Tag: "Rachel Maddow"
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Talking with Kellyanne Conway at the White House Radio Row. Talk40.com News publisher Bryan Crabtree (center) and conservative media figure Robyn Walensky (right) interview White House spokesperson Kellyanne Conway (left) at today’s (1/31) White House radio row. Crabtree tells TALKERS the administration-sponsored event at the Old Executive Office Building “included a few strategic radio and blogging hosts to be able to speak with cabinet and top White House officials in order to react to the State of the Union.” Some of the other administration officials who took part included: Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, Energy Secretary Rick Perry, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, among others.
It’s Official: WSCR Grabs Bulls by the Horns. Seeking to shed unprofitable contracts, Chapter 11-ensconced Cumulus Media asked the bankruptcy court to allow it out of a number of deals that are losing money, including its WLS-AM, Chicago contracts to air Chicago Bulls and Chicago White Sox games. Now, one of those
contracts is void after the Bulls and Entercom agreed to terms to air the NBA club’s games on its sports talk WSCR “The Score.” The announcement was made on this morning’s “Mully & Hanley” show with market manager Jimmy de Castro and operations director Mitch Rosen breaking the news. The first Bulls game on WSCR will air on Saturday (2/3) as they play at the LA Clippers. The question that remains is where will the White Sox end up? At Tribune’s WGN, at ESPN’s WMVP, or somewhere else? Stay tuned.
WXDE, Salisbury-Ocean City, Delaware Adds Talk Pro Ed Tyll to New Program Lineup. Salisbury-Ocean City news/talker WXDE, Lewes “Delaware 105.9” announces another addition to its new lineup as talk radio pro Ed Tyll joins to host the 12:00 noon
to 3:00 pm show. Recent arrival Rob Sussman is hosting the 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm daypart. Sussman had been serving at KBUR, Burlington, Iowa as 
news director. Station programmer Dan Gaffney continues as morning personality and Susan Monday – whose show is simulcast to Delmarva Broadcasting sister station WDEL, Wilmington – airs from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon. Gaffney states, “Ed Tyll is one of the most passionate talk show hosts I have heard and it is exciting to hear his energy blasting out of the speakers from WXDE. And, if anyone ever wanted to know where the next generation of great talk show host talent is, we have that too in 26-year-old Rob Sussman!”
TALKERS News Notes. The January cable news/talk numbers are in and, according to a report by TVNewser, FOX News Channel’s Sean Hannity led all competitors in total
viewer average with 3.27 million. FNC had seven of the top 10 cable news/talk shows in January in total viewer average – Tucker Carlson 
finished #3 and Laura Ingraham’s “The Ingraham Angle” was #4. In the adults 25-54 demo, MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow was #1, edging FNC’s Sean Hannity 678,000 to 660,000. The rest of the adults 25-54 top five were “Tucker Carlson Tonight” (597,000), “Last Word With Lawrence O’Donnell (518,000), and “The Ingraham Angle” (504,000)…..Former FOX News Channel and Talk Radio Network star Andrea Tantaros is continuing her legal battle against FNC, now claiming that the late Roger Ailes used a closed circuit video system to view female staffers
changing their clothes in the wardrobe department. This amended complaint is part of Tantaros’ ongoing allegation that FNC engaged in retaliation against her. For its part, FOX replied to the report in The Hollywood Reporter, saying, “Fox News moved for sanctions against the lawyer who filed Andrea Tantaros’ original lawsuit and he has since withdrawn. None of the four lawyers currently representing Tantaros in the action signed her new complaint, which she purports to have written herself. Her outlandish claims lack any factual basis.”
Jim Bohannon Celebrates 25 Years of Nightly Program. Nationally syndicated late-night talk show host Jim Bohannon is pictured above celebrating his 25th anniversary hosting his eponymous Westwood One radio talk show. Bohannon took over the time slot back on January 29, 1993 from Larry King. Bohannon’s staff surprised him with a special celebratory broadcast that included: a customized montage, a surprise call-in greeting from Larry King, plus congratulatory messages from Westwood One personalities Dennis Miller, Charles Osgood, and Michael Savage. Check out the audio here. Westwood One EVP news & talk Bart Tessler comments, “It’s been a highlight of my career working with Jim over a very fast 25 years and producing programs with him across the country and around the world. Jim Bohannon has long been the standard bearer for a great talk show host: intelligent, informed, passionate, and funny. Congratulations to Jim on a superb 25 years.”
1,000 Smackeroos for PodcastOne Staffers. In celebration of the new corporate tax rate, PodcastOne founder and executive chairman Norm Pattiz announces the
company is awarding $1,000 bonuses to all of the company’s full-time employees. Pattiz says, “There’s no question that cutting the corporate federal tax rate to 21% will have a positive effect on business, ours included. We want our employees to feel the direct benefit of these cuts, especially since because of their efforts we are coming off another record year in 2017. So, we say, ‘Thank you’ to our dedicated staff and ‘job well done.’”
State of the Union Address, Trump-Russia Probe, Andrew McCabe Resignation, DACA Status/Immigration Policy, FISA Abuses Memo, U.S.-Turkey-Russia Relations, Flu Epidemic, Anti-Military Teacher Rant, Super Blue Blood Moon, and Super Bowl LII Among News/Talk Stories Yesterday (1/30). Tuesday evening’s State of the Union Address by President Trump; the Robert Mueller-led investigation into possible connections between Trump campaign operatives; Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe resigns from his position under pressure from President Trump; the status of the Obama-era DACA Act and the Trump administration’s immigration policy; the House Intelligence Committee’s vote to release a memo detailing alleged surveillance abuses by the FBI and the Justice Department; the tenuous relations between the U.S. and Turkey over the latter’s attacks on Kurds in Northern Syria and Russia’s involvement in Turkish policy in Syria; the flu epidemic that’s sweeping the U.S.; the viral video of a Los Angeles-area teacher’s rant about U.S. military policy in which he called U.S. soldiers “the lowest of the low”; Wednesday’s rare “super blue blood moon”; and Sunday’s Super Bowl LII were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Cox Media Group Joins Trustworthy Accountability Group. In an effort to improve transparency and combat criminal activity in digital advertising, Cox Media Group announces it is now a participant in the TAG Registry by the Trustworthy Accountability Group. TAG is a digital industry program created to fight fraudulent traffic and improve transparency in the digital ecosystem. TAG Registered companies
have been verified as legitimate participants in the digital advertising industry through a proprietary background check and review process powered by Dun & Bradstreet and approved by TAG. TAG Registration is also the baseline requirement for companies to apply for TAG’s four certification programs around fighting fraudulent traffic, stopping ad-supported piracy, reducing malware, and improving transparency. Vice president of CMGdigital Joe Weir comments, “Reliable data, transparency, and a brand safe environment are very important to Cox Media Group. We are committed to delivering quality inventory for our advertisers and our participation in the TAG Registry is a sign of that commitment. The digital ad supply chain is very complex and can be challenging to navigate. The TAG Registry is an important tool for companies to confirm they are doing businesses with legitimate counterparties in the digital advertising space.”
Doing Relief Aid in Haiti. Pictured above is Salem Radio Network vice president news & talk programming Tom Tradup with a group of children in Citi de Soleil, Haiti. Tradup is working with the relief organization Food For The Poor.
Music Radio News and Career Moves. RAMP24/7.com reports that KINK, Portland program director and afternoon drive host Sean Demery is recovering from a brain-stem stroke suffered on January 20. Demery has been programming the Alpha Media triple A station since March of last year. RAMP published the following: “It is
with heavy hearts but positive spirits that the family and friends of Sean Demery…would like to inform you of his recent medical issue. Sean suffered a brain-stem stroke on January 20. We are told that Sean’s spirits are good, as he’s been requesting his favorite bands, checking in on KINK daily, and conversing with family and friends and checking email and texts. There is a long road to recovery ahead for Sean, and we ask for your continued support, positive thoughts and prayers. Sean’s wife Jennifer has asked that you check in on Sean’s Facebook page for updates and to post supportive messages, videos and photos for Sean. We also ask that you respect the privacy of Sean’s family and please direct your messages, posts and well-wishes to the Facebook Group. Hearing from his 
friends and listeners is the best therapy he can receive, so thank you!”…..Los Angeles CHR KAMP “97.1 AMP Radio” adds Chelsea Briggs to the morning show with Edgar Sotelo and Brian Moote. Entercom Los Angeles SVP and market manager Jeff Federman comments, “Chelsea is a social media superstar and we are thrilled to bring her unique personality to the new ‘AMP Morning Show’ with Edgar and Brian. Their chemistry is unparalleled and I’m confident that the three of them will create sensational mornings for our listeners.” Briggs has most recently been serving as a correspondent for Billboard News…..iHeartMedia and KGB, San Diego morning personality Bob Buchman come to terms on a contract extension to keep him working alongside Coe Lewis on the classic rock morning station. KGP program director Shauna Moran states, “Bob has been a vital piece of our programming puzzle here in San Diego and we look forward to more successful years. Bob and Coe have been a favorite of the rock radio morning commute and we are excited that it will continue.”…..Chelsea Alayne is the new morning host at Sun Broadcasting’s rock WXNX, Fort Myers “93X.” She takes over the daypart from Spam, who exited in December of 2017.
CHR KZIA, Cedar Rapids Owner Killed in Deadly Auto Crash. According to a report by KCRG-TV, Cedar Rapids, KZIA Inc. owner Robert Norton Jr. was driving the wrong way on I-380 when he struck a car driven by 28-year-old Jennifer Koenighain. Both were declared dead at the scene. Norton’s company owned and operated CHR KZIA “Z102.9,” sports KGYM, and adult hits KZIA-HD2/K236AA.
Friday, November 3, 2017
Talk Radio Hosts at White House Radio Row. Pictured above is New England talk radio star Howie Carr (right) – whose afternoon drive program is syndicated via the Howie Carr Radio Network to stations throughout the region – with President Trump (left) in the East Room of the White House. Carr was one of a number of talk radio personalities who broadcast from the White House yesterday (11/2) as part of the second administration-organized radio row to promote the GOP’s tax reform plan. Below, KXL, Portland and Compass Media Networks-syndicated talk personality Lars Larson (right) stands with President Trump (center) and his program’s executive producer Carl Sundberg (left) in the East Room.
Trump Shares Frustrations with WMAL’s Larry O’Connor. Pictured above at yesterday’s White House radio row, President Trump told WMAL-AM/FM, Washington’s Larry O’Connor (left) that he’s frustrated by the fact that, as president, his hands are tied with regard to investigating Hillary Clinton’s involvement in the Uranium One deal and the Trump-Russia dossier. The interview got a lot of attention from media outlets covering the radio row with no fewer than eight print and online news operations reporting Trump’s comments. The president told O’Connor, “But you know the saddest thing, because I’m the President of the United States I am not supposed to be involved with the Justice Department. I am not supposed to be involved with the FBI. I’m not supposed to be doing the kinds of things that I would love to be doing. And I’m very frustrated by it.”
Joe Pags Talks Issues with Trump. Above is WOAI, San Antonio-based, syndicated talk show host Joe “Pags” Pagliarulo (left) interviewing President Trump (right) at yesterday’s tax reform radio row at the White House.
CBS RADIO Q3 Revenue Down $17 Million. Third quarter results for CBS Corporation as a whole saw revenue at $3.17 billion – up 3% from the same period a year ago. But the CBS RADIO revenue was $300 million in the third quarter – down 5.5% from Q3 2016’s $317 million. This will likely be the last full quarter CBS reports its radio revenue with the Entercom-CBS RADIO merger expected to close on the 17th of this month.
Entercom Sees $100 Million in Post-Merger Cost Synergies. That’s from one of the slides Entercom has prepared as part of its presentation to investors ahead of the consummation of the merger with CBS RADIO. Among the points Entercom makes in the presentation is that the new company will be “one of the country’s two largest radio broadcasters,” “reaching and 
engaging” more than 100 million people with “combined reach in top markets” that rivals iHeartMedia’s. The post-merger Entercom will operate 235 stations in 48 markets with the ability to reach 87% of the 12+ population in the top 50 radio markets. The slide presentation also highlights the new company’s all-news radio portfolio calling it “the gold standard in news radio” and pointing to highly rated all newsers WINS and WCBS-AM in New York; KNX, Los Angeles; WBBM-AM, Chicago; KCBS-AM, San Francisco; KYW, Philadelphia; and WWJ, Detroit. Returning to the cost synergies, the company states that of that expected $100 million, $68 million of that should come from “eliminating redundant costs in overlap markets, consolidating operations, rationalizing station expenses, and realizing purchasing savings.”
What Is Your Liability When Endorsing a Product? Yesterday’s story published here in TALKERS magazine reported on the matter of an ad for an investment that the SEC is calling a fraud that aired on Cox Media Group’s WHPT, Tampa “102.5 The Bone.” Not only did it air, but talk host Drew Garabo endorsed the investment. TALKERS legal editor Steven J.J. Weisman says that although it’s rare that the FTC comes down on stations and personalities that endorse such products, there is liability for both written into the law and broadcasters should be aware of them. Read this important column here.
Hannity Crowned Cable News/Talk King for October. The prime-time cable news/talk ratings – based of course upon Nielsen numbers – are out for October and FOX News Channel’s Sean Hannity rose to the top of the ratings heap in October, averaging almost 3.2 million total viewers
and 686,000 adults 25-54. Hannity’s show moved to the 9:00 pm ET hour after Bill O’Reilly’s departure but during the July, August, and September months, MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow had scored some ratings victories. In total viewers, FNC’s Tucker Carlson finished second in October (2.8 million) and Maddow came in third with 2.5 million average total viewers. On a side note, Hannity was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame last night (11/2), but he chose to remain in New York to do his program live rather than travel to Chicago to accept the honor in person.
WFAN, New York AM Drive Sub Profiled in NYPost. New York native Gregg Giannotti – who
left the area to gain experience as a sports talk radio host in Pittsburgh – has been sitting in with WFAN morning star Boomer Esiason recently. With the departure of embattled former co-host Craig Carton, Giannotti has been spending a lot of time on the WFAN morning show, causing the New York Post to wonder if he’s the odds-on favorite to get the full-time gig alongside Esiason. Check out the Post piece here.
ESPN Radio’s Bomani Jones the Subject of Cancellation Rumors. After a Tweet by FOX Sports’s Clay Travis alleging that ESPN Radio is on the verge of cancelling Bomani Jones’
afternoon show on the network because it’s lost more than 90 affiliate stations, speculation is swirling about what’s really going on. ESPN is not making comments specific to Jones’ radio show but says he’s an important part of its “audio strategy.” Another part of the story is that Jones is starting a new ESPN cable show and rumor has it he’d be delighted to end his radio show duties.
The Mueller Investigation and Indictments Tops Talkers TenTM This Week. The investigation into Trump campaign-Russia connections and indictments by special counsel Robert Mueller was the most-talked-about story on news/talk radio for the week of October 30-November 3. At #2 this week was the New York City terror attack that left eight dead. Coming in at #3 was criticism of the Obama Administration’s Uranium One deal, followed by the allegation by Donna Brazile that Hillary Clinton assumed control over the DNC before she’d won the 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. View this week’s entire chart here.
Duane Doobie Jr’s Occasional Hot Pick to Click. TALKERS/RadioInfo in-house music director, the fabulous Duane Doobie Jr., occasionally finds something out there on the way up that catches his keen eyes and ears. There is one such group in LA that falls into this category and
word on the street is they have the attention of several major labels. The Doob says, “This hot West Coast ensemble that you may not yet heard of – but will be kicking yourself if you don’t follow up on this – is the band WOLVES. They just dropped the video for their hit-bound indie single, ‘Animal,’ which is bringing them the necessary critical mass to get CHR/hot AC/rock listeners’ attention.” KIMN, Denver and WRMF, Palm Beach are all over this #33 on the Nielson Billboard Indicator Charts track with multiple plays per day in prime-time slots. Some background: Marc Avery, Sean Carney and Rockwell Sands came together last year to form what they thought “the ultimate project” would be – a band with pop sensibilities that married urban and rock music into one unique sound. Sands writes about the band’s influences, “We wondered what it would be like if we took all these different influences we loved – artists like Michael Jackson, the Eagles, and Coldplay – and rolled them all into one band today.” From the forthcoming EP Hold On For The Night, “Animal” is full of dazzling synths and bass that embrace lead singer Avery’s unique Jackson-esque vocals. Doobie says, “Play this song and watch what happens!” You can listen to the track here.
More Music Radio News and Career Moves — Heritage rock station KSHE, St. Louis is celebrating its 50th anniversary on Tuesday (11/7). As the station says in its press release, “Back in 1967, KSHE became one of the first radio stations in the United States to play rock music on the FM band and was a pioneer of the Album Oriented Rock radio format.” The Emmis Communications station is featuring 12 hours of special programming (6:00 am to 6:00 pm) that will include not only the music that made the station but classic imaging, recordings of historical personalities, and messages from rock greats…..On Thursday (11/9), iHeartMedia Chicago’s urban stations – hip hop WGCI, urban contemporary WVAZ “V103,” and Gospel WGRB – will take part in a radiothon called “Music in the Schools” to benefit Scott Joplin Elementary School, a school located in the heart of Chicago’s South Side. Proceeds from the event will go the school’s music programs…..Classic rock KLKK, Mason City, Iowa “103.7 The Fox” is adding Envision Networks’ and Sun Broadcast Group’s “Little Steven’s Underground Garage” program to its lineup…..Alternative WRFF, Philadelphia “Radio 104.5” is announcing that Weezer will headline its fourth annual “Movember Gala” on Friday, December 1 at The Block inside of Harrah’s Philadelphia. The event is a culmination of the “Movember Mondays” fundraisers happening throughout the month in which all proceeds will be donated to the Movember Foundation, a global men’s health charity investing in programs to address prostate cancer, testicular cancer, poor mental health, and physical inactivity…..The lineup for the annual “Ten Man Jam at Bill Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth is set. The show is a production of Cumulus Media’s country KPLX, Dallas “99.5 The Wolf” and this year fans will hear: Darius Rucker, Gary Allan, Kevin Fowler, Roger Creager, Tyler Farr, Scotty McCreery, Jerrod Niemann, Midland, Carly Pearce, and Brandon Lay…..iHeartMedia’s Atlanta alternative rock WRDA “Radio 105.7” announces the lineup for its annual holiday concert “Holiday Spectacular 2017” will feature X Ambassadors, Portugal.The Man, and Welshly Arms on Friday, December 1 at Coca Cola Roxy.
Round Four of October PPM Data Released. The fourth and final round of ratings information from Nielsen Audio‘s October 2017 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including: Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Greensboro, West Palm Beach, Jacksonville, Memphis, and Hartford. Nielsen Audio’s October 2017 survey period covered September 14 – October 11. View all the numbers from subscribing stations here. Meanwhile, managing editor Mike Kinosian (Kinosian@Talkers.com) provides his “Takeaways” from all 12 of these PPM markets below.
TWELVE TAKEAWAYS
1) Austin – Not only does University of Texas at Austin-owned KUT repeat at #2 and post its third straight gain for a stunning +1.8 (6.1 – 6.5 – 7.1 – 7.9, 6+), the news/talk outlet has its highest 6+-share in nearly a year (9.0, November 2016). It trails Emmis adult hits KBPA “Bob” by just four-tenths. While on top for the ninth successive month, “Bob” is
without an increase for the third time in a row for a collective -.4 (8.7 
– 8.7 – 8.6 – 8.3, 6+). KBPA was a combined -1.7 in April and May, with May’s 7.4 its lowest 6+-stat since June 2015’s 7.4. Following five straight up sweeps for an overall +1.0 (2.1 – 2.2 – 2.4 – 2.7 – 2.8 – 3.1, 6+), triple A cluster-mate KGSR “93.3 Radio Austin” drops three-tenths to 2.8 but continues at #15 (6+). Prior to September, KGSR had been within 2.0 – 2.9 range (6+) the previous 19 consecutive sweeps; September’s 3.1 is its best 6+-stat since February 2016 (3.1, as well). All three of the market’s FM country properties are (modestly) up from September, including “Genuine Austin Radio’s KOKE-FM, which is without a loss for the eighth time in succession for an overall gain of eight-tenths (1.7- 1.7 – 1.8 – 1.8 – 1.8 – 2.0 – 2.2 – 2.4 – 2.5, 6+). Flat at #16, this is the best 6+-showing for “Austin’s Country Alternative” since September 2016 (2.5, as well). Meanwhile in the iHeartMedia cluster, KVET-FM “98.1 All Time Country Favorites” adds one-tenth (6.5 – 6.6, unchanged at #3) and co-owned KASE “Austin’s #1 For New Country” (seven to fifth) is up three-tenths to 5.1, its best 6+-showing since January’s 5.5. As the result of three straight declines, Crista Media contemporary Christian KFMK “Spirit 105.9” (3.7 – 3.0 – 2.4 – 1.9, 6+) has lost roughly half of its 6+-share (-1.8) and stumbles from #16 to #18. This is the first time “Spirit” is below a two-share (6+) in more than six years (1.5, August 2011). Trending 5.2 – 5.2 – 5.2 – 5.3 – 5.1 (6+) since May, iHeartMedia CHR KHFI regresses by one-half share as well (to 4.6, fifth to eighth, 6+) as “96.7 Kiss FM – Austin’s #1 Hit Music Station” has its softest 6+-showing since December 2016’s 4.5.
2) Raleigh – A cumulative +1.9 via three straight improvements (2.4 – 3.5 – 3.7 – 4.3, 6+), Capitol Broadcasting sports talk WCMC posts its best 6+-stat since 4.1 in March, as “99.9 The Fan” cracks the top ten (#14 to #10). Off by 
-1.8 in four straight negative trends (8.5 – 7.9 – 7.2 – 7.0 – 6.7, 6+), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s WUNC roars back with a combined +1.4. in August, September, and October (6.7 – 6.9 – 7.7 – 8.1, 6+). It continues in the runner-up slot with its strongest 6+-showing since 8.5 in March. In four consecutive increases, Educational Information Corporation’s WCPE has more than doubled its 6+-share (1.8 – 1.9 – 3.1 – 3.3 – 3.8, 
6+). Up two full-shares since June, “89.7 The Classical Station” climbs from #15 to #14. Even though it surrenders September’s half-share gain, Radio One urban AC WFXC “Today’s R&B and Classic Soul” is #1 for the fifth straight month. October’s -.5 to 8.7 (6+), however, curtails six straight upticks that netted +2.4 (6.8 – 7.2 – 7.5 – 8.1 – 8.2 – 8.7 – 9.2, 6+); September’s 9.2 is its highest 6+-share since 9.6 in May 2011. Without an increase for the eighth successive sweep for a combined -3.2 (8.8 – 8.5 – 8.5 – 8.4 – 7.1 – 6.9 – 6.7 – 6.4 – 5.6, 6+), Capitol Broadcasting adult contemporary WRAL “Mix 101.5” carries on in fifth-place. This is the first time WRAL is below a six-share (6+) since February 2013’s 5.9; “Mix 101.5” finished first for four straight sweeps before slipping to third in June. Having registered four successive increases for an overall gain of +2.1 (4.3 – 4.9 – 6.0 – 6.3 – 6.4, 6+), Curtis Media Group adult hits WBBB “96.1 BBB, Your Life – Your Music” has spiraled by a combined -1.3 in September and October (6.4 – 5.6 – 5.1, 6+), dropping from sixth to seventh. A May increase of six-tenths brought to a close three consecutive downward trends that accounted for a six-tenths’ loss (4.9 – 4.8 – 4.4 – 4.3, 6+). Debuting in July at #14 with a 2.4 (6+), the stream of WBBB disappeared from print in August and has not reappeared. Down by one-half share as well is its CHR sibling WPLW “The Pulse FM” (3.9 – 3.4, #13 to #15, 6+), which has its lowest 6+-share since February (3.4, as well). An overall -1.8 in four straight monthlies without an increase (6.9 – 6.2 – 5.2 – 5.2 – 5.1, 6+), iHeartMedia CHR WDCG “G-105 Raleigh’s #1 Hit Music Station” remains at #7 with its lowest 6+-share since “Holiday” 2013’s 5.0.
3) Indianapolis – Whereas Emmis-owned WLHK “Country 97.1 Hank FM” hangs out a +.8 to 7.1, its strongest 6+-showing since September 2015’s 7.6 and leaps from sixth to third, Cumulus Media’s WFMS “95.5 The Country Station” falters by seven-tenths (7.1 – 6.4, 6+), segueing from second to fifth. WFMS was a combined +.8 in May and
June; -.9 in July; +.8 in August; +.5 in September; and now -.7 in October (5.9 – 6.5 – 6.7 – 5.8 – 6.6 – 7.1, 6+). Four-tenths ahead of “Hank” is Educational Media Foundation contemporary Christian WKLU “Positive & Encouraging K-
Love,” which tacks on sixth-tenths to September’s +.5 (6.4 – 6.9 – 7.5, third to second, 6+). Like other stations in the market, the aforementioned three properties are chasing Cumulus Media classic hits-oldies WJJK, which is up for the third straight month for an overall +1.8 (6.1 – 7.0 – 7.4 – 7.9, 6+) and repeats at #1. Moreover, this is a true benchmark for WJJK, which registers its highest 6+-share in the PPM-era. Prior to August, WJJK was without an increase in five successive survey periods for a collective -1.6 (7.7 – 7.2 – 6.5 – 6.5 – 6.3 – 6.1, 6+). Three straight gains by Emmis-owned WFNI (1.7 – 2.1 – 2.4 – 3.0, unchanged at #14, 6+) lift “The Fan – Indy’s Sportscenter” to the three-share level for the first time since March 2016’s 3.1. Advancing from seventh to sixth with a two-tenths gain to 6.3 (6+), Entercom CHR WZPL “99.5 ZPL” halts at three a consecutive string of losses that generated a -2.1 (8.2 – 7.7 – 6.8 – 6.1, 6+). After dialing up a +.8 in August, hot AC cluster-mate WNTR is a combined -1.5 in September and October (4.9 – 5.7 – 4.9 – 4.2, 6+); “107.9 The Mix – Better Variety for a Better Workday” departs the top ten (#9 to #11). As a result of July’s -.1, “The Mix” snapped at five its string of up or flat trends that produced a collective +1.5 (3.5 – 3.7 – 4.0 – 4.4 – 4.4 – 5.0, 6+). Regressing by seven-tenths as well is the Radio One urban-rhythmic oldies HD2 channel of WNOW (1.1 -.4, #21 to #23, 6+). Putting an end to its July – August – September (6+) trending of 6.5 – 6.9 – 6.5, Emmis adult contemporary WYXB “Soft Rock B-105.7” falters by six-tenths (to 5.9, fifth to seventh, 6+) and falls below a six-share (6+) for the first time in nearly five years (5.3, November 2012).
4) Milwaukee – It is another strong month for Saga Communications’ WHQG “102.9 The Hog – Everything That Rocks,” which is an impressive +2.2 via three straight gains (4.9 – 5.4 – 5.9 – 7.1,
6+) to move from fourth to third. Moreover, this is WHQG’s highest 6+-share since it began appearing in print in December 2014. Prior to a -.6 in July, “The Hog” posted a 5.5 (6+) in three of the previous four survey periods. Two-tenths ahead of it is Scripps news/talk WTMJ “Radio 620 
Wisconsin’s Radio Station,” which ironically, scores a September 2017 – October 2017 +1.2 as well (6.1 – 7.3, 6+) to progress from third to second. The Green Bay Packers’ flagship registers its best 6+-stat since December 2015’s 8.2. A combined +1.1 in June and July (4.4 – 5.1 – 5.5, 6+), Saga Communications’ WJMR surrendered a whopping -1.8 to 3.7 in August and September, but urban AC “Jammin’ 98.3 Today’s R&B and Old School” answers with a +.7 in October as it returns to the top ten (4.4, #11 to #9, 6+). Setting the pace for the 31st consecutive ratings period, iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WRIT “95.7 Big FM – Milwaukee’s Greatest Hits” continues a down/up pattern that began in May
(10.3 – 9.9 – 10.7 – 9.6 – 9.8 – 9.4, 6+). After being up or flat for four straight sweeps for a net gain of +1.4 (5.1 – 5.3 – 5.3 – 5.5 – 6.5, 6+), co-owned WMIL is a combined -1.5 in September and October (6.5 – 5.7 – 5.0, 6+) as “FM 106.1 Milwaukee’s Best Country” falls from sixth to eighth. Prior to the August ratings period, the last time WMIL crossed the six-share threshold (6+) was in July 2016 with a 6.3. After posting three straight gains for a collective +1.1 (3.7 – 3.8 – 4.0 – 4.8, 6+), format foe – Scripps’ WKTI “94.5 KTI Country” – is off by a collective four-tenths in September and October (4.8 – 4.5 – 4.4, 6+), yet moves from #10 to a three-way logjam at #9. On the heels of September’s one-half share loss, Entercom hot AC WMYX “99.1 The Mix” regresses by an additional six-tenths (6.3 – 5.8 – 5.2, fifth to seventh, 6+). A +.8 in August to 6.3 gave “Mix” its highest 6+-stat since September 2016’s 6.5. Even though iHeartMedia urban contemporary WKKV is without an increase for the fourth consecutive month for an overall -2.0 (7.4 – 7.1 – 5.9 – 5.4 – 5.4, 6+), “V-100.7 Milwaukee’s Only Hip-Hop and R&B” improves from seventh to sixth; 5.4, however, is its lowest 6+-share since August 2016 (5.4, as well). No higher than 1.5 (6+) or lower than 1.1 (6+) over the course of the last 21 sweeps – which covers March 2016 through October 2017, Milwaukee Public Schools’ triple A WYMS “88 Nine” (flat at #18) has a 6+-line of: 1.2 – 1.2 – 1.3 – 1.3 – 1.4 – 1.5 – 1.4 – 1.4 – 1.3 – 1.4 – 1.3 – 1.4 – 1.4 – 1.2 – 1.1 – 1.2 – 1.4 – 1.4 – 1.3 – 1.3 – 1.3.
5) Nashville – A combined +2.3 in three straight hefty positive spikes (2.7 – 3.2 – 4.0 – 5.0, 6+), Cumulus Media sports talk WGFX “104.5 The Zone” enters the top ten (#11 to #10) with its highest 6+-share since January’s 5.3. Prior to a one-half share increase in May, the flagship of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans plummeted by -4.3 in six successive
decreases (7.6 – 6.8 – 5.9 – 5.3 – 3.9 – 3.8 – 3.3, 6+). Simultaneous with co-owned country WSM-FM racking up eight-tenths to 5.1 as “95.5 Nash Icon” reaches the five-share level (6+) for the first time since February’s 5.5 (tenth to ninth, 6+), similarly-formatted sibling WKDF “103.3 Nash FM” drops one-half share to 3.2 matching its 3.2 in August 2016 (#12, to #13, 6+). Meanwhile, iHeartMedia’s WSIX “The Big 98 – Nashville’s #1 for New Country” adds four-tenths (5.1 – 5.5, 6+) and advances from eighth to seventh. Following a combined half-share increase in July and August, “Nash FM” was -.6 in September. Off one-half share in September, “The Big 98” had its lowest 6+-share since “Holiday” 2016’s 5.0. Classic country WSIX-HD2 is flat at .8 and remains at #21, while Ryman Hospitality Properties classic country WSM-AM “650 AM – The Most Famed Country Music Station in the World,” which had a 1.8 (#16, 6+) in June is unlisted for the fourth consecutive survey period. Following September’s one-half share improvement, Nashville Public Radio’s WPLN-FM adds another seven-tenths (5.2 – 5.7 – 6.4, sixth to fifth, 6+) propelling the “NPR News and Classical Music” outlet to its best 6+-share in the PPM-era, eclipsing the 5.7 it established this time last month (September 2017). A mere three-tenths of a share separates Nashville’s first four October 2017 finishers, including Midwest Communications adult contemporary WJXA “Mix 92.9 – Your Life, Your Music,” which vaults from fourth to second. With its best 6+-showing since April’s 7.7, “Mix” is a collective +1.0 in three straight increases (6.4 – 6.5 – 6.7 – 7.4, 6+). Just one-tenth ahead of “Mix” is iHeartMedia urban contemporary WUBT “101.1 The Beat – Nashville’s Home for Hip-Hop and R&B,” which surrenders two-thirds of September’s +1.5 (8.5 – 7.5, –1.0, 6+) but repeats at #1. Its 8.5 this time last month is its highest 6+-share since July 2015’s 8.4. When “The Beat” gained four-tenths in August, it ended three successive downward moves that accounted for a loss of nine-tenths (7.5 – 7.2 – 7.1 – 6.6, 6+). For the second straight month, co-owned WNRQ “105.9 The Rock – Nashville’s Classic Rock” spirals by nine-tenths (7.5 – 6.6 – 5.7, 6+) to slip from fifth to sixth, with its lowest 6+-share since January’s 5.4. Three straight increases doubled the 6+-share of WAY Media contemporary Christian WAYM since June (1.0 – 1.1 – 1.7 – 2.0, 6+), but “WAY-FM Uplifting-Upbeat-Real” returns 80% of that collective +1.0 (1.2, -.8, unchanged at #16, 6+).
6) Providence – Without a loss for the fourth straight sweep for an overall gain of +1.3 (2.6 – 2.6 – 2.7 – 3.0 – 3.9, 6+), Entercom sports talk WVEI progresses from eighth-place to seventh as the Boston Red Sox radio network affiliate has its best 6+-performance since February 2015’s 4.1. In another spoken-word arena positive streak, iHeartMedia’s
WHJJ “News Radio 920” has nearly quadrupled its 6+-share in six successive up or flat
trends for a cumulative +1.6 (.6 – .6 – 1.0 – 1.0 – 1.2 – 1.4 – 2.2, 6+) and enters the top ten (#12 to #10). In a similar vein, Cumulus Media’s WPRV “AM 790 – Talk & Business” practically triples its 6+-share in six consecutive sweeps without a loss (.3 – .3 – .4 – .5 – .7 – .7 – .8, 6+) and is unchanged at #14. Carrying on at #5, iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WWBB “B-101” erases September’s -.4 with a gain of one-half share (5.3 – 5.8, 6+). The September loss of four-tenths curtailed five straight increases that netted a cumulative nine-tenths (4.8 – 4.9 – 5.0 – 5.2 – 5.3 – 5.7, 6+). Having lost two full shares over the course of the last four survey periods (9.8 – 9.1 – 8.4 – 8.3 – 7.8, 6+), Cumulus Media CHR WPRO-FM “Today’s Hit Music” pulls the plug by registering a +.4 to 8.2 (6+), moving from fourth to third. While 9.8 in May is its highest 6+-share since February 2015 (also 9.8), 7.8 in September is its weakest 6+-share since “Holiday” 2016’s 7.7. An aggregated +1.6 via three straight increases (9.8 – 10.0 – 10.8 – 11.4, 6+), adult contemporary cluster-mate WWLI “Lite Rock 105” dips two-tenths to 11.2 (6+) but is #1 for the 25th consecutive ratings period; 11.4 in September is its strongest 6+-share since 18.0 in “Holiday” 2016. “Lite Rock” dropped six-tenths in both May and June (11.0 – 10.4 – 9.8, 6+). While it occupies the runner-up slot for the fourth time in the last five sweeps, iHeartMedia-owned WHJY “94 HJY – Providence’s Home of Rock and Roll” returns in full September’s one-half share increase (8.5 – 9.0 – 8.5, 6+). The string of four straight decreases for an overall loss of -1.5 (6.6 – 6.0 – 5.7 – 5.5 – 5.1, 6+) ended for hot AC cluster-mate WSNE in September when it registered a +.2, but “Coast 93.3” regresses by one-half share to 4.8, shifting from fifth to sixth. This is the lowest 6+-share for “Coast” since 4.6 in “Holiday” 2016.
7) Norfolk – Between June and October, Entercom adult contemporary WWDE has been a model of consistency as “101.3 2WD” (unchanged at #5) hasn’t had a loss in that stretch and is up an overall three-tenths (4.3 – 4.3 – 4.3 – 4.6 – 4.6, 6+). Three straight improvements by urban AC cluster-mate WVKL netted +2.4 (11.8 – 12.0 – 13.4 – 13.7 – 14.2,
6+), but “Smooth R&B from Yesterday & Today” slips in October by one-half share to 13.7 (6+). Nevertheless, it is #1 for the tenth time in a row; earlier, it was on top for 55 consecutive ratings periods. WVKL registers a 6+-share of 11.0 or higher for the 18th time in the last 19 ratings periods; September’s 14.2 is the highest 6+-stat ever reached by any Norfolk station in the PPM-era. A September gain of seven-tenths by hot AC sibling WPTE erased August’s -.4, but “94.9 The Point” erodes by nine-tenths in October (4.4 – 3.5, sixth to seventh, 6+). Its consecutive string of up or flat trends for an overall increase of +1.4 concluded at seven in August (2.7 – 2.7 – 2.8 – 2.8 – 3.1 – 3.5 – 3.9 – 4.1, 6+). Having hauled out a +1.4 in September to 8.8, its strongest 6+-stat in two years (10.4, 6+, September 2015), iHeartMedia urban contemporary WOWI “103 Jamz – Norfolk’s #1 for Hip-Hop and R&B” surrenders exactly half that gain in October (8.1, -.7, 6+), sliding from second to third. April through August, “103 Jamz” was trending 7.3 – 7.3 – 7.3 – 7.0 – 7.4 (6+). Flat at #12, rhythmic hot AC sibling WMOV is down for the fifth straight month (2.8 – 2.7 – 2.1 – 1.8 – 1.2 – 1.0, 6+). In that timeframe, “Movin’ 107.7 – The Rhythm of Hampton Roads” has lost approximately 64% of its 12+-share (-1.8).
8) Greensboro – The rollercoaster ride continues for Entercom rhythmic CHR WJMH, which cobbled together three straight improvements for a combined +1.2 (9.5 – 9.9 – 10.1 – 10.7, 6+), only to follow with five successive losses 
accounting for a collective -3.9, including September’s massive -1.8 (10.7 – 10.4 – 10.1 – 9.6 – 8.6 – 6.8, 6+). Rebounding in October though, “102 Jamz” regains exactly half of September’s decline (7.7, +.9, 6+) and vaults from sixth to third. Over the course of the last 16 survey periods (August 2016 – October 2017), “Jamz” has been in double-digits (6+) 10 times, missing out this year in January, February, July, August, September, and October. Steady in the runner-up slot, adult hits cluster-mate WSMW “98.7 Simon (says) We Play Everything” is a combined +2.1 in four consecutive increases (8.8 – 9.3 – 10.1 – 10.2 – 10.9, 6+) and notches its strongest 6+-share since July 2016 (10.9, as well). Despite being off eight-tenths (12.7 – 11.9, 6+), urban AC sibling WQMG “97.1 QMG The Best R&B and Old School” is #1 for the fifth straight time and posts double-digits (6+) for the eleventh sweep in succession. It has occupied the top spot each month this calendar year except April and May and posted a +1.5 in
September and June. Steady at #7, iHeartMedia news/talk WPTI “94.5 Your News, Talk, & Sports Station” posts its fourth consecutive increase for an overall +1.2 (3.3 – 3.4 – 3.6 – 4.4 – 4.5, 6+); WPTI was 4.7 in April. A combined +1.5 in three straight improvements (5.7 – 6.5 – 7.1 – 7.2, 6+) immediately after three straight negative trends that accounted for a -1.1 (6.8 – 6.7 – 5.9 – 5.7, 6+), adult contemporary sibling WMAG “99.5 – The Triad’s Best Mix” is now a combined -.9 in September and October (7.2 – 7.0 – 6.3, 6+). It slips from fifth to sixth; 7.2 in August was the strongest 6+-stat for WMAG since “Holiday” 2016’s 15.2. After improving by seven-tenths in September to 7.8 – its highest 6+-share since 7.9 in January 2016 – co-owned WTQR “New Country Q-104.1” forfeits one-half share (7.1 – 7.8 – 7.3, 6+) and dips from third to fourth.
9) West Palm Beach – Powered by a gain of seven-tenths (1.4 – 2.1, 6+), iHeartMedia Spanish contemporary WRLX “Mia 92.1” advances from #14 to #12 with its best 6+-stat since June 2016 (2.1, as well). After sputtering by one full-share in September to 4.2, its lowest 6+ showing since 3.9 in July 2011, co-owned adult contemporary WOLL
“Today’s KOOL 105.5” regains 60% of that decline (4.8, +.6, 6+), rocketing from seventh to third. The 5.2 in August by “KOOL” was its highest 6+-share since January’s 5.9. Following three successive months without a gain in which it was a collective -2.1 (6.6 – 5.9 – 4.5 – 4.5, 6+), WOLL was a combined +.6 in April and May (4.5 – 4.6 – 5.1, 6+). Up one-tenth to 4.2 (eighth to seventh, 6+), Alpha Media’s similarly-formatted WEAT “Sunny 107.9” applies the brakes to four straight negative trends for an overall -2.4 (6.5 – 5.4 – 5.1 – 4.7 – 4.1, 6+). September’s 4.1 is the lowest 6+-share for “Sunny” since 3.1 in January 2014. In addition to ranking first for the tenth consecutive month, hot AC cluster-mate WRMF “97.9 Variety from the 90s and Now” is up by one-half share to 11.3, the strongest 6+-share for WRMF since November 2015 (11.3, as well). A one-tenth loss in September halted four straight increases that delivered an overall +1.6 (9.3 – 9.4 – 9.5 – 10.4 – 10.9, 6+). Prior to the “Holiday” 2016 report, WRMF was #1 the previous five ratings periods. It fell to second in July 2016, after 23 successive sweeps at #1. It is a yoyo effect for WAY Media contemporary Christian WAYF, which had a July – August mini-slide that led to a cumulative -.9; followed by a September +.8; but “Uplifting-Upbeat-Real WAY-FM” falters by -1.0 in October (5.1 – 4.6 – 4.2 – 5.0 – 4.0, 6+). WAYF drifts from third to eighth with its lowest 6+-share since January’s 3.7. In the runner-up position for the fifth time in a row, iHeartMedia’s WKGR “98.7 The Gater – The Palm Beaches’ Rock Station” registers a loss of seven-tenths to 6.3 (6+), thus suspending at six its consecutive string of positive trends that accounted for an overall +2.2 (4.8 – 5.1 – 5.9 – 6.1 – 6.2 – 6.5 – 7.0, 6+). The 7.0 it logged in September represents the station’s best 6+-performance in more than four years (7.1, 6+, August 2013). Trending 4.5 – 4.8 – 4.9 (July – August – September, 6+), Alpha Media’s WIRK “103.1 South Florida’s Country Music” is off six-tenths to 4.3, slipping from fourth to sixth with its lowest 6+-share since August 2014 (4.3, as well).
10) Jacksonville – A combined -1.8 in July and August (12.2 – 11.6 – 10.4, 6+), iHeartMedia-owned WQIK has more than compensated in September and October with an astounding overall +3.2 (10.4 – 11.7 – 13.6, 6+). Over and above 
being on top for the tenth straight time, “99.1 – Jacksonville’s Country” boasts its best-ever (6+) PPM-performance, passing the 12.8 it logged in January, and its +1.9 in October is the largest (6+) September 2017 – October 2017 increase in the 48 PPM-markets. Conversely, Renda Broadcasting’s WGNE “99.9 Gator Country” is a cumulative -1.3 in three consecutive decreases (4.6 – 4.3 – 3.9 – 3.3, 6+) and exits the top ten (#10 to #11). Unchanged at #3, WJGL-FM “96.9 The Eagle” makes quite the impressive rebound as it dials up a +1.4 to 7.7 (6+) as the Cox Media Group classic hits-oldies outlet takes aim at an overall -3.3 in three straight declines (9.6 – 9.1 – 6.4 – 6.3, 6+). The majority of that massive loss came in August when “The Eagle” plummeted by -2.7; WJGL was down one-half share in July after a +.9 in June. Via three gains in a row, iHeartMedia CHR WKSL “97.9 Kiss FM” is +1.5 (3.4 – 3.8 – 4.0 – 4.9, ninth to seventh, 6+) and records its highest 6+-share since June 2016 (4.9, as well). By a margin of one-tenth, “Kiss” overtakes its direct competitor – Cox Media Group-owned WAPE “95.1 Jacksonville’s #1 Hit Music Station” – which erodes by a combined -1.8 in September and October (6.6 – 5.8 – 4.8, 6+) to drift from fifth to eighth. WAPE had been up a collective six-tenths in July and August (6.0 – 6.3 – 6.6, 6+). A one-half share increase to 3.7 (6+) enables Cox Media Group-owned WXXJ “X-102.9 Jacksonville’s Alternative” to crack the top ten (#11 to #10).
One hefty September 2017 increase (+1.3 to 9.7, 6+) by news/talk cluster-mate WOKV leads to a nearly equal October decrease (-1.2 to 8.5, 6+) but “104.5 – Jacksonville’s News, Weather, and Traffic” (8.4 – 9.7 – 8.5, 6+) remains at #2. Prior to September’s 9.7, WOKV last reached the nine-share level (6+) in April (9.3). Given that it is a combined -1.5 in September and October (5.7 – 4.9 – 4.2, eighth to ninth, 6+), iHeartMedia adult hits WWJK “107.3 The River – We Play Anything” has nearly exhausted its August +1.9. No station in any of PPM’s 48 electronically-measured markets had a higher (6+) July 2017 – August 2017 increase than WWJK’s +1.9; August’s 5.7 is its best 6+stat since June 2016 (5.7, as well).
11) Memphis – The battle between iHeartMedia urban AC KJMS “V-101” and Cumulus Media-owned WRBO “103.5 Soul Classics and Today’s R&B” has to be one of the closest contests for the top spot in any of the 48 PPM-markets. In the ten 2017 survey periods thus far, “V101” has emerged victorious six times (February, March, May, June, July,
and October); WRBO has come out on top in January and August; and the two were tied in April and September. That, however, only tells part of the story as the (6+) difference between the two has been no greater than eight-tenths (once – July). The two were separated by one-half share in June; just two-tenths in January, February, March, May, and October; and only one-tenth in August. The bottom-line in October finds “V-101” up four-tenths (10.0 – 10.4, 6+) and WRBO adding two-tenths (10.0 – 10.2, 6+). Fighting back from September’s mammoth -1.7, iHeartMedia gospel WHAL “Halleluiah 95.7 – Memphis’ Inspiration Station” posts a gain of seven-tenths (4.6 – 5.3, 6+) and continues in seventh-place. September’s 4.6 is the lowest 6+-share for “Halleluiah” in its PPM-history and the first time it ever fell below a five-share (6+). Co-owned WEGR continues its rollercoaster ride: It was +.7 in May (3.0 – 3.7, 6+); -1.3 in June (3.7 – 2.4, 6+); +.7 in August (2.3 – 3.0, 6+); -.7 in September (3.0 – 2.3, 6+) and now +.7 in October (2.3 – 3.0, 6+). “Rock 103 – Memphis’ Classic Rock” jumps from #14 to #10. Duplicating September’s -.7 (3.5 – 2.8 – 2.1, 6+), Entercom’s WLFP “94.1 The Wolf” falls from #12 to #14. In September, “The Wolf” concluded three straight increases that accounted for a +1.1 (2.4 – 3.2 – 3.4 – 3.5, 6+). Without an increase in each of the last four sweeps for a collective -1.1 (3.7 – 3.6 – 3.1 – 3.1 – 2.6, 6+), Cumulus Media-owned WKIM “98.9 The Vibe” has its lowest 6+-share since January’s 2.4 and departs the top ten (#10 to #13). On Halloween, it began playing all Christmas music as “Christmas 98.9.”
12) Hartford – Tacking on nine-tenths to September’s one-half share gain (4.4 – 4.9 – 5.8, 6+), CBS Radio news/talk WTIC-AM jumps from ninth to seventh. September’s +.5 halted seven straight decreases in which its 6+-share was 
carved exactly in half since January (8.8 – 8.3 – 8.1 – 7.3 – 6.9 – 6.7 – 5.1 – 4.4, 6+). The 4.4 that WTIC-AM registered in August was its weakest 6+-share in the PPM-era. Conversely, Connecticut Public Broadcasting news/talk WNPR surrenders nearly half of September’s staggering +1.6 (6.3 – 5.6, -.7, 6+), sliding from fifth to eighth. Prior to September’s 6.3, WNPR had not reached the six-share level (6+) under PPM methodology. Returning to the CBS Radio cluster, rhythmic CHR WZMX “Hot 93.7 – Hartford’s #1 for Hip-Hop and R&B” dusts itself off from September’s -1.5 to 5.6, its lowest 6+-share since January’s 4.6, with a +.8 (6.4, eighth to fifth, 6+). Adult contemporary sibling WRCH “Lite 100.5” (10.2 – 10.3, +.1, 6+) finishes first for the
14th successive ratings period. Prior to July, “Lite” had been in double-digits (6+) eight times in the previous nine sweeps. Its online stream scored a .5 (6+) in four straight survey periods before disappearing in print in August; it returned in September with a .5 (#15, 6+); but vanishes again in October. “Lite” has a 2.5-share advantage (6+) over iHeartMedia-owned WWYZ “92-5 Connecticut’s Country Music,” which despite not having an increase in the last four sweeps for a collective -1.0 (8.8 – 8.3 – 8.3 – 7.8 – 7.8, 6+), climbs from third to second. Ever since Red Wolf Broadcasting alternative WMRQ “Radio 104.1” began reappearing in print in August 2016, it has not been above or below the two-share range. That changes in October though as “Radio 104.1” (unchanged at #10) posts its third straight gain for a collective eight-tenths (2.3 – 2.4 – 2.6 – 3.1, 6+). Down or flat for the third straight sweep, CBS Radio hot AC WTIC-FM is a collective -1.5 since July (8.3 – 7.9 – 7.9 – 6.8, 6+). It segues from second to third with its lowest 6+-share since August 2016’s 6.3. Steady at #4, CHR cluster-mate WKSS “Kiss 95.7 All The Hits” netted nine-tenths in three straight improvements (5.7 – 6.4 – 6.5 – 6.6, 6+), but is off one-tenth in October to 6.5 (6+).
Thursday, October 5, 2017
Rush Limbaugh to Host Fourth Hour Online. Telling listeners that there’s just too much stuff to talk about that he can’t get to it all in the three hours of his daily program, Premiere Networks star Rush
Limbaugh is going to do another hour – or possibly more – for “Rush 24/7” digital subscribers today (10/5). Yesterday he said, “Folks, I’ve decided there’s only one way to do this. After the program tomorrow I’m gonna keep going on the internet. Subscribers at RushLimbaugh.com will be able to hear what we call the fourth hour. No commercials. I just keep going until I’m ready to quit. It’s the only reason I’m gonna be able to get this stuff in there.” It would be interesting to learn how many new subscribers sign up for the premium content as a result of this.
Hannity’s FOX News Channel Show Pulling Ahead of Competition. A report from AdWeek based on Nielsen ratings of this Tuesday’s cable news/talk performances indicates that FOX News Channel’s Sean 
Hannity is grabbing markedly more viewers than his 9:00 pm ET competition. On Tuesday, Hannity beat CNN’s Anderson Cooper and MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow in the 25-54 demo 1.07 million to 721,000 and 468,000, respectively. In the Total Viewers demographic, Hannity led all FNC shows with 3.8 million, to Maddow’s 2.04 million and Cooper’s 1.8 million. Taking a look at Total Day, FNC leads the pack with 2.1 million (Total Viewers) and 545,000 (25-54). Hannity recently moved from the 10:00 pm ET hour to 9:00 pm. See the report here.
Can Public News/Talk Outlets Outperform Commercial News/Talk Stations in All PPM Markets? That’s what NPR president and CEO Jarl Mohn says the goal is for NPR-affiliated news/talk stations. In a
piece by Ken Mills at Spark News, Mohn is very happy with Nevada Public Radio director of programming Dave Becker’s research that indicates NPR-affiliated stations topped all commercial news/talk stations in 20 of the almost 50 Nielsen PPM markets in the September 2017 survey. As Mills notes, he agrees with Becker that a generation ago, this was not even close to the case. Mohn did his own research and told Mills that, when looking at Persons 25-54 in weekly drive times he saw that NPR news/talk stations are reaching more listeners than “big” commercial news/talkers in 26 of the PPM markets during “Morning Edition” and in 28 markets during “All Things Considered.” Read Mills’ piece here.
Does Play-By-Play Have a Future on AM/FM Radio? That’s the question asked by Cookeville, Tennessee-based Stonecom Radio president and general manager Larry Stone. In a piece published today (10/5), Stone clearly believes that sports play-by-play does have a future on AM/FM, but he believes that the way it is often presented is damaging its popularity with sports fans. Among its issues, Stone says, are too many commercials, an insensitivity to local fans’ allegiances, and a move by the talent away from “painting the picture of the game.” Read Stone’s story here.
Las Vegas Massacre Aftermath, Trump-Tillerson Relationship, Iran Nukes Deal, 20-Week Abortion Ban, Puerto Rico Devastation, Catalonia-Spain Split, Cam Newton Female Reporter Flap, MLB Playoffs, and NFL Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (10/4). The search for answers to the motive behind Sunday’s mass shooting in Las Vegas and the related visit by President Trump; reports of the tense relationship between President Trump and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson; Defense Secretary James Mattis’ statement that the U.S. should stand by the Iran nuclear deal; the House-passed bill making abortion illegal after 20 weeks and the report of anti-abortion Congressman Tim Murphy asking his mistress to get an abortion; hurricane-devastated Puerto Rico; the vote by Catalans to split from Spain and possible repercussions on the European Union; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton takes heat for demeaning female reporter; the Major League Baseball playoffs begin; and NFL action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
WestStar Announces Availability of Mannheim Steamroller’s ‘An American Christmas.’ This year marks the 12th anniversary of the Mannheim Steamroller “An American Christmas” program, being made available to stations for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day via WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. The 
12 to 24-hour marathon program is hosted by Mannheim Steamroller founder Chip Davis and WestStar says, “Each stand-alone hour contains the rich legends and stories surrounding the holiday; all keyed to today’s most popular and well-tested traditional Christmas selections. The program has been specifically designed for AC, news, news/talk, and sports talk stations to maintain a very high and engaging level of top-quality programming.” The program is offered via barter on a market-exclusive basis. However, multiple stations in market ownership clusters are welcome to carry the program simultaneously. WestStar president and CEO Barry Young says, “We’ve retained the best-loved legends about the traditions of Christmas, along with primary host…all music has been updated, adding a new music rotation that reflects the best and most popular holiday music receiving airplay this season.”
Music Radio News and Career Moves. Moving from Hartford, where he was morning drive personality at iHeartMedia’s WWYZ “Country 92.5,” to Pittsburgh to handle the morning show at CBS RADIO’s country WDSY “Y108” is Broadway. The “Broadway’s Backyard” program launches on “Y108” on Monday (10/9), but he’ll be getting out to meet
“Y108” listeners – and buy the first 750 attendees a Miller Lite – at tonight’s “Y108 Girls With Guitars” concert at Rivers Casino. CBS RADIO Pittsburgh VP of programming Mark Anderson states, “Broadway brings the total package to ‘Y108.’ He’s dynamic and engaging with a fresh approach to morning radio. His ‘Broadway’s Backyard’ will bring an entirely new and unique option to our current and prospective future listeners in Pittsburgh!”…..Gone from Red Wolf 
Broadcasting’s alternative WMRQ, Hartford “RADIO 104.1” is morning personality and assistant PD David Fisch. He’d been co-host of the wake-up show with Amy Grey and Fisch’s departure prompts the move of afternoon personality Holden into the morning drive co-host chair. Program director Brian Ram is searching for his new afternoon drive jock…..Numerous Tom Petty specials are planned for this weekend after the rocker’s untimely death over the last weekend at age 66. Among them are Westwood One’s nationally syndicated “Flashback,” hosted by rock insider Matt Pinfield, that will feature a full, one-hour tribute to Petty. This special “Flashback” edition will highlight some of Petty’s biggest hits, his collaborations with other artists like Stevie Nicks and the Traveling Wilburys, and will also include past interview clips of Petty talking about his musical influences. Another Petty tribute program available this weekend is “Off the Record” with Joe Benson. Compass Media Networks is offering the one-hour special to stations in available markets commercial free…..SiriusXM announces the Eagles will perform a special invitation-only concert for SiriusXM listeners at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on Sunday, October 29. The legendary band is on tour with the lineup of longtime Eagles members Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit, plus late founding member Glenn Frey’s son Deacon Frey and Grand Ole Opry member Vince Gill. This performance will be the group’s first ever at the Grand Ole Opry…..iHeartMedia announces the return of its annual “iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour 2017 Presented by Capital One.” The tour will feature performances by some of the year’s biggest recording artists. The full artist lineup will be announced on October 10, but the company teases that Liam Payne and Camila Cabello will perform at select stops throughout the tour.
Round Four of September PPM Data Released. The fourth and final round of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s September 2017 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including: Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Greensboro, West Palm Beach, Jacksonville, Memphis, and Hartford. Nielsen’s September 2017 survey period covered August 17 – September 13. View all the 6+ data from subscribing stations here. Meanwhile, managing editor Mike Kinosian provides his “Takeaways” from all 12 of these PPM markets below.
TWELVE TAKEAWAYS
1) Austin – By adding six-tenths to August’s +.4, University of Texas at Austin news/talk KUT (6.1 – 6.5 – 7.1, 6+) progresses from a third-place tie to the runner-up slot with its highest 6+-share since 7.6 in March. After plummeting by eight-tenths in August, iHeartMedia-owned KASE recaptures 75% of it (4.2 – 4.8, +.6, eighth to seventh, 6+). “Austin’s #1 For New Country” posted three straight 4.6-showings (6+) before dropping one-tenth in June and then picking up one-half share in July. Co-owned KVET-FM “98.1 All Time Country Favorites,” however, follows August’s +.6 with a dip of two-tenths (6.7 – 6.5, second to third, 6+). The market’s other FM country outlet – “Genuine Austin Radio’s KOKE-FM “Austin’s Country Alternative” – is without a loss for the seventh straight time for an overall gain of seven-tenths (1.7- 1.7 – 1.8 – 1.8 – 1.8 – 2.0 – 2.2 – 2.4, #17 to #16, 6+); 2.5 is its best 6+-showing in exactly one year (2.5, September 2016, 6+). Up for the fifth straight sweep for an overall gain of one full-share (2.1 – 2.2 – 2.4 – 2.7 – 2.8 – 3.1, 6+), Emmis triple A KGSR “93.3 Radio Austin” climbs from #15 to #14. In addition to ending at 19 its successive streak of being within 2.0 – 2.9 range (6+), KGSR has its best 6+-stat since 3.1 in February 2016. An overall +1.3 via three consecutive up or flat moves (7.4 – 8.5 – 8.7 – 8.7, 6+), adult hits sibling KBPA is off one-tenth to 8.6 (6+), but “Bob” remains #1 for the eighth successive month. KBPA was a combined -1.7 in April and May, with May’s 7.4 its lowest 6+-stat since June 2015’s 7.4. With the exception of October and the “Holiday” 2016 report, “Bob” held the lead each month in calendar year 2016. The urban AC HD3 channel of Entercom’s KKMJ, which hadn’t had an increase in five sweeps for a net loss of nine-tenths (2.4 – 2.2 – 2.2 – 2.2 – 1.7 – 1.5, 6+) prior to August’s +.1 to 1.6 (#19, 6+), disappears from print. Meanwhile, adult contemporary KKMJ-FM “Majic 95.5 Better Music for a Better Workday” forfeits roughly half of July and August’s combined +1.1 (6.5 – 5.9, -.6, 6+), slipping from a third-place tie to fourth; August’s 6.5 was its best 6+-share since February’s 8.0. Surrendering six-tenths as well are Emmis’ KROX “101-X Alternative Austin,” which returns in its entirety August’s +.6 (3.2 -3.8 – 3.2, #11 to #13, 6+) and Crista Media contemporary Christian KFMK “Spirit 105.9” (3.0 – 2.4, #14 to #16, 6+). A collective -1.1 via three straight decreases (4.3 – 4.0 – 3.9 – 3.2, 6+), “101-X” bounced back in August, while “Spirit” – which had been trending 3.0 – 3.7 – 4.0 – 3.6 – 3.7 (6+) – was -.7 in August and has its softest 6+-share since August 2016 (2.4, as well).
2) Raleigh – After being off by nearly two full-shares in four straight negative trends (8.5 – 7.9 – 7.2 – 7.0 – 6.7, 6+), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s WUNC is a combined +1.0 in August and September (6.7 – 6.9 – 7.7, 6+), progressing from third to second. Over and above being #1 for the fourth straight month, Radio One urban AC WFXC is
+2.4 in six straight improvements (6.8 – 7.2 – 7.5 – 8.1 – 8.2 – 8.7 – 9.2, 6+) and “Today’s R&B and Classic Soul” has its highest 6+-share since 9.6 in May 2011. Gaining one-half share as well (August 2017 – September 2017) are co-owned gospel WNNL “103.9 The Light” (4.0 – 4.5, #11 to #10, 6+) and iHeartMedia’s WNCB “B-93.9 – #1 For New Country” (3.8 – 4.3, #12 to #11, 6+), which posts its best 6+-stat since October 2014 (4.3, as well). Having registered four successive increases for an overall gain of +2.1 (4.3 – 4.9 – 6.0 – 6.3 – 6.4, 6+), Curtis Media Group adult hits WBBB “96.1 BBB, Your Life – Your Music” relinquishes eight-tenths to 5.6 (6+), 
dipping from fifth to sixth. A May increase of six-tenths curtailed three consecutive downward trends that accounted for a six-tenths’ loss (4.9 – 4.8 – 4.4 – 4.3, 6+). Debuting in July at #14 with a 2.4 (6+), the stream of WBBB disappeared from print in August. Off by one-half share are iHeartMedia news/talk WTKK “106.1 FM – Stay Connected” (5.5 – 5.0, seventh to eighth, 6+) and co-owned alternative WDCG-HD2 (2.0 – 1.5, #16 to #18, 6+). Following four straight down or flat monthlies for an overall -1.7 (6.0 – 6.0 – 5.4 – 4.8 – 4.3, 6+) WTKK responded in August with a +1.2. Even with its softest 6+-share since “Holiday” 2013’s 5.0 and an overall -1.7 in three straight monthlies without an increase (6.9 – 6.2 – 5.2 – 5.2, 6+), CHR WDCG-FM “G-105 Raleigh’s #1 Hit Music Station” climbs from eighth to seventh. On top for four straight sweeps before slipping to third in June, Capitol Broadcasting adult contemporary WRAL “Mix 101.5” is down or flat for the seventh successive sweep for a combined -2.4 (8.8 – 8.5 – 8.5 – 8.4 – 7.1 – 6.9 – 6.7 – 6.4, 6+) and slips from fourth to fifth.
3) Indianapolis – After five consecutive down or flat trends that accounted for a -2.8 (7.1 – 6.2 – 5.6 – 5.6 – 4.4 – 4.3, 6+), Radio One urban AC WTLC-FM gained six-tenths in July only to plummet by nine-tenths in August. “Indy’s R&B 
Leader” rebounds in September though with a gain of seven-tenths (4.0 – 4.7, 6+) and returns to the top ten (#11 to #10). Also experiencing a wild ride is Cumulus Media’s WFMS “95.5 The Country Station,” which was a combined +.8 in May and June; -.9 in July; +.8 in August; and now +.5 in September (5.9 – 6.5 – 6.7 – 5.8 – 6.6 – 7.1, 6+), jumping from fifth to second. The last time WFMS reached the seven-share level (6+) was in December (7.0). Stuck on 4.7 (6+) in July and August, Emmis news/talk WIBC “93.1 – Indy’s News Center” improves by one-half share (5.2, ninth to eighth, 6+). Adding one-half share as well is Moody Bible Institute’s religious teaching WGNR-FM, which crosses the one-share threshold for the first time since May 2015 (.7 – 1.2, +.5, #20). Marching from sixth to third with a one-half share gain is Educational Media Foundation contemporary Christian WKLU “Positive & Encouraging K-Love” (6.4 – 6.9, 6+). Co-owned/similarly-formatted WQRA “Air 1 Positive Hits,” however, regresses by seven-tenths to .9 (#17 to #22, 6+), ending four consecutive up or flat trends that doubled its highest 6+-share since it began appearing in print last December (.8 – .9 – 1.1 – 1.1 – 1.6, 6+). Tacking on four-tenths to August’s +.9 (6.1 – 7.0 – 7.4, 6+), Cumulus Media classic hits-oldies WJJK advances from second to first with its highest 6+-share since 7.7 in February. Prior to August, WJJK was without an increase in five successive survey periods for a collective -1.6 (7.7 – 7.2 – 6.5 – 6.5 – 6.3 – 6.1, 6+). Exiting the #1 slot after its first time there in the PPM-era and tumbling to fourth is iHeartMedia-owned WFBQ “Q-95 Rocks,” which is down nine tenths to 6.7 (6+), halting at eight a string of improvements that netted three full-shares (4.6 – 5.3 – 5.6 – 5.8 – 6.0 – 6.4 – 6.7 – 7.0 – 7.6, 6+). The 7.6 that “Q-95” achieved in August is its highest-ever (6+) PPM stat. Simultaneous with Radio One CHR WNOW “100.9 Radio Now” regaining approximately half of the nine-tenths it turned over in August (3.1 – 3.6, +.5, unchanged at #13, 6+), Entercom’s similarly-formatted WZPL is an overall -2.1 as the result of three consecutive losses (8.2 – 7.7 – 6.8 – 6.1, 6+) and drops from fourth to seventh. The -.9 in August by “Radio Now” halted three consecutive increases which netted seven-tenths (3.3 – 3.5 – 3.6 – 4.0, 6+). Returning in total the eight-tenths it achieved in August (4.9 – 5.7 – 4.9, 6+), Entercom hot AC WNTR “107.9 The Mix – Better Variety for a Better Workday” slips from eighth to ninth. By losing one-tenth in July, “The Mix” snapped at five its string of up or flat trends that produced a collective +1.5 (3.5 – 3.7 – 4.0 – 4.4 – 4.4 – 5.0, 6+).
4) Milwaukee – An increase of six-tenths (6.1 – 6.7, fourth to second, 6+) takes iHeartMedia-owned WISN “1130 Milwaukee’s News/Talk Station” to its best 6+-showing since 7.5 in May. Putting an end to its (6+) 4.6 – 4.9 – 4.6 June – July – August trending, Saga Communications classic rock WKLH “96.5 Milwaukee’s Hometown Rock” picks up one-
half share to 5.1 (6+), inching up from ninth to eighth. Replicating August’s one-half share increase, co-owned WHQG “102.9 The Hog – Everything That Rocks” cruises from seventh to fourth (4.9 – 5.4 – 5.9, 6+) and has its 
highest 6+-stat since January’s 6.1. Prior to a -.6 in July, “The Hog” posted a 5.5 (6+) in three of the previous four survey periods. Continuing a down/up pattern, iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WRIT “95.7 Big FM – Milwaukee’s Greatest Hits” is #1 for the 30th consecutive time (10.3 – 9.9 – 10.7 – 9.6 – 9.8, 6+). The modest September 2017 gain of two-tenths is in stark contrast to recent “Big” month-to-month moves, which include +1.7 (October 2015); -.7 (November 2015); +5.6 (“Holiday” 2015); -5.7 (January 2016); +1.3 (February); +1.1 (April); -.6 (May); -1.1 (August); -.6 (September) +1.2 (November); -.5 (December); +2.1 (“Holiday” 2016); -2.4 (January 2017); +2.5 (March); -1.2 (May); +.8 (July); and -1.1 in August. After being up or flat the past four ratings periods for a net gain of +1.4 (5.1 – 5.3 – 5.3 – 5.5 – 6.5, 6+), co-owned WMIL “FM 106.1 Milwaukee’s Best Country” falters by eight-tenths to 5.7 (6+) and drifts from second to sixth. Prior to the August ratings period, the last time WMIL crossed the six-share threshold (6+) was in July 2016 with a 6.3. Cross-town rival – Scripps’ WKTI “94.5 KTI Country” – is off by three-tenths to 4.5 (eighth to tenth, 6+), snapping its winning streak as well. WKTI had posted three straight gains for a collective +1.1 (3.7 – 3.8 – 4.0 – 4.8, 6+). Displaying identical 4.3 – 3.7 (-.6, flat at #11, 6+) profiles are Milwaukee Radio Alliance alternative and adult contemporary siblings WLUM “102.1 Sounds Different” and WLDB “B-93 The 80’s to Today.” Regressing by one-half each are co-owned WZTI “Milwaukee’s True Oldies Channel” (1.7, steady at #16, 6+); Entercom hot AC WMYX “99.1 The Mix” (6.3 – 5.8, third to fifth, 6+); and iHeartMedia urban contemporary WKKV “V-100.7 Milwaukee’s Only Hip-Hop and R&B” (sixth to seventh, 6+). In five straight increases between March and August, WZTI nearly quadrupled its 6+-share (.6 – .7 – 1.0 – 1.1 – 1.9 – 2.2, 6+). Up eight-tenths in August, “Mix” had its highest 6+-stat since last September’s 6.5. As the result of three straight declines, “V-100.7” erodes by two full-shares (7.4 – 7.1 – 5.9 – 5.4, 6+) and has its lowest 6+-share since August 2016 (5.4, as well). Without going higher than 1.5 or lower than 1.1 over the course of the last 20 sweeps – which covers March 2016 through September 2017, Milwaukee Public Schools’ triple A WYMS “88 Nine” (flat at #18) has a 6+-line of: 1.2 – 1.2 – 1.3 – 1.3 – 1.4 – 1.5 – 1.4 – 1.4 – 1.3 – 1.4 – 1.3 – 1.4 – 1.4 – 1.2 – 1.1 – 1.2 – 1.4 – 1.4 – 1.3 – 1.3.
5) Nashville – Not only does iHeartMedia urban contemporary WUBT bust out a whopping +1.5 to 8.5, its highest 6+-share since July 2015’s 8.4, “101.1 The Beat – Nashville’s Home for Hip-Hop and R&B” marches from third to first. Its 
gain of four-tenths in August curtailed three successive downward moves that accounted for a loss of nine-tenths (7.5 – 7.2 – 7.1 – 6.6, 6+). Occupying the top spot in July and August, Midwest Communications’ adult hits WCJK “96.3 Jack-FM – Playing What We Want” drops six-tenths and segues to third-place (7.7 – 7.1, 6+). In July, “Jack” doubled June’s gain of six-tenths with a +1.2 (7.1 – 8.3, 6+), but returned exactly half that increase in August. Prior to a -.7 in May, Nashville’s “Jack” was up or flat the previous four months gaining +1.9 (5.3 – 6.9 – 6.9 – 7.2 – 7.2, 6+). The market’s (6+) CHR share swells by +1.6 as WCJK cluster-mate WNFN “106.7 Nashville’s New Hit Music” improves by six-tenths (2.5 – 3.1, steady at #15, 6+), while iHeartMedia’s WRVW “107.5 The River” gains one full-share to 7.5 (6+). “The River” pulls the plug on three straight dips that accounted for a -1.2 (7.7 – 7.1 – 6.6 – 6.5, 6+) and progresses from fourth to second. The station it knocks out of the runner-up slot is cluster-mate WNRQ “105.9 The Rock – Nashville’s Classic Rock,” which erodes by nine-tenths (7.5 – 6.6, 6+) and drifts to fifth, with its lowest 6+-share since 6.4 in March. Regressing six-tenths in July (3.3 – 2.7, 6+), Cumulus Media sports talk WGFX bounces back in August and September with a combined +1.3 (2.7 – 3.2 – 4.0, 6+) – “104.5 The Zone” jumps from #14 to #11. In June, WGFX returned in full May’s one-half share increase. Prior to May’s +.5, “The Zone” plummeted by more than four full-shares in six successive decreases (7.6 –
6.8 – 5.9 – 5.3 – 3.9 – 3.8 – 3.3, 6+). Conversely, co-owned WWTN “Super Talk 99.7 WTN,” which was up one full-share via three straight gains (4.7 – 4.8 – 4.9 – 5.7, 6+), hands over 80% of that addition (4.9, .8, seventh to ninth, 6+); August’s 5.7 was its strongest 6+-stat since 5.8 in January. A one-half share improvement by WPLN-FM “NPR News and Classical Music” (5.2 – 5.7, ninth to sixth, 6+) enables the Nashville Public Radio outlet to record its best 6+-share in the PPM-era, passing the 5.6 it established just two months ago (July 2017). Within 1.0 – 1.8 territory (July 2016 through August 2017, 6+), WAY Media contemporary Christian WAYM “WAY-FM Uplifting-Upbeat-Real” breaks that particular string by reaching the two-share level in its third straight increase doubling its 6+-share since June (1.0 – 1.1 – 1.7 – 2.0, 6+) and continues at #16. Immediately after all three Nashville FM country outlets were up (a collective +1.0) July 2017 – August 2017, ironically, they are all down (an overall -1.3) August 2017 – September 2017. Following a combined half-share increase in July and August, Cumulus Media’s WKDF surrenders all of it – plus one-tenth more (4.3 – 3.7, -.6, 6+) as “103.3 Nash FM” departs the top ten (#10 to #12) with its lowest 6+-share since 3.3 in February. Co-owned WSM-FM “95.5 Nash Icon” is off two-tenths (4.5 – 4.3, 6+) but remains at #10. By declining one-half share (5.6 – 5.1, flat at #8, 6+), iHeartMedia’s WSIX “The Big 98 – Nashville’s #1 for New Country” has its softest 6+-share since “Holiday” 2016’s 5.0. Down two-tenths (1.0 – .8, 6+), classic country WSIX-HD2 exits the top twenty (#18 to #21). This marks the third consecutive survey period that Ryman Hospitality Properties classic country WSM-AM is unlisted; in June, “650 AM – The Most Famed Country Music Station in the World” had a 1.8 (#16, 6+).
6) Providence – In addition to being #1 for the 24th consecutive ratings period, Cumulus Media adult contemporary WWLI “Lite Rock 105” is a cumulative +1.6 via three straight increases (9.8 – 10.0 – 10.8 – 11.4, 6+) and has its strongest 6+-share since 18.0 in “Holiday” 2016. “Lite Rock” dropped six-tenths in both May and June (11.0 – 10.4 – 9.8, 6+).
Having eroded by more than seven full-shares in January to 10.7 (6+), WWLI was a combined -.4 in February and March (10.7 – 10.6 – 10.3, 6+) and then up seven-tenths in April. In the runner-up slot for the third time in the last four sweeps, iHeartMedia-owned WHJY “94 HJY – Providence’s Home of Rock and Roll” logs a one-half share increase (8.5 – 9.0, 6+). Unchanged at #5, classic hits-oldies sibling WWBB “B-101” falters by four-tenths to 5.3 (6+), thus stifling five straight increases that netted a cumulative nine-tenths (4.8 – 4.9 – 5.0 – 5.2 – 5.3 – 5.7, 6+). A positive spike of two tenths to 5.3 (6+) by hot AC cluster-mate WSNE pulls the plug on four straight decreases for an overall loss of -1.5 (6.6 – 6.0 – 5.7 – 5.5 – 5.1, 6+) as “Coast 93.3” climbs from #6 to tie “B-101” at #5; August’s 5.1 was the lowest 6+-share for “Coast” since 4.6 in “Holiday” 2016. Although it remains in eighth-place, Entercom sports talk WVEI (which was locked on 2.9 in April and May) is without a loss for the third straight sweep (2.6 – 2.6 – 2.7 – 3.0, 6+). Down in each of the last four survey periods by an overall -2.0 (9.8 – 9.1 – 8.4 – 8.3 – 7.8, 6+), Cumulus Media CHR WPRO-FM “Today’s Hit Music” slips from third to 
fourth with its weakest 6+-share since “Holiday” 2016’s 7.7. Immediately before the May ratings period, WPRO-FM had been trending 8.7 – 8.5 – 8.6 – 8.3 (6+); 9.8 was its highest 6+-share since February 2015 (also 9.8). As a result of losing one-tenth (to 3.2, flat at #7, 6+), co-owned news/talk WPRO-AM concludes an up/down pattern that began in February (3.7 – 4.0 – 3.6 – 3.9 – 3.5 – 3.7 – 3.3, 6+). Elsewhere in the news/talk arena, iHeartMedia’s WHJJ “News Radio 920” has more than doubled its 6+-share in five successive up or flat trends (.6 – .6 – 1.0 – 1.0 – 1.2 – 1.4, 6+) and carries on at #12, while Cumulus Media’s WPRV “AM 790 – Talk & Business” improves by an overall four-tenths in five consecutive sweeps without a loss (.3 – .3 – .4 – .5 – .7 – .7, 6+) and remains at #14.
7) Norfolk – Trending 7.3 – 7.3 – 7.3 – 7.0 – 7.4 (April through August, 6+), iHeartMedia urban contemporary WOWI “103 Jamz – Norfolk’s #1 for Hip-Hop and R&B” explodes with a +1.4 to 8.8, its strongest 6+-stat in exactly two years 
(10.4, 6+, September 2015), and moves from third to second. More than five full shares ahead of WOWI is Entercom urban AC WVKL “Smooth R&B from Yesterday & Today,” which posts its third straight uptick for an overall +2.4 (11.8 – 12.0 – 13.4 – 13.7 – 14.2, 6+) and is #1 for the ninth time in a row, after an earlier tenure of 55 consecutive ratings periods on top. WVKL registers a 6+-share of 11.0 or higher for the 17th time in the last 18 ratings periods. Furthermore, its current 14.2 is the highest 6+-stat reached by any Norfolk station ever in the PPM-era. Co-owned adult contemporary WWDE “2WD” adds three-tenths (4.6, steady at #5, 6+), thus applying the brakes to five straight months without an increase for a collective -1.7 since March (6.0 – 5.3 – 5.1 – 4.3 – 4.3 – 4.3, 6+). Still in that Entercom cluster, hot AC WPTE wipes out August’s -.4 with a gain of seven-tenths (3.7 – 4.4, 6+) with “94.9 The Point” inching up from seventh to sixth. Its consecutive string of up or flat trends for an overall increase of +1.4 (2.7 – 2.7 – 2.8 – 2.8 – 3.1 – 3.5 – 3.9 – 4.1, 6+) ended at seven in August. As the result of four straight downward moves (2.8 – 2.7 – 2.1 – 1.8 – 1.2, 6+) in which it has lost approximately 57% of its 12+-share (-1.6), iHeartMedia rhythmic hot AC WMOV “Movin’ 107.7 – The Rhythm of Hampton Roads” exits the top ten (#9 to #12). Following four straight sweeps without a loss for an overall +1.2 (5.3 – 5.5 – 5.9 – 5.9 – 6.5, 6+), Saga Communications classic rock WAFX “106.9 The Fox” drops one-tenth to 6.4 (6+) but carries on in fourth-place; August’s 6.5 was the strongest 6+-share for WAFX in more than seven years (6.6, July 2010).
8) Greensboro – In addition to being #1 for the fourth straight time and posting double-digits (6+) for the tenth sweep in a row, Entercom urban AC WQMG matches June’s mammoth +1.5 (11.2 – 12.7, 6+); “97.1 QMG The Best R&B and Old School” was -.7 in July. Up or flat in four consecutive ratings periods accounting for a +1.2 (9.7 – 9.7 – 10.1 – 10.5 – 10.9,
6+), WQMG surrendered six-tenths in March and has occupied the top spot each month this calendar year except April and May. Steady in the runner-up slot, adult hits cluster-mate WSMW “98.7 Simon (says) We Play Everything” is a combined +1.4 in three consecutive increases (8.8 – 9.3 – 10.1 – 10.2, 6+). This 
marks the third consecutive increase for iHeartMedia news/talk WPTI “94.5 Your News, Talk, & Sports Station” for an overall +1.1 (3.3 – 3.4 – 3.6 – 4.4, eighth to seventh, 6+); WPTI was 4.7 in April. As co-owned WTQR “New Country Q-104.1” improves by seven-tenths to jump from sixth to third (7.1 – 7.8, 6+), its rival – Entercom’s WPAW “93.1 The Wolf” – surrenders one-half share to 7.2 (6+) and remains in fourth-place. This is the most potent 6+-share for WTQR since 7.9 in January 2016. A July loss of three-tenths by “Q-104.1” halted six consecutive up or flat trends that yielded a +2.5 (4.7 – 5.7 – 5.9 – 5.9 – 6.1 – 6.3 – 7.2, 6+). “The Wolf” replicated July’s +.7 in August (6.3 – 7.0 – 7.7, 6+). It was a cumulative +1.5 in January and February (4.8 – 5.6 – 6.3, 6+); -.7 in March; bounced back with a combined +1.0 in April and May; and lost three-tenths in June. August’s 7.7 was the highest 6+-share for Greensboro’s “Wolf” since its 9.0 nearly three years ago (September 2014). An overall -1.5 in four decreases in succession (4.2 – 3.9 – 3.7 – 3.0 – 2.7, 6+), iHeartMedia CHR WMKS “100.3 Kiss FM” regains one-third of that loss (3.2, +.5, 6+) and inches up from tenth to ninth; August’s 2.7 represents the lowest 6+-share in its PPM-history. Massive ups and downs seem to be a recurring theme for Entercom rhythmic CHR WJMH, which notched three straight improvements for a combined +1.2 (9.5 – 9.9 – 10.1 – 10.7, 6+), only to follow with five successive losses accounting for a collective -3.9 (10.7 – 10.4 – 10.1 – 9.6 – 8.6 – 6.8, 6+), with “102 Jamz” fading from third to sixth. Its current -1.8 is the largest (6+) August 2017 – September 2017 decrease by any station in Nielsen Audio’s 48 electronically-measured markets. Over the course of the last 15 survey periods (August 2016 – September 2017), “Jamz” has been in double-digits (6+) 10 times, missing out this year in January, February, July, August, and September. A combined +1.5 in three straight additions (5.7 – 6.5 – 7.1 – 7.2, 6+) immediately after three straight negative trends that accounted for a -1.1 (6.8 – 6.7 – 5.9 – 5.7, 6+), iHeartMedia adult contemporary WMAG “99.5 – The Triad’s Best Mix” forfeits two-tenths in September to 7.0 (6+) but carries on in fifth-place; 7.2 in August was the strongest 6+-stat for WMAG since “Holiday” 2016’s 15.2.
9) West Palm Beach – Six positive spikes in a row by iHeartMedia’s WKGR have accounted for an overall +2.2 (4.8 – 5.1 – 5.9 – 6.1 – 6.2 – 6.5 – 7.0, 6+) and “98.7 The Gater – The Palm Beaches’ Rock Station” finishes in the runner-up 
position for the fourth time in a row. Moreover, its 7.0 is the station’s best 6+-performance in more than four years (7.1, 6+, August 2013). Following a July – August mini-slide that led to a cumulative loss of nine-tenths (5.1 – 4.6 – 4.2, 6+), WAY Media contemporary Christian WAYF “Uplifting-Upbeat-Real WAY-FM” makes up all but one-tenth of it (5.0, +.8, 6+), leaping from seventh to third. An overall -1.6 in June and July (5.6 – 5.1 – 4.0, 6+), iHeartMedia CHR WLDI regains six-tenths in August and September (4.0 – 4.1 – 4.7, 6+) and climbs from eighth to sixth. Just prior to June, “Wild 95.5 – The Palm Beaches’ #1 Hit Music Station” was a collective +1.3 in three straight increases (4.3 – 4.5 – 4.9 – 5.6, 6+). While the loss of one-tenth to 10.8 (6+) by WRMF “97.9 Variety from the 90s and Now” pulls the plug on four straight increases that delivered an overall +1.6 (9.3 – 9.4 – 9.5 – 10.4 – 10.9, 6+), the Alpha Media hot AC ranks first for the ninth consecutive month. Its 10.9 in August 2017 was the strongest 6+-share for WRMF since November 2015’s 11.3. Prior to the “Holiday” 2016 report, WRMF was #1 the previous five ratings periods. It fell to second in July 2016, after 23 successive sweeps at #1. Owing to a gain of one-tenth to .8 (unchanged at #16, 6+), JVC Media adult contemporary WSVU “South Florida’s 95.9 – The Palm” halts at five a string of down or flat monthlies that accounted for an approximately 50% loss of its 6+-share since March (1.3 – 1.3 – 1.2 – .9 – .7 – .7, 6+). The market’s other two ACs though are a combined -1.6, with iHeartMedia-owned WOLL “Today’s KOOL 105.5” (third to seventh) eroding by one full-share to 4.2, its lowest 6+ share since 3.9 in July 2011, while Alpha Media’s similarly-formatted WEAT “Sunny 107.9” (fifth to eighth) falters for the fourth time in a row for an overall -2.4 (6.5 – 5.4 – 5.1 – 4.7 – 4.1, 6+). The 5.2 in August by “KOOL” was its highest 6+-share since January’s 5.9. Following three successive months without a gain in which it lost more than two full-shares (6.6 – 5.9 – 4.5 – 4.5, 6+), WOLL was a combined +.6 in April and May (4.5 – 4.6 – 5.1, 6+). This is the lowest 6+-share for “Sunny” since its 3.1 in January 2014. Having doubled its 6+share between May and August (1.6 – 2.8 – 2.9 – 3.2, 6+), iHeartMedia’s WJNO “1290 The Palm Beaches’ News & Talk” surrenders one-half share to 2.7, but remains in ninth-place (6+).
10) Jacksonville – As noted in the above introduction, the September 2017 survey period covered August 17 – September 13, so ratings stats in Florida (PPM) markets Miami, Tampa, Orlando, West Palm Beach, and Jacksonville may have been impacted by hurricane Irma. Having spiraled by a combined -1.8 in July and August (12.2 – 11.6 – 10.4,
6+), iHeartMedia-owned WQIK “99.1 – Jacksonville’s Country” roars back with a +1.3 in September to 11.7 (6+) and is on top for the ninth straight time. A January +2.1 to 12.8 produced its best-ever (6+) PPM-performance. It isn’t the only station in this Florida market to notch an increase of +1.3 though as Cox Media Group news/talk WOKV “104.5 – Jacksonville’s News, Weather, and Traffic” (steady at #2) does so as well (8.4 – 9.7, 6+), reaching the nine-share level (6+) for the first time since April’s 9.3. When WEJZ “96.1 Jacksonville’s Official Work Station” dropped four-tenths in August to 7.5, it ended a March through July (6+) trending of 7.6 – 7.9 – 7.6 – 7.6 – 7.9. The Renda Broadcasting adult contemporary staggers by -1.4 to 6.1 in September, slipping from third to fourth and falls below a seven-share (6+) for the first time since re-appearing in print in May 2014. After three straight sweeps without a decrease for an overall gain of six tenths (2.6 – 2.6 – 2.7 – 3.2, 6+), Cox Media Group’s similarly formatted WEZI “Easy 106.5” slumps by four-tenths to 2.8 but stays at #13; August’s 3.2 was its strongest 6+-share since December’s 3.4. No station in any of PPM’s 48 electronically-measured markets had a higher (6+) July 2017 – August 2017 increase greater than the +1.9 by iHeartMedia adult hits WWJK, but “107.3 The River – We Play Anything” returns eight-tenths of that bounty (5.7 – 4.9, 6+), segueing from sixth to eighth; August’s 5.7 was its best 6+stat since June 2016 (5.7, also). Slumping by eight-tenths as well and dropping from fourth to fifth (5.8, 6+) is Cox Media Group CHR WAPE “95.1 – Jacksonville’s #1 Hit Music Station,” which had been up a collective six-tenths in July and August (6.0 – 6.3 – 6.6, 6+). Co-owned classic hits-oldies WJGL-FM “96.9 The Eagle” is off by more than three full-shares in three straight declines (9.6 – 9.1 – 6.4 – 6.3, 6+) yet actually jumps from fifth to third. The bulk of its -3.3 came in August via a -2.7, the largest July 2017 – August 2017 freefall by any station in the 48 PPM-markets; “The Eagle” was down one-half share in July after a +.9 in June.
11) Memphis – While the top two finishers in August were separated by just one-tenth, Cumulus Media-owned WRBO “103.5 Soul Classics and Today’s R&B” is in a flat-footed tie in September with iHeartMedia urban AC KJMS “V-101,” as WRBO gains seven-tenths (9.3 – 10.0, 6+) and KJMS improves by eight-tenths (9.2 – 10.0, 6+). March through August, WRBO trended a very consistent 9.1 – 9.3 – 9.3 – 9.4 – 9.4 – 9.3, 6+) and advanced to #1 this time last month. “Soul Classics and Today’s R&B” succeeded “V-101,” which had been #1 the previous six survey periods but shifted to the runner-up slot. Off by one full-share in August (10.2 – 9.2, 6+), KJMS curtailed seven straight up or flat trends that netted a +1.4 (8.8 – 9.0 – 9.3 – 9.3 – 9.5 – 9.9 10.2, 6+). “V-101” previously had a ten-month tenure on top before relocating to #2 in “Holiday” 2016. Cratering by -1.7 is gospel cluster-mate WHAL “Halleluiah 95.7 – Memphis’ Inspiration Station” (6.3 – 4.6, fifth to seventh, 6+). Not only is this the lowest 6+-share for “Halleluiah” in its PPM-history, it’s the first time WHAL has even fallen under a five-share (6+). While it continues in fourth-place, Entercom adult contemporary WRVR “104.5 The River Continuous Soft Rock” drops one-tenth to 7.4 (6+), bringing to a halt three successive positive upticks that netted a cumulative +1.8 (5.7 – 6.0 – 6.9 – 7.5, 6+) and produced its best 6+-stat (7.5) since February’s 7.7. In addition to adding one-tenth and progressing from seventh to fifth (5.7 – 5.8, 6+), hot AC cluster-mate WMC-FM “FM 100 – Today’s Best Mix” applies the brakes to three successive down or flat moves for an overall -1.3 (7.0 – 6.2- 6.2 – 5.7, 6+). After a combined -1.4 in June and July (3.7 – 2.4 – 2.3, 6+), co-owned WEGR “Rock 103 – Memphis’ Classic Rock” erased that loss in August with a +.7 only to surrender that seven-tenths in September (3.0 – 2.3, 6+), sliding from #12 to #14. Just about equally responsible for the country format’s combined August 2017 – September 2017 -1.5 are Cumulus Media’s WGKX “Kix 106 – Today’s Best Country” (-.8, fifth to sixth, 6+) and Entercom’s WLFP “94.1 The Wolf” (-.7, #10 to #12, 6+). Following back-to-back increases that produced a gain of one full-share (4.9 – 5.2 – 5.9, 6+), “Kix” was -.4 in July, but bounced back with a +.8 in August (5.5 – 6.3, 6+) with its highest 6+-stat since February’s 6.6. “The Wolf” concludes three straight increases and was +1.1 in that stretch (2.4 – 3.2 – 3.4 – 3.5, 6+).
12) Hartford – Boasting the highest (6+) August 2017 – September 2017 increase of any station in the 12 PPM-markets listed here is Connecticut Public Broadcasting news/talk WNPR (4.7 – 6.3, +1.6, 6+), which marches from eighth to fifth. Furthermore, WNPR reaches the six-share level (6+) for the first time under PPM methodology. Advancing by one-
half share is CBS Radio news/talk WTIC-AM (4.9, steady at #9, 6+), which applies the brakes on seven straight decreases in which its 6+-share was carved exactly in half since January (8.8 – 8.3 – 8.1 – 7.3 – 6.9 – 6.7 – 5.1 – 4.4, 6+). August’s 4.4 was the softest 6+-share in WTIC-AM’s PPM-history. CHR sibling WKSS “Kiss 95.7 All The Hits” has netted nine-tenths in three straight improvements (5.7 – 6.4 – 6.5 – 6.6, 6+) and progresses from fifth to fourth. Flat at 10.2 (6+), adult contemporary cluster-mate WRCH “Lite 100.5” is the market pacesetter for the 13th successive ratings period. Prior to July, “Lite” – which was up by a cumulative nine-tenths in February and March (10.2 – 10.5 – 11.1, 6+), but then down by an overall -1.4 in April and May (11.1 – 10.0 – 9.7, 6+) – had been in double-digits (6+) eight times in the previous nine sweeps. Its online stream scored a .5 (6+) in four straight survey periods before disappearing in print in August, but returns in September with (again) a .5 (#15, 6+). Rhythmic CHR cluster-mate WZMX “Hot 93.7 – Hartford’s #1 for Hip-Hop and R&B” though is jolted with a -1.5 to 5.6, its lowest 6+-share since January’s 4.6, and drifts from fourth to eighth. Down or flat in each of the last four sweeps for an overall -1.2 (2.7 – 1.9 – 1.5 – 1.5 – 1.5, 6+), Red Wolf Spanish tropical WMRQ-HD2 picks up one-tenth to 1.6 (6+) and climbs from #12 to #11. After gaining one full-share in June; dropping one-half share in July; and being flat in August – iHeartMedia-owned WWYZ “92-5 Connecticut’s Country Music” regresses by one-half share (8.3 – 7.8, 6+), slipping from the runner-up slot to third-place.
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
EMF Acquires Entercom Stations in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Wilkes-Barre. After much speculation about which Los Angeles property Entercom would spin in order to close its pending merger with CBS RADIO, we have learned the answer: It is Entercom’s own classic rocker KSWD “100.3 The Sound,” which will be acquired by Educational Media Foundation. In addition to Los Angeles’
“Sound,” Rocklin (California)-based contemporary Christian broadcaster EMF is also obtaining Entercom stations in San Diego (KSOQ-FM, which simulcasts KSON-FM “New Country”) and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WGGI, which simulcasts 
WGGY “Today’s Best Country – Froggy”). This three-station deal marks the first required divestitures in the company’s mega union with CBS Radio. According to Entercom president and chief executive officer David Field, “We have made great progress toward the completion of our merger with CBS Radio and this agreement with EMF brings us one step closer to the finish line. We remain on-track to close the CBS Radio transaction later this year and confident in the value
-creating opportunities presented by this transformational combination.” Educational Media Foundation chief executive officer Mike Novak remarks, “We are particularly excited to see what God has in store for the people of Los Angeles, through our new station, ‘Positive & Encouraging K-Love at 100.3 FM.’ The people at Entercom have been a joy making this purchase possible.” Eight months ago, Entercom agreed to combine with CBS Radio in an all-stock transaction. After the deal, Entercom will own 240 stations; non-profit EMF currently owns/operates Christian music networks “K-Love” and “Air1,” as well as approximately 770 FM stations and translators. For the third time in the last six Nielsen Audio ratings sweeps, KSWD “The Sound” registers a 2.4 (PPM, August 2017, 6+) and finishes at #18; its 2.9 (6+) in May 2017 placed it at #11. Stations that will be under Entercom’s Los Angeles banner include smooth AC KTWV “The Wave”; classic hits-oldies KRTH “K-Earth 101”; adult hits KCBS-FM “Jack-FM”; all-news KNX; CHR KAMP “97.1 Amp Radio”; and alternative KROQ. All six are presently owned by CBS Radio. Its San Diego cluster will include KSON-FM; adult contemporary KXSN “Sunny 98.1”; and KBZT “94.9 – San Diego’s Alternative”; as well as current CBS Radio-owned hot AC KYXY and CHR KEGY “Energy 103.7.” In addition to WGGY, Entercom’s remaining Wilkes-Barre/Scranton stations are spring 2017 market leader (CHR) WKRZ “98.5 Today’s Best Music” (10.0, 6+); news/talkers WILK-AM, WILK-FM, WBZU, and WKZN; classic rock WMQX “Max 102”; and WKRF (which simulcasts WKRZ).
Sandy Buttweiler Exits WDAY-AM, Fargo. Fargo market talk radio pro Sandy Buttweiler has retired from Forum Communications’ news/talk WDAY-AM and is moving back to her hometown of
Minneapolis to be closer to family. Buttweiler worked in the Fargo market in numerous iterations: at KFGO from 1982 to 1987, 1992 to 2004, and 2006 through 2014. She hosted programs on WDAY in 2005, and most recently from 2014 through her retirement yesterday (9/26). During her career she co-hosted several times with well-known Fargo talk pro Jack Sunday and worked on air with WDAY program director Mike Kapel during this last gig. InForum.com reports Buttweiler saying, “I’ve been here 35 years and it’s time for me to live five minutes from my sister and my aunts and uncles and cousins.”
Talent Shift at WSB-AM/WSBB-FM, Atlanta. The Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Rodney Ho reports that “News 95.5 and AM 750 WSB” program director Pete Spriggs is flipping the show times of Eric Von Haessler’s “Von Haessler Doctrine” and the Herman Cain show. Beginning October 2, Cain assumes the 11:00 am to 12:00 noon hour and Von Haessler moves to the 9:00 am to 11:00 am slot. In January of this year, Von Haessler was promoted from his weekend show to the daily, one-hour program. See Ho’s column here.
KNSS, Wichita’s Steve and Ted Do 5,000th Broadcast. This morning (9/27), KNSS, Wichita morning
duo Steve McIntosh and Ted Woodward performed their 5,000th morning show together. News/talk KNSS program director Tony Duesing states, “One of the reasons I’m always excited to go to work each day is that Steve and Ted are on KNSS mornings. They have an exciting show that matters to listeners.” During their time together on the Entercom station, Steve and Ted have won multiple awards from the Associated Press, Kansas Association of Broadcasters, RTNDA, and a Marconi from the National Association of Broadcasters. Jad Chambers serves as producer for the program.
Hollywood Reporter: Hannity Trumps Maddow in Head-to-Head Debut. According to a story in
The Hollywood Reporter, FOX News Channel star Sean Hannity bested MSNBC rival 
Rachel Maddow on Monday night (9/25), the first night the two personalities aired head-to-head at 9:00 pm ET. Hannity moved to the timeslot as part of changes that include the imminent debut of Laura Ingraham’s new 10:00 pm ET show. Maddow has been the cable news/talk ratings leader for much of this year. The story notes that although FNC continues to be the Total Day and Prime Time winner of Nielsen’s cable news/talk ratings – topping CNN and MSNBC – Maddow has been the most-watched show in both Total Viewers and 25-54 during the past quarter. But on Monday, Hannity beat Maddow by 610,000 Total Viewers and 75,000 25-54 viewers. Read the story here.
Trump vs the NFL, Alabama Senate Primary Race, North Korea Threats/Sanctions, ObamaCare Repeal, Tax Reform, Puerto Rico Devastation, Trump-Russia Probe, MLB Playoff Push, and NFL Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (9/26). The controversy over President Trump’s calling for NFL players who protest during the national anthem to be fired; the Alabama U.S. Senate primary race between Republicans Luther Strange and Roy Moore; North Korea’s military threats against the U.S. and the most recent sanctions levied on the hermit kingdom; the GOP’s attempt to get enough Senate votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act and replace it with the Graham-Cassidy plan; the GOP’s plans to craft a tax reform bill; the devastation of Puerto Rico by Hurricane Maria; the investigation into former Paul Manafort’s and Michael Flynn’s Russia connections; the playoff push in Major League Baseball; and the weekend’s NFL action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Broadcasters Foundation of America Establishes Gary Fries Memorial Fund. In honor of recently
deceased Radio Advertising Bureau executive Gary Fries, the Broadcasters Foundation of America is establishing the Gary Fries Memorial Fund. BFoA president Jim Thompson states, “Gary was very passionate about radio and the mission of the Broadcasters Foundation to help our colleagues in need. He loved the radio profession, supported it, talked about it, and had many dear friends in our business.” Fries, who died in Scottsdale, Arizona last Friday, was a longtime director of the Broadcasters Foundation. Those wishing to donate in Fries’ honor may visit the Broadcasters Foundation’s website at www.broadcastersfoundation.org, call 212-373-8250, or email info@thebfoa.org.
JohnJay Van Es’ #LovePup Foundation Featured in People. Pictured backstage at the T-mobile Arena in Las Vegas at last weekend’s iHeartRadio Music Festival are pop star Miley Cyrus (left) and JohnJay Van Es (right) of Premiere Networks’ syndicated “Johnjay & Rich” show. They are surrounded by rescue puppies from Van Es’ #LovePup Foundation that he was promoting at the festival. People magazine did a piece on the #LovePup Foundation.
More Music Radio News and Career Moves. Cool local props for CHR WNTQ, Syracuse “93Q” and morning personalities Ted Long and Amy Robbins – both winners in the Syracuse New Times’ “Best of
Syracuse” reader’s poll. Cumulus Media’s “93Q” was named Top Radio Station, and Ted and Amy were honored with the Favorite Radio Personalities crown. The ever-popular on-air duo has won in the category more than 20 times in the last 25 years…..CBS RADIO Pittsburgh’s WDSY “Y108” is 
presenting the fifth annual “Y108 Girls With Guitars” concert, this year starring RaeLynn, Carly Pearce, and Danielle Bradbery. It takes place on October 5 at Rivers Casino. CBS RADIO Pittsburgh VP of programming Mark Anderson says, “Y108’s ‘Girls With Guitars’ has become one of the ‘gotta-have-it’ tickets in a very busy country concert marketplace. We are excited to present RaeLynn, Carly Pearce, and Danielle Bradbery to our listeners while also introducing the newest member of ‘Y108’ all in support of Glimmer of Hope and the great work they do. Set against the backdrop of the Rivers Casino, this free show is a great night out for Pittsburgh residents.” Glimmer of Hope funds breast cancer research and programs. Glimmer of Hope will be onsite during the event conducting various fundraising activities, including a silent auction…..iHeartMedia Milwaukee is presenting the inaugural, “Let’s Brunch MKE,” a community food sampling event. It takes place from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm on Saturday, October 28. iHeartMedia VP of programming Kerry Wolfe says, “Brunch is huge in Milwaukee. We’re excited to bring our listeners and the community together with both some of their local favorites and restaurants they may be experiencing for the first time.”
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
It’s Official: Laura Ingraham to Host FOX News Channel Show. As has been previously reported but now confirmed by FOX News Channel, conservative media figure Laura Ingraham will begin hosting
the 10:00 pm ET hour on FOX News Channel with a new show called, “The Ingraham Angle,” beginning October 30. Beginning Monday (9/25), Sean Hannity moves to the 9:00 pm ET hour (putting him up against MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow). That means “The Five” returns to its original 5:00 pm ET start (that hour opened up with the dismissal of Eric Bolling and the cancellation of “The Specialists”). The Los Angeles Times reports that Ingraham has been making about $2 million per year as a contributor to FNC and her full-time salary will be much higher than that. The question left unanswered for now is whether or not Ingraham will continue to host her Courtside Entertainment-distributed, daily national radio talk show.
Dave Ramsey to Emcee NRHoF Induction Ceremony. Nationally syndicated talk radio superstar
Dave Ramsey is hosting the 29th Annual National Radio Hall of Fame Induction ceremony and celebration on November 2 at the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago. National Radio Hall of Fame chairman Kraig T. Kitchin says, “We’re honored to have Dave, a world-class speaker who regularly addresses audiences of 10,000 at his live events, serve as our master of ceremonies.” The 2017 inductees include: Tom Barnard, Bobby Bones, Joseph M. Field, Bill Handel, Sean Hannity, John Records Landecker, Robin Quivers and Robert S. “Bob” Sievers.
TALKERS News Notes. With the sudden departure of conservative Jedidiah Bila from ABC-TV’s “The View,” CNN is reporting that former Premiere Networks radio host and former FOX News Channel personality Meghan McCain is in talks to join the daytime TV talk show. McCain recently exited FNC
and the “Outnumbered” program she co-hosted there…..CBS RADIO’s Los Angeles all-news KNX shifts some of its talent into different dayparts. The morning drive daypart is still 
hosted by Dick Helton and Vicky Moore. New to middays is Brian Ping, who leaves the nights and overnights he’s been working for the past six years to handle the 10:00 am to 1:00 pm show. The one-hour “KNX In Depth” show with Charles Feldman and Mike Simpson airs from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Simpson and Chris Sedens handle the 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm daypart and Diane Thomson hosts the 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm “Evening News.”…..TuneIn is debuting “First Play,” what it calls “a first-of-its kind podcast program offering early releases of new episodes from new and popular podcasts from networks like WNYC Studios, Gimlet Media, HowStuffWorks, Wondery, Feral Audio and StarTalk.” New episodes will be available early, up to one week before they’re available on other platforms, and they will be free to all TuneIn users. The company says, “With the launch of First Play, TuneIn enables podcast super fans to hear episodes early from a selection of more than 30 podcasts, produced by the most popular podcast creators. Participating shows will debut their early releases throughout the initial run of the program, concluding December 31st.”…..Entercom sports talk WFNZ, Charlotte “The Fan” and the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets renew their partnership for the station to serve as the flagship for the team’s play-by-play. Entercom Charlotte market manager Matt Hanlon says, “The Hornets are an outstanding organization in a great sports town. It makes so much sense for WFNZ to be the flagship station for the Hornets’ radio network.”
TalkersRadio Marks its Fourth Anniversary. This Fall marks the fourth anniversary of the launch of TALKERS magazine’s experimental platform, TalkersRadio. The station serves as both a workshop and industry showcase for new ideas in talk programing. TALKERS founder Michael Harrison describes it as “a vehicle for broadcasters to try out new concepts for talk shows, both long and short form, that 
might not otherwise have an opportunity to be exposed to industry decision-makers, as well as real listeners, at this moment in time.” Commenting on the milestone, TalkersRadio GM David Bernstein states, “This has been one of the most exciting projects in which I’ve ever been involved as a programmer and manager. As we begin our fifth year, I am pleased to say we have a fascinating line-up of shows and talent with more in the pipeline about to debut.” Bernstein adds, “The system at TalkersRadio keeps shows up and running for as short or long a time as they need development or receive enough feedback to know what their next steps should be. We’ve had some major properties get their start in this ‘experimental theater.’ For example, ‘American Family Farmer’ hosted by noted talk host Doug Stephan began on TalkersRadio as a laboratory project in which Doug – an independent farmer in addition to being a talk host – created a new forum in which he could act as an advocate for the beleaguered independent, small farmers across America. Today, the show is a terrestrial radio weekend smash heard on about 150 stations around the country.” The late Alan Colmes of FOX News Radio and FOX News Channel was working on a project titled “Healed Planet” – an exploration into the human consciousness movement and significant departure from his usual news/talk style – that was about to find a home on terrestrial radio at the time of his unexpected passing. (“Healed Planet” is still available for listening in the TalkersRadio archive section.) The husband/wife chat show “Brent & Meg”
(Brent Seltzer and Meg McDonald) found a home on terrestrial radio shortly after launching on TalkersRadio when it was picked up by WPG, Atlantic City and GCN. Current shows include “London Calling” – a weekly magazine hour hosted by internationally-known British broadcaster Graham Mack connecting popular culture in Great Britain and the 
United States that has developed a worldwide audience. Veteran radio and TV star Claire Carter is heard discussing a variety of eclectic issues ranging from politics to health to changing cultural patterns in her feature called, “Good For You Radio.” This week, she kicks off a new series of short form commentaries with a powerful warning about national security titled, “The Importance of Protecting the Grid.” The aforementioned
Meg McDonald has a new short form feature in which she discusses her observations of the common “everyday” situations of life titled “MEG!” Michael Harrison describes McDonald as a female version of the late Andy Rooney. This week also marks the debut of “The Animals’ Voice” hosted by animal rights activist and award-winning Voice of America and NPR news reporter, Lori Lundin. World-renowned record producer Robbie Stevens is set to launch his new radio show titled “I Don’t Do Radio” in October. For more information about TalkersRadio contact David Bernstein at 413-565-5413.
Renewed ObamaCare Repeal Move, Trump’s UN Speech, Hillary Clinton Book/Election Challenge, California Sanctuary State Bill, Climate Change Debate, Hurricane Maria Threatens Caribbean, Georgia Tech Student Killed/Protests, Rolling Stone for Sale, Toys ‘R’ Us Files Bankruptcy, MLB Playoff Push, and NFL Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (9/18). The GOP revives its move to repeal and replace ObamaCare with the Cassidy-Graham Plan; anticipation of President Trump’s Tuesday address before the UN General Assembly; Hillary Clinton’s book tour supporting What Happened and her statement she’d consider challenging the election results; California’s legislature passes bill making California a sanctuary state; the renewed debate over climate change; Hurricane Maria hits the Caribbean and threatens Puerto Rico; the shooting death of a Georgia Tech student and the resulting protests; iconic magazine Rolling Stone is up for sale; retailer Toys ‘R’ Us files for bankruptcy protection; the Major League Baseball playoff push, and the weekend’s NFL action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Music Radio News and Career Moves. On-air pro Chris Randolph is named afternoon drive host at Cumulus Media’s country WFMS, Indianapolis, effective October 2. Randolph comes to WFMS from his recent position with Alpha Media hosting morning drive at hot AC WXMA,
Louisville. He’d also served with iHeartMedia at crosstown WMXL, Louisville. WFMS program director Stephen Giuttari comments, “We’re very excited to have Chris join the team here in Indy. He’s one of the top talents in our industry and I’m confident that he will be a great addition to our team at WFMS and that ‘Indy Country’ listeners will love him!”…..Blaine Thompson’s Indiana Radio Watch tips us that Sound Management, LLC has sold three signals to Artistic Media Partners for $3.4 million. The Indiana stations are: CHR WNDV, South Bend; rock WYXX, Goshen; and 80s-pop WYET, New Carlisle (102.3fm, New Carlisle)…..In Atlanta, morning show personality C.J. Lusk has exited 
Cumulus Media’s country WKHX “Kicks 101.5” where he’d been part of the “Cadillac Jack and Ali Mac Morning Show.”…..Rowdy Yates has left E.W. Scripps’ country KVOO, Tulsa where he co-hosted the morning drive show with Sunny Leigh…..iHeartMedia’s alternative WRFF, Philadelphia “Radio 104.5” is releasing volume nine of its “Radio 104.5 Studio Sessions” albums, sponsored by Blue Moon. The annual benefit album features the best live-recorded studio sessions from Radio 104.5’s Performance Theater. The project will benefit Delaware Valley hunger relief organization Philabundance. Artists on this year’s CD include: Vance Joy, Catfish & The Bottlemen, Weezer, AWOLNATION, alt-J, Kaleo, Grouplove and more.
Radio One Sues Former Jock and Twitter; Alleges Hijacking of Twitter Account. In a case filed in U.S. District Court in Virginia, Radio One is suing former WCDX, Richmond “iPower 92.1” air personality Amir Shabazz, alleging that he, immediately after being let go from the station, illegally used its @iPowerRichmond Twitter handle to promote his own business ventures, Tweeted pornographic
images, and changed passwords. Saying that the Twitter account is a valuable business tool for the station – by some standards worth $2.50 for each follower – it values the account as being worth more than $31,000 per month. The complaint says Shabazz, who went by the air name Henny Hardaway, is taking these actions willfully and maliciously. It’s suing Twitter, alleging that the company has taken no action to stop Shabazz. Radio One is asking the court to stop Shabazz from “squatting” on the @iPowerRichmond account and is seeking unspecified damages, plus attorneys’ fees and court costs.
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Radio Coming to Aid of Harvey Victims in Form of Fundraisers. Radio stations and radio companies are concentrating their efforts to assist those in Texas affected by Harvey by raising money on-air, mostly for the American Red Cross. Today at 4:29 pm, more than 30 Chicago
area radio stations will simultaneously air a spot for the Red Cross urging Chicagoans to contribute to relief efforts. The move was orchestrated by the Radio Broadcasters of Chicagoland. Chairman Matt Scarano says, “We are using the power of radio in both English and Spanish to help out those in need. In a time of crisis, Chicago radio is willing to help in any way we can.” Premiere Networks’ nationally syndicated Bobby Bones country morning show kicked off its fourth annual Joy Week celebration on Monday, and has raised more than $150,000 to benefit the Hurricane Harvey relief effort through the sale of #PimpinJoy apparel, (as well as more than $50,000 benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital). Country stars Maren Morris and Brett Eldredge have appeared on the show encouraging listeners to choose joy, spread happiness and do good things for others. Limited-edition neon #PimpinJoy apparel was made available for purchase with proceeds benefiting Hurricane Harvey victims. Summit Media’s classic rock WBPT, Birmingham “106.9 The Eagle” is airing a “Pay to Play” on-air donation drive today from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The station is asking listeners to call and make a $25 minimum donation to the American Red Cross along with their song request. No matter the request or genre, if the station can find the songs, they will play the music. E.W. Scripps’ Springfield, Missouri cluster – country KTTS, news/talk KSGF, CHR KSPW, and adult hits KRVI – raised $7,151 for Harvey victims after a three-hour event today (8/30) at the Battlefield Mall. Money raised will go to Convoy of Hope.
CBS RADIO Houston FMs in Constant Storm Mode. In order to provide information about storm updates, evacuation info, and disaster relief, CBS RADIO’s Houston stations have been in storm/disaster mode since Saturday. The company says the cluster is running a four-station,
commercial-free simulcast of long-form coverage across KILT-FM/AM, KHMX-FM and KKHH-FM. Meanwhile, sports talk KIKK is airing a continuous loop of evacuation information, routes and shelters. KIKK was granted Special Temporary Authority by the FCC to run for 24 hours during this emergency period. Also, Spanish-language station KLOL-FM is airing a commercial-free simulcast of Telemundo until further notice. CBS RADIO Houston SVP/market manager Sarah Frazier states, “Our employees are 100% dedicated to broadcasting the latest information to help evacuate Houston residents, keep them safe and connected to loved ones. This is a difficult time for everyone in the area but we are all working together to get through it. In emergency situations such as this, the power of local radio is undisputed, unparalleled and reaches everyone in the community. We are all proudly #HoustonStrong.” At Cumulus Media Houston, CHR KRBE program director Leslie Whittle reports that her station’s live, local coverage continues. “The whole crew is at the station, so Kevin Quinn, Freddy Cruz, Corinna Delgado and Phoenix (who have all been on the air since Sunday morning), are finally able to get some rest. At one time, we had over 600 reported areas of significant high water around the city, so of course one of the biggest services we continue to provide are road closure/high water updates at least twice an hour. We remain focused on keeping our listeners safe and informed, and I couldn’t be more proud of the job the entire KRBE team has done serving our great community.”
Harvey’s Devastation, Trump Visits Texas, Tax Reform Plan, North Korea Nuclear Threats, Transgender Troops Issue, Feinstein’s Trump Comments, MLB Action, and NFL Pre-Season Activity Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (8/29). The devastation caused by Harvey and the storm’s second landfall that’s bringing more rain to the region; analysis of President Trump’s visit to Texas; the Trump tax reform plan to be promoted today in Missouri; North Korea’s continued threats against the U.S.; the Trump edict preventing transgender citizens from serving in the military and the responses by U.S. military leaders; Diane Feinstein astonishes San Francisco crowd by saying Trump could be a “good president”; Major League Baseball action; and pre-season NFL activity were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
August Cable News/Talk Ratings Out; FOX News Channel and MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow Winners. That may seem like a contradiction, but the upshot of the August Nielsen ratings for the cable news/talk channels is that MSNBC personality Rachel Maddow was the most-watched cable
talk host in both total viewers and in the 25-54 demographic. She was just ahead of FOX News Channel’s Sean Hannity in total viewers for the month – 2.783 million to 2.679 
million. But FOX News Channel was still the most-watched network in total viewers in prime time, averaging 2.2 million. That continues FNC’s 14-month streak as the most-watched cable news/talk network in prime time and its 188-month streak as most-watched in total day and prime time. Back to the individual shows, after Maddow and Hannity in the top two slots for total viewers, FOX News Channel’s Tucker Carlson was third with 2.483 million, MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell finished fourth with 2.352 million and FOX News Channel’s “The Five” followed with 2.351 million. Tallying the prime time numbers for the 25-54 demographic, FOX News Channel was in first place with a 466,000 (average over the month), CNN came in second with 418,000, and MSNBC was close behind with 410,000.
Former WBSM, New Bedford Personality Stan Lipp Passes. New Bedford, Massachusetts radio legend Stan Lipp died on Monday (8/28) in Florida at the age of 89. Lipp is remembered in the area for hosting the WBSM talk show “Open Line” from 1964 through 2001.
Radio Veteran Bob Shannon Releases Updated Edition of His 2009 Classic, Turn It Up! American Radio Tales 1946-1996 (Eckhartz Press, 2017) as an eBook. The book that Michael Harrison describes as “one of the most important books ever written about music radio of the 
second half of the 20th century” has just been released (in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley) as an updated eBook. Radio veteran Bob Shannon’s Turn It Up! American Radio Tales 1946-1996 (Eckhartz Press, 2017) features in-depth stories about 58 great radio talent and programming figures. The full list includes: Lee Abrams, Jack Armstrong, Dick Biondi, Chuck Blore, Jerry Boulding, Scotty Brink, Kent Burkhardt, Al Casey, Ron Chapman, Dick Clark, Frank Cody, Larry Daniels, Rick Dees, Tom Donahue, Ken Dow, Bill Drake, Paul Drew, Chuck Dunaway, Bill Figenshu, Alan Freed, Jack Gale, Les Garland, Bob Henabery, Dan Ingram, Ron Jacobs, Tom Joyner, Casey Kasem, Murry the K, Art Laboe, Larry Lujack, Bill Mack, Gordon McLendon, John McRea, Ruth Meyer, Robert W. Morgon, Bruce Morrow, Pat O’Day, Gary Owens, Dewey Phillips, Dick Purtan, Bobby Rich, Steve Rivers, Art Roberts, John Rook, Dr. Don Rose, Tom Rounds, Ed Salamon, John Sebastian, Scott Shannon, Rick Sklar, Michael Spears, Gary Stevens, Todd Storz, Charlie Tuna, Rusty Walker, Todd Wallace, Fred Winston, and Wolfman
Jack. In addition to updated information, the book features a forward by RAB president/CEO Erica Farber. Shannon tells TALKERS, “The book is a compilation of columns I wrote for Radio & Records (“Legends with Bob Shannon”) and allaccess.com (“All Them Big Dogs”) between 2001 and 2008. Secretly, I always thought of it as a public service to radio folks who weren’t familiar with our history, the second golden age of radio when top 40 was king, and FM was about to ascend to the throne. As for why I decided to release an eBook this year, it’s pretty simple – since the book came out in 2009, 13 of the people I wrote about have died.” Shannon adds, “The stories in Turn It Up! don’t focus on industry wide initiatives. Instead, they offer a behind-the-scenes look at the folks on the front line, the men and the women who created the radio stations that inspired so many to, as Paul Harvey once said, ‘run away and join the radio.’ Between the lines, a picture emerges of a time gone by, one that will never be repeated, when radio was an important part of American life, disc jockeys were stars, and their listeners cared about them.” Shannon concludes, “I believe that media in the 21st century offers unlimited possibilities, but I also believe that it would be sad to forget, or worse yet, to never know what came before, and how and why it set the stage for the future.” Shannon can be reached via email at bobshannonworks@gmail.com. For more information about the book, please click here.
Music Radio News and Career Moves. Radio management pro Mark Thomas is named market manager for Alpha Media’s Saginaw, Michigan cluster that includes news/talk WSGW-AM/FM, urban contemporary WTLZ, hot AC WGER, and country WCEN.
Thomas has served with iHeartMedia in the Riverside, California market and with Regent Communications and Townsquare Media in Flint and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Alpha EVP of the Midwest Region George Pelletier says, “Mark has great experience as a local market manager. He brings an exceptional understanding of local programming, sales and community broadcasting to the Alpha team in Saginaw. We are happy to welcome Mark ‘home’ to Michigan.”…..SAG-AFTRA and Spanish Broadcasting System are at odds over alleged labor law violations. The union held an event at the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor to draw attention to what it says is SBS’ disregard for its staffers. SAG-AFTRA says some SBS employees at KLAX “La Raza 97.9 FM” and KXOL “MEGA 96.3 FM” were unlawfully terminated after a 2016 majority vote to unionize. The union also says SBS has “failed to negotiate a fair contract with the union, and refuses to engage in good faith bargaining over economics, including wages.” SAG-AFTRA delivered a letter to California Labor Commissioner Julie Su requesting her department “vigorously investigate the rampant violations of California wage and hour laws at SBS. Over the past 12 months, the company has also engaged in 
extensive and severe unfair labor practices, which are currently pending before the National Labor Relations Board. It has also done everything possible to hamper its negotiations with SAG-AFTRA.”…..In Denver, Entercom promotes part-timer Rosa Jad to full-time evening personality on rhythmic CHR KQKS “KS1075.” Jad has been with the station for four years and says, “I’m super excited to be the new night show host for ‘KS107.5!’ It’s been a dream of mine for years! I’m looking forward to putting on an entertaining show for the city!”…..SiriusXM announces today The National will perform a special, intimate show exclusively for SiriusXM on Friday, September 8, to celebrate the release of their new album, Sleep Well Beast. The performance live from the Bowery Ballroom in New York City will air on the SiriusXMU channel.
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
CBS News Radio and Skyview Partner. Another big network news deal for Skyview Networks after the company announced its renewed deal with ABC Radio last week. This partnership with CBS News Radio for distribution, inventory management and sales begins on January 1 of 2018. A press
statement says, “The new exclusive multi-year agreement will enable CBS News Radio to further strengthen its direct relationship with its prominent family of affiliated stations and control its affiliate relations, marketing, sales, distribution and best-in-class technology in-house.” Skyview president Ken 
Thiele says, “We are proud to forge a new partnership with CBS News Radio. This agreement powers CBS News Radio on sales and broadcast distribution operations to provide the finest and most accessible experience for affiliates, listeners and advertisers.” CBS News CFO Charles Pavlounis adds, “Our new agreement with Skyview Networks will strengthen our distribution and advertising sales efforts. This collaboration will assure our 30 million weekly listeners that they will continue to get the highest level of quality journalism they are accustomed to, while also providing for new opportunities for growth.” CBS News Radio is currently distributed by Westwood One.
Urban One Q2 Net Revenue Down 4.1%. Citing net revenue of $117.6 million during the second quarter of 2017, Urban One – formerly Radio One – reports that figure represents a decrease of 4.1% compared to the same period a year ago. Breaking it down, the company says broadcast and digital operating income was approximately $41.8 million, a decrease of 14.6% from the same period in 2016. Operating income was approximately $12.1 million for the quarter, compared to $27.7 million for the 
same period in 2016. Urban One CEO and president Alfred C. Liggins, III, says, “Our radio broadcasting revenues improved sequentially from Q1, and also within the quarter itself with June being up 2.3% vs 2017. According to Miller Kaplan, we outperformed our markets by 190Bps in June, which is encouraging. This sequential improvement looks likely to continue for Q3, which is currently pacing (–2.9%). Reach Media continued to experience a soft marketplace for multi-cultural network advertising spend, which was somewhat offset by the success of their Tom Joyner Fantastic Voyage cruise. TV One experienced soft ratings, which resulted in a 5.9% decline in net advertising revenues for the quarter. We still believe that TV One will achieve the Adjusted EBITDA guidance of $82-84 million provided on the last earnings call, driven by improved affiliate revenues projected for H2. Our digital segment revenues benefitted from the acquisition of the Bossip and Madame Noire brands, and we have continued to invest in short-form video and data analytics which should help drive long-term growth for our digital businesses.”
WFLA, Tampa Morning Co-Host Tedd Webb Recovering from Heart Attack. Officials at
iHeartMedia Tampa are not saying how long they expect morning personality Tedd Webb to be away from the microphone but station manager David Bell tells the Tampa Bay Times, “We want him to do what is best for him.” Webb – who co-hosts the AM drive show on news/talk WFLA-AM with Jack Harris – has a history of heart issues. He had a quadruple bypass in 1999 and has since battled congestive heart failure, according to the Times piece. Read it here.
Dean Canter Named SVP of National Sales for PodcastOne. Media sales pro Dean Canter joins PodcastOne as SVP of national sales. Canter will “oversee all regional sales offices for the company, in addition to developing strategic initiatives, innovating new advertiser opportunities, and 
driving industry trends in the rapidly growing podcast market.” PodcastOne executive chairman and founder Norm Pattiz says, “It’s rare to find someone with an extensive radio background who understands podcasting as well as Dean does. Working with Kit Gray, Greg Batusic, and our existing management team and sales force, Dean brings history and an uncanny appreciation of the medium that fits perfectly with our expansion.”
Entercom New Orleans Market Manager Chris Claus to Retire. Thirty-five-year broadcasting pro Chris Claus will retire from his current position as vice president and market manager for
Entercom’s New Orleans cluster on August 31. Claus has been in this position with Entercom since 2007. Entercom president of sales Deborah Kane says, “Chris championed New Orleans during the critical post-Katrina period, during Hurricane Gustav in 2008 and throughout the Deepwater Horizon/BP Oil spill in 2010. Chris’ engaging style of management, his unwavering professionalism and his heart has made an indelible imprint on Entercom employees and the community at large.” Claus says, “I am grateful for these 10 years in the New Orleans cluster working with exceptional colleagues and being a part of this great community. I had a wonderful experience and now I look forward to spending time with my family.”
TALKERS News Notes. TVNewser reports the July ratings for the cable news/talk channels and
notes that MSNBC “finished No. 1 across cable news in weekday prime time among viewers from the ad-friendly A25-54 demographic as well as in the 
younger A18-49 demo.” MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow finished the month #1 across all demos – A18-49, A25-54, and total viewers. Although MSNBC was tops A25-54 in prime time (8:00 pm to 11:00 pm) for the month, Fox News Channel maintained its #1 standing among all viewers…..In Denver, former college and pro football star Mike Pritchard joins the KKFN-FM “Sports Radio 104.3 The Fan” staff as a contributor. Pritchard will also co-host the “Pritchard and Cecil” program alongside Cecil Lammey weekdays from 9:00 am to 10:00 am, starting August 16. Pritchard most recently co-hosted a show on Lotus Broadcasting’s KWWN, Las Vegas “1100 ESPN.” He’s also been doing color commentary for UNLV football…..American Urban Radio Networks elevates Lenore Williams to SVP/affiliate operations and compliance. Williams began her career as traffic manager with one of AURN’s owned-and-operated stations. Since 2006, she’s been VP of affiliate operations and compliance…..Yesterday (8/1), Ken Lormand celebrated his 18th year with Salem Radio Network as managing editor and Washington bureau chief.
Congressional Health Care Hearings, Trump West Wing Changes, North Korea Nuke Threats, Sessions Opioid Crisis Speech, Maduro’s Venezuelan Dictatorship, Seth Rich Story Lawsuit, Peanut Butter Jailbreak, MLB Action, and NFL Training Camps Open Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (8/1). The Senate agrees to hold bi-partisan health care hearings on fate of Affordable Care Act; the various changes in the Trump Administration’s West Wing, including the exit of Anthony Scaramucci and Reince Priebus and the arrival of new Chief of Staff John Kelly; North Korea’s nuclear threats and the U.S.’ military options; Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ scheduled speech in Ohio today addressing the nation’s opioid crisis; the U.S.’s response to Nicolas Maduro’s ruling of Venezuela; Fox News and the White House alleged to conspire in creating Seth Rich-Wikileaks connection in private investigator’s lawsuit; Alabama cons escape prison using peanut butter; Major League Baseball action; and NFL training camps underway among top news/talk stories yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
TALKERS 2017 Convention Videos Continue Posting Today (8/2) with luncheon address by Salem Radio Network host Joe Walsh (with introduction by Phil Boyce). The entire agenda of the recent Talkers 2017: A New Era national talk media convention has been video recorded and its sessions are being posted to Talkers.com – one event per day. Already posted are:
– The “Welcoming Remarks” by WMAL, Washington, DC afternoon drive host Larry O’ Connor (including an introduction by TalkersRadio GM David Bernstein).
– The special presentation “You HAVE Options” by consultant Holland Cooke (including an introduction by Yappy Days author Bernadette Duncan).
– The “Fireside Chat” between TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison and Premiere Networks/Fox News Channel host Sean Hannity (with introduction by Westwood One host Jim Bohannon).
– The “Fireside Chat” between TALKERS managing editor Mike Kinosian and WFAN, New York sports talk show host Mike Francesa (with introduction by Sabo Media CEO Walter Sabo).
– The special presentation “The Trump Effect: Latest Research of Interest to News/Talk Radio” by Salem Radio Network SVP Phil Boyce (with introduction by Pioneer Valley Radio GM/host Brad Shepard).
– The special presentation “Podcasting and Local Radio” by PodcastOne excutive chairman Norm Pattiz (with introduction by Hubbard Radio SVP/programming Greg Strassell).
– The first, second and third in a series of three consecutive “one-on-one” sessions discussing the topic “Maximizing Talk Radio’s Multi-Platform Potential for Reach and Revenue” featuring conversations between WABC, New York, PD Craig Schwalb and KGO, San Francisco host Ethan Bearman, Bold Gold Media Group president/CEO Vince Benedetto and DGital Media managing partner Ron Hartenbaum, and nationally syndicated host Dr. Asa Andrew and TalkersRadio GM David Bernstein. All three sessions are facilitated by Sirius/XM Satellite Radio host Karen Hunter.
– A “one-on-one” dialogue titled “Radio That Makes a Difference” featuring the SiriusXM Satellite Radio husband/wife team of host Joe Madison and executive producer Sharon Madison (introduced by Sirius/XM Satellite Radio VP/GM talk programming Dave Gorab).
– A “Fireside Chat” featuring former CBS Radio president/CEO and Broadcasters Foundation of America chairman Dan Mason being interviewed by WPGG, Atlantic City morning host Harry Hurley (with introduction by BOB-FM, London morning host Graham Mack).
– A “Fireside Chat” featuring Emmis Communications CEO/chairman Jeff Smulyan being interviewed by TALKERS VP/executive editor Kevin Casey (with an introduction by Bentley University professor/TALKERS legal editor Steve Weisman).
– The series of four “one-on-one” dialogues titled “The Challenges of Doing Talk Radio in 2017.” They feature a conversation between WYD Media syndicated host Thom Hartmann and Cumulus Media corporate PD/WMAL, Washington PD Bill Hess(introduced by Moceri Media president Greg Moceri), a conversation between morning co-host of WAQY-FM (Rock102), Springfield, MA Mike “Bax” Baxendale and morning host of WOLB, Baltimore Larry Young, and a conversation between Cumulus Media EVP programming and content Mike McVay and Premiere Networks president Julie Talbott (facilitated by ABC News Radio VP/GM Steve Jones).
– The series of four “one-on-one” dialogues collectively titled, “Where Does Talk Media Go From Here?” featuring a conversation between WRHU, Hofstra University OM John T. Mullen and WRFH, Hillsdale College GM Scot Bertram; a conversation between The New Normal CEO/founder/host Tom Leykis and syndicated host Michael Berry; a conversation between The Weiss AgencyEVP Heather Cohen and Fox News Radio/Fox News Channel host Brian Kilmeade; and a conversation between WPHT, Philadelphia host Dom Giordano and GCN syndicated host Dr. Daliah Wachs (facilitated by WOR, New York APD Scott Lakefield). At the conclusion, Dr. Wachs is presented the TALKERS “Humanitarian of the Year” award by Michael Harrison.
– Three memorial tributes by Westwood One host Jim Bohannon dedicated to major talk show personalities and longtimeTALKERS Convention participants who passed away this past year: Tom Marr, Dr. Joy Browne and Alan Colmes. (Introduction by Stephan Multimedia CEO/host, Doug Stephan.)
– Presentation of the 2017 “Woman of the Year” award to Cumulus Media president/CEO Mary Berner by TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison.
– TODAY (8/2) we post the special luncheon greeting by Salem Radio Network syndicated host Joe Walsh (with introduction by SRN VP Phil Boyce).
Within the following days, every session will be posted and will remain on Talkers.com for the rest of the year. The Talkers 2017: A New Era video page is sponsored by Backbone Networks, Broadcasters General Store and Comrex Corp. To view the video page of Talkers 2017: A New Era, please click here.
Music Radio News and Career Moves. Rock programmer Mat Bates is the new program director at Cumulus Media’s San Francisco triple A KFOG. Most recently Bates was with Pandora as head of programming – rock formats. He’d also served with
Rdio as global head of music and curation; as senior manager/radio programming with Slacker; and at KXTE, Las Vegas; XETRA, San Diego and more. Cumulus Media San Francisco vice president and market manager Justin Wittmayer says, “Mat Bates is poised to take the Bay Area’s most indelible rock brand – KFOG – into the future with his unique professional background and successes marrying broadcast radio with digital platforms. He lives the format, is well connected in the Bay Area, and brings a new mindset to KFOG. Mat will work with the KFOG team to bring rock’s past and future together in a powerful alchemy that listeners and advertisers will respond to in a big way.” Bates adds, “I’ve spent the last decade applying the best parts of broadcast radio to emerging digital platforms. I’m really excited to now take the things that music tech does well and apply those to such a legendary and beloved radio station. KFOG already has all the necessary pieces; it’s up to us to assemble them correctly now.”…..In Milwaukee, market radio pro Wes McKane is let go by Entercom where he was co-hosting the morning drive program with Elizabeth Kay on hot AC WMYX. McKane wrote on Facebook, “Today I close a long chapter in my life. After almost 16 years at ‘103.7 KISS FM’ and ‘99.1 The Mix’ I am no longer with the company. I 
accept that my former management had to make a difficult decision. I got a chance to work with some of the best radio personalities in the industry with Rahny, Riggs, Elizabeth Kay, David Stein, other personalities, sales staff, promotions, business office and management.”…..It’s official in Atlanta as Cox Media Group CHR WSB-FM “B98.5” names Charly Morgan midday personality. CMG Atlanta director of branding and programming Chris Eagan says, “I’ve been listening to Charly on WNGC for years – her sound, personality and style are a perfect fit for ‘B98.5.’ She’s warm, friendly, and fun on the air and off, a
great addition to our Atlanta team.”…..CBS RADIO adult contemporary outlet KYKY, San Diego announces the addition of the “AJ Mornings” program – featuring AJ Machado and Sara Perry – starting August 7. KYKY program director Chris Patyk comments, “We’re super excited about this new morning show and have been looking forward to making this announcement. AJ’s been waking up San Diego for 17 years and counting. 
The addition of Sara – who has logged nearly the same amount of time on the air – will make the new KYKY morning show an exciting and fresh way for our listeners to start their day.”…..The “Sunday Night Blues Room,” featuring long time radio veteran Steve Pringle, returns to the Portland airwaves on Entercom’s classic rock KGON. Program director Chris Crowley says of the 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm show, “The ‘Sunday Night Blues Room’ began on KGON and it’s only fitting that we host it once again. The addition of the show and host Steve Pringle only serve to prove that KGON is committed to our community and committed to playing the greatest music ever recorded.”
Hannity’s Battle Is Our Battle
By Bryan Crabtree
WGKA, Atlanta
Talk Show Host
ATLANTA — I am deeply troubled by what I see happening to Sean Hannity. His demise is of no benefit to anyone in the talk radio industry. In fact, it’s detrimental (even if he’s on your competitor).
This is a wake-up call to managers, sales departments and hosts at talk radio stations. We are allowing ourselves to become victims of political ‘scalpings.’ This is not a new phenomenon but it’s intensity is growing.
Talk radio hosts now face one of the biggest threats in our history: the unfettered attacks on our advertisers because we are doing our jobs.
Echo Chamber: Mad About Maddow
By Holland Cooke
Media Consultant
BLOCK ISLAND, RI — Seen the flames? Seen the numbers?
MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow scored the biggest ratings in the history of her show as she displayed a copy of Donald Trump’s 2005 tax return, anonymously mailed to a reporter. Although many radio talkers – and some radio gurus – were quick to shrug it off as unsustainable, new news since is that Maddow has now beat rival Fox News Channel for a second straight week 25-54.
Admittedly, radio folk tend to do cartwheels when WE spike, and to diss other guys when THEY do. Still, the social media backlash – from media people — was discouraging. The unison damned Maddow for sustaining viewers’ attention for two whole quarter hours…as though that’s not how we too get paid. “Big hype! Big letdown! Only two pages!”
Monday, June 13, 2016
Cox Media Group Orlando Holds Live Roundtable Discussion on All Six Stations. Orlando news and radio personalities today broadcast a two-hour live panel discussion about the weekend massacre at Orlando’s Pulse night club. The program aired on all Cox Media Group stations in the market and will include the following talent: host and moderator Joe Kelley of news/talk WDBO “News 96.5,” AJ and Ashley from WWKA, the “Obie and Lil Shawn Morning Show” from WPYO “Power 95.3,” Monica May from WCFB “Star 94.5,” Denise Ryan from WMMO and also joining the panel will be Brian Kilmeade, host of “Fox & Friends” on Fox News Channel and host of “Kilmeade & Friends” on Fox News Radio.
Talk and News Radio respond to Orlando Massacre. The early Sunday morning assault on unsuspecting
club-goers in Orlando is turning out to be the deadliest mass shooting in America, carried out by a suspected militant Islamist. Most Americans woke up to news of the massacre on Sunday morning and network radio news was on top of the story, updating the details as they became available. Salem Radio Network nationally syndicated talk host Mike Gallagher is pictured at right at a 
vigil for the victims in a park a short distance from the scene of the crime – the Pulse nightclub. On the scene with national and international media, Gallagher spoke with victims, their families and others in preparation for today’s program live from Orlando…..CBS Radio News correspondent Jim Krasula is pictured at left on Orange Avenue in Orlando – a half block from the Pulse nightclub. Krasula was joined by colleagues Peter King and Steve Futterman as CBS Radio News provided long and short form coverage of the crime.
Orlando Nightclub Massacre, the Presidential Race, ‘Voice’ Contestant Slain, Stanford Rape Sentencing Aftermath, Muhammad Ali Funeral, and NBA-NHL Finals Among Top News/Talk Stories Over the Weekend. The massacre of 50 and wounding of many others at a gay nightclub in Orlando by a suspected militant Islamist; the activities of the candidates for president; the murder of former “The Voice” contestant Christina Grimmie at a public event in Orlando; ongoing talk about the sentencing of a former Stanford student convicted of rape; the funeral of boxing legend Muhammad Ali; and the NBA and NHL Finals were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio over the weekend.
Nielsen Audio Releases Fourth Round of May 2016 PPM Data. The fourth of four rounds of May 2016 PPM ratings data from Nielsen Audio has been released for 12 markets including: Austin, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Providence, Raleigh, Norfolk, Nashville, Greensboro, West Palm Beach, Jacksonville, Memphis, and Hartford. The May 2016 survey period covered April 21 to May 18. You can find the complete 6+ ratings numbers from subscribing stations here. Additionally, TALKERS/RadioInfo managing editor Mike Kinosian provides his “Twelve Takeaways” from this group on the main page of our sister publication here.
Rich Zeoli’s Rendell Interview Sparks Warren VP Qualification Chatter. Philadelphia talk radio personality Rich Zeoli’s WPHT afternoon drive program started a bit of a media fire after former Democratic Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell told Zeoli that U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) was “in no way ready to be vice president.” Zeoli tells TALKERS magazine that “Rachel Maddow mentioned it in her interview with Senator Warren last night [Thurs. 6/9]. Politico, Breitbart, BuzzFeed, Mediaite, Realclearpolitics, and several other national sites picked up the story and several even properly credited my show!”
Haute Mom Adrianna Costa Launches PodcastOne Show. Popular blogger Adrianna Costa – the woman behind the Haute Mom’s Life blog is launching a podcast component to her brand, in partnership with PodcastOne. Costa’s career includes numerous gigs as an entertainment reporter and a reality show personality. In her new podcast, she “extends the ‘celebration of the Hottie in every Mommy.’” Costa says, “I’m truly bursting at the seams with excitement about this latest venture teaming up with PodcastOne! What a killer opportunity to share new ways to simplify and enhance lives through this unique, no-holds-barred forum where we’ll delve into the vast world of mommyhood.”
Seacoast Media Group Launches Internet Radio Station in NH and Coastal Maine Market. New Hampshire-based Seacoast Media Group – a subsidiary of Pittsford, New York-based GateHouse Media – is launching an internet radio station branded Edge Radio. Seacoast publishes the Portsmouth Herald, the Rochester Times, the Hampton Union, the Exeter News-Letter, and Fosters Daily Democrat. The streaming station launched this morning at 6:00 am with former WOKQ, Rochester staffer Megan Brady hosting the morning talk show.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
CBS Radio’s WPHT, Philadelphia to Add Dick Morris for PM Drive. The station is making programming moves in anticipation of Michael Smerconish’s departure to SiriusXM Satellite Radio in April and announces political consultant, author and media personality Dick Morris will begin hosting the 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm shift. Currently, Smerconish is on from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm followed by Rich Zeoli and Steve Martorano from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. WPHT does not say if Zeoli and Martorano will remain with the station and be moved to the 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm slot or if it has other plans yet to be announced. CBS Philadelphia SVP and market manager Marc Rayfield states, “Dick is a great addition to our lineup of live and local personalities, and provides a voice that will raise the audiences’ interest in what’s happening in politics today. As someone who isn’t afraid to express his opinions or make bold predictions, his show won’t just be a win for Philadelphia and WPHT, it’s a win for radio.”
MSNBC’s Ed Schultz to Move to Weekend Slot. News/talk personality Ed Schultz announced at the end of his Wednesday evening program that he will be vacating the 8:00 pm ET time slot on MSNBC to begin hosting a two-hour weekend program on both Saturday and Sunday – from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm beginning in April. Saying it is “a big opportunity for ‘The Ed Show’ and my brand.” Schultz said on the air that the five-nights-per-week gig isn’t for him and he’s looking forward to more time to prepare stories. He told viewers, “I raised my hand for this assignment for a number of personal and professional reasons…My fight on ‘The Ed Show’ has been for the workers and the middle class. This new time slot will give me the opportunity to produce and focus on stories that I care about and are important to American families and American workers.” MSNBC offered a congratulatory statement from Phil Griffin but is not announcing just yet who will take over the slot leading into the channel’s prime time star, Rachel Maddow. Schultz’s program has performed well for the network. On Tuesday, March 12, for example, Schultz came in second to Fox News Channel’s Bill O’Reilly but beat CNN’s Anderson Cooper in most demographics (in Persons 25-54 Schultz grabbed 195,000 to Cooper’s 170,000, according to TVByTheNumbers.com). Schultz also fared better than his lead-in, Chris Matthews. Schultz continues to host his nationally syndicated talk radio program.
Bonneville Seattle Announces Programming Appointments. Vice president and market manager Carl Gardner promotes KIRO-FM news director Pete Gammell to program director for news/talk KIRO-FM; KIRO-FM assistant program director Jason Antebi to PD of sister news/talk KTTH and sports talk KIRO-AM “710 ESPN” program director Brian Long to senior director of programming for the Bonneville Seattle stations. Gardner says of Long, “Brian is a talented 
programmer and proven ratings winner. He brings experience, focus, and a leadership style that will be invaluable to our content teams on all three stations.” The programming positions opened up when programmer Larry Gifford announced he would be leaving the KIRO-FM and KTTH stations back in early February. On Gammell’s rise 
to PD, Gardner states, “Pete instinctively understands KIRO Radio. He was born and raised in Tacoma, educated in Seattle, came up through the KIRO Radio newsroom and has been a leader in shaping KIRO’s distinctive blend of news and conversation. More than anyone, Pete just gets the unique role this station plays in our community.” Gammell began his radio career at KIRO Radio in 2000 and moved to San Francisco to work as associate news director at KCBS, San Francisco from 2006 to 2008. Jason Antebi, who will run the day-to-day programming of KTTH and continue in his role as the architect of KIRO Radio Weekends, worked as a producer in Los Angeles at KLSX, KRLA and KFI (2006-08). He served as executive producer at Greenstone Media and as an executive producer of the TRN-syndicated Phil Hendrie show.
TALKERS magazine Unveils the 2013 Heavy Hundred. The editors of TALKERS magazine, with input from industry leaders, present the 100 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts in America –– a popular annual feature that has come to be known as the “Heavy Hundred.” This is one of the most challenging tasks that TALKERS undertakes each year considering that there are thousands of talk show hosts across the country, ranging from national icons to those laboring in relative obscurity. Aside from the hosts whose sheer numbers and fame demand their inclusion on this list, the selection process is subjective with the goal being to create a list reflective of the industry’s diversity and total flavor as well as giving credit where credit is due. The TALKERS magazine editors who painstakingly compile this super-list draw upon a combination of hard and soft factors when evaluating candidates. These include (in alphabetical order): courage, effort, impact, longevity, potential, ratings, recognition, revenue, service, talent and uniqueness. We acknowledge that it is as much art as science and that the results are arguable. There is one concrete qualification for inclusion. Hosts must be working at the time TALKERS magazine initially posts the list in order to be considered. They must have a regularly scheduled professional show on the air at a minimum of one terrestrial or satellite radio station at “press time.” The list remains intact from that point forward until the next year’s edition. In past years, TALKERS magazine has included sports talk hosts in the Heavy Hundred. Last year, due to the massive growth in the sports talk genre, sports talk radio has earned a Heavy Hundred of its own, the 2013 installment of which will be published by TALKERS in the coming months. TALKERS magazine salutes the fine broadcasters who made this year’s list. To view it, click here.
Martha Zoller’s Gettin’ Busy. Georgia talk show host Martha Zoller recently returned to the radio after an unsuccessful run for Congress last year. She’s heard on Cox Media Group’s WGAU, Athens in AM drive with co-host Tim Bryant and – she tells TALKERS – now on about 10 affiliate stations across the state.
KMOX, St. Louis Brings Chris Hrabe in from Memphis for Evening Sports Show. The 9:00 pm to 12:00 midnight “Dave Sinclair Sports Hub” has a new host as KMOX brings Chris Hrabe in from Flinn Broadcasting’s WHBQ, Memphis, beginning April 4. Hrabe (pronounced RAY-bee) will host Cardinals and Blues post-game shows in addition to the aforementioned shift. He’ll also be responsible for contributing content to KMOX.com. Director of programming and operations Steve Moore states, “Chris is a terrific addition to our sports team. He’s a talented and accomplished broadcaster, with roots in the Midwest. He’s well versed in Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League and his recent career experience has provided him tremendous insight into the Southeastern Conference. Sports fans in St. Louis will be pleased to hear his fresh insights and we are confident he’ll make an immediate impact on our programming.”
Savvy Texas Broadcaster Brings Pontiff Selection to Local Audience. Radio consultant Holland Cooke reports to TALKERS about KTBB, Tyler, Texas owner Paul Gleiser’s taking ownership of the new Pope selection story. He writes: Station managers across the US were already coping with ownership demands for digital and social media revenue as two news items this week complicated such planning: Arbitron issued a “Social Media Do’s & Don’ts” memo and the Federal Trade Commission issued guidelines for sponsored social media content. Meanwhile, KTBB, Tyler owner/GM/pundit Paul Gleiser (pictured at left in Vatican City) spent a week in Rome…making money with internet content…in market #142. Full disclosure: Paul is my longtime, long-suffering client; and, admittedly, his coverage of this week’s papal transition hit the ground running because he covered the same story eight years ago. In both cases, he sold the sponsorship to – you guessed it – the local Catholic hospital. And he’s a Methodist! Other local advertisers fund his on-site coverage of the national political conventions every four years, and the full week he and his sports guy spend at the Super Bowl run-up, and other special stuff. Those sponsors get extra bang for their buck when the local TV station Paul also filed for let him plug them on the tube. Win-win-win. All accomplished with equipment in checked luggage, and an assist from ABC News Radio, of which KTBB is an affiliate. See/hear/read what Paul filed from Rome here, and ask yourself “Why not?” What can you craft for advertisers that delivers them, and your listeners, something special?
KINB, Oklahoma City Flips to Sports Talk. The Kingfisher, Oklahoma-licensed FM station had been airing a standards format for the past two years (it was an alternative outlet before that). The station is part of the Last Bastion Trust including other stations Citadel had to jettison in order to complete the 2007 ABC Radio deal. A proposed sale to Ferris O’Brien in 2010 never was consummated and the station’s remained in the trust ever since. The flip from “105.3 The Martini” to “105.3 The Pro” using CBS Sports Radio Network’s programming happened on March 12.
Odds & Sods. Keith Olbermann settles with Current TV over his firing. According to numerous media reports – including The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline.com – though the details are confidential, Olbermann and Current TV have settled his $50 million suit against the Al Gore-owned cable network that’s in the process of being sold to Al Jazeera…..Clear Channel’s sports KTKR, San Antonio agrees to renew its deal with the Houston Astros to carry the team’s games during the 2013 season…..Mark Evans moves from adult contemporary WIKY, Evansville, Indiana to sunny San Diego to become the news man on the “Mornings with Chip and LaDona” AM drive show at Clear Channel’s KOGO.
Washington Sequester/Deficit Battle, New Pope Named, North Korea Threats, Upstate New York Shootings, and Gun Legislation Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (3/13). The debate in Washington over the sequester and moves to reduce the budget deficit; Catholic Church names new Pope; ongoing threats by North Korea; fatal shooting rampage in Upstate New York; and gun legislation proposals were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Opinion: Phil Valentine Says Fear of Offending is Lethal to Talk Show Hosts. Dial Global talk show host Phil Valentine responds to TALKERS sports editor Richard Neer stating just the fear of offending someone puts all talk hosts on a slippery slope and the latest “guidelines” from the Asian American Journalists Association take it to an absurd extreme. Read Phil’s piece here.
Harris Poll of “America’s Favorite News Personalities” Sure to Cause a Stir; Diane Sawyer America’s Fave, Rush Limbaugh Not. This recent poll of 2,016 American adults conducted by Harris Interactive lumps a list of 26 news anchors, interviewers and radio and television talk show hosts into one broad category – “news and current affairs personalities” – and asks the subjects which three are their favorites and which three are their least favorites. The results? Diane Sawyer, Anderson Cooper, Brian Williams and Bill O’Reilly (tied with Barbara Walters) land in the top four spots for favorite. In the least favorite category, Rush Limbaugh, Nancy Grace, Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity fill the top four spots. The fact that news anchors and talk show hosts are lumped together for the purposes of this poll is interesting. At TALKERS, we consider them very different animals. One has to wonder how many typical media consumers consider the duties Diane Sawyer handles on a daily basis and what Rush Limbaugh does on his program to be the same or similar (even though Limbaugh often refers to himself as “America’s Anchorman!”) Breaking down the results by political affiliation shows the following results: Among Republicans the four favorites are Bill O’Reilly, Sean Hannity, Limbaugh and Diane Sawyer. Among Democrats the four favorites are: Sawyer, Anderson Cooper, Brian Williams (tied for second), and Barbara Walters. What may be the most interesting facet of this poll from a statistical standpoint is independents ranked their top four favorites the same as the “general population”: Sawyer, Cooper, Williams and O’Reilly. If you landed high on the least favorite side of this poll, it apparently doesn’t necessarily hurt your listenership/viewership. While CNN’s AC 360 (Anderson Cooper’s prime time show) garnered 648,000 total viewers (average) during November of last year according to Nielsen, Rush Limbaugh’s estimated weekly cume during the same period was more than 15 million, according to TALKERS. These are not the same measurement systems but the difference is stark, nonetheless. Back to cable/news talk for a moment; MSNBC’s Ed Schultz beat CNN’s AC 360 (head-to-head competition) in the November ’11 Nielsens with 944,000 total viewers. However, Ed Schultz wasn’t even offered as one of the 26 “news and current affairs personalities” to those taking the poll. MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow was included in the poll. She came in tied for seventh favorite with 7% of all respondents naming her their fave.
Entercom Kansas City Drops Classical for Business Talk Radio on KUDL. Entercom plans to drop the classical music on KUDL 1660 – Radio Bach – and will turn the station to a business talk-formatted outlet as early as this week with an official start on March 5, according to local reports. Former KMBZ talk host Mike Shanin is expected to host an 11:00 am to 1:00 pm program and, according to Bottom Line Communications, the station will be closely aligned with and cross-promoted by sister news/talk KMBZ-AM/FM. While there is no official word from Entercom Kansas City, it’s being reported the station will carry programming from the Wall Street Journal Radio Network, Bloomberg Radio and is developing more local programming. Entercom donated its classical music library to Kansas Public Radio and University of Kansas.
Black Leaders in Southern California Still Upset with John and Ken. KFI, Los Angeles PM drive hosts John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou returned to the air yesterday after a seven-day suspension for using the words “crack ho” while discussing the death of Whitney Houston. There are black leaders in Los Angeles still upset the duo have not been fired and the Los Angeles Times reports California State Senator Curren D. Price, Jr. was one of a number of black leaders scheduled to meet with Clear Channel management yesterday before John and Ken took to the air. Citing the duo’s penchant for controversy, the leaders are asking for KFI to replace them. Senator Price is quoted in the Times saying, “There are many thoughtful and talented journalists in Southern California. KFI-AM needs to replace John and Ken with some of them. I’m sure their radio sponsors will be grateful.”
Photographer Takes Radio Station to the Court of Public Opinion. Harrison Strategies senior partner and broadcasting attorney Matthew B. Harrison writes that it is important to know more about intellectual property law than just enough to avoid litigation. Disputes involving intellectual property aren’t always played out civilly within the established legal system. Brawls are erupting in the Wild West of social networking, where threats of litigation don’t have much standing and unconventional is the nature of attacks. Read Harrison’s column here.
CBS Sports Network Debuts; Jim Rome Debuts April 3. The CBS Sports Network is up and running in time for the college basketball post-season. CBS’ new cable and satellite channel will attempt to capitalize on CBS’ long history of sports programming and will use personality-based shows to try to compete with ESPN. Premiere Networks talk radio star Jim Rome is leaving ESPN to take his cable TV show to CBS Sports Network beginning April 3. Veteran television and radio sports personality Tim Brando’s 10:00 am to 1:00 pm ET daily radio talk show on Yahoo! Sports Radio is being simulcast on the new channel.
“America’s Healthcare Advocate” Hits 60 Affiliate Mark. The Kansas City-based “America’s Healthcare Advocate” show hosted by Cary Hall announces it is now heard on 60 affiliate stations across the country. Hall states, “If you would have asked me seven years ago whether this show would be nationally syndicated on 60 stations coast to coast, I would have said, ‘impossible!’ It’s amazing to me how we continue to grow. Obviously the ongoing debate over PPACA (aka ObamaCare) has generated a tremendous amount of interest in our broadcast. Additionally, the informative shows we are able to do with nationally recognized experts in the health insurance and healthcare industries make us the go-to source across the country for information on these topics.”
GOP Primary Race/2012 Presidential Campaign, Iran Nuclear Ambitions, New WikiLeaks Release, Oscars and Ohio School Shooting Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (2/27). The GOP primaries on the eve of the Michigan and Arizona primaries, the continuing concern over Iran’s nuclear weapons program, WikiLeaks’ release of e-mails from a U.S. security firm, the Academy Awards and the shooting at an Ohio high school that left one student dead were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
Irish Eyes Are Smilin’. Irish Radio Network USA chairman and CEO Adrian Flannelly (r) and his wife and Irish News Network VP and executive producer Aine Sheridan (c) will be honored with the 2012 Ambassador of Ireland Award to be presented by the Saint Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke and the Republic of Ireland on Sunday, March 18, 2012 at the Yankee Pedlar Inn in Holyoke, Massachusetts by Consul General Michael Lonergan. Seated at left is Springfield City Councilor, former WHYN, Springfield talk show host and member of the Ambassador’s Award committee Kateri Walsh appearing on Flannelly’s program to announce this year’s recipients. The Ambassador’s Award recognizes individuals whose activities have brought the people of the United States and Ireland closer together. Flannelly and Sheridan are being honored together as a husband and wife whose professional careers personify that bridge-between-people that this prestigious award represents.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Hot Rumor! Dial Global’s Thom Hartmann and Ed Schultz are cooperating to deliver a one-two punch of top progressive talk radio. TALKERS columnist Mona Lipschitz reports her sources indicate two of the industry’s biggest progressive talk radio hosts – both syndicated by Dial Global and currently distributed live at the same time – are agreeing to be heard live back-to-back in order to give affiliates six straight hours of quality lib talk! Read more here.
Non-Com WAMU-FM, Washington News Director Resigns on Principle. Depending on whom you ask, former WAMU-FM, Washington news director Jim Asendio is either a very principled journalist or a relic of the past. Asendio resigned from the popular public radio station as news director after 
learning that some of his reporters were to attend a get-together with high-profile donors and he was expected to attend as well. Asendio tells the Washington Post’s Erik Wemple that, after learning about the “major station event” and indicating to management that he would not attend because it broke down the “firewall” between the journalistic and the business aspects of operating the station, he was told his refusal would signal he was not part of the team and that would be a problem. Instead, Asendio chose to resign his position. Licensee American University has no comment on the matter and Asendio says he wishes his newsroom “all the success.”
Opinion: When it Comes to Ethnic Slurs, Just Don’t Go There. In his latest column, TALKERS sports editor Richard Neer writes that American broadcasting standards are changing. Anyone who is on the air or writes for broadcast has to be especially aware of and sensitive to words and phrases that can be interpreted as ethnic slurs. As the recent cases involving sports media giant ESPN and New York Knicks star Jeremy Lin and KFI, Los Angeles’ John and Ken and the death of Whitney Houston illustrate, there are no more excuses for not “getting it.” Read more here.
MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, Premiere Networks’ Delilah, Fox Sports Radio’s Deb Carson and Greater Media’s Sheri Lynch Among 2012 Gracie Award Winners. The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation announces the 2012 national winners of the 37th Annual Gracie Awards 
to be presented on May 22 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. The Gracies recognize “exemplary programming created for women, by women and about women in all facets of media and entertainment, as
well as individuals who have made contributions to the industry. The awards program also encourages the realistic and multifaceted portrayal of women in entertainment, news, features and other programs.” MSNBC star Rachel Maddow is being recognized in the “Outstanding Host – News/Non-Fiction” category. Premiere Networks late-night radio host Delilah is named the winner in the “Outstanding Host – Entertainment/Information” category. Fox Sports Radio national sports anchor Deb Carson wins for “Outstanding Reporter/Correspondent.” Greater Media Charlotte-based talk host Sheri Lynch (of the Bob & Sheri show) wins for the Sheri Lynch Commencement Address in the “Outstanding Talk Show – Entertainment/Information” category.
Legendary Actress Hosting South Florida Talk Show. Show biz star Jo Ann Pflug – you probably remember her from her role as Lt. Maria “Dish” Schneider in the movie M*A*S*H – hosts a weekend talk show on Seaview Radio based at WSVU, North Palm Beach, Florida. Her unique show on this standards station targets the demo beautifully. TALKERS columnist Mona Lipschitz writes about Ms. Pflug’s show, and the station, in her latest column here.
CKWX, Vancouver Traffic Reporter Bruce Williams Dies Unexpectedly. Bruce Williams was a longtime traffic reporter and air personality at Rogers Media’s CKWX, Vancouver BC. He had been treated for colon cancer in 2010 but recovered quickly and returned to work at News 1130. Station program director Treena Wood states, “We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to Bruce’s family at this difficult time, and our hearts and thoughts are with them.” Vice president and general manager Geoff Poulton said, “Bruce will be remembered for his humility and as the first to lend a hand. He was the calm voice of reason for the afternoon commute, and will be deeply missed by all the entire Rogers Radio family and his loyal listeners.”
SRN’s Dennis Prager Does Live Event in Torrance, California on Sunday. The Salem Radio Network talk show host will appear at the James Armstrong Theater in Torrance, California on Sunday, February 26 to deliver a presentation titled, “Happiness is not a feeling: It’s a moral obligation.” The event is produced by the Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation and sponsored locally by Toyota Motor Sales USA. TCAF promotes Dennis Prager’s presentation stating, “One of America’s most popular speakers, Dennis Prager is truly a 21st century Renaissance Man. He’s a syndicated columnist and radio show host, bestselling author, a classical-music conductor, even a respected authority on morality, religion and happiness. Dennis comes to the Armstrong for another of his entertaining and enlightening speeches… reminding us that Happiness is not a feeling: It’s a moral obligation.”
GOP Primary Race/2012 Presidential Campaign, Syria Violence Claims Journalists, Afghanistan Protests, Iran Nuclear Ambitions, and Rising Gas Prices Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (2/22). The looming Michigan and Arizona GOP primaries and last night’s Republican debate in Phoenix; the ongoing violence in Syria and the deaths of two journalists there; continuing protests in Afghanistan over the desecration of a Koran at a U.S. military base; Iran’s nuclear ambitions; and rising gas prices in the United States were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
MSNBC’s Ed Schultz Moves to the 8:00 pm Hour. MSNBC brass are stirring up the pot in an attempt to boost its ratings by flipping “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell” and Ed Schultz’s “The Ed Show.” Schultz will air at 8:00 pm ET and O’Donnell at 10:00 pm. MSNBC president Phil Griffin believes Schultz’s style is a better fit for the 8:00 pm hour and a better lead-in to its highest-rated show, “The Rachel Maddow Show.” Although O’Donnell’s program has more than doubled the ratings over CNN competitor Anderson Cooper, O’Donnell’s ratings in the 25-54 demo have dropped over the last month while Schultz’s have increased. Griffin states, “As the name implies, ‘The Last Word’ belongs at the conclusion of our programming day, thoughtfully wrapping up the day’s political dialogue. Ed’s passionate voice is a perfect kick-off to primetime at 8:00 pm.” The changes take place Monday, October 24.
KQTH-FM, Tucson Morning Host Jon Justice Gets ‘Best of Tucson’ Honors. This is the second year in a row that morning drive host Jon Justice has been honored with the ‘Best Radio Personality’ award and the third that he’s nabbed the ‘Best Talk Show Host’ award in the readers poll from Tucson Weekly. KQTH-FM program director Ryan McCreddan says of the honors, “Congratulations to Jon Justice on his wins in the Tucson Weekly’s 2011 Best of Tucson! Jon and ‘104.1 The Truth’ have some of the most loyal listeners in town and it shows over and over again with accolades like this.”
Fox Business Network Receives Orders to Differentiate from Fox News Channel. It appears that Fox Business Network programming has been drifting toward the same appearance as its sister cable news/talker Fox News Channel. So much so that EVP of programming Kevin Magee issued a memo to FBN staff to stop imitating FNC, according to Reuters. Magee confirmed the memo to Reuters and told the news service that Fox Business has to continue to focus its programming on business-related issues and find its own voice. In the memo Magee wrote, “The more we make FBN look like FNC the more of a disservice we do to ourselves. If we give the audience a choice between FNC and the almost-FNC, they will choose FNC every time. Earnings, taxes, jobs etc give us PLENTY to chew on.” Fox Business has not fared well in the ratings compared to its closest competitor CNBC.
KOA, Denver Adds Broncos QB Tim Tebow to its Football Coverage. The newest Denver Broncos starting quarterback will make four weekly appearances on KOA during this football season. Tim Tebow will be heard on the station’s Broncos coverage Monday mornings, Friday afternoons (with former Bronco Dave Logan) on the game day pre-game show (taped, obviously) and live from the locker room after each game.
WGN, Chicago’s Dean Richards Hosts Annual Breast Cancer Special. For the past 14 years, WGN-TV entertainment reporter and WGN-AM weekend talk host Dean Richards has been hosting a special breast cancer program during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and he’ll do it again on Saturday, October 23 from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm. The live, three-hour special will examine where we are in the fight against breast cancer and feature a panel of the nation’s leading medical experts, moving survivor stories, resources for cancer patients, the latest research and more.
What Happens in Vegas… The GOP primary race has been a boon for news/talk radio with all of the colorful characters and talk radio’s unique relationship with the candidates. For Dial Global syndicated talk host Neal Boortz, his relationship with candidate Newt Gingrich is personal – Gingrich has subbed as a host of his program (as has candidate Hermain Cain). Pictured here is Boortz (r) and Gingrich (l) at the most recent GOP debate in Las Vegas.
2012 Presidential Race/GOP Debate Aftermath, ‘Occupy’ Movement, Obama Jobs Bill and Exotic Animal Owner Case Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (10/19). The aftermath of the Tuesday evening GOP candidates debate and the 2012 presidential election , the ‘Occupy’ movement, the battle over the Obama Administration’s jobs bill and the bizarre case of the Ohio exotic animal owner’s suicide and unleashing of dozens of wild animals were among the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday.
