Tag: "WAFS"

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Clear Channel Hires Bruce Gilbert for New Sports SVP Post.  Most recently, Bruce Gilbert has been the vice president of news, talk and sports programming at CBS Radio Dallas where he’s been in charge of KRLD-FM “105.3 The Fan,” KRLD-AM “Newsradio 1080,” and the Texas State Network.  Now he joins Clear Channel Media and Entertainment for the newly created position of senior vice president of sports operations.  CC says Gilbert will be “responsible for the creation, development and direction of sports programming at CCM+E, including Premiere Networks and the Fox Sports Radio Network.  He will also work with the National Programming Platforms team to expand sports branding across the company’s multiple platforms.”  Prior to CBS, Gilbert headed up Washington, D.C.-based Red Zebra Broadcasting as CEO, where he grew the company from three to 13 stations.  Gilbert also held the role of VP/general manager for the ESPN Radio Network, where he led programming, affiliations and sales for the network, and worked with owned-and-operated ESPN stations.  Premiere Networks EVP of news, talk and sports programming Carl Anderson states, “We are ecstatic to have one of the nation’s leading sports executives join our company.  Bruce has an amazing track record and unmatched dedication to building winning teams.  His credibility in the sports arena brings a wealth of expertise, knowledge and leadership to CCM+E.”  Some industry observers have noted Clear Channel has been lagging behind other major companies – especially CBS Radio and Entercom – in developing sports talk stations.  The arrival of Gilbert could signal a change and the company may begin to consider operating more sports talk stations.

Fox News Channel’s “The Five” Soaring in Ratings.  The 5:00 pm ET program “The Five” on Fox News Channel – co-hosted by Andrea Tantaros – has been climbing steadily in the ratings.  Last Friday, for example, the program logged more than 2 million viewers (Persons 2-plus), 339,000 viewers (Persons 25-54) and 807,000 (Persons 35-64), easily doubling its closest competitors on the other cable news/talk channels.  Andrea Tantaros is also host of her own talk radio program on Talk Radio Network (airing live from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon) alongside best-selling author Jason Mattera.  TRN CEO Mark Masters says he believes she’s the only female broadcaster to star in a weekday TV program and host a nationally syndicated talk radio program.  “In a post 2008-2009 economy, we have been seeking shows that are highly entertaining, yet responsible and profitable for our station affiliates and advertisers.  Andrea has the ability to do both.  She’s a fresh voice who will inject new energy to the airwaves.”

Bob Moore Joins Sports USA Media.  He’ll assume the title of president of Sports USA Media in his role with the independent sports play-by-play content syndicator.  Sports USA Media founder and CEO Larry Kahn says of him, “I’ve known Bob Moore for over 30 years.  His experience in working with play-by-play sports rights and creating programming around them is a perfect fit for us.  Bob has worked with multiple teams, including the L.A. Dodgers, the L.A. Kings, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the Anaheim Ducks, the Oakland Raiders, the USC Trojans, the New York Giants, and the Brooklyn Nets.  Bob’s knowledge and background will be key factors in the continued growth of Sports USA Media.”  Moore states, “I have long admired Larry for building the largest independent play-by-play sports network and am eagerly looking forward to helping him expand his play-by-play business and making a major statement in the digital space.  We all know the demand for live sports is growing for both the audience and the radio stations.  We will be announcing several major expansions for Sports USA Media over the next several months.  If NBC, CBS and ABC can dedicate 24-hour sports television and radio networks, I think we can say the space is secure.”

Talk Host Doc Thompson Joins TheBlaze Radio Network.  Talk radio pro Doc Thompson – recently heard on stations including WLW, Cincinnati and WRVA, Richmond – becomes part of the lineup at Glenn Beck’s online TheBlaze Radio Network hosting the morning drive program.  Program director Dom Theodore says of Thompson, “Doc Thompson has an amazing track record of success at some of America’s biggest talk stations, in addition to his many years of guest hosting for Glenn Beck.  His humorous style and unique approach make him the perfect choice for mornings on TheBlaze Radio Network.”  Also from TheBlaze, Chris Peterson signs on with the network to serve as assistant program director.  Peterson has served with Premiere Networks for the past five years.

Martha Zoller Back on the Radio.  After a run for Congress in Georgia that took her off the radio for the better part of 2012, talk host Martha Zoller returned to the air this week on Cox Media’s WGAU, Athens, Georgia alongside co-host Tim Bryant for the Zoller & Bryant morning drive program.  Prior to her run for office, Zoller was heard on Cox Media’s WXKT.  At the time the station was a talk and sports hybrid but has since flipped to a classic hits format.

Entercom’s Sports Talk WSSP, Milwaukee Drops Fox for CBS.  The change will take place on Friday, January 11.  Entercom’s Milwaukee sports talk outlet WSSP “SportsRadio 1250” ends its affiliate relationship with Fox Sports Radio Network to begin airing the new CBS Sports Radio Network.  WSSP airs local programming during much of the day but will use CBS for the evening, late night, overnight and weekend dayparts.

Odds & Sods.  Michael Bull’s Atlanta-based “Commercial Real Estate Show” goes into national syndication via the Wall Street Business Network.  The program was founded in 2010 by commercial real estate broker Michael Bull on WAFS, Atlanta in 2010 to examine national commercial real estate and business issues and feature high-caliber guests from around the country, including well-known analysts, accountants, brokers, lenders, developers, attorneys and architects.  About the expansion, Bull states, “I’ve been delighted at the impact the show has had in just two years, and I’m extremely excited about the opportunity to continue to extend its reach.  We can tell by the location of podcast downloads that the content is relevant to audiences across the globe.  As we continue to add stations, the show’s comprehensive analysis and enlightening conversations will reach a much larger audience.”…..Dial Global nationally syndicated late night and early morning talk host Jim Bohannon will be one of six Inauguration Parade announcers who’ll be stationed along Pennsylvania Avenue on January 21 addressing the crowd.  Bohannon says, “This is quite an honor, and I’m eager to do it again.  I also announced the Carter parade in 1977, so I seem to do this every 36 years.  Guess I’d better enjoy it since I’m not sure how many 36 year increments I have left.  It should be fun announcing, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the Southeast A&P Remedial High Marching 37, as they form a giant grid…and a giant lock…in honor of this year’s inaugural theme!’ (applause).”

Dr. Alan Pressman Moves to WOR, New York.  After 11 years on Access.1’s WWRL, New York, Dr. Alan Pressman takes his “Health Radio News” program to Clear Channel’s WOR, New York for a Sunday 8:00 am ET airing.  He says the show will be a live, caller-driven program.  Dr. Pressman states, “There are so many breaking stories about health and nutrition; stories the general public does not have easy access to.  We’ll be discussing issues in the news from around the world.  It’s really hard-hitting information.”

Gun Control Legislation, RGIII Controversy, Looming Additional Tax Battles, Obama Cabinet Nominations, and Flu Epidemic Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (1/8).  Gun legislation proposals; the controversy over Robert Griffin III’s playing time in the Redskins’ loss to Seattle; future tax hike debates in Washington; President Obama’s cabinet nominations and the flu epidemic that has hospitals overwhelmed were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.