starting next Thursday (8/15). As a result, “FM 99.9 The Fan” will have nine consecutive hours of local sports talk programming each weekday. WCMC program/operations director Dennis Glasgow states, “We couldn’t be more excited to add the ‘SportsChannel8’ brand to our weekday lineup. Not only do we add another two hours a day of outstanding local content, we’ll also be offering probably one of the most engaging, entertaining, and hyper-local shows I have ever heard in my six years in ‘The Triangle.’” The show is hosted by longtime North Carolinian Hayes Permar, along with Josh Goodson and Brian Geisinger. Permar remarks, “We are incredibly excited and humbled to be part of the already outstanding lineup that ‘99.9 The Fan’ offers listeners every weekday. Our crew is made up of guys who all grew up and became sports fans in North Carolina; our show has and will continue to reflect that.” Coinciding with the change, ESPN Radio’s Dan Le Batard will transition from WCMC to co-owned/similarly formatted WCMC-HD2 “Buzz Sports Radio” and add an extra hour (10:00 am – 1:00 pm).
TALKERS News Notes. Exiting Total Traffic & Weather Network, owing to restructuring, are senior vice president of affiliate services
Roger Nadel; vice president of affiliate sales for the southeast Christopher Leonard; and head of operations for the southwest John Winder ….. After an 18-year career as an NFL QB (the first seven with the Philadelphia Eagles and the last 11 with the Washington Redskins), Sonny Jurgensen hung up the helmet and spikes in 1974. The soon-to-be (8/23) 85-year-old Hall of 
Famer is now hanging up the headsets as the longtime Redskins’ radio analyst. He made the announcement before last night’s (Thursday, 8/8) pre-season, pre-game show. Jurgensen commented, “I’ve had so many wonderful memories of teammates I’ve played with and talked about during my years in radio and television. The relationships with coaches and executives over the 50 years have been special. My broadcast partners such as Sam Huff, Frank Herzog, Doc Walker, and George Michael lived through the glory years together – all great memories. My good friend Andy Ockershausen was responsible for bringing together the original broadcast team of ‘Sonny, Sam, and Frank.’ After 62 years in professional football, I still have my health and wonderful family; a special thanks to my beautiful wife, Margo, for letting me work the weekends for all those years. I’ll always be a fan of professional football and appreciative of all that it has done for me, my family, and our city” ….. KTUL-TV, Tulsa marketing consultant Jessica Foster joins Stephens Media Group Tulsa as director of sales. SMG owner David Stephens notes, “Jessica has the well-rounded media experience we need to maximize revenue. Her ties to the local advertising community and reputation for excellence adds to the strength of our cluster.” Senior vice president of radio and digital sales Summer Kirkland comments, “Having worked alongside Jessica for several years, I have witnessed the way she incorporates her vast media knowledge with a passion for people to achieve success.” Prior to KTUL-TV, Foster worked at Interep/D&R; Entercom St. Louis news/talk KMOX; and several stations in Atlanta and Springfield, Missouri. The Stephens Media Group Tulsa cluster includes news/talk KCFO “AM 970 Talk You Can Trust,” sports talk KYAL “97.1 The Sports Animal,” contemporary Christian KXOJ and KXOJ-HD2, alternative KMYZ “Z-104.5 The Edge,” and KTSO “Totally Awesome 80s” ….. Part of next Monday’s (8/12) 
debut of iHeartMedia Reading, Pennsylvania’s news/talk WRAW “News Radio 1340” will be the return of Rush Limbaugh to the market. Regional senior vice president of programming for iHeartMedia Allentown and Harrisburg Jeff Hurley comments, “We’re thrilled to bring an all-star lineup of talk radio programs to Reading. We’re confident that WRAW will become a favorite source for compelling news, talk, and entertainment.” The station’s weekday lineup will include: “The RJ Harris Breakfast Show” (5:00 am – 9:00 am); Glenn Beck (9:00 am – 12:00 noon); Limbaugh (12:00 noon – 3:00 pm); Sean Hannity (3:00 pm – 6:00 pm); Buck Sexton (6:00 pm – 9:00 pm); and “Crime Stories with Nancy Grace” (9:00 pm – 10:00 pm) ….. As part of an 
extended relationship with NRG Media Omaha, all hockey, and men’s and women’s basketball games of the University of Nebraska Omaha Mavericks will air on sports talk KZOT “1180 AM – The Zone 2.” In the event of a hockey conflict, any and all basketball games will be heard on sports talk KOZN “1620 AM – The Zone” or KOIL “News Talk 1290.” NRG Radio Omaha general manager Mark Shecterle remarks, “We are extremely excited to
continue our partnership with UNO. As the sports leader in Omaha, it is important that we associate our stations with great sports programs like UNO. We look forward to broadcasting UNO sports on our stations this upcoming year, and many years to come.” UNO vice chancellor of athletics Trev Alberts notes, “NRG Media has provided our hockey and basketball teams with a reliable radio home for many years; we are pleased to continue this mutually beneficial relationship. NRG Media is a recognized leader in sports broadcasting in Omaha, and its stations allow our fans to follow the Mavericks, both over-the-air and through live streaming.” Gary Sharp will be back for his seventh season calling UNO men’s basketball. He will work with former Maverick Kyler Erickson who will begin his first season as analyst for all home games. Likewise, Donny Baarns enters his first year of lead play-by-play announcer for UNO hockey broadcasts. He will work alongside Terry Leahy who has provided color commentary for all 22 seasons of UNO hockey. Lester St. James will return for his 10th season as the rink-side reporter for all home games. Meanwhile, Jon Schriner replaces Baarns as play-by-play voice of Omaha women’s basketball ….. The Wall Street Journal is among the first to report that Facebook is offering news outlets millions of dollars for the rights to put their content in a news section that the company hopes to launch later this year. The project involves the social network striking deals potentially worth millions of dollars to publishers including The New York Times, The Washington Post and Dow Jones, parent company of The Wall Street Journal, among others. The Journal reported yesterday (Thursday, 8/8) that Facebook representatives had told news executives that they’d pay as much as $3 million a year to license stories, headlines and other material. Publishers could pick between putting the stories directly on Facebook’s tab or putting previews in that go back to the original site. These arrangements would last for three years. Thus far though, it’s unclear if any publishers have signed on yet.
New Installment Posted of “The Michael Harrison Wrap: An Overview of the National Conversation.” The recently launched, one-hour weekend program, “The Michael Harrison Wrap,” produced by Goodphone Communications that looks back each week at the hottest topics discussed in American talk media per the research of TALKERS magazine, will be posted this afternoon (Friday 8/9) on the website of its flagship station, iHeartMedia’s WONK-FM, Washington, DC. The new episode titled, “The Nation Grieves and Argues!” looks back at this past week of August 5-9, 2019 and features guests (in order of appearance): Kevin Casey, executive editor, TALKERS magazine; Victoria Jones, executive director, DC Radio Company; Mike Siegel, syndicated talk show host, GCN; Harry Hurley, WPG, Atlantic City, NJ; Rick Ungar, syndicated talk show host, “The Rick Ungar Show”/former CEO Marvel Entertainment; and Renee Kohanski, M.D., forensic psychiatrist and medical profession podcaster. The news/talk media show airs on WONK-FM on Friday afternoons between 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm as a recap and exclamation mark for the week-in-review as well as several other stations around the country including KSCO, Santa Cruz, CA and during the weekend on the Virginia Talk Radio Network as well as Pioneer Valley Radio in Springfield, MA. Hosted by Michael Harrison, this excellent show is now being made available as a service to terrestrial news/talk stations from TALKERS for on-air or online presentation on a market-exclusive basis. For information call Barbara Kurland at 413-565-5413. To listen to this week’s episode (and the program’s complete archives), please click here.
Cool Job Opportunity. There are actually three of them to share – all at Fox News. A freelance writer is needed for the Fox News Headlines team. You will write news for the national news network, conceptualize, write, compile enterprise stories, fact check, and build show content newscasts. This is a shift-based role, including overnight and weekend shifts. You will work some holidays and must be available off-hours in the event of major breaking news. Among the responsibilities are writing fast-paced newscasts; generating creative and innovative ideas for writing news segments; and 
communicating daily story development with producers and editors. A degree in journalism or related field is preferred. Click here to apply. In addition, Fox News Radio D.C./New York is seeking an overnight freelance anchor. The person in this position will work under tight deadlines, must have a passion for breaking news, and be flexible to work on a days’ notice. In order to be considered for this role, a link or MP3 file of a demo reel/air check is needed. Among responsibilities are writing for a one-hour live national newscast; writing five-minute and one-minute newscasts; and handling live breaking news coverage during national newscasts. Requirements include strong writing skills; ability to work under tight deadlines; flexibility to work primarily weekend shifts; and at least five years’ experience as a news anchor. Network or major market experience is preferred. Click here to apply. Needed as well is a freelance producer/news editor to supervise the staff for the network radio news operation. This person will work with news anchors to craft content and structure of a 24/7 news operation. Responsibilities include: formatting, programming, coordinating, and producing a live news program; producing segments and reporter hits; handling staffing issues when managers are not present; and working on developing stories as the day progresses. Candidates must: be highly skilled in writing and copy editing; have familiarity with social media; be able to handle breaking news situations; have strong editorial judgment; and be able to interact with high-profile talent. Click here to apply.
Music Radio News and Career Moves. Director of sales for Townsquare Media’s four-station Cedar Rapids (Iowa) cluster, Brian Sines, transfers to Texarkana (Texas/Arkansas) to become market 
president/chief revenue officer of the company’s five stations there. Townsquare senior vice president Todd Lawley notes, “I have worked with Brian the past five years and watched him build Cedar Rapids into one of the top performing clusters at Townsquare. The Cedar Rapids market hasn’t missed a budget in three years and holds a dominant position with both their broadcast and digital performance. I’m confident that Brian will quickly build upon the high performing team that serves the community, our listeners, and the clients of Texarkana. It is extremely rewarding to again have the ability to promote from within, which is a direct reflection to the level of talent we have at Townsquare.” Sines remarks, “I am excited to join the team in Texarkana. Townsquare is fortunate to have such a long-tenured team in place that truly cares about our clients, our listeners, and super serves the community. I look forward to working with the number one media team in the market and starting a budget-busting streak of our own.” Sines formerly held market manager, GSM, and director of sales positions in Des Moines, Madison (Wisconsin), and Burlington (Iowa) at stations owned by the then-Clear Channel (now iHeartMedia). Townsquare Media’s five Texarkana stations are country KKYR “Kicker 102.5”; CHR KPWW “Power 95.9”; classic rock KYGL “Eagle 106.3”; urban AC KMJI “Magic 93.3”; and gospel KOSY “790 AM.” ….. Program director Al Payne has left Cumulus Media Kansas City urban AC KMJK “Magic 107.3.” Prior to his KC tenure, Payne programmed in Dallas (KRNB); Washington, DC (WKYS); Detroit (WMGC, WGPR, WDMK); Baltimore (WERQ, WWIN); and Greensboro (WQMG) ….. WLXX “92.9 Nash FM,” Lexington (Kentucky) promotes on-air 
talent Deidre Ransdell to program director of the Cumulus Media country outlet. Cumulus Lexington general manager Scott Frazier opines, “Having Deidre Ransdell as WLXX program director is like naming [Houston Astros RHP] Justin Verlander as your starter in game one of the World Series. She brings talent, experience, drive, and the will-to-win to the station. I’m very much looking forward to working with her.” Operations manager Anthony “Twitch” Longo comments, “It’s a great day when we get to promote someone as talented and hardworking as Deidre. She is a force to be reckoned with; to say I am excited to have her at the helm of “92.9 Nash FM” is an understatement.” After a 15-year career in education, Ransdell has been a Lexington on-air talent the past 18 years. She joined WLXX’s morning show in 2001 and has been heard in various other day-parts on the station. Last year, Ransdell added overnights at Nashville’s co-owned/similarly formatted WSM-FM “95.5 Nash Icon” and is heard on various other country stations on Cumulus Media’s Westwood One Radio Network …. As voted by the Academy of Country Music membership, the ACM announces its officers for the 2019 – 2020 term. They are: Ed Warm (chair); Lori Badgett (president); Chuck Aly
(vice president); Carmen Romano (treasurer); Gayle Holcomb (sergeant-at-arms); Paul Moore (parliamentarian); and Tommy Moore (secretary). Outgoing chair Duane Clark comments, “The Academy’s history is one of continually building upon its successes and supporting the artists we love, and the music they create that shapes our culture. I am grateful for – and proud of – the hard work and dedication of the Academy’s board, our partners, and our passionate staff. With Ed [Warm] stepping in as chair, I am confident we are in the best hands to guide our organization to new heights.” Warm remarks, “I have greatly enjoyed my involvement with the Academy and am looking forward to carrying the torch from Duane. I’m proud to work with the many talented industry people who volunteer their time for our artists, industry, and fans.” ….. Adult contemporary WLDR “101.9 – Northern Michigan’s Music Leader,” Traverse City joins Blarney Stone Broadcasting rock sibling WQON “Q-100,” Grayling (Michigan) as an affiliate on the Detroit Lions radio network. Blarney Stone Broadcasting president/chief executive officer Sheryl Coyne notes, “We know how important Detroit Lions football is to their passionate fan base in Northern Michigan; we’re proud to be able to deliver all the games in such professional broadcasts.”
Rasberry Receives MIW “Airblazer Award.” Longtime co-host of YEA Networks’ syndicated “The Kidd Kraddick Morning Show,” Kellie Rasberry, was honored with the 2019 MIW “Airblazer Award” during the 31st annual Talentmasters Morning Show Bootcamp (MSBC). Radio Advertising Board president/chief executive officer Erica Farber made the presentation. Now in its fifth year, the MIW “Airblazer Award” stems from an alliance formed between the MIW Group and MSBC and honors a deserving on-air radio personality. In addition to her work as co-host of “The Kidd Kraddick 
Morning Show,” Rasberry co-hosts (with her husband, Allen Evans) the weekly podcast, “A Sandwich and Some Lovin.’” She is on the board of directors of Kidd’s Kids, a non-profit organization that takes children with life-altering conditions to all-expenses paid trips to Disney World with their family. After more than two decades in radio, Rasberry has won several “Favorite Female Radio Personality of the Year” awards. She was a co-host on Fox Television’s “Dish Nation,” “Love Letters with Matthew & Kellie,” and webcast of the “Blockbuster Entertainment Awards.” During “Women of Radio Week,” she co-hosted “Live! With Regis.” Pictured (left to right) are Farber, Rasberry, and 2018 MIW “Airblazer Award” honoree Mercedes Martinez of Entercom Las Vegas hot AC KMXB “Mix 94.1.”
July 2019 PPM Data. Information for the July 2019 ratings period has been released for Boston, Miami, and Seattle. Nielsen Audio’s July 2019 survey period covered June 20 – July 17. See all the 6+ numbers from subscribing stations here. Managing editor Mike Kinosian (Kinosian@TALKERS.com) provides his “Takeaways” from these three markets.
Boston
Spoken-Word Formats – Winning ways continue for iHeartMedia news/talk WRKO, which nets +1.5 via seven successive positive or neutral trends (2.1 – 2.2 – 2.2 – 2.4 – 2.5 – 2.7 – 2.7 – 3.6, 6+). Moreover, July’s impressive +.9 propels “AM 680 – The Voice of Boston” all the way into the top ten (#12 to #8), with 3.6 (6+) surpassing November 2014’s 3.3. Up one-tenth in consecutive sweeps (.4 – .5 – .6, June and July, 6+), co-owned WXKS-AM “Talk 1200” repeats at #26.
The combined sports talk share of this sports crazy market’s two high-powered FMs deflates by -2.4 (June 2019 – July 2019, 6+) with Beasley Media Group-owned WBZ-FM absorbing 75% of that hit (5.6 – 3.8, fourth to seventh, 6+). Nine recent shifts for “98.5 The Sports Hub” include: +.9 (October 2018); +.8 (November); -1.0 (December); +.5 (“Holiday” 2018); +1.6 (January 2019); -.8 (February); +.8 (May); -1.4 (June); and July’s whopping -1.8. “The Sports Hub” is the lead station of the Stanley Cup runner-up Bruins; Super Bowl champion New England Patriots; and the Celtics. The month-to-month drop-off for Entercom-owned sports talk WEEI-FM is one-third that of “The Sports Hub” (3.9 – 3.3, -.6, 6+); the flagship of the 2018 World Series champion Boston Red Sox flagship slips from eighth to tenth. Sample shifts for WEEI-FM include: -.5 (September 2018); +.5 (October); +.6 (November); -2.0 (December); -.7 (“Holiday” 2018); +1.7 (January 2019); -1.0 (February); -.5 (March); +.6 (April); and -.6 (July).
WBZ-AM is truly locked on 5.0 (6+), as that is what “News Radio 1030” logs for the fifth successive month. The iHeartMedia-owned news-talk hybrid progresses from sixth to fifth; it was +1.3 in January/February (4.3 – 5.5 – 5.6, 6+).
By regaining the one-tenth it lost in June (3.5 – 3.4 – 3.5, 6+), Boston University news/talk WBUR returns to the top ten (#11 to #9, 6+), while WGBH Educational Foundation news/talk WGBH repeats June’s 6+ AQH share (2.2) and market rank (#16).
Boston Music Formats – Not only does Beasley Media Group classic hits-oldies WROR replicate June’s increase of six-tenths (7.6 – 8.2 – 8.8, 6+), “105.7 – 80s & More” is #1 for the fourth month in a row. When WROR dropped two-tenths in May, it snapped at four a consecutive string of up or flat trends that netted a +2.2 (5.6 – 6.2 – 6.8 – 7.8 – 7.8, 6+). Boston’s (6+) pacesetters thus far this calendar year have been: iHeartMedia-owned CHR WXKS-FM “Kiss 108 – Boston’s #1 Hit Music Station” (January, 7.3, and February, 7.4, 6+); WROR (March and April, 7.8 – both times, 6+); WROR and WXKS-FM (May, 7.6, 6+); WROR (June, 8.2 and July, 8.8, 6+). At the same time that iHeartMedia-owned WBWL “101.7 The Bull Boston’s #1 For New Hit Country” improves by six-tenths (2.1 – 2.7, #17 to #13, 6+), Beasley Media Group’s WKLB “Country 102.5” regresses by seven-tenths (4.7 – 4.0, seventh to sixth, 6+). A June loss of three-tenths by “The Bull” ended six successive sweeps without a loss that netted six-tenths (1.8 – 1.8 – 1.8 – 1.8 – 1.9 – 2.2 – 2.4, 6+). This is the highest 6+-share for “The Bull” since August 2017 (2.7, as well). “Country 102.5, meanwhile was a cumulative +1.3 in four straight “Holiday 2018 through April 2019 bumps (3.5 – 3.6 – 3.7 – 4.2 – 4.8, 6+). In four consecutive positive spikes, Northeast Broadcasting triple A WXRV gained a collective nine-tenths (1.8 – 2.3 – 2.4 – 2.6 – 2.7, 6+), but “92.5 The River – Boston’s Independent Radio” forfeits six-tenths to 2.1 (#12 to #17, 6+). Up a combined-eight-tenths in May/June (6.1 – 6.2 – 6.9, 6+), Entercom adult contemporary WMJX “Magic 106.7 – Today’s Hits/Yesterday’s Favorites” forfeits one-half share to 6.4 (6+) but continues in third-place. June’s 6.9 was its highest 6+-stat since “Holiday” 2018’s 14.5. Albeit a collective -1.2 in six straight down or flat moves (3.1 – 2.8 – 2.3 – 2.2 – 2.2 – 2.0 – 1.9, 6+), iHeartMedia rhythmic CHR WJMN “Jam’n 94.5” improves from #19 to #18. In the market’s CHR arena, iHeartMedia’s aforementioned WXKS-FM “Kiss 108” is a combined -.7 in June/July (7.6 – 7.2 – 6.9, 6+) but repeats in the runner-up slot. A one-half share increase in May took “Kiss 108” to 7.6, its strongest 6+-performance since August 2018’s 7.8. Meanwhile, Entercom’s similarly-formatted WODS “103.3 Amp Radio” is down or flat the sixth straight time for a net loss of four-tenths (2.5 – 2.4 – 2.4 – 2.2 – 2.1 – 2.1 – 2.1, #17 to #16, 6+).
Miami
English-Language Spoken-Word Formats – In three straight sweeps without an increase, iHeartMedia news/talk WIOD “News Radio
620 – Miami’s News, Traffic, & Weather Station” has lost just two-tenths and carries on at #18 (2.7 – 2.6 – 2.6 – 2.5, 6+).
Seven successive sweeps without a loss yielded three-tenths for Entercom’s WAXY (.6 – .6 – .6 – .7 – .7 – .8 – .9 – .9, 6+), but “Sports Talk 790 The Ticket” is off one-tenth in July to .8 (#25 to #26, 6+). Co-owned WQAM – which recently rebranded from “Sports Radio 560” to “560 The Joe” – has a January 2019 through July 2019 topline of .6 – .5 – .7 – .5 – .6 – .5 – 6 (#29 to #30, 6+).
While it remains at #20, Dade County School Board news/talk WLRN falters by four-tenths to 1.9 (6+), thus snapping four straight up or flat reports that produced a net gain of two-tenths (2.1 – 2.2 – 2.3 – 2.3 – 2.3, 6+).
Miami Music Formats – Without an increase the last three ratings periods and down three-tenths in that March through June stretch (2.9 – 2.9 – 2.6 – 2.6, 6+), iHeartMedia-owned urban contemporary WMIB “103.5 The Beat” ends the slide with a +.6 to 3.2 (6+) and jumps from #16 to #12. This is its best 6+-showing since December 2018 (3.2, as well). In four straight drops, Spanish contemporary sibling WZTU was a collective -1.7 (5.1 – 4.8 – 4.7 – 4.1 – 3.4, 6+). “Tu 94.9” pulls the plug in July though by picking up three tenths to 3.7 (6+) and returns to the top ten (#12 to #10). June’s 3.4 was its weakest 6+-stat since October 2017 (3.4, as well). Flat at #15, Spanish Broadcasting System Spanish contemporary WRMA “Ritmo 95.7,” which had faltered by seven-tenths in four consecutive sweeps without an increase (3.4 – 3.3 – 2.8 – 2.8 – 2.7, 6+), gains one-tenth to 2.8 (6+). Miami’s pacesetter the seventh consecutive ratings period (including a three-way tie at #1 in February), Cox Media Group-owned adult contemporary WFEZ “Easy 93.1,” follows June’s increase of eight-tenths with a July loss of three-tenths (6.8 – 7.6 – 7.3, 6+). Eight-tenths has been a common fluctuation recently for “Easy” as it was down eight-tenths in February; up by that magnitude in March; and up again by eight-tenths in June. Entering the “Holiday” 2018 sweep, “Easy 93.1” finished on top seven straight times. Following three up or flat trends in succession that netted nine-tenths (2.9 – 3.5 – 3.5 – 3.8, 6+), CHR cluster-mate WFLC returns roughly half that increase with a one-half share decline to 3.3 (6+). As a result, “Hits 97.3” exits the top ten (#9 to #11); June’s 3.8 was its highest 6+-share since December 2017’s 4.0. “Hits 97.3” responded to March’s one-tenth loss with an April increase of six-tenths. Meanwhile, iHeartMedia-owned/similarly-formatted WHYI “Y-100 Miami’s #1 Hit Music Station” recaptures half of June’s loss of four-tenths (2.6 – 2.8, +.2, 6+) and advances from #16 to #15. When “Y-100” added one-tenth in March, it curtailed five straight reports without an increase for a collective setback of nine-tenths (3.4 – 3.3 – 2.9 – 2.9 – 2.9 – 2.5, 6+). WHYI posted a half-share increase in May. Even though Entercom’s similarly-formatted WLYF picks up one-tenth to 5.5 (6+), thus suspending four straight sweeps without an increase that led to an overall -1.2 (6.6 – 6.2 – 6.2 – 6.1 – 5.4, 6+), “101.5 Lite FM” slips to #4. It had been in third-place the past four months. Anchored at #7, Cox Media Group urban contemporary WEDR “99 Jamz” is a collective -1.1 through six straight negative or neutral moves (5.2 – 4.7 – 4.5 – 4.4 – 4.1 – 4.1 – 4.1, 6+). Spanish Broadcasting System-owned Spanish tropical WXDJ is -1.1 in five straight down or flat trends (4.9 – 4.8 – 4.1 – 4.1 – 4.0 – 3.8, 6+) as “El Zol 106.7” falls from eighth to ninth.
Seattle
Spoken-Word Formats – Recapturing the three-tenths it dropped in June (4.9 – 4.6 – 4.9, 6+), Bonneville news/talk KIRO-FM remains in fifth-place. Co-owned KTTH “Conservative Talk Radio” is up a cumulative one-half share in three straight sweeps without a loss (1.2 – 1.2, 1.4 – 1.7, flat at #22, 6+). This comes directly after losing roughly 43% (-.9) of its 6+-stat due to three straight down or flat trends (2.1 – 1.4 – 1.2 – 1.2, 6+). In five successive negative or neutral reports, Sinclair Broadcast Group-owned KVI “Talk Radio 570” has lost more than half (-.9) of its 6+ AQH share since February (1.6 – 1.3 – 1.2 – 1.2 – 1.1 – .7, #24 to #26, 6+).
Bonneville sports talk/Mariners’ flagship KIRO-AM “ESPN 710” is a collective -1.3 in three straight drops (4.3 – 3.4 – 3.4 – 3.0, #13 to #14, 6+). With its 6+ stat sliced by more than 60% (-.9) via four consecutive slips (1.4 – 1.3 – 1.2 – .6 – .5, 6+), iHeartMedia-owned KJR-AM “Seattle’s Sports Radio 950” falls from #27 to #28.
For the third time in the last four sweeps, Sinclair Broadcast Group all-news KOMO logs a 2.8 (2.8 – 2.7 – 2.8 – 2.8, #16 to #15, 6+).
This calendar year, Northwest Public Radio news/talk KUOW has ranked #1 (January, February, and March); #2 (April); #1 (May); #3 (June); and now #2 (5.6 – 5.5, -.1, July 2019, 6+).
Seattle Music Formats – June’s first-place tie is broken with an exclamation point. Specifically, iHeartMedia-owned KZOK “102.5 Seattle’s Classic Rock Station” dials up a July uptick of nine-tenths and has the top spot all to itself. At the same time, Hubbard Broadcasting CHR KQMV “MOViN’ 92.5 – Seattle’s #1 Hit Music Station” surrenders eight-tenths (6.1 – 5.3, 6+) and segues from that first-place tie to #3. Thus, the two stations that were locked together in June are now separated by nearly two full-shares. There’s much more to the story though as KZOK is an impressive +3.3 owing to eight straight bumps (3.7 – 3.9 – 4.4 – 4.5 – 4.8 – 5.6 – 6.0 – 6.1 – 7.0, 6+). Immediately in advance of this positive run, KZOK was -1.6 in four consecutive ratings periods without an increase (5.3 – 5.1 – 4.9 – 4.9 – 3.7, 6+). A collective -1.0 in four successive down or flat trends (7.0 – 6.8 – 6.8 – 6.6 – 6.0, 6+), KQMV applied the brakes in June with a gain of one-tenth. “MOViN’” made it to #1 in April, the first time it reached the lead spot since November 2018. Tacking on six-tenths to July’s boost of eight-tenths (3.7 – 4.5 – 5.1, 6+), iHeartMedia adult hits KJAQ “96.5 Jack FM Playing What We Want” jumps from sixth to fourth. Moreover, Seattle’s version of “Jack” reaches the five-share threshold (5.1, 6+) for the first time in nearly ten years (5.0, October 2009). Not only has Hubbard Broadcasting’s KNUC more than doubled (+2.2) its 6+ AQH share in eight successive up or flat sweeps (2.1 – 2.1 – 2.4 – 2.8 – 3.3 – 3.5 – 4.0 – 4.2 – 4.3, 6+), “New Country 98.9 The Bull” enters the top ten (#11 to #8). Furthermore, it leapfrogs Entercom’s KKWF “100.7 The Wolf – #1 For Country,” which erases May’s +.9 with June/July’s combined -.9 (5.0 – 4.5 – 4.1, 6+) and exits the top ten (#6 to #12). Prior to April, when it regressed by six-tenths, “The Wolf” was a cumulative +1.4 as a result of three straight upticks (3.3- 4.3 – 4.5 – 4.7, 6+). Bustos Media regional Mexican KDDS “99.3 La Gran D” pops on with a .7 (6+) and checks in at #26. Not only does a loss of six-tenths to 4.2 (6+) by Entercom’s KISW curtail three consecutive positive spikes that produced a +1.1 (3.7 – 4.0 – 4.5 4.8, 6+), “Rock 99.9” fades from the top ten (#4 to #11). This is the third month in a row that Entercom adult contemporary KSWD “94.1 The Sound” (4.5 – 4.4, -.1, flat at #6, 6+) and Hubbard Broadcasting’s similarly-formatted KRWM “Warm 106.9” (4.4 – 4.3, -.1, ninth to eighth, 6+) are separated by one-tenth. Prior to eroding by -1.1 in April, “The Sound” was an overall +1.5 through three consecutive increases (3.7 – 3.8 – 5.1 – 5.2, 6+). Entering the May sweep, “Warm 106.9” recorded a 4.8 (6+) in three of the previous four reports (4.8 – 4.0 – 4.8 – 4.8, 6+) and was #1 in December and “Holiday” 2018. Without an increase the seventh time in a row for a collective -2.3 (5.1 – 3.8 – 3.7 – 3.1 – 3.1 – 2.9 – 2.9 – 2.8, 6+), Sinclair Broadcast Group hot AC KPLZ “Star 101.5 Today’s Best Mix” is now in a four-way tie at #15.
Talk Radio Pioneer Mike Siegel is this Week’s Guest on Harrison Podcast. Veteran conservative/libertarian talk radio personality Mike Siegel is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” Siegel, a former private practicing attorney and school teacher, currently syndicated by Genesis Communications Network (GCN), was one of the early broadcasters to emerge in the late-eighties post-Fairness Doctrine period described by Harrison as “the modern era of talk radio.” During that 
period, Siegel – who hosted shows on such stations as KING and KVI in Seattle – was, according to Harrison, “the quintessential, local, muckraker aggressively holding local politicians, government and big corporations accountable for their actions.” Harrison and Siegel, whose latest book is titled Airing the Wave: Talk Radio at the Dawn of the Digital Era (Page Publishing, 2016), informally chat about the changes talk radio has experienced through the years as it has evolved from the analog era into the digital age, not to mention the transitional state of journalism itself. To listen to the podcast in its entirety, please click here or click on the player box marked “The Michael Harrison Interview” located in the right-hand column of the TALKERS email newsletter and on every page of Talkers.com.
Monday, May 20, 2019
Vince Benedetto Selected to Receive TALKERS 2019 “Humanitarian of the Year” Award. One of the rising stars in the field of independent radio station ownership, Vince Benedetto, founder and CEO of Bold Gold Media Group has been selected by the TALKERS editorial board to be the 2019 recipient of “The Sharon L. Harrison Memorial Award for Outstanding Community Service by a Talk Radio Broadcaster” – also known as the “Humanitarian of the Year” award. Locally owned, operated and programmed, Bold Gold was founded by
Benedetto in 2005 with the aim of becoming the preeminent radio broadcast group in Northeast Pennsylvania and Upstate New York. Bold Gold serves three primary regions: The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area, The Pocono Lake Region (Northern Pocono Mountains), and the Catskill Mountains of New York. It consists of a combination of 14 music- and talk-formatted stations. Before entering broadcasting as an entrepreneur, Benedetto was a U.S. Air Force captain who also served as a special agent in the Air Force Office of Special Investigation (known as OSI). Special agents for OSI are responsible for conducting felony level investigations and engaging in counter-intelligence and counter-terrorism activities world-wide in support of our Air Force and Department of Defense operations. Benedetto came under consideration for the TALKERS award for the work he has done in establishing the Bold Gold Broadcast and Media Foundation – a not-for-profit, 501(c) (3) organization with a mission of supporting the education and training of tomorrow’s broadcast and media leaders. Bold Gold, through its fundraising and charitable efforts, provides education and training support, as well as funding to educational institutions and organizations who are preparing America’s future communicators. The organization also works to raise awareness of the importance of young thought-leaders seeking a career in the field of broadcasting, media, and journalism. One of the Foundation’s first major projects was to build WRFH-FM (101.7 FM)/WRFH-LP “Radio Free Hillsdale” at Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan. The new campus-based radio station that signed on the air in 2015 offers students an opportunity to receive both academic and first-hand experience in the art of communicating over the airwaves to large audiences. The foundation’s second project was to build a recording studio at the Allan P. Kirby Center of Constitutional Studies and Citizenship located in the heart of Washington, DC. The studio, also dedicated in 2015, is used by the Kirby Center to further its mission of teaching the U.S. Constitution, the debate that brought it to life, and the principles that give it meaning. In addition to Kirby Center staff, the studio is also used by Hillsdale College faculty and students, visiting broadcasters and journalists, and national leaders. The “Humanitarian of the Year” award will be presented to Vince Benedetto at Talkers 2019: Telling the Story on Friday, June 7 in New York City. The convention is four days away from being completely sold out. To register, call Barbara Kurland at 413-565-5413 or click here for more information.
ONLY FOUR DAYS LEFT TO REGISTER: Talkers 2019: Telling the Story Nearing a Sellout! The 22nd annual installment of the talk media industry’s longest-running and most important national convention is on the verge of being sold out. The final deadline for registrations being accepted is this Friday, May 24 at 5:00 pm ET. According to TALKERS VP/executive editor Kevin Casey, “In order to maintain the intimacy and effectiveness of this heritage event, it must be open only to members of the media industries and be in a special type of venue with limited seating and capacity. We have resisted the impulse to grow this event beyond that level of efficiency. That is one of the reasons it is so popular and has enjoyed such amazing longevity.” To obtain registration information and avoid being shut out before the deadline, call Barbara Kurland at 413-565-5413. For an up to the minute agenda, please click here.
Monday Memo: Them. Long-ago English teacher Holland Cooke turns in a book report sure to challenge those of us in talk radio. In Them: Why We Hate Each Other, How to Heal, U.S. Senator Ben Sasse, a Nebraska Republican, details how media feed and exploit our angry national conversation; and where we go from here. See HC’s entire column here.
‘Andy and Randy’ New Midday Show at ‘92.9 The Game’ in Atlanta. Sports talk WZGC-FM, Atlanta “92.9 The Game” announces its new midday show is “The Midday Show with
Andy and Randy,” – hosted by Andy Bunker and Randy McMichael. Bunker moves to middays from his evening show with the station and McMichael – who enjoyed an 11-year NFL career – has been hosting the Saturday morning “College Game Time” show at the station. They take over for John Michaels and Rick Kamla, who exited the station in March. Entercom Atlanta SVP and market manager Rick Caffey says, “Andy has been a listener favorite since he joined ‘92.9 The Game’ and has built great chemistry with Randy. Andy and Randy’s collaboration, along with their bold and honest take on Atlanta sports, will be a great addition to our programming.”
TALKERS News Notes. The latest book from nationally syndicated radio talk show host Mark
Levin bump’s Howard Stern’s newest memoir from its perch as the top-selling book on Amazon. Levin’s book is titled, Unfreedom of the Press (Threshold Editions, 2019), and has achieved the top ranking based on pre-order sales…..Former KIRO-FM, Seattle afternoon drive personalities Ron Upshaw and Don O’Neill are launching a weekly podcast and a real estate company 18 weeks after being let go by the Bonneville news/talk outlet. The Seattle Times reports that the popular duo, whose contracts were not renewed, have both earned their real estate brokers licenses and have formed Ron and Don Brokers with Windermere Real Estate. Read the story here…..Alexandria, Minnesota news/talk outlet KXRA-AM is adding another FM signal to its broadcasts. The Paradis Broadcasting-owned station broadcasts on its 1490 AM frequency as well as on translator K262AT at 100.3 FM. Now, the company is adding a second translator at 105.7 that will allow it to cover Pope County…..TALKERS magazine sends condolences to the family and friends of WVON, Chicago overnight personality Alpheus “Ywain” Fields, who died at his home on Saturday (5/18) at the age of 57. Fields first joined WVON in 1983 as an intern. He was soon hired as a board operator and production assistant. During his 36-year career with the station he served in numerous capacities in the programming department.
Nashville Talk Host Phil Valentine Renews with WWTN-FM. Talk radio pro Phil Valentine inks a new, long-term deal with Cumulus Media to continue hosting his daily, afternoon drive show on WWTN-FM, Nashville “99.7 SuperTalk.” Cumulus says that in addition to hosting his
program, the new deal includes Valentine working with the company “on a variety of projects, including the development and creation of original content podcasts, and other multimedia projects and events.” The first in a series of podcasts to 
launch is PodGOATS, hosted by newcomer Campbell Valentine and co-hosted by his father, Phil Valentine. The show is “a dynamic conversation between a Baby Boomer and a Millennial with thought-provoking and hilarious discussions on everything from what they would possibly do if the grid went down, to spies, to the top historical events that changed the world to religion.” Phil Valentine says, “I was the morning guy when we launched ‘SuperTalk 99.7WTN’ back in 1995. That’s where I started in talk radio. I plan to finish my career at WTN sometime way down the road. This is home, and I’m glad to be here for the long haul.”
Nolan to Lead Townsquare Media’s Quincy-Hannibal Operations. Sales and management pro Libby Nolan is joining Townsquare Media’s Quincy-Hannibal, Missouri operations to serve as market president and chief revenue officer. Nolan was most recently with Entercom and Emmis in St. Louis as general sales manager. Townsquare’s Quincy-Hannibal cluster includes news/talk KHMO-AM, country KICK-FM, classic country KICK-AM, and adult contemporary KRRY. Townsquare regional VP Kelly Quinn says, “Libby is a perfect match for what we look for in a leader at Townsquare. She brings with her exceptional experience in building sales teams and utilizing local talent to its fullest potential, which will enhance our ‘Local First’ approach in Quincy-Hannibal.”
Justin Amash Impeachment Tweet, U.S.-China Trade War, U.S.-Iran War Talk, New Anti-Abortion Laws, Trump Immigration Plan, ‘Game of Thrones’ Finale, and NBA/NHL Playoff Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Over the Weekend. Michigan Republican Congressman Justin Amash issues a tweet saying President Trump has committed impeachable offenses; the tariffs the U.S. and China are planning to place on each other’s exports; President Trump’s warning to Iran to “never threaten the U.S. again”; the highly restrictive abortion law passed in Alabama and a similar bill expected to become law in Missouri; the Trump administration’s immigration plan; the finale of HBO’s “Game of Thrones”; and NBA/NHL playoff action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Music Radio News and Career Moves. Programming pro Michelle Stevens joins Entercom’s New York operations to serve as assistant program director for hot AC WNEW-FM and classic hits WCBS-FM. Stevens comes to Entercom from her most recent position as director of brand management for Connoisseur Media. Entercom New York market manager Susan Larkin states, “Michelle possesses valuable expertise in programming and talent development, and she will be a much-welcomed asset to our stations. She has a stellar track record for developing top-rated brands and we are looking forward to her contributions at two of New York’s most loved stations.”…..Hubbard Radio’s country KNUC, Seattle “New Country 98.9 The Bull” names Wingnut the station’s midday personality, hosting the 9:00 am to 2:00 pm program. Additionally, he’ll serve as APD and music director. Station PD Scott Mahalick says, “You can have the best strategy in the best building in the world, but if you don’t have Wingnut in your hallways you’re only half steppin’. I’m proud to say we have us a Wingnut in OUR hallways!” Wingnut was previously afternoon drive host and APD/MD at Entercom’s crosstown country KKWF “100.7 The Wolf.”…..At Milwaukee non-commerical triple A WYMS
“88Nine Radio Milwaukee,” music journalist Evan Rytlewski is named web editor for the station’s site. Rytlewski served as music editor for the local alt-weekly Shepherd Express for 13 years and has been a regular contributor to Pitchfork, among other national music publications…..Envision Networks’ nationally syndicated rock show “The Chop Shop” celebrates its 15th anniversary. The program is hosted by WRIF-Detroit’s Steve Black, who says, “My love of rock ‘n’ roll directed me into radio nearly 30 years ago. It was that same passion that opened these shows to syndication 15 years ago. And I see the impact music makes on our lives every day. Some of my happiest moments are helping listeners find new music or remember a special moment attached to one of their favorite songs.”
April 2019 PPM Data – Part Four. April 2019 ratings information has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford. Nielsen Audio’s April 2019 survey period covered March 28 – April 24. See 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.
Austin
Spoken-Word Formats – Down a combined seven-tenths in March/April (3.8 – 3.7 – 3.1, 6+),
Emmis news/talk KLBJ-AM “News Radio 590 AM” departs the top ten (#10 to #12).
In back-to-back reports, Genuine Austin Radio sports talk 
KTXX “The Horn” gains one-tenth (1.6 – 1.7 -1.8, 6+) yet drops from a tie at #17 to #19. This marks the third time in the last five ratings periods that iHeartMedia’s similarly-formatted KVET-AM “1300 AM The Zone” logs a .6 (.6 – .5 – .4 – .6 – .6, flat at #24, 6+).
January 2019 through April 2019 fluctuations by KUT are +1.6 (January); -.6 (February); +.7 (March); and a mammoth -2.0 in April (9.5 – 7.5, 6+). On top the past three months, the University of Texas at Austin-owned news/talk outlet segues to second-place with its lowest 6+-showing (7.5) since August 2018’s 7.1.
Austin Music Formats – The (6+) adult contemporary share in Texas’ capital city balloons by +2.4. Leading the way is Entercom’s KKMJ “Majic 95.5 Better Music For A Better Workday,” whose nine latest report-to-report shifts are: -1.2 (September 2018); +1.2 (October); -.5 (November); +1.2 (December); +2.1 (“Holiday” 2018); -4.9 (January 2019); +.9 (February); -.5 (March); and +1.5 in April (5.0 – 6.5, seventh to third, 6+). “Holiday” 2018’s 9.5 represents its strongest 6+-stat since “Holiday” 2017 (12.4). In early-March, Emmis flipped KGSR “Austin City Limits Radio” to adult contemporary “Star 93.3.” While off nine-tenths in its first sweep in the new format, “Star” erases that deficit completely with a magnitude-matching April increase (1.1 – 2.0, +.9, #20 to #16, 6+). Meanwhile, co-owned triple A KGSR-HD2 debuts with a .8 (#23, 6+). A robust +1.2 by iHeartMedia’s KASE “Austin’s #1 For New Country” (5.7, eighth to fifth, 6+) puts an end to its November 2018 through March 2019 alternating up/down pattern (5.4 – 5.6 – 3.7 – 4.9 – 4.3 – 4.5, 6+). Particularly noteworthy in that timeframe, KASE plummeted by -1.9 in “Holiday” 2018; improved by +1.2 in January; and lost six-tenths in February. Directly after posting a January +1.2 (5.0 – 6.2, 6+), co-owned/similarly-formatted KVET-FM “98.1 The Austin, Texas Original” is -1.3 in three straight decreases (6.2 – 5.9 – 5.1 – 4.9, sixth to eighth, 6+). The market’s other country player – Genuine Austin Radio-owned KOKE-FM “Austin’s Country Alternative” – is unchanged from March in 6+-share (2.0) and market rank (#16). A January drop of one-tenth interrupted three straight increases that nearly doubled (+1.1) its 6+-stat (1.3 – 1.5 – 1.8 – 2.4, 6+). Improving by three-tenths in March/April (8.4 – 8.6 – 8.7, 6+), Emmis adult hits KBPA “103.5 Bob-FM” progresses from the runner-up slot to #1. This is the first time that “Bob” occupies the top spot since December 2018 when KBPA scored an 8.3 (6+). Conversely, regional Mexican sibling KLZT “107.1 La Z,” which was +1.2 in March (5.5 – 6.7, 6+), surrenders two-thirds of that increase (5.9, -.8, third to fourth, 6+). Prior to March, KLZT last reached the six-share level in October 2016 (6.1). After finishing with a 1.0 in March (#21, 6+), Principle Broadcasting Foundation triple A KDRP-LP “Sun Radio – The Best Music Under The Sun” vanishes from print.
Raleigh
Spoken-Word Formats – By dropping four-tenths to 6.1 (fifth to seventh, 6+), iHeartMedia news/talk WTKK “106.1 Stay Connected” suspends three straight sweeps without a loss that accounted for a +1.9 (4.6 – 6.1 – 6.5 – 6.5, 6+). Progressing from #18 to #17, Curtis
Media Group news/talk WPTF “News Radio 680” improves by four-tenths in March/April (1.3 – 1.6 – 1.7, 6+).
In an alternating up/down pattern that commenced in “Holiday” 2018, Capitol Broadcasting sports talk WCMC “99.9 The Fan” has a topline of: 1.6 – 1.8 – 1.7 – 2.4 – 2.2, #14 to #15, 6+). Contrast that to co-owned/similarly-formatted model of consistency WDNC “620 The Ticket” (#25) whose August 2018 through April 2019 topline is: .1 – .1 – .1 – .1 – .1 – .1 – .1 – .1 – .2 – .2 (6+).
Regaining half (+.1) of March’s two-tenths decrease (7.5 – 7.3 – 7.4, 6+), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill news/talk WUNC “91.5 North Carolina Public Radio” continues in third-place. WUNC was -.9 (November 2018); +1.0 (January 2019); and -.6 (February).
Raleigh Music Formats – The three latest shifts by iHeartMedia’s WRDU “Classic Rock 100.7” are +.6 (February); -.8 (March); and +.9 in April (5.4 – 6.3, seventh to fifth, 6+). Moreover, this (6.3) is its best 6+-showing since September 2015’s 6.5. Co-owned WNCB posts an impressive April gain of nine-tenths as well (2.9, #15 to #13, 6+), wiping away February/March’s loss of six-tenths (2.6 – 2.2 – 2.0, 6+). “New Country B-93.9” logs its highest 6+-stat since September 2018 (also 2.9). Meanwhile, its format foe – Curtis Media Group’s WQDR “94.7 Today’s Best Country” – tacks on seven-tenths to a March gain of three-tenths (6.2 – 6.5 – 7.2, 6+), and climbs from fifth to fourth. Since debuting in print in “Holiday” 2018, classic country cluster-mate WQDR-AM “Just Right Country – AM 570” has a 6+ topline of: .1 – .1 – .4 – .8 – .8 (#21). Even though it is a collective -1.5 in three straight down or flat trends (11.0 – 9.9 – 9.5 – 9.5, 6+), Radio One urban AC WFXC “Foxy – Today’s R&B and Classic Soul” is #1 for the ninth straight time. Entering the March sweep, its five previous fluctuations were +.9 (November 2018); -1.5 (December); +1.1 (“Holiday” 2018); +1.1 (January 2019) to 11.0, WFXC’s highest 6+-stat in the PPM-era; and -1.1 in February. A combined -1.6 in March/April (7.8 – 7.3 – 6.2, 6+), urban contemporary sibling WQOK “K-97.5” drops from third to sixth. This follows three straight sweeps without a loss that yielded two-tenths (7.6 – 7.6 – 7.8 – 7.8, 6+). On the heels of a March decrease of six-tenths, Radio Training Network contemporary Christian WRTP “His Radio” falters by another seven-tenths (2.5 – 1.9 – 1.2, #16 to #20, 6+). As a result of regressing by one-half share to 3.2 (#11 to #12, 6+), Curtis Media Group CHR WPLW “Pulse FM All The Hits” concludes at three its consecutive string of up or flat moves that led to a gain of eight-tenths (2.9 – 3.0 – 3.0 – 3.7, 6+). March’s 3.7 is its highest 6+-stat since June 2018’s 3.8. Similarly-formatted WDCG, which was +1.5 in January/February (4.5 – 5.6 – 6.0, 6+), is a combined -.9 in March/April (6.0 – 5.4 – 5.1, 6+) as iHeartMedia-owned “G-105 Raleigh’s #1 Hit Music Station” slips from seventh to ninth. Curtis Media Group-owned regional Mexican WYMY “La Ley 101.1” is a collective -1.4 in four straight reports without an increase (3.2 – 2.9 – 2.1 – 1.8 – 1.8, 6+), but advances from #17 to #16.
Indianapolis
Spoken-Word Formats – To say the least, the nine most recent ratings periods have been a
wild rollercoaster ride for Emmis news/talk WIBC. In that stretch, “Indy’s Mobile News 93.1” has been: -.7 (September); +1.0 (October); +.7 (November); -.9 (December); -.9 
(“Holiday” 2018); +.9 (January 2019); +.9 (February); -.8 (March); and -1.2 in April (6.4 – 5.2, sixth to eighth, 6+). The high points (7.2, 6+) came in November and February, while April’s 5.2 is the lowest 6+-stat in that timeframe.
While remaining steady at #16, sports talk sibling WFNI “The Fan – Indy’s Sports Center” improves by three-tenths (2.0 – 2.3, 6+) and opens up a full-share advantage over iHeartMedia’s similarly-formatted WNDE “Indy’s Sports Station,” which loses one-half share in three straight sweeps without an increase (1.8 – 1.7 – 1.7 – 1.3, #17 to #18, 6+). After five straight times of logging a .1 (6+), Cumulus Media’s WXNT doubles it to .2 (#22, 6+); this is the 15th consecutive sweep that “CBS Sports AM 1430” has notched either a .1 or .2 (6+).
All but one-tenth of Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Broadcasting news/talk WFYI’s collective +1.5 in three gains in succession (4.2 – 5.1 – 5.6 – 5.7, 6+) is obliterated by an April -1.4 to 4.3 (6+); WFYI departs the top ten (#7 to #11).
Indianapolis Music Formats – While perhaps not quite as volatile as the recent ratings history of Emmis news/talk WIBC (noted above), Cumulus Media classic hits-oldies WJJK “Classic Hits 104.5” has experienced some significant shifts lately. It was a whopping +2.9 in January (virtually eliminating December/“Holiday” 2018’s -3.0); -.7 (February); -.6 (March); and +1.7 in April (8.5 – 10.2, 6+). Not only is WJJK #1 for the fourth month in a row, it registers the highest 6+-share (10.2) in the station’s PPM-history, eclipsing October 2018’s 10.0. After spending six straight sweeps on top, “Classic Hits 104.5” slipped to third in “Holiday” 2018 but returned to #1 in January. A non-Christmas music month +1.7 would usually grab top honors for largest increase in a market, but WJJK’s feat is outdone by Emmis adult contemporary WYXB, which is +1.9 to 8.8 (6+), as “B-105.7” progresses from third to second. The huge uptick applies the brakes to three negative moves in succession that accounted for a roughly 58% (-9.5) loss of its 6+ AQH share (16.4 – 7.6 – 7.0 – 6.9, 6+). It leaps over Cumulus Media’s WFMS (second to third) even though “95.5 The Country Station” follows March’s +1.1 with a gain of seven-tenths (6.2 – 7.3 – 8.0, 6+). Having finished on top in April 2018, May, and June, WFMS was +1.0 (April 2018); +.5 (May); -.5 (July); -.7 (August); +.9 (October); -1.8 (December); +1.1 (January 2019); -1.0 (February); +1.1 (March); and is +.7 (April). Three successive bumps by Emmis-owned/similarly formatted WLHK netted a +2.2 (4.4 – 5.2 – 5.9 – 6.6, 6+), but “Country 97.1 Hank FM” returns one-tenth in April to 6.5 (6+) and continues in fifth-place. Prior to adding eight-tenths in January, “Hank” was an overall -1.3 in three straight decreases (5.7 – 5.0 – 4.6 – 4.4, 6+). Radio One urban AC WTLC-FM “106.7 Indy’s R&B Leader” gains eight-tenths in four successive up or flat trends (4.6 – 4.6 – 5.0 – 5.3 – 5.4, 6+) and advances from ninth to seventh. The last time Sarkes Tarzian triple A WTTS appeared in print was more than seven years ago (February 2012, 2.8, #16). “World Class Rock 92.3 – Experience The Music” resurfaces in April with a 3.1 (#4, 6+). As both Entercom hot AC WNTR “107.9 The Mix” and Radio One rhythmic CHR WHHH “Hot 96.3” drop one-half share, they display identical March to April profiles: 5.1 – 4.6 (6+), tenth to ninth. WNTR’s March 5.1 is its highest 6+-stat since January 2018’s 5.5; “Hot” is a cumulative -1.5 in four successive negative moves (6.1 – 5.6 – 5.2 – 5.1 – 4.6, 6+). Educational Media Foundation contemporary Christian WKLU “Positive & Encouraging K-Love” is off seven-tenths in three straight declines (4.1- 3.9 – 3.6 – 3.4, flat at #12); while co-owned/similarly-formatted WQRA Air 1 – Worship Now” is without an increase for the sixth sweep in succession for a net loss of one-half share (.7 – .5 – .5 – .4 – .4 – .4 – .2, #22, 6+). In four consecutive down or flat reports, Cumulus Media CHR WYRG “Energy 93.9” is off six-tenths (1.8 – 1.8 – 1.7 – 1.6 – 1.2, #18 to #19, 6+).
Milwaukee
Spoken-Word Formats – No station in Nielsen Audio’s 48 PPM-markets makes a greater (6+) March 2019 – April 2019 escalation than Good Karma Brands’ WTMJ (5.9 – 8.8, +2.9) as the Brewers flagship leaps from fourth to second. Its March 5.9 marked the first time
“Wisconsin’s Radio Station” slipped below a six-share (6+) since January 2018 (5.3). Some of its representative shifts include +1.9 (April 2018); +2.5 (October); -1.0 (November); -2.6 (December); and +2.9 (April 2019). Climbing from eighth to sixth, iHeartMedia’s WISN “News/Talk 1130,” which sputtered by -1.7 in February/March (6.8 – 6.1 – 5.1, 6+), regains four-tenths to 5.5 (6+). “News/Talk 1130” boasted a January +2.2.
Off one-tenth in consecutive sweeps (1.4 – 1.3 – 1.2, 6+) Entercom’s WSSP “Sports Radio 105.7 The Fan” slips from #15 to #16. Surrendering half the six-tenths it gained in February/March (1.3 – 1.0, -.3, 6+), Good Karma Brands’ WKTI “94.5 ESPN” tumbles from #15 to #18. Prior to February’s increase, WKTI was an overall -3.7 in nine straight down or flat sweeps (4.4 – 4.3 – 4.2 – 3.8 – 3.5 – 3.4 – 2.3 – .8 – .7 – .7, 6+). In late-November (2018), iHeartMedia transitioned CHR WRNW “97.7 Now” to “97.3 The Game.” The station’s December 2018 through April 2019 topline is: 2.8 – .3 – .6 – .4 – .6 – .3 (#21 to #22, 6+). Co-owned WOKY “The Big 920” returns the one-tenth it picked up in March (.2 – .3 – .2, #23 to #24, 6+). After popping up with a .5 (6+) in November 2018, Good Karma Brands’ WAUK has disappeared from print.
Three straight sweeps without a loss by WUWM led to a +1.2 (3.6 – 4.5 – 4.8 – 4.8, 6+), but the University of Wisconsin news/talk outlet surrenders four-tenths to 4.4 (ninth to tenth, 6+). While flat at 1.1 (6+), Wisconsin Public Radio news/talk WHAD advances from #18 to #17.
Milwaukee Music Formats – Milwaukee Radio Alliance-owned alternative WLUM “102.1 Sounds Different” is an overall +1.8 in three straight bumps (2.5 – 3.0 – 4.1 – 4.3, 6+) and moves from #12 to #11. Whereas January’s 2.5 is its lowest-ever 6+ PPM stat, this (4.3) is its best since August 2017’s 4.3. Rebounding from a March loss of eight-tenths with an April improvement of nearly the same magnitude (9.4 – 10.1, +.7, 6+), iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WRIT “95.7 Big FM Milwaukee’s Greatest Hits” is #1 for the fifth sweep in succession. Before shifting to #2 in October 2018, “Big FM” spent 43 consecutive ratings periods at #1; “Holiday” 2018’s 11.5 is the strongest 6+-stat for any Milwaukee station since WRIT’s 11.6 in “Holiday” 2017. Its six most recent moves are -1.0 (December); +3.8 (“Holiday” 2018); – 1.9 (January 2019); +.6 (February); -.8 (March); and +.7 (April). After scoring back-to-back gains of nine-tenths (4.5 – 5.4 – 6.3, 6+), Entercom CHR WXSS “103.7 Kiss FM” forfeits approximately 78% (-1.4) of that February/March bounty with a -1.4 to 4.9 (6+), drifting from third to eighth. With a 6.3 in March, “Kiss” reached the six-share level (6+) for the first time since December 2012 (6.1). Hot AC sibling WMYX “99.1 The Mix” has lost seven-tenths in four down or flat reports (6.1 – 6.1 – 5.8 – 5.7 – 5.4, sixth to seventh, 6+). Unchanged at #11, iHeartMedia urban contemporary WKKV is a collective -2.2 in three straight sweeps without an increase (6.5 – 5.4 – 4.3 – 4.3, 6+). Immediately prior to the February sweep, “V-100.7 Jams” was an overall +2.0 via three successive gains (4.5 – 4.7 – 5.9 – 6.5, 6+).
Nashville
Spoken-Word Formats – Locked on 3.2 (6+) in “Holiday” 2018 and January 2019, and then on 3.6 (6+) in February and March, Cumulus 
Media news/talk WWTN “Super Talk 99.7” sputters by four-tenths and is back at 3.2 (#13 to #14, 6+). In three straight improvements, iHeartMedia news/talk WLAC netted seven-tenths (1.0 – 1.5 – 1.6 – 1.7, 6+), but “Talk Radio 1510” forfeits three-tenths to 1.4 (#17 to #19, 6+).
Cumulus Media sports talk WGFX “104.5 The Zone” (5.5 – 4.8, sixth to ninth) continues an October 2018 through April 2019 alternating up/down sequence: +1.3 (October); -.9 (November); +.2 (December); -.8 (“Holiday 2018”); +.3 (January 2019); -.7 (February); +1.1 (March); and -.7 (April). Ironically, Cromwell Group-owned/similarly-formatted WPRT “102.5 The Game” (+.2, #17 to #16) is also in an up/down pattern: 1.3 – 1.7 – 1.6 – 1.8 – 1.6 – 1.9 – 1.7 – 1.9, (6+).
Following a combined +2.1 in January/February (3.6 – 5.2 – 5.7, 6+), Nashville Public Radio news/talk/classical hybrid WPLN-FM “NPR News and Classical Music” is -1.3 in March/April (5.7 – 4.8 – 4.4, flat at #10, 6+). With an April loss of seven-tenths, its internet stream all but disappears, as evidence by this January 2019 through April 2019 topline: 1.1 – 1.1 – .8 – .1 (#28, 6+).
Nashville Music Formats – Six-tenths proves to be particularly noteworthy this sweep for two stations in the Midwest Communications cluster. In the case of adult hits WCJK, a gain of six-tenths to 8.4 (6+) pushes “96.3 Jack FM Playing What We Want” from the runner-up slot to #1. From January 2019 through April 2019, “Jack” nets a +2.4 (6.0 – 6.7 – 7.8 – 8.4, 6+) and reaches the eight-share level (8.4, 6+) for the first time since July 2018’s 8.1. Its five most recent shifts are +1.2 (“Holiday” 2018); -1.3 (January 2019); +.7 (February); +1.1 (March); and +.6 (April). On the flipside, adult contemporary sibling WJXA “Mix 92.9 – Your Life, Your Music,” which had been #1 the past 15 ratings periods, forfeits six-tenths to 8.2 (6+) and assumes WCJK’s vacated position at #2. “Mix” is an overall -5.9 in four straight setbacks (14.1 – 10.6 – 9.3 – 8.8 – 8.2, 6+). Eleven recent fluctuations for “Mix” are: +1.0 (June 2018); +.9 (August); -.9 (September); -.7 (October); +.9 (November); +1.9 (December); +3.2 (“Holiday” 2018); -3.5 (January 2019); -1.3 (February); -.5 (March); and -.6 (April). January’s -3.5 interrupted three consecutive positive spikes that led to a +6.0 (8.1 – 9.0 – 10.9 – 14.1, 6+). “Holiday” 2018’s 14.1 is the highest 6+-share for any Nashville outlet since WJXA’s 14.4 in “Holiday” 2017. Continuing to enjoy its progressive roll, Cumulus Media country outlet WKDF “103.3 Nash FM” is a collective +2.2, owing to five straight upticks (4.1 – 4.2 – 5.4 – 5.9 – 6.1 – 6.3, 6+) and advances from fifth to fourth. Prior to March, “103.3 Nash FM” last hit the six-share threshold in June 2013. There is a similar story for iHeartMedia’s WSIX “The Big 98 – Nashville’s #1 for New Country,” which racks up a +1.7 in four consecutive up or flat trends (3.5 – 4.7 – 4.7 – 5.0 – 5.2, 6+), inching up from eighth to seventh. Unchanged at #8 is the other country FM in “Music City USA,” Cumulus Media’s WSM-FM “95.5 Nash Icon,” which has lost two-tenths in four successive mostly flat/modestly-down sweeps (5.2 – 5.1 – 5.0 – 5.0 – 5.0, 6+). Posting increases of seven-tenths and one-half share, respectively, are Educational Media Foundation WLVU “Positive & Encouraging K-Love” (3.0 – 3.7, #14 to #13, 6+) and WAY Media’s WAYM “Uplifting-Upbeat-Real” (1.5, #21 to #18). Both of these contemporary Christian outlets were down six-tenths in March; WAYM was actually a combined -.8 in February/March (1.8 – 1.6 – 1.0, 6+). Up six-tenths in April, iHeartMedia CHR WRVW “107.5 The River” (seventh to sixth) has an alternating down/up “Holiday” 2018 through April 2019 pattern of: 5.0 – 4.9 – 5.6 – 5.3 – 5.9 (6+). Flat at #4, co-owned WNRQ “105.9 The Rock – Nashville’s Classic Rock” is a combined -1.2 in March/April (7.5 – 6.6 – 6.3, fourth, 6+), directly after logging a +1.1 in January/February (6.4 – 6.7 – 7.5, 6+).
Providence
Spoken-Word Formats – Despite adding one-tenth (3.7 – 3.8, 6+), Cumulus Media
news/talk WPRO-AM “News Talk 630” backslides from seventh to eighth. Down two-tenths in March, WPRO-AM’s February gain of one-tenth halted three successive down or flat moves that accounted for an overall -1.0 (4.8 – 4.8 – 4.2 – 3.8, 6+). For the third report in a row, iHeartMedia-owned news/talk WHJJ
“Providence’s News, Traffic, and Weather” (#11 to #12) has a month-to-month shift of two-tenths (1.9 – 2.1 – 1.9 – 1.7, 6+). After having lost a collective four-tenths through three straight down or flat Providence reports (1.4 – 1.1 – 1.0 – 1.0, 6+), co-owned Boston hybrid news-talk WBZ-AM “News Radio 1030” adds three-tenths to 1.3 (6+) and advances from #18 to #15. By returning the two-tenths it acquired in March (.6, flat at #20), Cumulus Media-owned WPRV “AM 790 Talk & Business” suspends four straight (modest) increases that nearly tripled (+.5) its 6+-stat (.3 – .4 – .5 – .6 – .8, 6+).
Up seven-tenths in January onto to return a combined six-tenths in February/March, Entercom sports talk WVEI dials up a four-tenths gain in April (3.6 – 4.0, eighth to seventh, 6+).
After being tied at #12 in February and March, The Wheeler School’s news/talk WELH (1.6 – 2.0, +.4, #12 to #10, 6+) and WGBH Educational Foundation Boston news/talk WGBH (flat at 1.6, #12 to #13, 6+) get a bit untangled. By gaining one-tenth in January, WELH ended three straight down or flat trends that accounted for an overall loss of eight-tenths (2.6 – 2.0 – 2.0 – 1.8, 6+). In January, WGBH was stable at 1.6 (6+) following “Holiday” 2018’s decrease of seven-tenths.
Providence Music Formats – Shaking off a March loss of one-half share, iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WWBB “B-101” (fifth to fourth) roars back with a +1.6 to 7.6, its highest 6+-share since July 2018’s 8.1. In four straight positive spikes (5.6 – 7.2 – 7.4 – 7.4 – 7.8, 6+), Hall Communications’ WCTK “Cat Country 98.1” is +2.2 (fourth to third); this follows a collective -3.1 as a result of three declines in succession (8.7 – 8.2 – 6.9 – 5.6, 6+). Debuting in February with a .3 (6+), classic hits-oldies sibling WNBH “Big 101.3” follows with a .4 (March, 6+) and .5 in April (#21, 6+). Immediately after “Holiday” 2018’s lofty 16.2 (6+), Cumulus Media adult contemporary WWLI posted a consistent January – February – March topline of 9.1 – 9.3 – 9.2 (6+). Not only does “Lite Rock 105” have a one-half share bump to 9.7 (6+), it advances from second, where it had been the past three sweeps, to first. Prior to shifting to the runner-up slot in January 2019, “Lite Rock 105” was #1 for six consecutive sweeps; “Holiday” 2018’s 16.2 is the highest 6+-stat for any Providence station since WWLI’s 18.0 in “Holiday” 2016. Displaced from the top spot after three straight months there and segueing to second-place is iHeartMedia’s WHJY “94 HJY Providence’s Home of Rock & Roll,” which falters by nine-tenths to 9.6 (6+). The loss interrupts four consecutive ratings periods without a loss that netted a +2.0 (8.5 – 9.8 – 9.8 – 9.8 – 10.5, 6+). Before taking over at #1 in January, WHJY was in the runner-up slot from September 2018 through “Holiday” 2018. This Rhode Island market’s 6+ CHR share softens by -1.3, virtually equally divided between Townsquare Media’s WFHN “Fun 107 – The South Coast’s #1 Hit Music Station” (-.7, #9 to #11, 6+) and Cumulus Media-owned WPRO-FM “Today’s Hit Music – 92 PRO FM” (7.2, third to fifth, 6+). “Fun 107” has now lost more than 50% (-2.3) of its 6+-share in three straight slips (4.2 – 3.7 – 2.6 – 1.9, 6+). Immediately in advance of this negative stretch, WFHN more than tripled (+3.0) as a result of six successive up or flat moves (1.2 – 1.3 – 1.4 – 1.4 – 1.5 – 1.7 – 4.2, 6+). WPRO-FM’s April -.6 pulls the plug on three straight gains that netted a +1.4 6.4 – 6.8 – 7.1 – 7.8, 6+); 7.8 in March is its best 6+-stat since September 2018’s 8.4.
Norfolk – Not only has iHeartMedia alternative WNOH gained six-tenths in four straight upticks (.8 – .9 – 1.0 – 1.1 – 1.4, 6+), “Alt 105.3” cracks the top ten (#13 to #10). Following five negative or (mostly) flat sweeps for a net loss of three-tenths (1.6 -1.6 – 1.6 – 1.6 – 1.4 – 1.3, 
6+), rhythmic oldies cluster-mate WHBT “92.1 The Beat” gains four-tenths in March/April (1.3 – 1.6 – 1.7, 6+) and is steady at #9. The January 2019 through April 2019 toplines of Saga classic rock WAFX “106.9 The Fox” and iHeartMedia urban contemporary WOWI “103 Jamz” are virtually identical. “The Fox” is 7.5 – 7.4 – 7.6 – 7.8 (third to second, 6+), while “103 Jamz” is 7.5 – 7.4 – 7.7 – 7.8 (unchanged at #2, 6+). A combined -2.4 in March/April (12.9 – 11.6 – 10.5, 6+), Entercom urban AC WVKL “Smooth R&B from Yesterday & Today” is nonetheless #1 for the fourth month in a row. Until April’s 10.5, it had posted a 6+-share of 11.0 or higher 37 of 38 times. WVKL had been on top 25 successive survey periods before segueing to the runner-up slot in “Holiday” 2018. Its August 2018 15.5 holds the record for highest 6+-performance by any Norfolk station in the PPM-era. Adult contemporary sibling WWDE “101.3 2WD,” which was up three-tenths in March, surrenders eight-tenths (6.6 – 5.8, 6+), slipping from fourth to fifth. Its December/“Holiday” 2018 +7.9 (5.7 – 7.2 – 13.6, 6+) culminated with a 13.6 – the strongest 6+-showing in WWDE’s PPM-history. After being a combined +1.0 in February/March (1.6 – 2.4 – 2.6, 6+), iHeartMedia-owned rhythmic hot AC WMOV “Movin’ 107.7” forfeits six-tenths to 2.0 (6+) but remains in eighth-place. As a result of seven successive down or flat sweeps, WMOV was –4.3 (5.0 – 1.6 – 1.3 – 1.1 – 1.1 – 1.1 – .9 – .7, 6+); +5.7 via five straight upticks (.7 – 1.0 – 1.3 – 1.5 – 1.9 – 6.4, 6+); and was -4.8 in “Holiday” 2018/January 2019 (6.4 – 4.9 – 1.6, 6+). While it carries on in seventh-place, Entercom hot AC WPTE “94.9 The Point” drops three-tenths to 2.8 (6+), thus curtailing three straight gains that yielded a +1.1 (2.0 – 2.2 – 2.9 – 3.1, 6+). Immediately prior to this streak, WPTE was a collective -1.5 in four straight declines (3.5 – 3.4 – 2.9 – 2.5 – 2.0, 6+).
Jacksonville
Spoken-Word Formats – Despite being an overall -1.8 in three straight setbacks (10.4 – 9.7 – 8.8 – 8.6, 6+), Cox Media Group news/talk WOKV “104.5 – Jacksonville’s News, Weather, and Traffic” manages to progress from second to first. This is WOKV’s lowest 6+-share since September 2018 (8.6, as well), while November 2018’s 11.2 is its best-ever 6+-stat in the PPM-era.
Even though iHeartMedia sports talk WFXJ “930 The Game – Jacksonville’s Sports Leader” is down or flat the sixth consecutive time for a net loss of one-half share (.8 – .7 – .6 – .6 – .5 – .3 – .3, 6+) it returns to the top twenty (#21 to a three-way tie at #19).
A cumulative +1.5 in five increases in a row (2.2 – 2.3 – 2.4 – 3.0 – 3.5 – 3.7, 6+), public news/talk WJCT “Your Community – Your World” is off two-tenths to 3.5 (6+) but advances from #12 to #11.
Jacksonville Music Formats – After posting a +1.2 in January, iHeartMedia-owned urban AC WSOL was a combined -1.4 in February/March (6.1 – 5.6 – 4.7, 6+). Now in April, “V-101.5” logs a gain of seven-tenths to 5.4, climbing seventh to fifth. Gospel cluster-mate WKSL-HD3 is without a loss for the third straight time for a net increase of one-half share 2.2 – 2.2 – 2.2 – 2.7 (#15 to #14, 6+). Conversely, co-owned rock WKSL-HD2, which was trending 1.0 – .7 – .7 – .7 – .6 (6+), disappears from print. It is a March-only stay at #1 for Cox Media Group classic hits-oldies WJGL “96.9 The Eagle,” which is off six-tenths to 8.3 (6+) and segues to a second-place tie. In addition, the decrease pulls the plug on three bumps in succession that resulted in a +1.6 (7.3 – 8.1 – 8.6 – 8.9, 6+). Immediately prior to that streak, “The Eagle” was an overall -2.0 in four consecutive slips (9.3 – 9.2 – 8.5 – 8.2 – 7.3, 6+). In a similar scenario, iHeartMedia-owned WWJK “107.3 Planet Radio – Jacksonville’s Rock Station” forfeits nine-tenths to 3.1 (#9 to #12, 6+), curtailing three gains in succession that accounted for a +1.8 (2.2 – 3.3 – 3.6 – 4.0, 6+). In December/“Holiday” 2018, WWJK was a combined -1.4 (3.6 – 2.8 – 2.2, 6+). Cox Media Group CHR WAPE “95.1 Jacksonville’s #1 Hit Music Station,” which was an overall +2.1 in three successive up or flat moves (5.2 – 6.8 – 6.8 – 7.3, 6+), forfeits one-tenth to 7.2 (6+) but remains in fourth-place. Entering the top twenty at #19 is iHeartMedia Spanish contemporary WQIK-HD2, which gains two-tenths in eight straight sweeps without a loss (.1 – .1 – .1 – .1 – .1 – .2 – .2 – .2 – .3, 6+). As a result of seven consecutive negative moves (7.0 – 6.8 – 6.7 – 6.4 – 6.1 – 5.2 – 5.0 – 4.5, 6+), co-owned WQIK “Jacksonville’s Country 99.1” is a -2.5 and slips from fifth to eighth. Its format rival – Renda Broadcasting’s WGNE “Gator Country 99.9” – erases February’s half-share loss with a March/April increase of six-tenths (3.8 – 4.0 – 4.4, 6+) and continues in ninth-place. At the same time that WGNE’s adult contemporary sibling WEJZ “96.1 Jacksonville’s Official Work Station” slips by four-tenths (8.7 – 8.3, third to a second-place tie, 6+), Cox Media Group’s similarly-formatted WEZI “Easy 102.9” adds four-tenths (4.5 – 4.9, eighth to seventh, 6+). Prior to a +.3 in March, WEJZ lost more than 50% (-7.9) of its 6+ AQH share in January/February (16.3 – 8.5 – 8.4, 6+). It was +8.4 December/“Holiday” 2018 (7.9 – 10.7 – 16.3, 6+), with “Holiday” 2018’s 16.3 the highest 6+-mark for any Jacksonville station since “Holiday” 2015 when WEJZ notched a 19.5. Meanwhile, by relinquishing six-tenths in March, WEZI surrendered roughly half of January/February’s +1.1.
West Palm Beach
Spoken-Word Formats – By piling on four-tenths to March’s +.3 (2.0 – 2.3 – 2.7, 6+), iHeartMedia-owned WJNO “1290 The Palm Beaches’ News & Talk” progresses from tenth to ninth and has its best 6+-showing (2.7) since July 2018’s 2.9. A combined -.7 in February/March (2.7 – 2.4 – 2.0, 6+), co-owned news/talk WZZR “Real Radio 94.3 – Real Talk For The Palm Beaches” is up three-tenths to 
2.3 (#12 to #11, 6+). After having lost roughly 55% (-1.6) of its 6+ AQH share in four successive negative moves (2.9 – 2.2 – 2.0 – 1.4 – 1.3, 6+), Hubbard Broadcasting’s WFTL “News Talk 850” wipes away half that deficit with a +.8 to 2.1 (#17 to #12, 6+). Doubling (+.5) its 6+-stat in three straight sweeps without a loss (.5 – .7 – 1.0 – 1.0, 6+), iHeartMedia Miami news/talk WIOD enters the West Palm Beach top twenty (#22 to #20).
In August 2018, co-owned sports talk WBZT “1230 The Zone” posted a .1 (6+) but has been a “no-show” in the subsequent nine sweeps.
Slipping from seventh to eighth, Dade County School Board news/talk WLRN has lost eight-tenths in three successive decreases (3.7 – 3.4 – 3.1 – 2.9, 6+).
West Palm Beach Music Formats – When iHeartMedia-owned adult contemporary WOLL lost one-tenth in March, it snapped at three its consecutive string of positive spikes that netted a +1.2 (5.3 – 5.5 – 5.8 – 6.5, 6+). “Today’s Kool 105.5” answers in April with a +.7 to 7.1, its best 6+-stat since July 2016’s 7.5, and advances from third to second. Conversely, following a March increase of seven-tenths, Hubbard Broadcasting-owned/similarly-programmed WEAT-FM “Sunny 107.9” spirals by -1.2 (8.2 – 7.1, 6+) and trades places with WOLL (second to third). “Sunny” was a combined -3.2 in January/February (10.7 – 7.8 – 7.5, 6+). Up six-tenths (5.3 – 5.9, 6+), urban AC cluster-mate WMBX “X-102.3” is steady in fourth-place and has its highest 6+-share (5.9) since May 2018’s 6.2. Immediately on the heels of erupting with a +2.0 in March, co-owned hot AC WRMF “97.9 Variety from the 90s and Now” craters by an even more humongous -2.2 (9.2 – 11.2 – 9.0, 6+) but is #1 for the fourth month in a row. Its March 11.2 is its highest 6+-share since November 2017 (11.2, as well). Having faltered by -1.0 in January, WRMF was frozen on 9.2 (6+) in January and February. A cumulative -1.9 via five consecutive down or flat reports (4.4 – 4.0 – 3.6 – 2.8 – 2.8 – 2.5, 6+), WAY Media contemporary Christian WAYF “WAY-FM Uplifting-Upbeat-Real” halts the slide by picking up two-tenths to 2.7 (6+) and remains in ninth-place. Off one-half share (1.5 – 1.0, 6+), Moody Bible Institute gospel WRMB “89.3 Moody Radio” fades from #15 to #20.
Greensboro
Spoken-Word Formats – In addition to being -1.2 in March/April (4.4 – 3.6 – 3.2, 6+), iHeartMedia news/talk WPTI departs the top ten (#10 to #11); “94.5 Your News, Talk, & Sports Station” was +1.4 in January/February (3.0 – 4.3 – 4.4, 6+).
After more than doubling (+.5) its 6+ AQH share in three consecutive increases (.4 – .5 – .6 – .9, 6+), Curtis Media Group sports talk
WSJS “Triad Sports” returns one-tenth to .8 (#15 to #14, 6+).
While it remains anchored at #13 for the 12th consecutive time, Wake Forest University news/talk WFDD “88.5 Public Radio for the Piedmont” erodes by seven-tenths (2.3 – 1.6, 6+). Off three-tenths to .5 (#16 to #17, 6+), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill news/talk WUNC halts at four its consecutive string of up or flat trends that netted two-tenths (.6 – .6 – .6 – .7 – .8, 6+).
Greensboro Music Formats – Four consecutive sweeps without a loss by iHeartMedia CHR WMKS have generated a collective +1.8 (2.8 – 3.0 – 3.6 – 3.6 – 4.6, 6+) as “100.3 Kiss-FM” climbs from tenth to ninth and reaches the four-share level (4.6, 6+) for the first time in exactly one year (4.1, April 2018). Improving by seven-tenths (each) are Entercom rhythmic CHR WJMH “102 Jamz” (6.5 – 7.2, steady at #4, 6+) and iHeartMedia-owned rocker WVBZ “105.7 – Man Up” (2.5 – 3.2, #12 to #11, 6+). Prior to faltering by one-half share in March, WJMH was an overall +.9 through three consecutive positive moves (6.1 – 6.2 – 6.9 – 7.0, 6+). Five straight declines by WQMG resulted in a -2.3 (11.4 – 10.8 – 10.3 – 9.9 – 9.6 – 9.1, 6+), but “97.1 QMG The Best R&B and Old School” applies the brakes with a +.6 to 9.7 (6+). Moreover, the Entercom urban AC marches to #1 after a March-only stay in the runner-up slot. Up one-full share in November, WQMG spent 11 straight sweeps at #1 in 2018 before segueing to #2 in December. While setting the pace in January and February (2019), its consecutive streak of reaching double-digits (6+) ended in January (2019) at 26. In March, WQMG was replaced at #1 by adult hits cluster-mate WSWM “98.7 Simon Says We Play Everything,” but the roles are reversed in April, as WQMG pushes “Simon” from first to third. The four most recent fluctuations by WSMW are +.9 (January); -.6 (February); +.9 (March); and -1.6 in April (9.8 – 8.2, 6+). Prior to March, the last time WSMW reached #1 was August 2016 when it logged a 10.5 (6+). Whereas March’s 9.8 its best 6+performance since July 2018’s 10.0, April’s 8.2 is its weakest in more than three years (8.1, March 2016). In the market’s country tussle, Entercom’s WPAW “93.1 The Wolf” regains the two-tenths it squandered in March (5.7 – 5.5 – 5.7, 6+), while iHeartMedia’s WTQR “Q-104.1 – #1 for New Country” loses a cumulative seven-tenths in three straight sweeps without an increase (6.0 – 5.3 – 5.3 – 5.0, 6+). Before dropping two-tenths in March, “The Wolf” had three consecutive shifts of one-half share: -.5 (“Holiday” 2018); +.5 (January 2019); and +.5 (February). Flat in March, “Q-104.1” substituted January’s +.7 with a February -.7 (5.3 – 6.0 – 5.3, 6+). April results keep WPAW and WTQR at #6 and #8, respectively.
Memphis
Spoken-Word Formats – Recapturing the one-tenth it lost in March (4.3 – 4.3 – 4.4, 6+), iHeartMedia news/talk WREC “600 AM – Memphis’ News, Traffic, & Weather,” which was a combined +1.8 in January/February (2.6 – 3.8 – 4.4, 6+), progresses from tenth to eighth.
Dipping from #11 to #12, Entercom sports talk WMFS “ESPN Sports Radio” is off four-tenths via three straight reports without an increase (4.0 – 4.0 – 3.9 – 3.6, 6+). Its internet stream appeared with a .1 (6+) in December and “Holiday” 2018; disappeared from print in January and February; and resurfaces in March and April (.1 – .1, #18, 6+). It is tied (at #18) with co-owned WMC-AM “ESPN 790,” which is without an increase for the tenth straight time (including eight consecutive .1 showings) for a collective loss of three-tenths (.4 – .4 – .2 – .1 – .1 – .1 – .1 – .1 -.1 – .1 – .1, 6+).
Memphis Music Formats – Notwithstanding that it has back-to-back upticks of six-tenths (5.8 – 6.4 – 7.0, 6+), iHeartMedia gospel WHAL “Hallelujah 95.7 – Memphis’ Inspiration Station” carries on in fifth-place with its best 6+-showing (7.0) in exactly one year (7.1, April 2018). Stuck on 3.3 (6+) in February and March, Entercom’s country WLFP “94.1 The Wolf” displays an April improvement of six-tenths and enters the top ten (3.9, #13 to #9, 6+). On top the sixth time in a row and in double-digits the 13th successive sweep, iHeartMedia urban AC KJMS “V-101” is nonetheless -1.2 in March/April (11.6 – 11.4 – 10.4, 6+). “Holiday” 2018’s 12.8 is the highest 6+-share in more than six years (13.5, December 2012) for “V-101,” which was +2.3 in December/“Holiday” 2018 (10.5 – 11.5 – 12.8, 6+). In addition to KJMS, co-owned WDIA “AM 1070 – The Heart & Soul of Memphis” erodes by -1.0 as well and is actually an overall -1.5 in three successive setbacks (5.3 – 4.9 – 4.8 – 3.8, sixth to tenth, 6+). Following a “Holiday” 2018 -.7 and a January +1.5, Entercom hot AC WMC-FM “FM 100 Today’s Best Mix” is a cumulative -1.8 in February, March, and April (5.6 – 4.9 – 4.4 – 3.8, eighth to tenth, 6+). Forfeiting the one-half share gain it attained in March (1.1 – 1.6 – 1.1, 6+), Cumulus Media adult contemporary WKIM “98.9 The Bridge” drops from #14 to #15. In “Holiday” 2018, WKIM reached the five-share level (6+), but was a combined -4.0 in January/February (5.1 – 1.3 – 1.1, 6+). Its AC rival is steady in third place, but Entercom’s WRVR “104.5 The River” is -1.2 in March/April (8.9 – 7.8 – 7.7, 6+). Prior to April’s loss of one-tenth, WRVR’s seven most recent moves were: +2.4 (October); -.1 (November); -1.6 (December); +2.0 (“Holiday” 2018); -3.1 (January 2019); +.7 (February); and -1.1 (March). “Holiday” 2018’s 11.3 is its strongest 6+-performance since “Holiday” 2017’s 12.9 (#6).
Hartford
Spoken-Word Formats – Locked in third-place, Entercom news/talk WTIC-AM “News Talk 1080” is an overall +2.4 via four straight positive spikes (5.2 – 5.7 – 5.9 – 7.3 – 7.6, 6+). Off a collective four-tenths in three consecutive sweeps without an increase (1.3 – 1.3 – 1.1 – .9, 6+), Red Wolf Broadcasting news/talk WDRC-AM slips to #15; “AM 1360 The Talk of Connecticut” had finished at #14 the past three
reports. This marks the 11th report in a row that iHeartMedia’s WPOP “News Radio 1410” logs a .1 (#17).
The November 2018 through April 2019 topline for iHeartMedia sports talk WUCS “97.9 ESPN Hartford” is 1.6 – 1.4 – 1.6 – 1.9 – 1.5 – 1.8 – 1.8 (unchanged at #12, 6+).
As part of an alternating up/down pattern that began in December 2018, Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network news/talk WNPR “Connecticut’s Public Media Source for News & Ideas” is +.3 (December); -.7 (“Holiday” 2018); +1.9 (January 2019); -.9 (February); +.1 (March); and -.6 in April (5.3 – 4.7, flat at #9, 6+). After losing four-tenths in March, University of Massachusetts-owned WFCR “New England Public Radio” erases half that decline with an April gain of two-tenths (1.5 – 1.1 – 1.3, flat at #14, 6+).
Hartford Music Formats – By racking up a robust increase of nine-tenths after its March +.4 (7.2 – 7.6 – 8.5, unchanged in second-place, 6+), Entercom hot AC WTIC-FM “96.5 TIC-FM” brings to a halt the down/up pattern it began in August 2018: 7.2 – 7.0 – 7.5 – 7.2 – 7.4 – 6.3 – 7.7 – 7.2 – 7.6 (6+). This (8.5) is WTIC-FM’s highest 6+-share since July 2018 (8.6). Red Wolf Broadcasting-owned WDRC-FM “102.9 The Whale Connecticut’s Classic Rock” improves by seven-tenths in March/April (5.3 – 5.4 – 6.0, 6+). In addition to climbing from eighth to seventh, “The Whale” has its best 6+-stat since October 2017 (6.0, as well). Entercom adult contemporary WRCH has certainly experienced considerable shifting in each of the past seven reports. “Lite 100.5” was -.8 (November); +1.8 (December); +5.6 (“Holiday” 2018 to 18.0, the strongest 6+-showing for any Hartford station since WRCH recorded an 18.3 in “Holiday” 2017); -6.9 (January); +1.0 (February; -1.0 (March); and is -1.3 in April. Although #1 for the 34th consecutive ratings period, WRCH drops to 9.8 (6+); it had been in double-digits (6+) in 30 of the last 32 sweeps. A combined +1.1 in February/March (5.0 – 5.5 – 6.1, 6+), iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WHCN “105.9 The River” surrenders eight-tenths to 5.3 (seventh to eighth, 6+); March’s 6.1 is its best 6+-stat since August 2018’s 6.5. Flat at #5, Entercom-owned rhythmic CHR WZMX “Hot 93.7” is -1.4 in March/April (7.9 – 6.6 – 6.5, 6+), following a January/February +1.1 (6.8 – 7.7 – 7.9, 6+).
Friday, May 17, 2019
TALKERS CONVENTION UPDATE: Talkers 2019: Telling the Story Nearing a Sellout! The 22nd annual installment of the talk media industry’s longest-running and most important national convention is on the verge of being sold out. The final deadline for registrations being accepted is one week from today – Friday, May 24 at 5:00 pm ET. According to TALKERS VP/executive editor Kevin Casey, “In order to maintain the intimacy and effectiveness of this heritage event, it must be open only to members of the media industries and be in a special type of venue with limited seating and capacity. We have resisted the impulse to grow this event beyond that level of efficiency. That is one of the reasons it is so popular and has enjoyed such amazing longevity.” To obtain registration information and avoid being shut out before the deadline, call Barbara Kurland at 413-565-5413. For an up to the minute agenda, please click here.
Trinity Broadcasting Adds Eric Metaxas’ Radio Show. Starting today (5/17), Salem Radio Network’s “The Eric Metaxas Radio Show” will have a half-hour “Best of” 
component that will be seen on cable each Friday at 6:00 pm on the Trinity Broadcasting Network. The television version will be repeated Sundays at 10:30 
pm. Salem Broadcast president Dave Santrella remarks that Trinity Broadcasting has “proven to be a great partner in this unique venture. We are delighted to see this show develop into a regular weekend program seen across the country on the TBN cable platform.” Salem Radio Network senior vice president Phil Boyce comments, “We are delighted to see some of Eric’s interviews reach an even bigger audience through TBN’s platform, where more people will get a chance to enjoy his wit, wisdom, and unique personality.” Meanwhile, TBN president Matt Crouch adds that Metaxas’ show “brings a unique depth and flair to TBN’s programming lineup. Eric’s longstanding reputation as a man of both faith and intellect is a perfect fit for TBN’s growing broadcast team of thought and faith leaders.” Yale University grad Metaxas is the founder/host of the New York City-based event series “Socrates in the City: Conversations on the Examined Life” and has been hosting his Salem radio show since 2015.
Meyer Named Entravision Chief Revenue and Product Officer. It will be a homecoming for Karl Alonso Meyer who – effective immediately – becomes Entravision Communications’ chief revenue and product officer. Entravision chair/chief executive officer Walter
F. Ulloa comments, “We are delighted to welcome Karl back 
to Entravision. With his vast experience, strong leadership skills, and extensive knowledge of the company, he is the ideal candidate to drive our sales and revenue initiatives.” Meyer adds, “Entravision is like a second home to me. Having the chance to rejoin the company in this critical role is an exciting opportunity. I couldn’t be more thrilled to be back and working again with the talented Entravision team. The media landscape is constantly changing and I look forward to bringing a unique perspective that will help the business continue its success.” Los Angeles-based Meyer first joined Entravision in 2004 and spent ten years with the company as vice president/general manager of its Los Angeles radio outlets and later as executive vice president/integrated marketing solutions for the western region.
Steve ‘The Big Dog’ Duemig Passes. Diagnosed with a brain tumor in February 2017, Steve “The Big Dog” Duemig, 64, died yesterday morning (Thursday, 5/16). Up until approximately 15 months ago, Duemig did afternoon drive for iHeartMedia Tampa sports talk WDAE “Tampa Bay’s Sports Radio.” A posting on the station’s website notes, “WDAE is mourning the loss of sports radio icon Steve ‘The Big Dog’ Duemig. WDAE and iHeartMedia Tampa Bay would like to extend our thoughts and prayers to the friends and family of ‘The Big Dog,’ Steve Duemig.” Before joining WDAE in 1996, Duemig spent five years at cross-town WFNS. For two years, he was the color analyst for the Tampa Bay Lightning. In addition, Duemig hosted a weekly call-in program on Fox Sports Radio, and the 13-year PGA golfer co-hosted a program on The Golf Channel.
TALKERS News Notes. One of the strongest voices in liberal/progressive talk radio – Bill Press – is pulling the plug on his daily morning 
show after a 14-year run. His last program will air in two weeks (5/31). While Press concludes his syndicated radio platform, he’ll begin podcasting next month, reportedly with a focus on the Democratic primaries. To his more than 32,000 Twitter followers, the 79-year-old Press wrote, “In case you missed it: We’ve had a great 14-year run of daily shows, but it’s time to transition. Don’t worry – my voice will still be front and center as we enter the 2020 election. Big news coming soon.” ….. Deputy Washington editor Shirley Henry is promoted to NPR’s chief Washington editor. She joined NPR five years ago as senior Washington desk editor and was boosted to deputy Washington editor in 2015. NPR News executive editor Edith Chapin notes, “As we further ramp up our election work while staying focused on the current administration, Shirley is poised to lead the team to break stories and provide the daily reporting, enterprise, and context our audience has come to expect. Her multi-platform experience meshed perfectly with the desk leadership in adopting a story first approach to reporting.” Henry has a Master of Public Policy degree from Georgetown University and dual Bachelor’s degrees from Boston University in Journalism and International Relations. Henry served as lead editor for White House 
coverage and was co-editor of the “NPR Politics” podcast. She previously worked at CNN‘s Washington bureau ….. Through its broadcasting agreement with Horse Racing Radio Network (HRRN), SiriusXM will 
air coverage of tomorrow’s (Saturday, 5/18) Preakness Stakes from Baltimore’s Pimlico Race Course. The Preakness is the second jewel of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown. The satcaster airs all Triple Crown races, as well as the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. The wire-to-wire race broadcast of the Preakness is provided by NBC Sports Radio and produced in partnership with HRRN and Westwood One. Later today (Friday, 5/17) at 3:00 pm (ET), SiriusXM will air HRRN’s broadcast of the 95th Black-Eyed Susan Stakes….. The 15th biennial CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament will air live on Entravision Communications’ radio and television stations from (Saturday) June 15 through (Sunday) July 7. Entravision president/chief
operating officer Jeffery Liberman states, “We are only a month away from the start of the biggest soccer tournament being played in the United States. Bottom line: If you’re a soccer fan, you’re watching the Gold Cup. Besides being the most-seen sport around the world, it features teams our audiences follow. That’s powerful and provides an amazing opportunity for our advertisers.” Founded in 1991, the Gold Cup is an international FIFA soccer tournament. With teams from 16 countries participating, this will be the largest Gold Cup ever. The tournament will feature the four highest-ranked nations based on the CONCACAF Ranking Index: the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Honduras. Entravision’s live coverage includes 
24 games on 17 of its radio stations in 14 markets ….. For the third day in a row,TALKERS has an item regarding Bubba The Love Sponge and this time, it comes directly from the source. On his Facebook page, BTLS notes that he “couldn’t come up with a deal” to continue airing his show on Genesis Communications Tampa news/talk WWBA “AM 820 Gotta Know Now,” so he recommends Tampa Bay fans listen to the show online ….. While terms were not immediately disclosed, Alpha Media agrees to acquire Gray Television Amarillo’s Spanish adult hits KEYU. An application is being filed with the FCC for the transfer. In Amarillo, Alpha Media already owns news/talk KGNC-AM, KGNC-FM “Amarillo’s Country 97.9,” and classic hits-oldies KXGL “100.9 The Eagle.” Kalil & Co. brokered the transaction for both parties.
TALKERS Week in Review Radio Show for Monday, May 13 – Friday, May 17 Now Posted. The latest installment of the new weekly one-hour radio program, “The Michael Harrison Wrap: An Overview of the National Conversation” is now posted. Guest this week include: Kevin Casey of TALKERS; Jim Blasingame, host of the Small Business Advocate radio show; Sid Rosenberg, morning show co-host of WABC, New York; award-winning journalist, Donna Francavilla, president of Alabama Media Professionals; and nationally syndicated host, Lars Larson of Compass Media Networks. To listen to the show, please click here.
U.S.- China Trade War Top News/Talk Story for Week of May 13-17. The tariffs the U.S. and China are placing on each other’s exports and the financial markets’ reactions were the most-talked-about story on news/talk radio this week, occupying the top spot on the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the Mueller Report aftermath and the subpoena of Donald Trump, Jr. Coming in at #3 was the new Alabama abortion law and the threat to Roe v Wade, followed by the 2020 presidential race and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio’s entrance into the Democratic primary 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. See this week’s complete chart here.
Mike McVay Is This Week’s Guest on Harrison Podcast. Longtime radio industry programmer, executive, and consultant Mike McVay, who after eight years is leaving his position as EVP/content and programming for Cumulus Media at the end of June to re-launch his consultation firm, McVay Media, is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne presentation “The Michael Harrison Interview.” Harrison and McVay engage in a candid conversation about the events that led to his leaving Cumulus by his own choice as well as his views on the
future of that company, the state of radio ratings methodology, advertising agency practices, operating on a playing field with multiple distribution points, the care and nurturing of talent in this new era, significant differences between music and talk radio and opportunities and challenges inherent in radio station ownership going forward. To listen to the podcast in its entirety, please click here or click on the player box marked “The Michael Harrison Interview” located in the right-hand column of the TALKERS email newsletter and on every page of Talkers.com.
Music Radio News and Career Moves. Regional senior vice president of programming for iHeartMedia’s Kentucky-Indiana region, Michael Jordan, adds duties as band coordinator for iHeartCountry. In that capacity, he reports to iHeartCountry 
executive vice president/programming Rod Phillips. Jordan has held several positions at iHeartMedia Louisville and Lexington (Kentucky), including senior vice president/programming; program director for WMAZ, Louisville and WBUL, Lexington; and director of NTR and promotions for iHeartMedia Lexington. His philanthropic involvement includes working with the University of Kentucky Children’s Hospital and Lexington Cancer Foundation ….. Two-year Alpha Media Louisville WDJX “99.7 DJX” program director/afternoon drive personality JD Garfield will be leaving the CHR outlet at the end of this month. “I’d like to 
extend a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to the entire staff of talented and amazing individuals at Alpha Media Louisville for giving me the amazing opportunity to stand at the helm of one of the premiere CHR stations in the country,” he comments. “It truly has been a rewarding experience that I’ll never forget.” Garfield joined Alpha Media from Boise Idaho’s KWYD. He previously programmed in Madison (Wisconsin) at WJQM, and was operations manager in Springfield, Missouri at KQRA and KOSP ….. Director of operations/program director Darrin Arriens signs a multi-year contract extension with Entercom Charlotte hot AC WLNK “The Link.” ….. After spending 20 years at Connoisseur Media Long Island adult contemporary WKJY “K-98.3,” afternoon drive talent Jodi Vale exits. “Radio is my first love,” she notes. “I am absolutely not hanging up my beloved headphones.” As I finish up my master’s degree in communications with an emphasis in education, I look forward to teaching future broadcasters in the academic setting.” ….. New to nights/social media director at Albany Broadcasting rhythmic CHR WAJZ “Jamz 96.3” is Alexandra Wurst, who most recently did nights in South Bend (Indiana) at Mid-West Family Broadcasting CHR WQLQ. According to WAJZ operations manager/program director Jon Reilly, “We could not be more excited about this dynamic on-air personality. [Alexandra] has great energy and enthusiasm and we are looking forward to her fresh and unique sound at night.”
April 2019 PPM Data – Part Three. April 2019 ratings information has been released for Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Columbus. Nielsen Audio’s April 2019 survey period covered March 28 – April 24. Managing editor Mike Kinosian (Kinosian@Talkers.com) provides his “Takeaways” from these 12-PPM markets.
Portland
Spoken Word Formats – The nine-tenths’ January/February gain racked up by Alpha Media news/talk KXL (3.8 – 4.2 – 4.7, 6+) vanishes and becomes a -1.0 in March/April (4.7 – 3.9 – 3.7, 6+) as “FM News 101 – Stay Connected” slips from #11 to #13. Up two-tenths (2.1 – 2.3, 6+), iHeartMedia’s KEX “News Radio 1190 – Depend On Us” continues at #18. Locked on .9 (6+) in February and March, Alpha Media
news/talk KUFO “Freedom 970” picks up one-tenth to 1.0 (#25 to #24, 6+).
Without a loss the fourth successive sweep for a net gain of six-tenths (.9 – 1.0 – 1.0 – 1.3 – 1.5, 6+), co-owned sports talk KXTG “The Game” carries on at #21. Flat at #23, Entercom sports talk KFXX “1080 The Fan” loses one-tenth in back-to-back reports (1.3 – 1.2 – 1.1, 6+). It is tied with iHeartMedia-owned Portland Trailblazers flagship KPOJ “Sports Radio 620,” which doubles (+.5) its 6+-stat since February (.5 – .8 – 1.0, #26 to #23, 6+) and reaches a one-share (1.0, 6+) for the first time since July 2018’s 1.1.
A combined -2.0 in February/March (9.3 – 7.7 – 7.3, 6+), KOPB erases 30% of the deficit with a +.6 to 7.9 (6+) and remains in the runner-up slot; the Oregon Public Broadcasting news/talk outlet had a one-month (January 2019) stay at #1. Ten recent KOPB fluctuations include: +1.1 (January 2018); -1.1 (February); +1.0 (March); -1.0 (April); -.5 (May); +.7 (October); -1.2 (“Holiday” 2018); +1.2 (January 2019); -1.6 (February); and +.6 (April).
Portland Music Formats – A stout +3.5 via three consecutive bumps (5.4 – 7.1 – 8.1 – 8.9, 6+), iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies KLTH has that streak snapped by losing three-tenths to 8.6 (6+); however, “106.7 The Eagle” is #1 for the third month in a row. Prior to February, KLTH last reached the eight-share level (6+) nearly eight years ago (May 2011, 8.1, as well). In three straight sweeps without a loss (2.6 – 3.6 – 4.9, 6+), Salem Media Group contemporary Christian KFIS “104.1 The Fish” nets +2.3 and is steady in sixth-place. “The Fish” ranked #18 in January. Conversely, All Classical Public Media’s KQAC “All Classical Portland” is a collective -1.8 in three consecutive down or flat moves (4.4 – 4.4 – 3.7 – 2.6, 6+), dropping from #14 to #17. Immediately prior to sputtering by seven-tenths in March, KQAC was without a loss four times in a row for a collective +1.8 (2.6 – 2.7 – 3.4 – 4.4 – 4.4, 6+) and reached the four-share level (4.4, 6+) for the first time since February 2017’s 4.2. Off four-tenths to 4.6 (fifth to seventh, 6+), Alpha Media’s KBFF “Live 95.5” snaps at three its consecutive string of increases that accounted for a +1.1 (3.9 – 4.0 – 4.2 – 5.0, 6+). A collective +1.2 in three straight gains (3.3 – 3.6 – 4.1 – 4.5, 6+), cluster-mate KUPL “98.7 The Bull – #1 For New Country” falters by three-tenths to 4.2 (eighth to ninth, 6+). Its 4.5 in March is the highest 6+-stat by KUPL since February 2018’s 4.7. After improving by eight-tenths to 4.2, its best 6+-stat since July 2018’s 4.6, Entercom-owned KWJJ “99.5 The Wolf” – The Northwest’s Hottest Country” surrenders four-tenths to 3.8 (6+) and departs the top ten (#9 to #12).
Charlotte
Spoken-Word Formats – Having notched back-to-back gains of four-tenths (3.6 – 4.0 – 4.4, 6+), Entercom news/talk WBT is now a combined -.7 in March/April (4.4 – 4.3 – 3.7, #11 to #12, 6+).
In an alternating up/down sequence that began in “Holiday” 2018 (1.6 – 1.7 – 1.3 – 1.5 – 1.2, 6+), co-owned WFNZ “The Fan – Charlotte’s Sports Leader” has lost four-tenths in that stretch; the Charlotte Hornets flagship slips from #18 to #19.
Erasing all but one-tenth of March’s -.6 with an April increase of one-half share (2.3 – 2.8, 6+), University Radio Foundation news/talk WFAE advances from #16 to #14. “Charlotte’s NPR News Source” was a combined +1.1 in January/February (1.8 – 2.7 – 2.9, 6+). While flat at .3 (6+), South Carolina Educational Television Commission news/talk WNSC drops from #21 to #22.
Charlotte Music Formats – By gaining eight-tenths to 2.0 (#19 to #17, 6+), Davidson College-owned WDAV “89.9 Classical Public Radio” pulls the plug on four straight down or flat trends that accounted for a loss of one-half share (1.7 – 1.6 – 1.3 – 1.2 – 1.2, 6+). Country boasts a #1/#2 finish in “The Queen City.” Even though Beasley Media Group’s WSOC returns the two-tenths it gained in March (6.8 – 7.0 – 6.8, 6+), “103.7 Country’s Hottest Hits” repeats in first-place; it was tied for the lead in February. Prior to gaining nine-tenths in January, WSOC had been without an increase the previous four reports for an overall -1.3 (7.7 – 7.5 – 7.5 – 6.6 – 6.4, 6+). On top in September 2018, October, and November, WSOC segued to third in December. A combined -2.3 in December and “Holiday” 2018 (6.7 – 5.8 – 4.4, 6+), iHeartMedia’s WKKT “96.9 The Kat – Charlotte’s #1 for New Country” was +1.2 in January; lost three-tenths in February; but is a combined +.8 in March/April (5.3 – 6.1 – 6.3, fourth to second, 6+). Three straight upticks by Beasley Media Group mainstream CHR WNKS “Kiss 95.1” yield a +1.9 (3.2 – 3.6 – 4.7 – 5.1, ninth to seventh, 6+). This immediately follows four consecutive sweeps without an increase that accounted for a -1.2 (4.4 – 4.1 – 3.8 – 3.8 – 3.2, 6+). Faltering by seven-tenths (each) are urban AC sibling WBAV “V-101.9” (6.2 – 5.5, third to fifth, 6+) with its lowest 6+-stat (5.5) in two years (5.3, April 2017), and Educational Media Foundation contemporary Christian WRCM “Positive & Encouraging K-Love” (3.3 – 2.6, #13 to #16, 6+). The five most recent fluctuations for iHeartMedia adult hits WLKO “102.9 The Lake” are -1.2 (“Holiday” 2018); +1.1 (January 2019); -1.4 (February); +.5 (March); and -.5 in April (6.8 – 6.3, flat at #2, 6+). Immediately in advance of “Holiday” 2018’s -1.2, WLKO posted eight straight months without a loss for a +3.7 (4.1 – 4.3 – 4.7 – 5.2 – 5.5 – 5.5 – 6.4 – 7.1 – 7.8, 6+). Beasley Media Group cluster-mates WSOC and WBAV dislodged “The Lake” from #1 in February after WLKO’s January-only stay on top.
San Antonio
Spoken-Word Formats – Powered by a +1.1 (4.2 – 5.3, 6+), iHeartMedia news/talk WOAI zooms from eighth to fourth. In addition, this marks the first time the San Antonio Spurs’ flagship reaches the five-share level (5.3, 6+) since August 2016’s 5.2. Before dropping one-tenth in March, “News Radio 1200 – San Antonio’s News, Traffic, & Weather” was an overall +1.0 in three straight sweeps without a loss (3.3 – 3.6 – 4.3 – 4.3, 6+). Via three successive up or flat trends, Alpha Media news/talk KTSA “Stay Connected” nets three-tenths (1.2 –
1.3 – 1.3 – 1.5, 6+) and progresses from #23 to #22.
Finishing at #31 and #32, respectively, are Alpha Media sports talk KZDC “ESPN San Antonio” (flat at .4, 6+) and iHeartMedia’s KTKR “Ticket 760 – San Antonio’s Sports Station” (.6 – .3, -.3, 6+).
Down three-tenths in back-to-back reports (3.7 – 3.4 – 3.1, 6+), after a January/February +1.0 (2.7 – 3.5 – 3.7, 6+), Texas Public Radio news/talk KSTX drops from #12 to #15.
San Antonio Music Formats – The rollercoaster ride continues for KQXT “Q-101.9.” The iHeartMedia adult contemporary outlet bounced back from January’s -10.7 (14.9 – 4.2, 6+) with a February increase of four-tenths; sputtered by six-tenths in March; but racks up a +.8 in April (4.0 – 4.8, ninth to sixth, 6+). Without an increase the past six sweeps for a collective -2.6 (5.4 – 5.4 – 5.3 – 4.1 – 3.5 – 3.2 – 2.8, 6+), Univision Radio regional Mexican KROM Que Buena 92.9” answers with an April +.7 to 3.5 (#16 to #12, 6+). Picking up one-half share (each) are KROM’s rhythmic CHR cluster-mate KBBT “98.5 The Beat” (tenth to ninth) and Educational Media Foundation contemporary Christian KZLV “Positive & Encouraging K-Love” (3.4, #15 to #13, 6+). “The Beat” is up eight-tenths through three straight positive or flat trends (3.6 – 3.9 – 3.9 – 4.4, 6+) and has its best 6+-showing (4.4) since August 2018’s 4.5. “K-Love” was off three-tenths in February/March (3.2 – 3.1 – 2.9, 6+). Notwithstanding it has lost six-tenths in March/April (8.0 – 7.9 – 7.4, 6+), Cox Media Group-owned classic hits-oldies KONO-FM “101.1 San Antonio’s Greatest Hits” repeats at #1. KONO-FM had been in the runner-up slot five successive times before progressing to #1 in March. In advance of slipping to #2 in November 2018, KONO-FM finished at #1 the previous ten sweeps. Co-owned KTKX “106.7 The Eagle – San Antonio’s Only Classic Rock,” which netted nine-tenths in February/March (4.0 – 4.5 – 4.9, 6+), forfeits eight-tenths to 4.1 (6+) and drifts from fifth to tenth. Both of the market’s country powerhouses falter by four-tenths in April. Cox Media Group-owned KCYY “Y-100 San Antonio’s New Country Leader” slips 6.9 – 6.5 (6+), while iHeartMedia-owned KAJA “KJ-97 San Antonio’s #1 Country Station” drops 6.2 – 5.8 (6+). Despite the losses, they continue at #2 and #3, respectively. Recent shifts for “KJ-97” include +.5 (September 2018); -1.1 (October); +1.0 (December); -1.0 (“Holiday” 2018); +3.0 (January 2019); and –1.9 (March). Meanwhile, “Y-100” has been +.9 (August 2018); -.8 (September); +.9 (November); -.8 (December); -1.1 (“Holiday” 2018); +1.8 (January 2019); +.6 (February); and -.6 in March.
Sacramento
Spoken-Word Formats – Owing to three straight sweeps without an increase, KFBK “Sacramento’s News, Weather, and Traffic Station” falters by -1.6 (7.6 – 7.0 – 6.2 – 6.0, 6+) but remains in the runner-up slot. The iHeartMedia-owned news/talk facility was tied for first in January. Returning the four-tenths it gained in March (2.3 – 2.7 – 2.3, 6+), co-owned KSTE “Talk 650” slips from #14 to #15.
At the same time that Entercom’s KIFM-AM “ESPN Radio 1320” adds one-tenth in back-to-back reports (.7 – 8. – .9, #25 to #24, 6+), Bonneville’s KHTK “Sports 1140” forfeits one-tenth and has lost four-tenths in three straight down or flat trends (1.2 – 1.2 – .9 – .8, #21 to #25, 6+).
December 2018’s 6.9 is the highest 6+-stat in the PPM-history of KXJZ, but the Capital Public Radio news/talk outlet follows with five straight decreases for a roughly 50% loss (-3.4) of its 6+-share (6.9 – 5.9 – 5.1 – 4.4 – 4.2 – 3.5, 6+) and exits the top ten (#9 to #12). Unchanged at #26, Northern California Public Broadcasting’s KQEI has an October 2018 through April 2019 topline of: .6 – .6 – .7 – .6 – .7 – .7 – .6 – .7 (6+).
Sacramento Music Formats – Trending 4.6 – 4.8 – 4.7 (January – February – March, 6+), Entercom alternative KKDO “Alt 94.7” breaks out an increase of nine-tenths to 5.6 (eighth to fifth, 6+). A positive spike of one-half share by Entravision rhythmic CHR KHHM takes “Hot 103.5” (#16 to #14) to its highest 6+-share since November 2018 (2.5, as well). Despite being down six-tenths in March/April (8.6 – 8.5 – 8.0, 6+), Entercom-owned KSEG “96.9 The Eagle – Sacramento’s Classic Rock” is #1 for the fourth month in a row (including January’s first-place tie with iHeartMedia news/talk KFBK). In the lead position for ten consecutive survey periods before shifting to #2 in December, “The Eagle” faltered by eight-tenths in “Holiday” 2018. Nine recent fluctuations include +1.0 (May 2018); +.9 (June); -.9 (July); +.6 (September); -.5 (October); -1.1 (November); -.8 (“Holiday” 2018); +1.0 (February 2019); and -.5 (April). The market’s (6+) adult contemporary share softens by -1.1, nearly equally divided between iHeartMedia’s KBEB “92.5 The Breeze” (4.3 – 3.7, -.6, ninth to tenth, 6+) and Entercom-owned KYMX “Mix 96 – Today’s Hits, Yesterday’s Favorites” (-.5). Formerly “92.5 The Bull – #1 for New Country,” KBEB transitioned to adult contemporary as “The Breeze” in early-November (2018). It netted a +2.1 in three straight positive spikes (2.4 – 3.1 – 3.7 – 4.5, 6+) before dropping two-tenths in March. A combined -7.8 in January/February (13.8 – 6.2 – 6.0, 6+), “Mix 96” gained two-tenths in March. After logging three consecutive improvements that yielded an overall +1.4 (4.2 – 4.7 – 5.5 – 5.6, 6+), Bonneville’s KNCI “New Country 105.1” falters by one-half share to 5.1 (fifth to eighth, 6+). A collective +1.5 in three straight September –October – November – December (2018) gains, KNCI has been -1.5 (“Holiday” 2018); +.5 (January 2019); +.8 (February); and -.5 (April). For the 14th successive survey period, Entravision Communications’ similarly-formatted KNTY “101.9 The Wolf” logs a 6+-share between 2.0 – 2.5 (2.1 – 2.2, +.1, #15 to #16, 6+).
Pittsburgh
Spoken-Word Formats – Notching a +1.1 to 5.1 (6+) in January, Entercom news/talk KDKA-AM “News Radio 1020” has followed with three straight drops for a collective -1.0 (5.1 – 4.6 – 4.3 – 4.1, ninth to tenth, 6+).
Co-owned sports talk KDKA-FM “93.7 The Fan,” which lost seven-tenths in February/March (7.1 – 6.5 – 6.4, 6+), gains four-tenths (6.4 –
6.8, 6+); the Pirates flagship remains in fourth-place. While it departs the top twenty (#17 to #22), iHeartMedia sports talk WBGG 970 AM – ESPN Pittsburgh” continues its consistency, as reflected by this September 2018 through April 2019 topline: .2 – .2 – .2 – .3 – .2 – .2 – .2 – .2 – .3 (6+).
Even though it is off a combined seven-tenths in March/April (4.3 – 4.2 – 3.6, 6+), Essential Public Media news/talk WESA “90.5 Pittsburgh’s NPR Station” continues at #11.
Pittsburgh Music Formats – After logging three straight sweeps without an increase resulting in a -1.8 (8.7 – 7.7 – 7.7 – 6.9, 6+), Steel City Media adult hits WRRK is a combined +1.1 in March/April (6.9 – 7.4 – 8.0, 6+) as “96.9 Bob FM” stays in-place at #3. In back-to-back (February and March) sweeps, WDVE posted identical gains of eight-tenths (7.6 – 8.4 – 9.2, 6+). Even though the iHeartMedia-owned rocker forfeits nine-tenths in April, it is #1 for the third month in succession. Its December loss of one-half share interrupted three consecutive gains that netted a +1.0 (7.7 – 8.0 – 8.3 – 8.7, 6+). In “Holiday” 2018, WDVE tumbled by -1.0 (8.2 – 7.2, 6+). WDVE spent 11 successive sweeps in the runner-up slot before dropping to third in December. Unchanged in fifth-place, co-owned CHR WKST “96.1 Kiss FM Pittsburgh’s #1 Hit Music Station” has lost seven-tenths by not having an increase three sweeps in a row (6.1 – 6.1 – 5.5 – 5.4, 6+). The market’s two hot ACs are separated by two full-shares, as Entercom’s WBZZ “Star 100.7” gains two-tenths (4.8 – 5.0, seventh to sixth, 6+), while Steel City Media’s WLTJ “Q-92.9” surrenders four-tenths to 3.0 (flat at #12, 6+). A March loss of one-tenth by “Star” curtailed at three a successive string of increases that led to a +1.2 (3.7 – 4.1 – 4.3 – 4.9, 6+); “Q-92.9” gained a combined half-share in February/March (2.9 – 3.1 – 3.4, 6+). Three Forever Media-owned stations that have been unlisted the last four ratings periods return in April: Country WOGI “Froggy” (1.2, #19, 6+); classic hits-oldies WPKL “Pickle” (.9, #20, 6+); and country WOGG “Froggy” (.8, #21, 6+). In December 2018 (the last sweep in which they appeared), WOGI was 1.2 (#18, 6+); WPKL scored a 1.1 (#20, 6+); and WOGG finished with a 1.4 (#16, 6+).
Salt Lake City
Spoken-Word Formats – An April gain of seven-tenths by Bonneville-owned KSL erases in its entirely a March loss of the same magnitude as “News Radio 102.7 FM & 1160 AM” (steady at #6) posts a 5.2 for the fourth time in the last six sweeps (5.2 – 4.6 – 5.2 – 5.2 – 
4.5 – 5.2, 6+). After eroding by -1.0 in March, iHeartMedia’s KNRS “Talk Radio 105.9 – Listen And You’ll Know” stabilizes at 4.1 (6+) but slips from eighth to ninth; KNRS was +1.8 in January/February (3.3 – 4.7 – 5.1, 6+). In back-to-back sweeps, Cumulus Media-owned KKAT “860 AM – Utah’s Big Talker” gains one-tenth (.2 – .3 – .4, #21, 6+).
For the fourth month in a row, Broadway Media-owned KALL “ESPN 700 – Utah’s #1 Sports Talk” is unlisted. After posting an August 2018 – December 2018 topline of 1.7 – 1.8 – 1.8 – 1.7 – 1.8, KALL lost seven-tenths in “Holiday” 2018 to 1.1 (#20 to #22, 6+).
Having lost nine-tenths in March/April (3.1 – 2.5 – 2.2, 6+), University of Utah news/talk KUER dips from #14 to #15.
Salt Lake City Music Formats – With a steady “Holiday” 2018 through March 2019 topline of 3.7 – 3.5 – 3.9 – 3.8 (6+), iHeartMedia hot AC KJMY “My 99.5” explodes in April with a +1.2 to 5.0 (ninth to seventh, 6+). Despite being down or flat the third straight time for a net loss of six-tenths (6.0- 5.6 – 5.4- 5.4, 6+), Capital Broadcasting’s similarly-formatted KBZN “Now 97.9 – Today’s Best Music” advances from fifth to fourth. By gaining six-tenths (1.6 – 2.2, #17 to #15, 6+), Brigham Young University-owned KBYU “Classical 89” records its best 6+-stat (2.2) since November 2018’s 2.4. Five consecutive increases by Bonneville-owned classic hits-oldies KRSP deliver an overall +2.5 (5.7 – 6.1 – 6.3 – 7.0 – 7.8 – 8.2, 6+). Moreover, “103.5 The Arrow” marches from second to first where it succeeds Bonneville adult contemporary KSFI “FM 100.3 – Better Music/Better Work Day.” On top the past five ratings periods, KSFI (8.9 – 8.1, -.8, 6+) segues to the runner-up slot. “FM 100.3” registered a +1.5 in March, following January/February’s -14.4 (21.8 – 7.9 – 7.4, 6+). Three straight increases netted a +16.2 (5.6 – 5.7 – 12.7 – 21.8, 6+) for KSFI, the only PPM-market station in “Holiday” 2018 to reach the 20-share level (6+). Its format challenger, Cumulus Media’s KBEE “B-98.7 Today’s Hits & Yesterday’s Favorites,” has its third decrease in succession for an overall loss of eight-tenths (4.2 – 3.8 – 3.5 – 3.4, 6+) and exits the top ten (#10 to #11). Netting a +2.9 via three straight upticks (4.4 – 6.4 – 6.8 – 7.3, 6+), iHeartMedia-owned classic hits-oldies KODJ “94.1 Salt Lake’s Greatest Hits” surrenders a -1.1 to 6.2 (6+) but continues in third-place. On the heels of dropping two-tenths (6.2 – 6.0, 6+), iHeartMedia CHR KZHT “97.1 Salt Lake’s #1 Hit Music Station” falters by another six-tenths to 5.4 (flat at #4, 6+).
Las Vegas
Spoken-Word Formats – Anchored at #15, Entercom’s KXNT “News Talk Radio 840” is up or flat the fourth straight time for an overall increase of eight-tenths (1.6 – 2.2 – 2.4 – 2.4 – 2.4, 6+) and has its best 6+-performance (2.4, February, March, and April) since February 2017’s 2.8. Meanwhile, Beasley Media Group news/talk KDWN “AM 720 Where Las Vegas Comes to Talk” notches a 1.1 (6+) for the third
time in the last four sweeps (1.1 – 1.2 – 1.1 – 1.1, 6+) and continues at #23.
In addition to being +1.6 in four straight bumps (3.0 – 3.7 – 3.8 – 4.1 – 4.6, 6+), Nevada Public Radio’s KNPR progresses from seventh to fifth.
Las Vegas Music Formats – Within 2.1 – 2.7 territory (6+) in each of the last five ratings periods (2.7 – 2.4 – 2.2 – 2.1 – 2.4, 6+), Beasley Media Group hot AC KVGS erupts with a +1.0 to 3.4 (6+). Moreover, “Star 107.9 Vegas’ Best Variety” cracks the top ten (#15 to a three-way tie at #10, 6+) and reaches the three-share level (3.4, 6+) for the first time since November 2018’s 3.0. Breaking a “Holiday” 2018 through March 2019 topline of 3.7 – 2.8 – 3.8 – 3.7 with an increase of eight-tenths to 4.5 (its best 6+-stat since September 2018’s 4.8), Entercom-owned CHR KLUC “98.5 Vegas’ #1 Hit Music Station” jumps from tenth to seventh. Rebounding from its March loss of nine-tenths with an April increase of two-tenths (8.3 – 7.4 – 7.6, 6+), Beasley Media Group classic hits-oldies KKLZ “96.3 – Hits of the Eighties & More” is on top for the third month in a row. February’s 8.3 marked the first time KKLZ reached the eight-share level (6+) in its PPM-history; it hadn’t been at #1 since August 2018. The station it succeeded – iHeartMedia adult contemporary KSNE “Sunny 106.5 – Better Music for a Better Workday” – is -7.3 in four consecutive sweeps without an increase (12.8 – 7.5 – 6.7 – 6.7 – 5.5, 6+) and drops from second to third. Prior to being #1 from September 2018 through January 2019, “Sunny” set the pace in March, May, June, and July. Its “Holiday” 2018 12.8 is the highest 6+-share for any Las Vegas station since the 14.0 KSNE logged in “Holiday” 2016. KSNE was a combined +4.5 in December/“Holiday” 2018 (8.3 – 9.1 – 12.8, 6+). The three latest shifts for Lotus Communications’ KXPT “97.1 The Point – #1 For Classic Rock” are -.5 (February); +.5 (March); and -.9 in April (4.5, fourth to fifth, 6+). In eight straight up or flat survey periods prior to February, “The Point” was an overall +1.8 (3.7 – 3.9 – 4.5 – 4.9 – 5.0 – 5.5 – 5.5 – 5.5 – 5.5, 6+) with 5.5 its best 6+-performance since October 2016 (5.9). Having logged five successive monthlies without a loss for a net gain of eight-tenths (3.1 – 3.2 – 3.3 – 3.5 – 3.5 – 3.9, 6+), Beasley Media Group’s KCYE “102.7 The Coyote – #1 For New Hit Country” is now a combined -1.2 in March/April (3.9 – 3.4 – 2.7, #12 to #14, 6+). Faltering by seven-tenths in April as well is Faith Communications contemporary Christian KSOS “SOS Radio,” which has lost nine-tenths in three straight declines (4.3 – 4.2 – 4.1 – 3.4, seventh to tenth, 6+). Trending 2.2 – 2.1 – 2.3 (January – February – March, 6+), Univision Radio regional Mexican KISF “Zona Mx 103.5” sputters by one-half share in April to 1.8 (#17 to #19, 6+).
Orlando
Spoken-Word Formats – After being a combined +1.9 in January/February (3.6 – 5.1 – 5.5, 6+), Cox Media Group news/talk WDBO-FM “News 96.5” loses one full-share in March/April 5.5 – 5.2 – 4.5, 6+), slipping from eighth to tenth. Its internet stream surrenders one-half share (.8 – .3, 6+) and departs the top twenty (#19 to #22). The November 2018 through April 2019 topline for iHeartMedia news/talk WTKS “Real Radio 104.1 – We Say What We Want” is between a 3.1 – 3.9 (6+): 3.9 – 3.7 – 3.1 – 3.7 – 3.8 – 3.7 – 3.9, #12 to #11). A combined +1.0 in January/February (1.8 – 2.2 – 2.8, 6+), news/talk cluster-mate WFLF is unchanged from March in 6+-share (2.5) and market rank (#15).
Doubling February’s 6+- stat (4. – 5. – .8, 6+), sports talk sibling WYGM “FM 96.9 The Game – Orlando’s Sports Leader” cracks the top twenty (#22 to #20), while Cox Media Group’s similarly-formatted WDBO-AM “ESPN 580 Orlando” gains one-tenth to .3 (#23 to #22, 6+).
Not only does Community Communications’ news/talk WMFE have its consecutive string of positive moves that yielded a collective +1.3 (2.7 – 3.2 – 3.5 – 4.0, 6+) end at three, “90.7 Public Radio for Central Florida” departs the top ten (#8 to #12).
Orlando Music Formats – The three most recent fluctuations for Cox Media Group rhythmic CHR WPYO “Power 95.3 – Orlando’s New #1 For All The Hits” are +1.2 (February); -.6 (March); and +.9 in April (4.2 – 5.4 – 4.8 – 5.7, ninth to seventh, 6+). “Power” was off eight-tenths “Holiday” 2018/January 2019 (5.0 – 4.4 – 4.2, 6+). Tacking on seven-tenths to March’s +.2 (5.4 – 5.6 – 6.3, 6+), Entercom hot AC WOMX “Mix 105.1” proceeds from seventh to fifth, reaching the six-share level for the first time since June 2018’s 6.0. In a game of musical chairs involving iHeartMedia cluster-mates, Spanish tropical WRUM “Rumba 100” advances from second to first, while CHR WXXL “XL-106.7 Orlando’s #1 Hit Music Station” (8.4, -.6, 6+) drops from first to second. This is an exact flip-flop from what happened this time last month. The decrease of six-tenths by WXXL pulls the plug on four improvements in a row that resulted in a +1.7 (7.3 – 7.4 – 8.1 – 8.4 – 9.0, 6+). A combined -1.0 in March/April (9.5 – 8.9 – 8.5, 6+), “Rumba” spent 11 consecutive ratings periods on top before falling to #2 in December and “Holiday” 2018. April 2017’s 12.8 is the best-ever 6+-share in the station’s PPM-history. As a result of four straight setbacks, co-owned WJRR “101.1 – Orlando’s Rock Station” has lost nine-tenths (3.5 – 3.4 – 3.3 – 3.2 – 2.6, #13 to #14, 6+). Adult contemporary sibling WMGF “Magic 107.7” picks up one-tenth to 5.9 (fifth to sixth, 6+), thus applying the brakes to three straight decreases accounting for an overall -8.5 (14.3 – 6.9 – 5.9 – 5.8, 6+). “Magic” was a combined +8.5 December/“Holiday” 2018 (5.8 – 9.8 – 14.3, 6+). By dropping three-tenths to 7.9 (flat at #3, 6+), Entercom classic hits-oldies WOCL “105-9 Sunny FM – We Own The ‘80s” snaps at three its consecutive string of increases that generated a +3.3 (4.9 – 6.9 – 7.9 – 8.2, 6+).
Cincinnati
Spoken-Word Formats – The January 2019 through April 2019 topline for iHeartMedia news/talk WLW is a stable 9.9 – 9.7 – 9.9 – 9.5 (6+), as the Reds’ flagship – which had a one-month (January) stay at #1 – remains in the runner-up slot. Co-owned WKRC “55 KRC The Talk Station in Cincinnati” gains one-tenth in back-to-sweeps (3.4 – 3.5 – 3.6, 6+) and reenters the top ten (#11 to #10). For the ninth time
in a row, Radio One’s WDBZ “The Buzz – Your Talk Station” is unlisted. It registered a .9 (6+) in August 2018 to finish at #20.
Returning to the iHeartMedia cluster, sports talk WCKY “Cincinnati’s ESPN 1530” is unchanged from March in 6+-share (.9) and market rank (#18), while co-owned WSAI “Fox Sports 1360” is off two-tenths (.6 – .4, #21, 6+).
After being an overall +1.1 via three consecutive gains (2.6 – 3.0 – 3.2 – 3.7, 6+), Cincinnati Public Radio news/talk WVXU surrenders six-tenths to 3.1 (6+) and falls out of the top ten (#9 to #13).
Cincinnati Music Formats – The four latest shifts for Cumulus Media adult contemporary WRRM “Warm 98” are -8.2 (January); +.4 (February); -.6 (March); and now +.6 in April (6.2 – 6.8, steady in fourth-place, 6+). Registering an April gain of six-tenths as well and finishing one-tenth behind “Warm” is its classic rock cluster-mate WOFX “92.5 The Fox” (5.1 – 5.7, sixth to fifth, 6+). There’s more great news in that Cumulus Media cluster as classic hits-oldies WGRR “103.5 Cincinnati’s Greatest Hits” is +3.2 in four successive upticks (8.1 – 9.6 – 10.2 – 11.1 – 11.3, 6+) and is #1 for the third sweep in succession. Following a December-only stay at #1, WGRR cratered by -1.8 in “Holiday” 2018 (9.9 – 8.1, 6+) and shifted to third. Immediately prior to its -1.8, WGRR was an overall +1.3 via four straight gains (8.6 – 9.1 – 9.2 – 9.6 – 9.9, 6+). Radio One urban contemporary WIZF “101.1 The Wiz” (#13 to #11) scores an overall seven-tenths in four consecutive reports without a loss (2.7 – 2.7 – 2.9 – 3.2 – 3.4, 6+). Since the first of the year, Hubbard Broadcasting-owned WUBE “B-105.1 Cincinnati’s Country” (flat at #3), has been +1.0 (January); -.7 (February); -.8 (March) and -.6 in April (7.9 – 7.3, 6+). Hot AC sibling WKRQ “Q-102 Cincinnati’s Hit Music” has lost nine-tenths as a result of three drops in a row (6.5 – 6.4 – 5.7 – 5.6, fifth to sixth, 6+). While it remains in eighth-place, iHeartMedia-owned WEBN “Cincinnati’s Rock Station” is without an increase for the fourth consecutive ratings period and has forfeited nine-tenths in that stretch (5.0 – 4.5 – 4.4 – 4.3 – 4.1, 6+).
Cleveland
Spoken-Word Formats – Transforming March’s -.6 into an April +.9 (4.9 – 5.8, 6+), iHeartMedia news/talk WTAM “1100 Cleveland’s News Radio” advances from eighth to seventh; the Indians flagship logged a January/February +1.3 (4.2 – 5.1 – 5.5, 6+). After a lengthy 
absence, Salem Media Group news/talk WHK “AM 1420 The Answer – News-Opinion-Insight” resurfaces in print with a .5 (#18, 6+).
Off by -1.2 in February and then up four-tenths in March, Entercom’s WKRK “Sports Radio 92.3 The Fan” regresses by seven-tenths (5.4 – 4.2 – 4.6 – 3.9, 6+) but is anchored in tenth-place.
After posting a 3.2 (6+) in January, February, and March, Ideastream-owned news/talk outlet WCPN picks up two-tenths to 3.4 (#11 to #12, 6+) and is one-half share behind WKRK.
Cleveland Music Formats – In four consecutive upticks, iHeartMedia-owned WGAR “99.5 Cleveland’s #1 For New Country” is an overall +3.5 (4.4 – 6.1 – 6.6 – 6.8 – 7.9, fifth to third, 6+), virtually offsetting its cumulative -3.7 through five consecutive losses (8.1 – 7.2 – 6.8 – 6.5 – 5.7 – 4.4, 6+). Steady in fourth-place, Entercom-owned WNCX “98.5 – Cleveland’s Classic Rock” was -.4 (“Holiday” 2018); +.8 (January 2019); -.5 (February); +.6 (March); and is now +.6 (again) in April (7.0 – 7.6, 6+). This (7.6) is its highest 6+-share since August 2018’s 8.6. Over that exact timeframe, the five most recent fluctuations by iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WMJI are +2.8 (“Holiday” 2018); -1.7 (January 2019); +.8 (February); +1.0 (March); and now -1.0 in April (10.8 – 9.8, 6+). Despite returning that full-share March increase, “Majic 105.7 – Cleveland’s Greatest Hits” is on top for the fifth straight ratings period. Co-owned mainstream CHR WAKS “96.5 Kiss FM – Cleveland’s #1 Hit Music Station” forfeits eight-tenths (3.9 – 3.1, 6+), slipping from #11 to #14. A March increase of three-tenths by Entercom hot AC WQAL halted three successive negative moves that led to an overall -1.6 (5.2 – 4.7 – 4.3 – 3.6, 6+); however, in April, “Q-104 Plays The Hits” relinquishes seven-tenths (3.9 – 3.2, #11 to #12, 6+). “Q-104” is tied (at #12) with Salem Media Group contemporary Christian WFHM “95.5 The Fish” (3.2), which was unlisted in January, February, and March, after recording a 5.4 (seventh, 6+) in “Holiday” 2018.
Kansas City
Spoken-Word Formats – Following a January/February +2.2 (3.4 – 4.6 – 5.6, 6+), Entercom news/talk KMBZ-FM “98.1 News-Traffic-Weather” has lost a combined eight-tenths in March/April (5.6 – 5.4 – 4.8, fourth to sixth, 6+). Co-owned KMBZ-AM “Talk 980,” which dropped two-tenths in March, improves by three-tenths (2.0 to 2.3, 6+) yet backslides from #19 to #20. Having more than doubled (+.8) its
6+-stat in three consecutive sweeps without a loss (.6 – .7 – 1.4 – 1.4, 6+), Cumulus Media’s KCMO-AM “Talk Radio 710 AM” drops one-tenth to 1.3 (6+) and repeats at #21.
Off six-tenths in February, Entercom’s KCSP “610 Sports Radio” rallies with a combined March/April +1.7 (2.3 – 2.8 – 4.0, 6+). The flagship of the Royals not only catapults into the top ten (#16 to #10), it bypasses Union Broadcasting’s WHB “Sports Radio 810,” which is -1.9 via three straight negative or flat trends (5.0 – 3.8 – 3.8 – 3.1, #12 to #14, 6+); WHB notched a +1.3 in January.
Without a loss the fourth month in a row (3.0 – 3.4 – 3.7 – 3.9 – 3.9, 6+), University of Missouri news/talk KCUR has gained a collective nine-tenths, erasing its “Holiday” 2018 loss of seven-tenths.
Kansas City Music Formats – Precisely doubling (+1.5) its 6+-stat in three positive spikes in a row (1.5 – 1.9 – 2.0 – 3.0, 6+), University of Northwestern St. Paul contemporary Christian KJNW “Life 88.5” elevates from #19 to a three-way tie at #15 with its strongest showing (3.0) since January 2018’s 3.5. Another part of that three-way logjam at #15 is Cumulus Media-owned KCJK “X-105.1 Kansas City’s Alternative,” which is a cumulative +1.2 in four successive upticks (1.8 – 1.8 – 1.9 – 2.1 – 3.0, #18 to #15, 6+). The last time “X-105.1” reached the three-share threshold (6+) was September 2016 (3.1). A combined +1.0 in March/April (4.9 – 5.1 – 5.9, 6+), Steel City Media’s KBEQ “Q104 – New Hit Country” jumps from fourth to sixth with its best 6+-stat since June 2018 (5.9, as well). Over and above being +2.5 via three consecutive bumps (5.4 – 6.6 – 7.7 – 7.9, 6+), KCMO-FM “94.9 Kansas City’s Greatest Hits,” repeats at #1. Immediately prior to April’s modest increase of two-tenths, the Cumulus Media classic hits-oldies outlet has been +1.6 (“Holiday” 2018); -1.3 (January 2019); +1.2 (February); and +1.1 (March). February’s 6.9 is its highest 6+share since July 2018’s 7.1. A combined -2.8 in February/March (10.1 – 8.2 – 7.3, 6+), cluster-mate KCFX bounces back with an increase of four-tenths to 7.7 (unchanged at #2, 6+). January’s 10.1 is the strongest 6+-stat since July 2017’s 10.3 for “101 The Fox – Kansas City’s Classic Rock Station,” which gave way to KCMO-FM after spending ten consecutive sweeps at the top spot. Four November 2018 through February 2019 spikes by Carter Broadcast Group urban contemporary KPRS “Hot 103 Jamz” netted a +1.5 (5.4 – 5.7 – 5.8 – 6.2 – 6.9, 6+). “Hot 103” surrenders 60% (-.9) of that increase in March/April (6.9 – 6.6 – 6.0, 6+) but carries on in third-place. A collective -1.6 via four successive setbacks (4.5 – 3.8 – 3.1 – 3.0 – 2.9, 6+) by Cumulus Media CHR KCHZ “95.7 The Vibe – All The Hits” (#15 to #18) directly follows five consecutive positive or flat moves that resulted in a +1.4 (3.1 – 3.2 – 3.7 – 4.1 – 4.1 – 4.5, 6+).
Columbus
Spoken-Word Formats – Eroding two full-shares as a result of three dips in succession (7.0 – 5.9 – 5.5 – 5.0, 6+), iHeartMedia news/talk WTVN “News Radio 610,” which was +1.3 in January (5.7 – 7.0, 6+), continues in fifth-place.
Unlisted in January, February, and March, RadiOhio sports talk outlet WBNS-FM “Sports Radio 97.1 The Fan” returns with a 4.7 (sixth, 6+). In “Holiday” 2018, the Columbus Blue Jackets flagship posted a 5.3 (seventh, 6+).
Tied with WBNS-FM at #6 is Ohio State University news/talk WOSU, whose January 2019 through April 2019 topline is 4.5 – 4.7 – 4.5 – 4.7 (6+).
Columbus Music Formats – In addition to being #1 for the 17th sweep in a row, iHeartMedia-owned WCOL “92.3 Columbus’ #1 For New Country” (11.8 – 13.0, 6+) has been in double-digits (6+) each ratings period since June 2017. Its January increase of eight-tenths pulled the plug on six straight declines that resulted in a collective -5.7 (16.3 – 15.1 – 15.0 – 14.5 – 13.0 – 12.7 – 10.6, 6+). Recent WCOL fluctuations include +3.1 (January 2018); -1.7 (February); +1.1 (March); +1.0 (April); +1.2 (June); +.6 (July); 1.2 (August); -.5 (October); -1.5 (November); -2.1 (“Holiday” 2018); +.8 (January 2019); +.7 (February); and +1.2 (April). Notwithstanding that CHR sibling WNCI is a collective –1.1 through three successive decreases (8.3 – 8.0 – 7.7 – 7.2, 6+), “97.9 Columbus’ Hit Music Station” actually climbs from fourth to third. On the other hand, Ohio State University’s WOSA has more than doubled (+.6) its 6+ AQH share as a result of six consecutive up or flat moves (.5 – .9 – .9 – .9 – 1.0 – 1.0 – 1.1, 6+) yet “Classical 101” backslides from #16 to #17. Without a loss the fifth report in a row for a net increase of seven-tenths (2.2 – 2.2 – 2.3 – 2.5 – 2.5 – 2.9, 6+), Saga Communications hot AC WVMX “Mix 107.9” inches up from #12 to #11. Up two-tenths in February/March (7.8 – 7.8 – 8.0), adult contemporary cluster-mate WSNY “Sunny 95” sputters by -1.0 to 7.0 (third to fourth, 6+). While it continues in the runner-up clot, co-owned WLVQ “Iconic Rock Q-FM 96” falters by three-tenths to 8.4 (6+), thus curtailing three straight increases that resulted in a +1.9 (6.8 – 7.2 – 8.1 – 8.7, 6+). Having more than tripled (+1.3) its 6+-figure in nine straight positive or flat sweeps (.5 – .8 – .8 – 1.0 – 1.0 – 1.0 – 1.2 – 1.4 – 1.6 – 1.8, 6+), Radio One gospel WJYD “Joy 107.1” has that streak broken by dropping one-tenth to 1.7 (#14 to #15, 6+).
Thursday, December 6, 2018
Longtime Baltimore Talk Show Host/Reporter Les Kinsolving Passes at 90. Known for his no-holds-barred questioning tactic as a White House reporter and for his regular talk show on WCBM, Baltimore, Les Kinsolving cut a colorful figure in the Baltimore-Washington
market and across the talk radio industry. Kinsolving – born Charles Lester Kinsolving – died early Tuesday morning. He had triple bypass surgery in 2005 after suffering a heart attack. WCBM morning personality and program director Sean Casey said in a message posted on Twitter: “Les was one of the founding fathers of WCBM. I hired him in 1990 after a strong recommendation from out former colleague Tom Marr. Les was a fearless reporter/broadcaster who confronted the Jim Jones cult, was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, and covered the White House in his signature red jacket.” Casey notes that Kinsolving hosted “Uninhibited Radio” on the station for 28 years before his health declined and he was forced to retire several months ago.
PPM Analysis: All-News. Managing editor Mike Kinosian presents a look at the performances of radio stations based on data from Nielsen Audio’s November 2018 PPM survey, today focusing on all-news outlets. Ratings movement (weekly 6+ AQH share) from the October survey to the November survey among all-news stations was pretty much split fifty-fifty – half the stations saw an increase and about half went down. The same goes for a comparison to last November’s PPM survey, about half the stations were up and the other half were down. This month, four all-news stations ranked in the top five in their respective markets. Entercom’s WBBM-AM/WCFS-FM, Chicago and Hubbard’s WTOP-FM, Washington both ranked #1, while the Entercom’s KCBS-AM ranked #2 in San Francisco and #3 in adjacent San Jose and its WWJ, Detroit also ranked #3. See Mike Kinosian’s entire report here.
Moffett to Lead SummitMedia Springfield. Taking over the leadership of SummitMedia’s
new Springfield, Missouri station group is Janelle Moffett, who rises from general sales manager to president. She begins leading the cluster that includes news/talk KSGF-AM/FM, country KTTS, CHR KSPW, and adult hits KRVI upon the exit of retiring president Rex Hansen. Moffett says, “We have great stations and a talented, committed team here. We will make certain we continue to entertain and inform our listeners, deliver results for our clients, and serve our wonderful Springfield community. I’m very excited about all the possibilities ahead for us!”
Forbes Publishes ‘Highest-Paid Radio Hosts’ Piece. In a story in Forbes by Hayley
Cuccinello, the five highest-paid talk hosts are ranked. Topping the list this year is SiriusXM star Howard Stern, estimated to be making $90 million. Premiere Networks star Rush Limbaugh is #2 with an estimated $84.5 million made this year. At #3 is Premiere’s Ryan Seacrest with $74 million, followed by Premiere/FOX News superstar Sean Hannity at #4 with $34 million and Premiere’s Glenn Beck in fifth place with $8.5 million. The piece also delves into the merger of Glenn Beck’s TheBlaze digital platform and CRTV and other radio talk show issues.
TALKERS News Notes. There’s a publication – currently only available to “lawmakers, decision-makers, and others involved in D.C.’s political process” – that Clarity Media Group
announces is expanding to the public arena. The weekly Washington Examiner magazine will launch on January 1 “with a new look, an expanded editorial range, and an increase in its distribution.” Under the continued editorial leadership of editorial director Hugo Gurdon, the expanded magazine will publish 44 issues per year. Clarity Media president and CEO Ryan McKibben says, “Over the years, we’ve frequently been asked if individuals outside of the Beltway could subscribe to the publication. With this expansion and relaunch, our aim is for the new, national Washington 
Examiner to build on its position as a leader in providing a conservative perspective on the events of the day.”…..Nielsen Audio holds a client webinar today to brief them on the transformation of the measurement of 200-plus small and medium markets measured with the Audio Diary from a quarterly or two times a year static view to monthly reporting. Nielsen says the change “will enable clients to react more quickly to marketplace changes.” Continuous diary measurement will be released in stages with the first phase beginning in mid-2019 in 47
markets presently measured four times a year…..Chicago media writer Robert Feder reports that WGN-AM, Chicago news reporter/anchor Dometi Pongo is also hosting a new Twitter Live video titled, “Need to Know.” The program is produced by MTV News and “offers a ‘deep dive’ on a major story of the day and each afternoon he recaps the day’s top stories.”…..KORE Broadcasting’s sports talk KORE, Eugene, Oregon “FOX Sports Eugene” adds “The Dan Patrick Show” to its weekday morning lineup, effective December 17…..SiriusXM is broadcasting live from the Baseball Winter Meetings beginning Sunday (12/9). Both the MLB Network Radio and Mad Dog Sports Radio channels will broadcast live from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas where club owners, front office executives, managers and many others from the major and minor leagues will gather to discuss offseason baseball business.
Bush Ceremonies, Trump-Russia Investigation, Migrants at U.S.-Mexico Border, U.S.-China Trade War, Mercurial Dow, ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’ Controversy, and NFL Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (12/5). The ceremonies honoring late President George H. W. Bush; the Robert Mueller-led investigation into possible connections between Trump campaign operatives and Russian agents; the migrants amassed at the U.S.-Mexico border and the border wall issue; the Trump administration’s tariff policy toward China; the up-and-down Dow and concerns about a returning bear market; radio stations are caught in a controversy over the lyrics to “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”; and the week’s NFL action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Music Radio News and Career Moves. Programming pro Josh Gebhart, a.k.a. Jay Jay, moves from Cumulus Media’s Twin Cities operations where he was an air personality and producer, to the company’s Eugene, Oregon cluster to serve as program director for hot AC KEHK “Star 102.3” and sister adult contemporary
KSCR-AM/FM. Cumulus Eugene operations manager Al Scott says, “It’s great to finally have a PD here in the building to steer KEHK through this very competitive radio market. Josh brings a lot of enthusiasm to the table and is breathing fresh life into the station!…..Sheridan Broadcasting names Tracey Harvey creative 
director. In her new position, she’ll be charged with developing the company’s new web presence – including audio and video content. She’ll also be responsible for expanding the company’s social media content and branding footprint by identifying new business partnerships…..Cumulus Media’s urban AC KMEZ is moving from its current 106.7 frequency to the 102.9 frequency it previously occupied, effective today (12/6). As a result, hip hop KKND “Power 102.9” goes away. The station is being branded “Z 102.9.” Program director J’Michael Francois says, “During the first 30 days, ‘Z 102.9’ will be heard both on 102.9 and on 106.7 so that all our current listeners will know that KMEZ will now be heard on 102.9 FM…..Mariah Carey is the special guest host of the Premiere Networks-syndicated R&B show “The Sweat Hotel” with Keith Sweat. In addition to playing R&B slow jams and taking song requests, the award-winning artist will play music from her new album, Caution, as well as some of her fan-favorite hits…..TMZ reports that rock radio and television personality Matt Pinfield was hit by a speeding car while walking in Los Angeles. The report says Pinfield’s leg was broken in two places and he received a wound to his head that required stitches. Pinfield was most recently morning host at Cumulus Media’s triple A KFOG, San Francisco.
Wednesday, December 5, 2018
WCCO-AM, Minneapolis Names Cory Hepola Late Morning Host. Transitioning from television to radio in the Twin Cities is Cory Hepola, who will assume the host role from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon at Entercom’s WCCO-AM, effective January 7. Hepola – an Emmy Award-
winning news anchor – has been serving as anchor at KARE-TV, Minneapolis. Hepola says, “Growing up in Perham, Minnesota, just seeing or hearing the iconic call letters – WCCO – gives me chills. The history here is amazing; for nearly 100 years, brilliant people have been laying a successful foundation of respect and trust at WCCO Radio. I’m thankful to be adding my voice, energy, and personality to this already incredibly talented staff.” During Hepola’s two-decade career as a journalist, Hepola has worked in Fargo, North Dakota; Rochester, New York; and Austin, Texas. He takes over for the retiring John Hines.
Rex Hansen Retires as VP/GM of SummitMedia’s Springfield, Missouri Cluster. At the Springfield, Missouri cluster of SummitMedia – just acquired in a purchase from Scripps
Media – vice president and general manager Rex Hansen is resigning from the post he’s held for 19 years, effective at the end of January. During his career at the station group, Hansen led the launch of three radio brands, including news/talk KSGF-AM/FM – a winner of the Edward R. Murrow National Award for outstanding news coverage in 2012 and 2015. The cluster also includes country KTTS, CHR KSPW “Power 96.5,” and adult hits KRVI “106.7 The River.” Hansen says, “Working with these stations for the last two decades has been a dream come true. Serving Springfield and the surrounding communities has been a passion of our team. Helping create a better community has been and continues to be our mission. I’m looking forward to spending time with my wife Pam and our family. There is a strong leadership team in place at SummitMedia Springfield that has been developed and fully prepared for this moment. I’m confident they will continue our successful record. It’s been a great ride!”
TALKERS News Notes. Media tech pro Sue Gilks is appointed director, Asia-Pacific for
Comrex Corporation. In this role, she’ll work with distributors in the region to support existing customers and further develop the markets. During her 30-year career she’s served as a senior manager in the international broadcast arena with a number of world-leading technology companies, including: DTC,Tandberg TV, Motorola, and Sony. She will be in attendance at BES Expo 2019 in New Delhi on January 17-19 representing Comrex with Technomedia Solutions in Stall 60…..A preliminary autopsy report from the Paducah, Kentucky police
indicates no evidence of foul play in the death of former, longtime KGO, San Francisco talk show host Ray Taliaferro. His body was found on Sunday (12/2) about a mile from where he was last seen after being missing for three weeks. KGO-TV, San Francisco reports that authorities say exposure to the elements may have precipitated his death…..Actor, talk host, and radio producer Dominick Brascia died at his
home in Bozeman, Montana on November 26 at age 61. During his career he acted in movies and on such shows as Friday the 13th: A New Beginning, “Knight Rider,” “Iron Eagle,” “Night Court,” “Busted,” “My Life as a Troll,” and many others. His radio career included stops at KSTE, Sacramento; KXNT, Las Vegas; WERC, Birmingham; and KNRC-AM, Denver. His most recent gig was as host of “Dominick in the Morning” on Townsquare Media’s KMMS, 
Bozeman. Read his obituary here…..ABC News Radio announces special coverage of the funeral and services for former President George H.W. Bush. Coverage will be anchored by correspondent Aaron Katersky along with fellow correspondents Karen Travers, Stephanie Ramos, and Lana Zak in Washington, Jim Ryan in Houston, and contributors Ann Compton, Steve Roberts, and more…..Syndicated Solutions Incorporated announces VP/affiliate sales Steve Downes is retiring on December 20 after an 18-year stint with the company.
Share of Ear: Advertisers Have Misperception of Pandora and Spotify Audiences. According to the third quarter “2018 Share of Ear” report (research into U.S. audio usage) from Edison Research, “advertisers and agencies incorrectly perceive the audience size of
Pandora and Spotify. Advertisers perceptions finds that advertisers and agencies believe Spotify has a 23% share of audio time spent while Pandora is slightly less at 21%. AM/FM radio is perceived at 36%. The truth: AM/FM radio has a 47% share while ad-supported Pandora is 4% and ad-supported Spotify is only 2% of audio time spent.” Cumulus Media chief insights officer Pierre Bouvard writes about the most recent data on his blog. He points to the study’s AM/FM usage data that says, “Americans spend substantially more time daily with AM/FM radio than Spotify and Pandora: AM/FM radio dominates daily time spent with nearly two hours daily among persons 18+ compared to Pandora’s 12 minutes and Spotify’s 10 minutes daily.” If smart speakers are what is going to bring live radio broadcasts back into the home, the growing use of the device is good news for radio. The study reports that “smart speaker ownership soars to 24% of all Americans in October 2018: Smart speaker ownership is still on the rise, tripling in just 2 years.”
Trump-Russia Investigation/Flynn Testimony, Bush 41 Remembrances, Dow Plunges/Trump-Xi Meeting, MBS’ Role in Khashoggi Murder, Cancer Test Breakthrough, Les Moonves Investigation, and NFL Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (12/4). The Robert Mueller-led investigation into possible connections between Trump campaign operatives and Russian agents and the related “no-prison Time” request for Michael Flynn from Mueller; the death of former President George H. W. Bush; the Dow plunges 800 points amidst confusion over President Trump’s remarks after meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping; the controversy over Mohammed bin Salman’s role in the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi; researchers in Australia announce the development of a 10-minute blood test for cancer; the investigation into allegations of sexual assault against embattled, former CBS chief Les Moonves; and the week’s NFL action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Music Radio News and Career Moves. Personality Ty Bentli takes the driver’s seat on the former “Ty, Kelly, and Chuck” show based in Nashville and heard on Cumulus Media’s country WKDF “NASH FM 103.3.” Westwood One announces it is launching the new show, hosted by Bentli with Chuck Wicks
still on board and “an expanded cast of friends and characters who will get real, get down, and get country.” Kelly Ford left the show earlier in the fall. Cumulus Media EVP, marketing and Westwood One president Suzanne Grimes says, “We are excited to showcase Ty in this new morning environment where his genuine and engaging personality really shines. He connects with listeners in a very real way and this is the perfect forum for him to bring more good will, compassion, and 
cheer to our lives every morning.”…..In Detroit, Cumulus Media names Lance Tidwell director of FM programming, in charge of country WDRQ “NASH FM 93.1” and hot AC WDVD. He takes over for Robbie Bridges who exits the post to relocate to the East. Tidwell recently exited his position with Townsquare Media as operations manager for the company’s Fort Collins, Colorado cluster…..Changes at Townsquare Media’s hot AC WSJO, Atlantic City as brand manager Heather DeLuca moves her air shift from middays to afternoons and Chelsea Corrine takes over the midday show, moving from sister country WPUR “Cat Country 107.3.”…..Benztown appoints Scott “Justin Case” Mayton to the newly created position of director, national imaging. The company says that in this new role, he’ll provide dedicated ‘white glove’ service to national media companies signing group imaging deals. At the same time, Benztown promotes audio imaging pro Matt Anderson to director, custom imaging, in which he’ll oversee Custom Imaging for Benztown and its audio affiliates across the U.S. and Canada.….iHeartMedia Denver’s rock KBCO is named the first-ever FM station to be inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame. During an induction ceremony at Denver’s Paramount Theater last night (12/3), KBCO was recognized as one of the most influential radio stations in music, community involvement, and multimedia. National touring artist Amos Lee read the proclamation and presented the award to KBCO program director Scott Arbough. Additional highlights from the night included a special video tribute from Nathaniel Rateliff as well as a video highlight reel of KBCO’s accomplishments from
throughout the years…..There’s a cool opportunity at Service Broadcasting’s hip hop KKDA, Dallas “K104.” The station is seeking an innovative music director and show producer to play an integral role on its SBG Content Factory team. This is a unique position for a creative music maven, content curator, and show director who can drive audience engagement, ratings and revenue success. Send your resume package, success stories, and philosophies on music scheduling, morning shows, and marketing with references to: SBG HR Manager Debbie Henry at jobs@k104fm.com No phone calls please. Service Broadcasting is an EOE.
Monday, November 5, 2018
Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh to Appear at Tonight’s Trump Rally in Missouri. The president’s final rally before tomorrow’s midterm elections takes place tonight in Cape Girardeau, Missouri – hometown of Premiere Networks talk radio legend Rush Limbaugh – and the favorite son will make a “special guest appearance” there, as will
Premiere and FOX News Channel superstar Sean Hannity. Hannity is hosting his 9:00 pm ET FNC show from the rally, similar to the way he did at a Trump rally in Las Vegas in September. Not surprisingly, the move has media observers analyzing the relationship between the Donald Trump White House and conservative media outlets. CNN.com’s report on 
Hannity’s and Limbaugh’s appearances writes that “the Trump campaign isn’t making a distinction between interviewing the president and showing up at the rally as a ‘special guest.’” For its part, FOX News says that Hannity is not “sponsoring the rally or campaigning for Trump,” but will be interviewing Trump as part of his show. TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison addressed this development during this morning’s editorial conference call stating, “Regardless of one’s political take on Donald Trump and the positions of conservative talk radio – from a purely industrial perspective and the value of access to the big players on the world stage – Sean Hannity has solidly positioned himself in the eye of the storm on a level that is remarkable from a historical perspective. He is contributing immeasurably to keeping radio and television talk media at the forefront of the nation’s political conversation – a gift that keeps on giving to his colleagues in the business on all sides of the spectrum.”
Mike Gallagher to Host Salem Radio Network’s Election Night Program. Tomorrow evening’s coverage of the midterm elections on the Salem Radio Network is being
anchored by nationally syndicated talk show host Mike Gallagher from New York City. The “TOWNHALL News 2018 MIDTERM ELECTION NIGHT” broadcast will air from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm ET and will also be simulcast on a live, nationwide video stream on Townhall.com. Also featured on the program will be White House correspondent Greg Clugston reporting live from Kansas City where he’ll be following key Midwestern contests. Capitol Hill correspondent Wally Hindes will be posted in Phoenix. Anchor Bob Agnew will report live from SRN’s Washington bureau. Southwestern correspondent Val DeOre will be filing reports from the Dallas County Republican Party headquarters. Special guests will include Alfredo Ortiz, CEO of Job Creators Alliance, SRN political contributor and former presidential candidate Gary Bauer, and My Pillow inventor and Trump rally fixture Mike Lindell.
New Bern Talk Station Has New Frequency; Adds Limbaugh. In the New Bern,
North Carolina market, Inner Banks Media announces the swap of frequencies between country WRHT and news/talk WNBU. WNBU is now airing on the stronger, Class C1 100,000-watt signal at 96.3 and WRHT slides to the Class C3 11,000-watt signal at 94.1. At the same time, Inner Banks announces that it is adding Premiere Networks’ Rush Limbaugh to WNBU’s program schedule in place of the Dan Patrick sports talk show. Limbaugh had been heard on Atlantic Ridge Telecasters’ WTKF-FM. That station replaces Limbaugh with FOX News Radio’s Todd Starnes.
SummitMedia Names Val Nicholas SVP, Creative Director. This is a new position at SummitMedia in which Val Nicholas is tasked with accelerating creative innovation
in partnership with SummitMedia sales, marketing, programming and event leadership teams as senior vice president, creative director. Nicholas comes to SummitMedia from his most recent position with NBC News as vice president creative director. SummitMedia chairman and CEO Carl Parmer comments, “We are very excited for Val to join the SummitMedia team and are confident his enthusiasm and creative talent will bolster our efforts to inspire our audiences and support our client’s needs.” During his time at NBC News, the organization launched new digital properties for NBCNews.com and 360 initiatives such as “Hiring Our Heroes,” created to remedy the unemployment crisis for post-9/11 veterans.
TALKERS News Notes. Tomorrow night, ABC News Radio is providing live coverage of the midterm elections from 7:00 pm ET through at least 1:00 am ET, anchored by
correspondent Aaron Katersky from New York with correspondents Karen Travers, Alex Stone, Jim Ryan, Pete Combs, and Mark Remillard reporting from various races across the country. Correspondent Lana Zak will monitor the House and Senate races from Washington, correspondent Scott Goldberg will report from the ABC News Decision Desk, and contributor Steve Roberts will provide political analysis. ABC News Radio will also provide one-minute updates on ‘Your Vote 2018’ 
four times an hour, from 5:00 am ET on Tuesday through 12:00 midnight on November 7…..Westwood One News is providing affiliates with continuous election night coverage from 7:00 pm ET until at least 1:00 am ET, plus four special reports per hour and live reports from the headquarters of key candidates. Jim Bohannon is anchoring the coverage (which will also be simulcast to all Jim Bohannon show affiliates as a special edition of his broadcast). White House correspondent Bob Costantini will report from the White House on Trump Administration reaction; Capitol Hill correspondent Linda Kenyon will follow the races and congressional control; and correspondent Steve Kastenbaum in New York, Jim Roope in Los Angeles, and Clayton Neville in Houston
will report on important regional races, turnout, and ballot referenda…..Chicago media writer Robert Feder reports that former hot AC WTMX morning personality Kathy Hart will be appearing on Tribune’s news/talk WGN-AM a bit more after recently sitting in with weekend host Frank Fontana a few times. Station manager Todd Manley says she’ll appear on the station “multiple times” over the next couple of months. Feder says Hart appeared on the station on Sunday for an “in-studio Botox party” with Wendy Snyder, Judy Pielach, and Mary Van De Velde…..Townsquare Media names Suzanne Montoya vice president and station manager for the Princeton, New Jersey cluster that includes sports talk WNJE-AM, CHR WPST-FM, and religion WCHR-AM…..Bustos Media Holdings LLC closes on its purchase of news/talk KVOI-AM, Tucson from Good News Communications. Most of Bustos Media’s stations are Spanish-language outlets. This is the company’s first foray into English news/talk. Kalil & Co. was the exclusive broker for the deal.
Midterm Elections, Migrant Caravan, New Iran Sanctions, Financial Markets Activity, Bohemian Rhapsody Film, and NFL Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Over the Weekend. Tuesday’s midterm elections and the battle over control of the House and Senate; the caravan of Honduran migrants traveling through Mexico toward the U.S. border; the U.S. places new sanctions on Iran; activity in the world’s financial markets; the Queen bio-pic film, Bohemian Rhapsody; 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.
Richard Neer Is Guest on Harrison Podcast. As the just-concluded 2018 World Series indicated, so many things about sports are changing – the way the games are played, the way we root for our favorite teams and players, the way we bet on them, and the way we cover them in the media. Thirty-year WFAN, New York veteran sports talk show host Richard Neer is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” Harrison and Neer
have been friends and colleagues going all the way back to their days together in the formative years of the album rock format at WLIR, Long Island and WNEW-FM, New York. Neer wrote the milestone book about that era titled FM: The Rise and Fall of Rock Radio (Villard 2001). In this podcast, these prolific conversationalists take a thoughtful, deep dive into the X’s and O’s of the changing culture of sports in our rapidly accelerating society. To listen to the podcast in its entirety, please click here or click on the player box marked “The Michael Harrison Interview” located in the right-hand column of the TALKERS email newsletter and on every page of Talkers.com.
Music Radio News and Career Moves. Dallas hot AC KDMX-FM “102.9 Now” moves air personality Carter from evenings to afternoon drive and names him assistant program director. Station PD Jay
Shannon states, “I’m thrilled to have Carter transition to afternoon drive host on ‘102.9 
Now.’ Carter has a true connection with our listeners and his upbeat personality really makes him the perfect fit.” Filling the evening show host role is Brooke Morrison. She’s served with iHeartMedia’s CHR WHQC, Charlotte and CHR KSLZ, St. Louis…..The Premiere Networks nationally syndicated Brooke & Jubal show hits the 50-affiliate mark after recent additions to its roster that include: KNOU, St. Louis; KKRG, Albuquerque; and KLLY, Bakersfield. Premiere Networks president Julie Talbott states, “We’re excited by the fast-paced growth and success of Brooke & Jubal nationwide. Brooke and Jubal, along with their team, are incredibly hard working and they have an undeniable ability to entertain and engage listeners with topical conversations and a whole lot of laughs. We look forward to celebrating many more milestones together.”…..Beasley Media Group rock outlet WRAT-FM, Point Pleasant, New Jersey is celebrating 20 years of the Sunday night specialty show, “The Electric Ballroom,” with a commemorative anniversary concert on Sunday, December 30 at the House of Independents in Asbury Park, New Jersey. The event will feature Monster Magnet, along with members of Blue Oyster Cult and the Alice Cooper Band. The lineup will also include a performance by radio show host Keith Roth’s band, Frankenstein 3000…..Entercom’s alternative KROQ, Los Angeles is presenting the 29th annual “KROQ Absolut Almost Acoustic Christmas 2018” shows at the Forum on December 8 and 9. The concerts will feature: Smashing Pumpkins, Florence + The Machine, Death Cab for Cutie, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Mike Shinoda, and Third Eye Blind, among others. Entercom Los Angeles SVP and market manager Jeff Federman says, “We are so proud of ‘Acoustic Christmas’ and its unprecedented 29-year history. This end of the year holiday show is a special time for all of us in Southern California and we’re pleased to support Para Los Niños and the Al Wooten Jr. Heritage Center this year. We are thrilled to deliver an incredible two nights of music where fans, brands, and artists come together.”
Monday, October 8, 2018
KQED Names Blakley Executive Director/Radio Programming. Four-year Minnesota Public Radio program director Jonathan Blakley is 
appointed executive director of radio programming for Northern California Public Broadcasting news/talk KQED, San Francisco. The Western Michigan University graduate previously was a senior producer and editor at NPR and launched all-news on WKZO, Kalamazoo. He has also worked for all-news WWJ, Detroit and the Associated Press. In other station
news, KQED promotes executive director of news Holly Kernan to chief content officer. She will now oversee news, arts, science, and education for radio and TV programming. Kerman joined the station in 2014 from San Francisco Unified School District news/talk KALW, where she was news and public affairs director. Meanwhile, managing editor Ethan Lindsey succeeds Kernan as executive director of news. Among persons 6+ in Nielsen Audio’s September 2018 report for San Francisco, KQED is #1 for the eighth straight month. Its gain of four-tenths pulls the plug on five downward trends in a row that accounted for a -2.5 (8.9 – 8.4 – 8.1 – 7.1 – 6.7 – 6.4, 6+). In San Jose, KQED progresses from sixth to fourth. It finished first in that Bay Area market between January and June.
Harrison: Neither Side is as Bad as Political Opponents Claim. TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison, described by TV anchor/moderator/commentator Carol Costello as “the voice of reason” appeared today as a panelist on CNN’s Headline News channel (HLN) to discuss the impact of the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation on the coming mid-term elections. He joined other panelists Republican Scott Jennings and Democrat Nomiki Konst. Jennings supported the President’s assertion that the Democrats and Liberals have become an unruly mob unfit to govern. Konst expressed the opposite view that working people have never faced the level of economic inequality that presently exists and that the Kavanaugh addition to the Supreme Court feeds into the “women are doomed” scenario. When asked by Costello if we as a nation are “going to remain as divided – men versus women, Democrat versus Republican – as we are now permanently forever more?” Harrison replied by saying “Hopefully not permanently. Let’s hope it ebbs and flows as it has through history. Both sides are extremely energized. The coming mid-term election promises to be as exciting, if not more, than a presidential election. But we can’t tell which side will feel that way in a few weeks on Election Day when it will be decided by voter turn-out. From a media standpoint, which is the lens through which I view this, even though both sides in ‘biased media’ express righteous indignation – and there is extreme bias on both sides in the media – both sides are loving this because this is a golden era for media that plays the news for the American public viewing it as a spectator sport. The demonization of the ‘other side’ is just that – excessive hyperbolic demonization. Nothing is going to be so terrible no matter how it plays out. Women are not doomed and the Democrats are not a mob. And if for some reason Trump loses his majority in Congress, he’ll work that to his advantage as well. It’ll be his excuse for not fulfilling all his campaign promises to his base.”
One Putt Lands O’Rorke as VP/GM. Ten-year Lotus Broadcasting Fresno market manager Kevin O’Rorke joins cross-town One Putt Broadcasting as vice president and general manager, succeeding Josh Riley. One Putt partner John Ostlund comments, “We are excited to have Kevin on our team. His passion for radio, [as well as his] experience with many of our clients and involvement in non-profit organizations, makes him a great fit.” Another One Putt partner – Chris Pacheco – notes, “I have known and worked with Kevin many times over the years – he brings tremendous experience to our team.” California State University-Fullerton alum O’Rorke adds, “Radio is an exciting industry, but locally-owned radio with the kind of community focus that Chris and John have demonstrated over the years is very unique. I am looking forward to getting started and making a difference.” One Putt’s Fresno cluster includes sports talk KFIG “940 ESPN Radio”; KFRR “New Rock 104.1”; classic rock KJFX “95.7 The Fox”; triple A KJWL “K-Jewel 105.5”; CHR KWDO “99.3 Now FM”; and classic hits-oldies KYNO-AM.
Daniel Joins Fresno’s KVPR and Bakersfield’s KPRX As News Director. News/talk KQED, San Francisco reporter Alice Daniel is appointed news 
director of similarly-formatted KVPR, Fresno and KPRX, Bakersfield. Valley Public Radio interim president Joe Moore comments, “Alice is a talented reporter and educator, who always finds a way to bring out something special or unexpected in her stories. Six years ago, we didn’t have any local reporters at the station; now, we have three. Our work is increasingly being recognized with awards at the regional and national level.” Daniel remarks, “I am excited by the prospect of working with other reporters to cover this diverse and story-rich region in a way that makes a difference for the community at large. I love the creative process of figuring out the best way to tell a compelling story. There is nothing I love more in journalism than finding that gem of a story that no one else has unearthed.” In addition to contributing to Success Magazine, Daniel – who has a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University – has taught journalism for 17 years at Fresno State University.
TALKERS News Notes. In a presentation to be made this coming Saturday (10/13), Cumulus Media San Francisco news/talk KSFO morning host (5:00 am – 9:00 am) Brian Sussman will receive the Don Sherwood Award from the Bay Area Radio Hall 
of Fame. The listener-voted honor recognizes the Bay Area’s favorite news/talk radio broadcaster for 2018. Sussman replaced Lee Rodgers in morning drive on KSFO 
in February 2010 ….. Beginning this Thursday (10/11), The New York Times debuts “The Argument,” a weekly opinion podcast hosted by three of the paper’s op-ed columnists – David Leonhardt, Ross Douthat, and Michelle Goldberg ….. As reported by the St. Louis Dispatch, “Real Housewife of Orange County” Meghan King Edmonds will appear with “Meghan’s Must Haves” every week on the Sunday morning edition of Rick & Tracey Ellis’ show on Entercom St. Louis news/talk KFTK “FM Newstalk 97.1.” The segment starts this Sunday (10/14). Edmonds is the wife of former St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Angels 
outfielder/current Fox Sports Midwest analyst Jim Edmonds ….. The former six-year general manager of Tri-States Public Radio and an adjunct instructor at Western Illinois University, Jonathan Ahl, will be a Rolla, Missouri-based reporter for University of Missouri-St. Louis news/talk KWMU. Ahl previously was news director and reporter at Iowa Public Radio ….. KTTC-TV, Austin (Minnesota) multimedia journalist James Bunner has been fired for wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat while covering President Trump’s appearance last Thursday in Rochester, Minnesota. KTTC news director Noel Sederstrom said Bunner was let go for wearing campaign gear while covering the political event – not because of his personal politics. Sederstrom told BuzzFeed News, “[Bunner] violated our policy so he’s no longer with us. We don’t allow our people to wear campaign clothing while on assignment.” On the day of Trump’s inauguration, Bunner posted a video of himself on Facebook dancing to “Celebration” (Kool & The Gang). KTTC removed Bunner’s online profile from its website last Friday ….. Listeners will be able to use touch and voice to tune into live iHeartRadio radio stations on Portal and Portal+ – Facebook’s home video communications devices. The Portal comes with a variety of features such as AI-powered video cameras, smart sound technology, and crystal-clear audio. Powered by Amazon’s Alexa voice control system, the video chat devices were introduced today (10/8).
Richard Neer Pens Sixth Murder Mystery Book. Longtime TALKERS columnist Richard Neer, a 30-year sports talk veteran at WFAN, New York and 
former WNEW-FM, New York radio great, has released his sixth Riley King murder mystery, An American Storm (Amazon Digital Services, 2018). This one has a strong radio sub-plot as King’s cohort Rick Stone deals with a career crisis after moving from making big dollars at a large market station to a small labor-of-love outlet, attempting to create a free form talk and music format. He is frustrated by a dearth of callers and the aging demo. Neer is well-known for his landmark radio non-fiction FM, the Rise and Fall of Rock Radio (Villard, 2001) and is developing a large following as a writer of the mystery fiction genre. He can be reached for interviews at novelistcafe@windstream.net. The new book is available at Amazon in both Kindle and paperback editions.
Kavanaugh Confirmation and Ensuing Protests Across the Nation Top the List of Stories Discussed on News/Talk Radio Over the Weekend. The U.S. Senate Confirmation and Swearing-in of controversial Judge Brett Kavanaugh and the protests that took place during and after the vote topped the list of stories discussed on news/talk radio over the weekend. These stories were followed by the US-China trade war; November midterm elections and the battle for control of Congress; the new USMCA deal; the disappearance of the head of Interpol after traveling to China; NFL action during week number five and the MLB divisional playoffs which were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Welsh, Porreca Join JAM Media Solutions. East Orange, New Jersey-based JAM Media Solutions names Donovan Welsh executive vice president of sales and Kerry Porreca executive vice president of finance. JAM Media Solutions closed on its media properties last 
Wednesday (10/3). They take over eight media properties in Outer Banks, North Carolina and Muscatine, Iowa. The Outer Banks properties include WCMS “Water Country”; hot AC WCXL “Beach 104”; WVOD “99.1 The Sound – The Outer Banks’ Alternative”; WZPR “Classic Rock 92.3”; and “The Outer Banks Voice.” The Muscatine properties include classic rock KMCS “Vintage Sound 93.1”; KWPC “The Voice of Muscatine; and “The Voice of Muscatine.” JAM Media Solutions president and CEO Jonathan A. Mason, Sr. remarks, “In the early years of my career in New York, I worked with Mr. Welsh and am honored that he has decided to join JAM Media to oversee our sales efforts. Mrs. Porreca is a veteran finance executive and has extensive knowledge of the Outer Banks. She is uniquely positioned to help us achieve our goal of giving back to the communities we seek to serve. I am humbled to step into the next phase of our collective journey. Our goal is to deliver a first-rate experience for the communities we serve. We love our radio local and our listeners will come to know that for themselves.” Most recently, Welsh was sales manager of Entercom New York sports talk WFAN. Porreca has spent the majority of her professional career in the manufacturing and advertising areas.
Music Radio News and Career Moves. Additions at Entercom Los Angeles CHR KAMP “97.1 Amp Radio” 
find DJ Vice hosting “DJ Vice in the Mix” weekdays from 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm and
Krystal Bee joining the station’s weekend lineup. According to Entercom Los Angeles senior vice president and market manager Jeff Federman, “DJ Vice and Krystal Bee have been household names in the Southern California radio and music scene for more than 25 years collectively. We look forward to them delivering a fresh listening experience for fans.” DJ Vice remarks, “As someone who was born and raised in Los Angeles, it is an honor to be a part of the ‘97.1 Amp Radio’ family. This mix is so fulfilling to do for my city, and hopefully, I can ease the pain of our listeners as they sit in L.A. traffic.” Krystal Bee notes that, “[KAMP] has a vision for radio that is so exciting. I have loved working with the team and I am excited about everything the future holds for me, the station, and our amazing listeners.” In 2011, DJ Vice was named one of “America’s Best DJs” by DJ Times. Prior to joining Entercom, Krystal Bee held on-air roles for cross-town rhythmic CHR KPWR “Power 106” since 2011 ….. Following last week’s departure of
brand manager/program director Ron Valeri, Entercom Boston-owned WAAF “The Only Station That Really Rocks” names Joe Galgaro, PD of Saga Communications Milwaukee’s WHQG “102.9 The Hog,” as Valeri’s replacement ….. Most recently doing mid-days for Beasley Media Group Tampa’s WQYK “99.5 New Country Hits,” June Knight joins Entercom Miami’s similarly-formatted WKIS “Country 99.5” as morning drive co-host, where she will pair with assistant program director/music director Tim “TC” Conlon as “TC & June. Knight previously worked in Boston at CHR WXKS-FM “Kiss 108” and WODS … As we reported last week, Louie Diaz is promoted to vice president/contemporary for the Cumulus Radio Station Group, continuing his role as 
operations manager for Cumulus Media Atlanta and as PD for CHR WWWQ “Q100.” Associated with that move, Cumulus Media vice president/contemporary programming (CHR and hot AC) Cat Thomas departs. Thomas joined Cumulus Media nearly three years ago, after a 27-year career with CBS Radio Las Vegas where he was vice president/programming. For approximately 20 years, he programmed that company’s Las Vegas CHR, KLUC ….. Morning co-host Brian Fowler exits WGAR. He joined “Country 99.5.” in 2011 to team with LeeAnn Sommers, who remains with the iHeartMedia Cleveland outlet ….. Next year’s iHeartRadio “ALTer Ego” officially sold out on the first day on sale. The
second annual music event, which will broadcast live (1/19/2019) across over 70 iHeartRadio alternative and rock stations, reportedly sold out in less than a minute of being on sale to the general public. The “ALTer Ego” lineup at Los Angeles’ Fabulous Forum includes The Killers, Weezer, Rise Against, Twenty One Pilots, Muse, Bishop Briggs, and The Revivalists. Chief programming officer for iHeartMedia Tom Poleman notes, “It was remarkable to watch how fast tickets sold out. All tickets immediately went the moment we made them available. It speaks to the power of the lineup and how fast the ALTer Ego brand has grown in just two years.” Meanwhile, iHeartMedia president/national sales, marketing & partnerships Tim Castelli comments, “The lineup is incredible and reaches the millennial trend leaders who make up the mega-event’s core audience. Given such an amazing response, we are expecting this to break social chatter records like we have done with our lineup on our other 
iHeart marquee events” ….. Former WPIA “98.5 Kiss FM,” Peoria (Illinois) program director Jonathan Steele is named to a similar position at Martz Communications Pittsburgh urban contemporary WAMO …..Tennessee Senate candidate Phil Bredesen and congressional hopeful Jim Cooper have picked up a big-name endorsement – Taylor Swift. The singer usually doesn’t express her political beliefs but notes on Instagram, “Due to several events in my life and in the world the past two years, I feel very differently about that now.” Bredesen and Cooper are Democrats ….. At the box office, Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga’s “A Star Is Born” remake took in $41.3 million. According to comScore, with $174.5 million in tickets sold at United States and Canadian theaters, it was easily the best October weekend ever…. Starting today (10/8), iHeartMedia Columbus CHR WNCI-originated “Dave (Kaelin) & Jimmy (Jam)” will air (6:00 am – 10:00 am) on Alpha Media Canton (Ohio) hot AC WHBC-FM “Mix” 94.1.” WHBC-FM operations manager Bo Matthews comments, “Dave & Jimmy are Ohio guys [who] celebrate the region with their content. They experience all the pain that comes with being Cleveland sports fans. I am super excited for the show they will be providing us every weekday morning.” According to Jimmy Jam, “Canton is my hometown so I have about 200 relatives [who] will be listening every day.”
Friday, June 12, 2020
NOW POSTED: New Installment of “The Michael Harrison Wrap: An Overview of the National Conversation.” The vibrant, one-hour weekend special, “The Michael Harrison Wrap,” that looks back each week at the hottest topics discussed in American talk media per the research of TALKERS magazine, is now posted. The new episode titled “The Revolution is Being Televised!” looks back at this past week of June 8-12, 2020 and features guests (in order of appearance): Kevin Casey, executive editor, TALKERS; Curtis Sliwa, talk show host, 77WABC, New York; Sean Spicer, talk show host, NewsmaxTV; Lee Habeeb, producer / host, Our American Stories; Colin Cowherd, talk show host, FOX Sports Radio-Television; and Victoria Jones, executive director, DC Radio Company. This acclaimed news/talk radio show airs each week on its flagship, WONK-FM, Washington, DC, Friday evenings at 6:00 pm ET. It also airs throughout the weekend on WRKO, Boston; WTIC, Hartford; KSCO, Santa Cruz, CA; KDFD (“Freedom 93.7”), Denver; KFNX, Phoenix; WVLY, Wheeling, WV; WVOX, Westchester, NY; KBDT, Dallas; KQSP, Minneapolis; KBKW, Aberdeen, WA; WGDJ, Albany, NY; WJFN-FM, Richmond, VA; WZFG, Fargo; KTGO, Tioga, ND; KWAM, Memphis; K-NEWS, San Luis Obispo; WCHM, Clarkesville, GA; WPHM, Port Huron, MI; KSYL, Alexandria, LA; KTOE, Mankato, MN, the Virginia Talk Radio Network, Pioneer Valley Radio in Springfield, MA, Podcast Radio, UK and many more. To listen to this week’s episode, please click here. To view the latest TALKERS magazine topic research, please click here. “The Michael Harrison Wrap” is now available in syndication via Talk Media Network to stations across America on a market exclusive basis. For affiliation information, please click here or call 616-884-8616.
Round Four of May PPMs Released. The fourth and final round of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s May 2020 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including: Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk,
Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford. Nielsen’s May 2020 survey period covered April 23 – May 20. You can see all the 6+ numbers from subscribing stations here. TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his “Ratings Takeaways” from this group of markets and notes that a number of the news/talk stations whose weekly, 6+ AQH shares had risen dramatically in March and April because of listeners’ desire for news and information about the coronavirus pandemic started to fall during the May survey. Waterloo Media Group’s KLBJ-AM, Austin lost nine-tenths to finish May with a 5.5 
share and the #3 rank in the market. Emmis Communications’ WIBC-FM, Indianapolis “Indy’s Mobile News 93.1” relinquishes 1.4 shares to wrap the month with an 8.9 share and the #3 rank. In Milwaukee, iHeartMedia’s WISN-AM remains in the #1 spot even after dropping seven-tenths to finish with an 8.6 share. Cumulus Media’s WWTN-FM, Nashville loses only one-tenth but drops to the #7 rank on the strength of a 5.3 share. Cox Media Group’s WOKV-FM, Jacksonville loses three full shares but still finished the May sweep with a 10.4 share, good for the #2 rank in the market. See Mike Kinosian’s complete report here.
Kimberly & Beck Apologize for Racist Language. In a self-produced video, the former classic rock WAIO, Rochester morning show duo of Kimberly Ray and Barry Beck apologized for the language they used on their radio show that caused iHeartMedia to fire them on June 3. WROC-TV, Rochester has the story with a link to the video. You may recall that during a discussion about two local shop owners
who were beaten by a group of black youths as they tried to protect their business during the violence and looting that evolved out of the George Floyd protests, Ray didn’t use the “N-word” but suggested the young men were acting “N-word-y.” In the video, the two offer their apology. Ray says, “We owe it to our listeners and to our amazing community to speak out. Both Beck and I have spent the last several days engaging in soulful reflection. We said hurtful, offensive things, but we are not racist. We do not have hate in our heart. We have only love for everyone.” Beck says, “We apologize, not to get our jobs back, but to say we are truly sorry and want to sincerely apologize. We will not attempt to make any excuses or explain what we said, because it was wrong, it was ignorant and inexcusable.” Ray adds, “We want our listeners and clients to know we are sorry. We let you down. We’re sorry we let Rochester down. Moving forward we want to grow, learn, and change from this experience. Our apology is sincere, and we wish we could turn back time.” Beck closes saying, “But we can’t. Once again, we have no hate in our heart, and we apologize. Thank you.”
Radio America to Syndicate Tony Katz’s ‘Eat! Drink! Smoke!’ Indianapolis-based talk radio personality Tony Katz’s new weekend radio program “Eat! Drink! Smoke!” is going into national syndication via Radio America, beginning the weekend of
June 27-28. Radio America will also distribute and sell the podcast. Radio America says, “The two-hour weekly program combines good times and good friends, stepping away from the madness of each week with reviews of fine cigars, excellent bourbon, and interesting food. Hosted by award-winning radio host, writer, and regular cable news presence Tony Katz with 
a wide array of guests sharing their thoughts with humor and expertise.” Katz says, “Being able to bring ‘Eat! Drink! Smoke!’ to cities across the country is just sensational. We’re not trying to be the final word on cigars and bourbon; we’re sharing the word. Distillers are artists, and so are the cigar rollers and master blenders in the US and around the world.” Katz hosts “Tony Katz and the Morning News” on Emmis Communications’ WIBC-FM, Indianapolis and the syndicated Tony Katz show that airs live from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm CT. Radio America COO Mike Paradiso says, “Tony is a phenomenal talent that knows how to connect with listeners and advertisers. Stations are going to love his knowledge of cigars and bourbon along with his conversational and humorous style.”
TALKERS News Notes. According to a piece in the Los Angeles Times, some ViacomCBS employees are demanding that the company end its relationship with streaming channel aggregator Pluto TV because it partners with The First which
streams the “Bill O’Reilly No Spin News” program and they say O’Reilly has “a well-documented history of making racist comments, denying the existence of systemic racism, undermining the efforts of Black protesters and insulting Black public figures.” ViacomCBS doesn’t plan to make any immediate changes, telling the Times, “Pluto TV, by design, is a service that makes available a wide variety of channels programmed by third parties, and we think it is critical to represent a diversity of viewpoints, even those we disagree with.”.…..The National Association of Broadcasters announces 
the results of its Executive Committee Board of Directors. David Santrella, president of broadcast media, Salem Media Group, was re-elected Radio Board chair and Emily Barr, president and chief executive officer, Graham Media Group, was re-elected as NAB Television Board chair. Bill Wilson, chief executive officer of Townsquare Media, Inc., was elected as Radio Board first vice chair and John Zimmer, president and owner of Zimmer Radio of Mid-Missouri, Inc., was elected second vice chair. Alfred Liggins, chief executive officer, Urban One, Inc., was elected to the Radio Board’s major group representative seat on the NAB Board’s Executive Committee. The board elections took place at the NAB Board of Directors
meeting, held virtually on June 9…..In the Joplin, Missouri market, Michael Day Landis-owned sports talk outlet WMBH “FOX Sports Joplin” moves the “Mic’d Up” show from Saturdays to weekdays, airing from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. KSNF-TV, Joplin reports the show, hosted by Matt Miller, Mello, and Austin Cunningham will cover everything from “Mizzou football to KU basketball… emphasize sports around the Four States while also providing coverage of the NFL and other professional leagues.”
NEED A GUEST? We’ve Got Some Good Ones for You at ‘Expert Guests.’ Talk media hosts, producers, and bookers are advised to check out the newly expanded
“Expert Guests” section of TALKERS. It is updated on a regular basis with outstanding experts and personalities available by telephone, Skype, or Zoom for booking on radio, TV, and online talk shows. This week you’ll find a wide array of guests that includes widely acclaimed New York Times best-selling conservative author David Horowitz available to discuss his new book BLITZ: Trump Will Smash the Left and WIN (Humanix Books, 2020). There’s also an expert on how to generate lost revenue due to COVID-19 via online marketing, an author who writes about Islamic matters, and an expert on finance who puts the race-oriented protests, demonstrations, and riots into perspective from an economic standpoint – plus a whole lot more. To visit “Expert Guests,” please click here.
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