Tag: "Jim Blasingame"
Friday, April 9, 2021
NOW POSTED: This Weekend’s Installment of “The Michael Harrison Wrap: An Overview of the National Conversation.” The latest installment of the one-hour weekend special, “The Michael Harrison Wrap,” that looks back each week at the hottest topics discussed in American talk media per the research of TALKERS magazine, is now posted. This new episode titled, “If I Had a Hammer,” looks back at this past week of April 5-9. The program features guests (in order of appearance): Kevin Casey, executive editor, TALKERS magazine; Erick Erickson, talk show host, WSB, Atlanta; Frank Morano, talk show host, WABC, New York; Gene “Bean” Baxter, talk show host, Podcast Radio, UK; Jim Blasingame, talk show host, Small Business Advocate; Noel Paul Stookey, musician / activist, Peter, Paul and Mary; Victoria Jones, executive director, DC Radio Company. The show airs each week on its flagship, WONK-FM, Washington, DC, Friday evenings at 6:00 pm ET. It also airs throughout the weekend on WTIC, Hartford; KSCO, Santa Cruz, CA; KDFD, Denver; KFNX, Phoenix; WVLY, Wheeling, WV; WTRW-FM, Scranton/Wilkes Barre, PA; WVOX, Westchester, NY; KBDT, Dallas; KQSP, Minneapolis; KBKW, Aberdeen, WA; WGDJ, Albany, NY; WJFN-FM, Richmond, VA; WZFG, Fargo; KTGO, Tioga, ND; KWAM, Memphis; K-NEWS, San Luis Obispo; WGMD, Rehoboth Beach, DE; WCHM, Clarkesville, GA; WPHM, Port Huron, MI; KSYL, Alexandria, LA; KTOE, Mankato, MN; WCED, DuBois, PA; K-NEWS 101.3, Owensboro, KY; WWTK, Sebring, FL; WSAR-AM/FM, Fall River, MA; WIZM-AM/FM, La Crosse, WI; WMVA, Martinsville, VA; the Virginia Talk Radio Network; CRN Digital Talk Radio Network; the iHeart Podcast Network; Pioneer Valley Radio, Springfield, MA; Podcast Radio, UK and many more. To listen to this week’s episode, please click
Salem Radio Network Host Charlie Kirk Joins WABC, New York for Early Afternoon Hour. Nationally syndicated Salem Radio Network talk show host Charlie Kirk is taking over the 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm hour at Red Apple Media’s legendary WABC, New York on Monday (4/12). Kirk is founder of Turning Point USA, a best-selling author, and host of a popular podcast who joined Salem Radio Network in October of 2020. He says, “I am thrilled and honored to take the
same time and station where my friend and American hero Rush Limbaugh launched his national radio show in 1988. I am so impressed with what John Catsimatidis has done since he bought this great station and will commit to doing my part to keep this as one of the top talk stations in America.” Catsimatidis says, “Charlie Kirk has proven to be one of the bright lights of the conservative movement. He’s young, energetic, articulate, and proving to be a great radio talent.” Salem Radio Network SVP of spoken word Phil Boyce comments, “I was fortunate to be the PD at WABC for 14 years. I am thrilled to see WABC once again affirm its status as one of the truly iconic talk stations in the nation, and so blessed to be able to add our newest star Charlie Kirk to their all-star lineup.”
Radio America’s Dana Loesch Featured in The Hill Piece. Nationally syndicated talk radio host Dana Loesch is featured in a story by Thomas Moore in The Hill. The piece, titled, “Dana Loesch has Limbaugh-like aspirations for conservative talk,” explores Loesch’s move to add new affiliate stations in the aftermath of the death of former fellow midday talk host Rush Limbaugh. Loesch is quick to say Limbaugh was a pioneer whose importance to modern talk radio can’t be underestimated and says the idea of being his “heir” is “crazy.” But Radio America and Loesch herself are aggressively working to gain new affiliate stations during this period when news/talk stations that carry “The Rush Limbaugh Show” are examining their options. She tells The Hill her “happy warrior” approach makes her different than her competition. “I don’t like the nonstop, let’s be angry 24-7. And I just don’t even know how that can be maintained, nor do I have any interest in doing that kind of radio. We have fun. And I think that that shows.” Read the piece here.
La Crosse Sports Radio Voice Mike Kearns Passes. La Crosse, Wisconsin television station WXOW reports that longtime La Crosse sports media personality Mike Kearns passed away recently. Kearns worked his entire radio career at Midwest Family Broadcasting’s WKTY Radio doing play-by-play for high school and college football and basketball games. Kearns also hosted “The Lead Balloon Show” weekday mornings from 1981 until his retirement in 2016. Kearns assumed hosting duties for that show from his father Charlie who launched the program in 1948. It’s estimated that between Mike and his father, they called more than 1,200 football and 6,000 basketball games for WKTY over a 68-year period. Kearns, along with his father, was inducted into the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame in 2009.
Longtime KFGO, Fargo Personality Tom Wynn Dies at 83. Fargo news/talk station KFGO reports that former morning drive host Tom Wynn has died at age 83. Wynn, who served with the station for 37 years after arriving in Fargo from Lansing, Michigan in 1979, retired from the station in 2017. Wynn hosted “Tom Wynn and Friends” from 5:00 am to 8:00 am with Bonnie Amistadi and Doug Leier until his retirement. Prior to that, he partnered with the late Larry Ristvedt for “Tom and Larry in the Morning.” No cause of death was included in the report.
PodcastOne Content Available on Samsung Free. As the result of an agreement between LiveXLive Media’s PodcastOne and Samsung, all PodcastOne content will be available for the first time ever via the Listen tab within Samsung Free on compatible Galaxy S21, Galaxy S20, Galaxy Note20, Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Note10 series devices. PodcastOne president Kit Gray says, “PodcastOne strives to make our content some of the most easily accessed content in the podcasting genre. Listening to your favorite hosts and shows shouldn’t be more than a one-tap process and our agreement with Samsung brings fluid accessibility to podcast fans in a new way.”
COVID-19 Vaccines, Variants and Stats Top News/Talk Story This Week. The number of positive COVID-19 cases in the U.S., the rollout of vaccines, and the status of variants combined as the most-talked-about story on news/talk radio this week and landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the Derek Chauvin trial and the related issues of race relations and police reform. Following at #3 was gun violence and President Biden’s gun control measures. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed on news/talk radio during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here.
Monday, November 23, 2020
Monday Memo: Blue Christmas, Bleak January, Big Opportunity. As every metric tells us this pandemic will worsen, consultant Holland Cooke describes how “smart stations will survive, even thrive.” Read it here.
COVID-19 Stats & Projections/Vaccines, Trump’s Election Results Challenges, Biden Transition, Georgia Runoff Elections, Thanksgiving Travel Warnings, and Israel-Saudi Arabia Relations Among Top News/Talk Stories Over the Weekend. The fast-rising number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and abroad, the projections for winter cases, and the vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna; Donald Trump’s refusal to concede the election and the legal challenges to the results in several states; Joe Biden’s transition process; the January runoff elections for Georgia’s two U.S. Senate seats; the Thanksgiving holiday and warnings about traveling; and reports of the first-ever diplomatic meeting between Israel and Saudi Arabia were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Pending Business: This Time Next Year. Sales and marketing pro Steve Lapa, president of Lapcom Communications Corp, offers a five-step plan for radio sellers to evaluate their performance in order to help them get closer to their income goals. Read it here.
John B. Wells’ ‘Caravan to Midnight’ Enters Nightly Syndication Via Talk Media Network. The “Caravan to Midnight” program hosted by John B. Wells debuts as a live two-hour weeknight show beginning on December 1. Wells says, “The nightly show launch is like coming home in a way. Over-the-air radio is where I started. It’s my first love. It’s immediate, demanding, and therefore really exciting. Every show is a canvas waiting for the oil. Great radio is art, and I
treat every episode as such.” Wells has been hosting his live Saturday night program “Ark Midnight” since April 2016. He adds, “One night a week on radio with ‘Ark Midnight’ was just the beginning of something much bigger. Our fans can’t get enough, our affiliates want more, and quite frankly, talk radio needs this program to thrive at night in the New Year and beyond.” Talk Media Network CEO Josh Leng remarks, “In just over seven months, 50 radio stations have signed on as ‘Ark Midnight’ affiliates. The demand for John B. Wells-hosted programming by radio stations is undeniable. ‘Caravan to Midnight’ with John B. Wells will be a destination program in weeknights.” The show will air live from 10:00 pm to 12:00 midnight ET. Find more information at Talk Media Network here.
Three Let Go as Entercom Begins Operating WTEM, Washington Today. Ahead of today’s start of the LMA operation of sports talk WTEM-AM, Washington “Team 980” by Entercom, hosts Rick “Doc” Walker and Scott Linn, as well as program director Chris Johnson have exited the station. The Washington Post reports that the three were cut from the station on Friday (11/20). Entercom’s operation of and eventual acquisition of WTEM is part of a swap with Urban One which bought the station from Washington Football Team owner Dan Synder in 2018. Walker co-hosted the “Doc & Galdi” show with Al Galdi, who will continue as solo host of the late morning show. Linn was part of both afternoon programs, working alongside with Brian Mitchell in the early afternoon and with Steve Czaban in afternoon drive. The report indicated that Johnson will continue to produce Washington Football Team game broadcasts. He’s been doing so as an independent contractor for the last three seasons.
‘The Small Business Advocate’ Host Jim Blasingame Celebrates 23rd Anniversary. Last week, nationally syndicated talk host Jim Blasingame celebrated 23 years on the air. On November 17, 1997, Blasingame launched “The Small Business Advocate Show.” He says, “When we began, we wanted to provide Main Street entrepreneurs with the information, resources, and inspiration they need to start, run, and grow a small business. Thanks to the support of our audience, Brain Trust members, and corporate partners, we’ve accomplished that goal and continue to deliver multi-media content and resources for small businesses, including a mobile site and a video series.” Blasingame says he conducts more than 1,000 live interviews annually with his Brain Trust. From these live interviews, more than 2,600 podcasts are produced annually, resulting in a library of more than 50,000 podcasts available on-demand, without cost, to small businesses. Chuck Duncan, general manager of WCGO Radio, SmartTalk Radio Network, and the GAB Radio Network (which has produced Blasingame’s show since 2001) says, “Jim Blasingame is a true professional and one of the most dedicated talk show hosts I’ve seen in my more than 30 years in radio. Congratulations to Jim and his team on another awesome milestone.”
TALKERS News Notes. Seattle sports talker KIRO-AM “710 ESPN” announces that Pro Football Hall of Fame writer and longtime NFL analyst and radio host John Clayton will continue to have a presence on the station several weeks after he and hosts Jim Moore and Tom Wassell were let go as part of budget-related moves at the Bonneville station. Clayton’s weekday show is not returning by he is resuming his regular, daily appearances on the morning and afternoon drive shows. He’ll host his own show that will air Saturdays from 8:00 am to 11:00 am. Clayton also is maintaining his role as a sideline reporter on broadcasts by the Seahawks Radio Network, of which “710 ESPN Seattle” is the flagship station…..SiriusXM announces “Howard Stern’s Comics on Comics,” a new video special that will be available over Thanksgiving week. The video series showcases legendary comedian guests sharing stories about their fellow comedians. Some of the comedians featured include Jim Carrey on Rodney Dangerfield, Tommy Chong on Redd Foxx and George Carlin, and Marc Maron on Sam Kinison.
Entercom and Ad Council Partner for COPING-19 Mental Health Campaign. An audio public service campaign aimed at raising awareness of mental health challenges is being produced by Entercom in partnership with the Ad Council, as well as the CDC, the CDC Foundation, The HHS, and the White House. The campaign is called COPING-19 and as part of it, Entercom will develop and provide bilingual audio PSAs that help Americans address mental health, as well as donate time and space to support the campaign across its broadcast, digital, and social media assets. The campaign will also see the launch of the Coping-19.org website that will serve as a central hub where visitors will be able to access over 100 vetted resources in English and Spanish to help with their mental health needs. Coping-19.org will also feature a set of self-care best practices and principles in accordance with CDC and leading scientists, as well as links to more in-depth information by category. Entercom VP, social impact Sarah Harris says, “Entercom is dedicated to supporting the health and success of the communities that are the heart of our business. With so many Americans struggling with mental health, we are delighted to use the reach of our platform to share helpful self-care and coping tips with our 170 million listeners and so many more in partnership with the Ad Council. We know talk is a powerful tool in the struggle for mental health and are committed to using our voice to break the stigma and help people find the resources they need to thrive.”
Music Radio News and Career Moves. On-air pro Vanessa Hale joins Entercom’s hot AC KLLC-FM, San Francisco “Alice @ 97.3” as host of the midday show. Entercom San Francisco SVP and market manager Greg Nemitz says,
“I’m happy to welcome Vanessa Hale back to the airwaves to join Alice’s impressive slate of on-air talent. Her passion for her craft and willingness to engage with her audience will translate to a dynamic midday program for our listeners as they move through their days.” Hale was most recently afternoon drive host for the company’s former WODS-FM, Boston…..A deal between Alpha Media and Skyview Networks will put “Nick Cannon Radio” and “The Dana Cortez Show” on Alpha’s WE format stations in San Antonio; Amarillo, Texas; and Portland, Oregon. The shows will air in middays and afternoons. Alpha Media EVP of content Phil Becker says, “Our relationship with both ‘The Dana Cortez Show’ and ‘Nick Cannon Radio’ has always been a good one. I’m excited to lengthen our partnership as well as welcome them to some new stations. The work intensity, customization and team mentality of both ‘The Dana Cortez Show’ and ‘Nick Cannon Radio’ continue to impress me. Their expansion onto our WE stations is well deserved and I’m confident both shows will have a banner 2021.”
Friday, April 3, 2020
NOW POSTED: New Installment of “The Michael Harrison Wrap: An Overview of the National Conversation.” The vibrant, one-hour weekend special, “The Michael Harrison Wrap,” that looks back each week at the hottest topics discussed in American talk media per the research of TALKERS magazine, is now posted. The new episode titled, “Behind Closed Doors!” looks back at this past week of March 30-April 3, 2020 and features guests (in order of appearance): Kevin Casey, executive editor, TALKERS; Jim Blasingame, talk show host, “The Small Business Advocate”; Harry Hurley, talk show host, WPG, Atlantic City; Doug Stephan; talk show host, the “DJV Show”; Mike Bendixen, program director, CFRB, Toronto “Newstalk 1010”; Ethan Bearman, attorney/correspondent, FOX News Channel; and Dr. Renee Kohanski, forensic psychiatrist, Psychcast-MDedge. This acclaimed news/talk radio show airs each week on its flagship, WONK-FM, Washington, DC, Friday evenings at 6:00 pm ET. It also airs throughout the weekend on WRKO, Boston; KSCO, Santa Cruz, CA; KDFD, Denver “Freedom 93.7”; KFNX, Phoenix; WVLY, Wheeling, WV; WVOX, Westchester, NY; KBDT, Dallas; KQSP, Minneapolis; KBKW, Aberdeen, WA; WGDJ, Albany, NY; the Virginia Talk Radio Network and Pioneer Valley Radio in Springfield, MA. To listen to this week’s episode (and the program’s complete archives), please click here. To view the latest TALKERS magazine topic research, please click here. “The Michael Harrison Wrap” is now available in syndication via Talk Media Network to stations across America on a market exclusive basis. For affiliation information, please click here or call 616-884-8616.
Radio’s John McConnell Cheats Death Thanks to Anti-Malaria Drug. Former ABC Radio SVP of programming and current EVP of talent and content management agency Workhouse Media, John McConnell, narrowly escaped the clutches of COVID-19 thanks to Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) – a drug used to combat malaria, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis. McConnell tells TCPalm.com’s Laurence Reisman that after being admitted to Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital in Vero Beach in very bad shape, he and his wife had made out their wills and, after a time, had even said goodbye to each other, expecting the worst. Staff were preparing to put him on a ventilator and McConnell had heard about the poor recovery rates for ventilated patients. But Dr. Gene Posca was also talking to McConnell about the pros and cons of Plaquenil and McConnell decided to try it. The first 12 hours did not provide relief, but soon thereafter, McConnell began to feel better. He says he’s feeling better every day and his main concern is to not get exposed again.
Missouri Radio Personality Recovering from COVID-19. “American Viewpoints” host Mike Ferguson believes he contracted the coronavirus during a recent trip to Chicago. Feeling ill about a week after his trip, Ferguson saw a doctor who diagnosed a bad cold. KRCG-TV, Columbia, Missouri reports that diagnosis was wrong, and Ferguson ended up spending nine days in a St. Louis hospital before being released. Ferguson produces the “American Viewpoints” program that airs across numerous radio stations in Missouri, including on Zimmer Broadcasting’s talk stations KWOS-AM, Jefferson City and KSSZ-FM, Fayette “93.9 The Eagle.” He tells KRCG-TV, “It was very painful in the lungs. When I would start having a coughing fit, and these would last 90 seconds to 2 minutes, you would get residual pain from headaches, abdominal strain and things like that. The really scary part is when you just can’t suck in enough air and you just keep coughing out more air than you can bring in.” Ferguson was given a three-day treatment of anti-malaria medicine.
Sterling: Call in Your Chips. Talk show host Walter M. Sterling wonders why the industry that put the current administration into power – radio – isn’t asking to be saved from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. “Right now, radio companies are firing people. Why? Isn’t radio eligible for the bailout? Every radio company expense line could easily fit into a two trillion-dollar package. Isn’t that bailout for media as well as other industries?” Read his column here.
John Minko Takes Early Buyout from WFAN. As reported by Newsday, WFAN, New York update anchor John Minko is taking a buyout from the Entercom sports talk outlet, thereby creating a position for another staffer. The 67-year-old Minko has been with the station since June 29, 1987 – two days before it flipped to sports. It was about a year later that Emmis executive Rick Cummings (remember, Emmis owned the station at the time) saved Minko’s job at the station. Minko tells Newsday he told Cummings, “I said, ‘There’s no way I can thank you for this,’ And he said, ‘Yes, there is a way… you could do this for somebody else someday.’” He adds, “I thought that if I took it now, which was the right thing to do, if that prevented somebody else from getting fired, then I thanked Rick [for what he did].”
Entercom’s KGMZ, San Francisco and KWFN, San Diego Present ‘Virtual Game of the Week.’ Sports talk outlet KWFN, San Diego “97.3 The Fan” and KGMZ-FM, San Francisco “95.7 The Game” are inviting fans to “97.3 The Fan’s Virtual Game of the Week,” a baseball game featuring the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants on SonyPlayStation 4’s “MLB The Show 20” video game. The contest will be streamed on the stations’ Facebook pages and will feature real-time commentary from air talent Ben Higgins, Steve Woods, John Kentera, Tony Gwynn Jr. and Chris Ello. KGMZ-FM personalities Joe Fortenbaugh, Lorenzo Neal, Dan Dibley, Joe Shasky and Ryan Covay will also participate.
TALKERS News Notes. WFAN, New York sports talk host Mike Francesa and station owner Entercom have issued a cease-and-desist order to a Twitter user – and regular Francesa antagonist – for that person to stop posting audio and video of Francesa’s program. The New York Post reports that the anonymous person behind the Funhouse Twitter account will abide by the order but tweeted, “He just went from being mostly irrelevant to completely irrelevant. Don’t misunderstand… I’m a nobody, but I lost count of how many people told me they only hear him via my clips. He didn’t think this through.”…..The previously announced RAB webinar, “Data Drives Revenue” featuring Analytic Owl will feature brand-new granular data. COVID-19 has challenged marketers to find the best messaging and methods to communicate with consumers. The RAB says that in this one-hour webinar, Analytic Owl’s David Shapira will share new data and insights for the current business unusual landscape. It’s free for RAB member and takes place Tuesday (4/7) from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon ET and Thursday (4/9) from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm ET…..Podcast listens continue to rise for FOX Sports Radio. Premiere Sports Network says FSR realized one million more podcast listens in March 2020 than in February 2020, when there was a full month of live sporting events. FSR goes on to say that year-over-year, the network’s total podcast audience grew by 67%…..Pineapple Street Studios and The Meteor announce the launch of “Doctor’s Log: A COVID-19 Journal,” a limited-run podcast series on which leading ER physician Dr. Esther Choo reports from the frontlines of the coronavirus crisis — the emergency room of a busy American hospital — as health professionals encounter the most significant health threat and pandemic in modern history. She says, “There is a gap between what we’re experiencing and worrying about on the healthcare delivery side and what the general public sees. My experience is just one piece of the global healthcare response to the pandemic, but hopefully with this podcast, I can represent the voices of my colleagues, honor their work, and share their struggles as the entire country grapples with an unprecedented threat.”
Statistics About COVID-19 Infections and Projections of Future Cases Top News/Talk Story for Week of March 30 – April 3. Statistics and projections about the infection and fatality rates of the coronavirus were the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the strain placed on the U.S. health care system by the pandemic. Coming in at #3 was the state of the world’s financial markets, the economy, and the relief package approved by congress and signed by President Trump, followed by the politics surrounding the pandemic and its effect on the November presidential race at #4. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed on news/talk radio during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s entire chart here.
Music Radio News and Career Moves. On-air pro Mike Waters is joining NRG Media’s classic hits KOKZ, Cedar Rapids/Waterloo as morning drive personality, effective Monday (4/6). Station operations manager Jeff
Winfield says, “We are thrilled to have Mike join NRG Media as the voice for 105.7 KOKZ for the morning drive. He brings more than 30 years’ experience in the radio industry across a variety of formats. Mike understands the importance of NRG’s mission to provide great local radio.” Waters adds, “I look forward to the opportunity to work with a great team already in place in the market! I’m excited about the opportunity to work with a very talented group of individuals, a great radio company. I can’t wait to get on air.”…..SiriusXM – with the help of pop star Taylor Swift – is launching a Home DJ series on its CHR channel SiriusXM Hits 1. Beginning today, Swift (followed by other pop artists) will take over SiriusXM Hits 1 from her home. Swift and the other stars will be playing the most requested hits and their favorite music, providing commentary and more to connect with their fans all across North America. Others to take part in the program will include: Niall Horan, Camila Cabello, Sia, 5SOS, Diplo, Kelsea Ballerini, Charlie Puth, Pete Wentz, and more. SiriusXM president and chief content officer Scott Greenstein says, “We love to connect fans with their favorite artists, and our Home DJ series will bring some of the biggest names in music into our homes as people look for ways to be entertained. Taylor Swift will lead the way and will be followed by many stars on Hits 1 in the days ahead as they play their favorite music for the channel’s faithful national audience and new listeners too. Our new Stream Free option opens up our channels to anybody who wants some diversion and great music.”
Tuesday, May 15, 2018
FAIR Sets September 5 and 6 for Washington Radio Row. The Federation for American Immigration Reform sets Wednesday, September 5 and Thursday, September 6 as the dates for its 12th annual “Hold Their Feet to the Fire/America at the Midterms” radio row in Washington, D.C. Talk hosts from across the country will broadcast live both days, debating immigration policy while interviewing members of Congress, law enforcement officials, experts, activists, administration officials, and others. FAIR executive director Bob Dane states, “The outcome of this year’s midterms will determine whether President
Trump will have an opportunity to fully deliver on his campaign promises to secure our borders, stop illegal immigration, enhance national security, rein in sanctuary policies, and push for reforms that serve our broad American interests. This year’s event will focus on the political landscape halfway through the Trump Administration, educate Americans about what has been accomplished, what’s left to do, what’s at stake and what listeners can do to make informed voting choices on the immigration issue.” As in recent years, the event takes place at the Phoenix Park Hotel on Capitol Hill. Reservations are required and hosts should call FAIR now to reserve their free broadcast booth. Contact event manager Joe Gomez at 202-328-7004 or jgomez@fairus.org. Congressional guests, activists, high-profile media personalities, and immigration experts will be in attendance and available throughout the event for wall-to-wall interviews with an expected crowd of 65 talk hosts.
Harvill to Lead Cumulus San Francisco. Appointed to serve as vice president and market manager for Cumulus Media’s San Francisco station group is media executive Doug Harvill. He was most recently CBS RADIO’s SVP and market manager in San Francisco. Harvill says, “Over the past 12 years I’ve competed against the Cumulus San Francisco properties and am acutely aware of both the significant strengths and growth opportunities for these legendary stations. Think about these call letters: KNBR, KFOG, KGO, KSAN, KSFO and KTCT. These are iconic radio brands with passionate listeners. I am excited to work with the people who create these powerful community-centered stations.”
Nielsen Audio to Re-Issue Los Angeles PPMs – Back to October. The notification from Nielsen Audio doesn’t specify why the panelists in question are being pulled from the Los Angeles PPM survey. Here’s what the ratings giant tells the industry: “The integrity of our data is a top priority. Effective with the April monthly currency data (March 29-April 25), Nielsen removed four homes from the Los Angeles PPM panel. An internal review determined that these homes did not meet our compliance and data integrity standards. In addition, we conducted an analysis of data from October 2017 to March 2018 and we have determined that the data for these months will be reissued. Therefore, we will publish revised audio data for these months in Los Angeles starting with March monthly data on Tuesday, May 22, at 12:00 noon local time.” The first round of April PPMs was released yesterday afternoon. Mike Kinosian’s “Takeaways” and a link to all the numbers is published below.
TALKERS News Notes. The photo above is one of two Allstate Skyline Studios at the new digs of Tribune’s WGN, Chicago. The station is still about a month away from the first live broadcast from the new offices as it moves from its longtime home in the Tribune Tower on N. Michigan Ave. to the 18th floor of 303 E. Wacker Drive. As you can see in the photo, the new 16-thousand-square-foot office space offers sweeping vistas of both the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. There are two Allstate Skyline Studios with northeast (above) and northwest views, six dedicated studios to the podcast platform WGN Plus, and a 650-square-foot performance studio and stage for live music and radio dramas with seating for 25 plus standing room. At the core of the studio space is the WGN Radio journalism hub, home base for the station’s 24/7 news room. The new headquarters includes an expanded video production suite with green screen for WGN Radio’s in-house content agency DATS. The station says that the layout “invites all employees to work in the content space and features state-of-the-art lighting for video production, broadcast, and streaming.” The project was spearheaded by WGN chief engineer Bill Murdoch. WGN station manager and VP of content Todd Manley says, “An investment like this represents the strength of our brand beyond traditional broadcast. It recognizes our success on every platform. What an exciting time for this 94-year-old start-up.”…..Small business expert, talk show host, and author Jim Blasingame is publishing his fourth book. The host of the nationally syndicated talk radio show, “The Small Business Advocate,” releases The 3rd Ingredient: The Journey of Analog Ethics into the World of Digital Fear and Greed (2018, SBN Books). In this book, Blasingame reveals a once-in-10-millennia shift is at the heart of the unprecedented anxiety we’re experiencing as we make the transition from an analog world to a digital one. He says, “Hundreds of years before a robot takes us down, we humans will do it to ourselves by failing to establish effective digital ethics. We have to determine what digital trust looks like. We have to start now.” Blasingame argues that a shift of this magnitude – about something so much a part of our very being, our ethical DNA – has never happened before in human society and markets. The source of so much anxiety about technology comes from expecting our miles-per-hour analog ethics to transition and perform in a billions-of-bits-per-second digital environment, with virtually no conversation…..Nationally syndicated talk radio host Walter Sterling (left) is pictured below in the WLS-AM, Chicago studios where he recently hosted his Westwood One program, “Sterling on Sunday.” Pictured with Sterling is Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin (right), who told listeners that a major source of criminal behavior is a lack of fathers in the home. Speaking about doing the program from Chicago, Sterling says, “Program director Peter Bolger, market manager Marv Nyren, and producer Michael Garay made this fun and easy. The listener got an authentic earful of street life in Chicago.”
In Studio at KFI, Los Angeles. Pictured above is ABC News chief business, technology and economics correspondent Rebecca Jarvis (center) in the KFI, Los Angeles studios with midday hosts Gary Hoffmann (right) and Shannon Farren (left). Jarvis has been doing weekly, Monday guest appearances on the program for the past three years, usually from her desk in New York City, but yesterday she had the opportunity to be in the LA studios.
U.S. Embassy Opening-Gaza Violence, U.S. Exits Iran Nuclear Deal, Trump’s ZTE Statement, SCOTUS Sports Betting Ruling, Margot Kidder Dies, Melania Hospitalized, MLB Action, and NBA Playoffs Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (5/14). The official opening of the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem and the deadly Gaza violence; The response to President Trump’s withdrawing the U.S. from the Iran nuclear deal; reaction to President Trump’s desire to “save” Chinese tech firm ZTE; the Supreme Court strikes down 1992 federal law preventing states from allowing sports betting; actress Margot Kidder dies at 69; First Lady Melania Trump is hospitalized for treatment for a kidney condition; Major League Baseball action, and the NBA playoffs were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Salem Offers Florida Studios for Rent. Planning to have some “fun in the sun?” Why not combine business with pleasure? Chances are that you would like to visit the Sunshine State sometime soon. If you have a weekly or daily radio show – why not make plans to broadcast from any of our conveniently located studios in Orlando, Tampa or Miami? In 2017 the state of Florida saw a record number of visitors — 116.5 million, according to Visit Florida, the state’s tourism marketing arm. With proper advance planning – you can feel right at home and broadcast your regular show, no need for pre-recordings or replays! Contact us at Salem Media Florida to find out more! Our rates are most affordable! Call Jim Glogowski in Miami (786)871-2407, Barb Yoder in Tampa (813)-349-8232, or Bill Files in Orlando (407)-682-9494 ext. 1760.
Music Radio News and Career Moves. A new music format from Envision Networks is targeting the United States markets that have “become so culturally blended with millennial relationships so diverse that English-speaking and Hispanic backgrounds have become integrated into the same circle of family, friends and lifestyles.” Envision says this is reflected in their musical tastes and listening habits and that’s the inspiration behind the “No Borders Radio.” The company adds that the format is balanced to reach English-speaking millennials and Latino 18-44 females by blending the best North American pop hits with their counterparts from Central and South America…..Cumulus Media is importing “The Woody Show” for three of its alternative rock stations. On May 21, the Premiere Networks-syndicated morning show airs on KHTB, Salt Lake City; KCJK-FM, Kansas City “X105.1,” and WZRH, New Orleans “Alt 92.3”. Cumulus VP of rock programming Troy Hanson says, “We are delighted to continue to grow our relationship with ‘The Woody Show’ in three key markets in our alternative portfolio. ‘The Woody Show’ is the destination for what people are talking about and the New Orleans, Kansas City and Salt Lake City communities will be well served by their funny slice of life.”…..Sun Broadcast Group enters into a sales and affiliate partnership with “The Woody & Wilcox Show.” The program becomes part of the SBG network lineup on June 1. It’s currently heard on WEND, Charlotte “106.5 The End,” WRDU, Raleigh; KKZX, Spokane; and more…..Alpha Media names Daena Kramer general sales manager for its San Jose market stations. Kramer began her career as an account executive with CBS RADIO in Las Vegas. She’s also worked on air on KXTE, Las Vegas and KHMX, Houston. She says, “Radio has been in my blood since I was a kid, but I never imagined the amazing journeys it would take me on. I can’t express how excited I am to be back in California with such a fantastic company as Alpha Media and to take on a new challenge in San Jose. Nobody has taught me more about the radio business than [market manager] Lori Heeren, and I’m thrilled to be working with her again.”
Round One of April PPM Data Released. The first of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio‘s April 2018 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets, including: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island), Riverside, San Jose, and Middlesex-Somerset-Union (New Jersey). Nielsen’s April 2018 PPM survey period covered March 29 – April 25. See all the number from subscribing stations here. Meanwhile, managing editor Mike Kinosian (Kinosian@TALKERS.com) provides his “Takeaways” from these 12 PPM markets.
TAKEAWAYS
New York City
Spoken-Word Formats – This marks 2018’s first Major League Baseball (MLB) sweep and it produces very good news for the flagships of the Yankees and Mets. Specifically, Entercom’s WFAN “Sports Radio” (Yankees) is up eight-tenths (3.1 – 3.9, #13 to #8, 6+), while iHeartMedia news/talk WOR “710 The Voice of New York” (Mets) improves by six-tenths (1.9 – 2.5, #18 to #15, 6+). Following five survey periods in a row without an increase resulting in a nearly 50% loss (-2.5) of its 6+-share (5.2 – 5.2 – 3.9 – 3.5 – 3.3 – 2.7, 6+), WFAN picked up four-tenths in March. Prior to February, the
last time WFAN dropped below a three-share (6+) was March 2017 (2.9). A +.1 by WOR in March ended five straight down or flat reports for a -.4 (2.2 – 2.2 – 2.0 – 1.8 – 1.8 – 1.8, 6+). In the all-news arena, Entercom’s WINS sputters by seven-tenths (6.2 – 5.5, third to fourth, 6+), while co-owned and similarly-formatted WCBS-AM relinquishes 80% of March’s +.5 (3.3 – 2.9, -.4, #11 to #13, 6+). Prior to March, WCBS-AM was stuck on 2.8 (6+) the previous three sweeps; 3.3 (March 2018) is the station’s strongest 6+-showing in more than three years (4.0, February 2015). As they
were in March, Cumulus Media news/talk WABC (1.2 – 1.1, -.1, 6+) and Townsquare Media’s similarly-programmed WKXW “New Jersey 101.5” are tied at #23. The latter’s last 12 New York City report trends are 1.1 – 1.0 – 1.1 – 1.1 – 1.1 – 1.1 – 1.0 – 1.0 – 1.1 – 1.1 – 1.2 – 1.1 (6+). For the third month in succession, Emmis-owned/ESPN-operated WEPN posts a 1.3 (6+) and “98.7 ESPN New York” remains at #22. When WEPN picked up two-tenths in February, it halted three downward moves in succession that produced a loss of seven-tenths (1.8 – 1.4 – 1.2 – 1.1, 6+). In the public news/talk arena, WNYC Broadcasting Foundation’s WNYC-FM is up two-tenths (3.2 – 3.4, #12 to #10, 6+), while co-owned WNYC-AM drops one-tenth (.7 – .6, #27 to #28, 6+).
New York City Music Formats –
A collective +7.1 in five consecutive gains (6.0 – 6.1 – 6.6 – 7.0 – 8.8 – 13.1, 6+), WLTW was -5.1 in January and February (13.1 – 8.5 – 8.0, 6+); however, “106.7 Lite FM” rebounds in March and April with a +.5 (8.0 – 8.4 – 8.5, 6+). The iHeartMedia adult contemporary outlet remains on top for the ninth time in a row. While continuing in the runner-up slot, Entercom classic hits-oldies WCBS-FM “101.1 New York’s Greatest Hits” is off two-tenths to 6.1 (6+), thus ending three successive increases that netted a collective +1.4 (4.9 – 5.0 – 6.0 – 6.3, 6+). Its March 2018 6.3 is the best 6+-showing for WCBS-FM since July 2017’s 6.6. The six-tenths advantage (6+) that Entercom hot AC WNEW-FM “Fresh 102.7” had over Cumulus Media-owned format rival WPLJ “New York’s 95.5 PLJ” is down to four-tenths as “Fresh” is off three-tenths (2.7 – 2.4, #14 to #16, 6+), while WPLJ drops one-tenth (2.1 – 2.0, #16 to #17, 6+).
Los Angeles
Spoken-Word Formats – Continuing a down/up pattern that commenced in December (4.1 – 3.9 – 4.5 – 3.9 – 4.2 – 4.1, 6+), iHeartMedia news/talk KFI “AM 640” slips from sixth to seventh. When KFI dipped by two-tenths in “Holiday” 2017, it ended at six a consecutive string of up or flat trends that netted a collective eight-tenths (3.3 – 3.4 – 3.5 – 3.5 – 3.9 – 4.1 – 4.1, 6+). Cluster-mate KEIB “AM 1150 The Patriot,” which was stuck on 1.0 (6+) for six straight sweeps, is now off by one-tenth in consecutive monthlies (1.0 – .9 – .8, #32 to #34, 6+).
Meanwhile, Salem Media Group’s KRLA “AM 870 The Answer” drops one-tenth (1.1 – 1.0, flat at #29, 6+) and Cumulus Media-owned KABC “790 News-Talk-Evolved” once again posts a .5 (6+) but skids from #37 to #39. Not only does Entercom all-news outlet KNX
regress by six-tenths (3.2 – 2.6, 6+), “1070 News Radio” departs the top ten (#10 to #13); February’s 3.3 was its best 6+-stat since June 2017 (3.3, as well). It is tied with Pasadena City College news/talk KPCC “The Voice of Southern California” (2.7 – 2.6, -.1, #14 to #13, 6+). Linked as well (at #31) are KSPN “710 ESPN” (-.1, 6+) and iHeartMedia-owned Los Angeles Dodgers flagship KLAC “AM 570 LA Sports” (.5 – .9, #37 to #31, 6+). KSPN’s December 2017 – April 2018 topline 6+-trending is 1.0 – .9 – 1.0 – 1.0 – 1.0 – .9.
Los Angeles Music Formats – Without a decrease in each of the last four survey periods (2.7 – 3.4 – 3.8 – 3.8 – 4.4, 6+), Entercom adult hits KCBS-FM is a collective +1.7 as “93.1 Jack FM Playing What We Want” inches up from seventh to sixth. In a similar vein, co-owned smooth AC KTWV “The Wave” is a collective +.7 in four straight months without a loss (4.1 – 4.4 – 4.4 – 4.7 – 4.8, fourth to third, 6+). Having lost more than half (-6.6) of its 6+-share in consecutive surveys since the “Holiday” 2017 report (11.9 – 5.5 – 5.3, 6+), iHeartMedia adult contemporary KOST bounces back in March and April with a combined +.7 (5.3 – 5.9 – 6.0, 6+); “Coast 103.5” repeats at #1. Following a January-February-March (6+) trending of 3.2 – 3.5 – 3.4, Spanish Broadcasting System regional Mexican KLAX “La Raza 97.9” regresses by nine-tenths to 2.5 (6+), plummeting out of the top ten (#9 to #16). Although flat at #12, Cumulus Media’s KLOS “95.5 The Rock of Southern California” drops one-tenth to 2.7 (6+), curtailing at five its successive string of up or flat trends that accounted for a +.4 (2.4 – 2.4 – 2.4 – 2.8 – 2.8 – 2.8, 6+). Mt. Wilson FM Broadcasters’ KKGO “Go Country 105” (2.0 – 2.2, +.2, #22 to #20, 6+) is within 2.0 – 2.9 range (6+) for the 30th time in succession; March 2018’s 2.0 was its lowest 6+-stat since January 2016 (2.0, as well). The market’s (6+) mainstream CHR share erodes by six-tenths as iHeartMedia’s KIIS “Kiss-FM” is -.2 (4.7 – 4.5, fourth to fifth, 6+), while Entercom’s KAMP “97.1 Amp Radio” falters by four-tenths (2.9 – 2.5, #11 to #16, 6+).
Chicago
Spoken-Word Formats – Down two-tenths in back-to-back reports (2.7 – 2.5 – 2.3, 6+), Entercom sports talk WSCR “670 The Score” roars back with a +.9 to 3.2, as the Chicago Cubs flagship rockets from #20 to #13. “The Score” posted a full-share gain in October (3.9 – 4.9, 6+) and improved by six-tenths in January but was a combined -2.8 between October 2017 – “Holiday” 2017 (4.9 – 3.6 – 2.1 – 2.1, 6+). Format rival – ESPN-owned WMVP “ESPN Chicago 1000” – is trending a very consistent 1.5 – 1.4 – 1.6 – 1.5 – 1.5 – 1.4 (#23 to #24, 6+). A combined +.8 in March and April (2.2 – 2.5 – 3.0, #18 to
#15, 6+), Chicago Public Media news/talk WBEZ ended six straight down or flat sweeps that resulted in a collective -.7 (2.9 – 2.7 – 2.6 – 2.4 – 2.3 – 2.2 – 2.2, 6+). Up by eight-tenths in January and February (4.5 – 4.7 – 5.3, 6+), Entercom all-news WBBM-AM is a collective -.4 in March and April (5.3 – 5.1 – 4.9, 6+), dropping from second to fourth; February’s 5.3 was its finest 6+-stat since March 2017’s 5.4. After January’s one-half share gain to 3.3 (6+) – its
best 6+-stat since May 2017 (3.3, as well) – Tribune Media news/talk WGN is a collective -1.3 in three successive decreases (3.3 – 3.1 – 2.2 – 2.0, flat at #21, 6+). Prior to January, WGN notched a 2.8 (6+) in four of the previous seven sweeps. It remains two-tenths ahead of Cumulus Media news/talk WLS-AM, which dips by two-tenths to 1.8 (unchanged at #22). WLS-AM had registered seven straight up or flat ratings periods and was +.7 in that stretch (1.3 – 1.5 – 1.5 – 1.5 – 1.5 – 1.7 – 2.0 – 2.0, 6+).
Chicago Music Formats – In its fourth straight up or flat trend (2.5 – 3.3 – 3.3 – 4.2 – 4.6, steady at #5, 6+), Hubbard’s WDRV “97.1 The Drive – Chicago’s Classic Rock” is a combined +2.1. Remaining on a roll as well, Univision Radio regional Mexican WOJO is +1.7 in four increases in a row (3.3 – 3.5 – 3.7 – 4.2 – 5.0, 6+) with “Que Buena 105.1” leaping from fifth to second. Prior to March, “Que Buena” had been within 3.3 – 3.9 range (6+) in each of the previous 12 sweeps. Steady at 6.1 (6+), iHeartMedia urban AC WVAZ “V-103 Today’s R&B and Throwbacks” is on top for the fourth month in succession; WVAZ ranked first from February 2017 through September. Segueing from fourth to seventh, Entercom’s WBMX “104.3 Jams” forfeits twice as much as its March half-share gain (4.5 – 3.5, -1.0, 6+). Following a combined +3.0 in December and “Holiday” 2017 (2.4 – 4.4 – 5.4, 6+), “104.3 Jams” was -1.4 in January and February (5.4 – 4.8 – 4.0, 6+). A one-half share loss (3.1 – 2.6, 6+) sinks Hubbard adult contemporary WSHE “100.3 SHE The Best Variety” from #11 to #19. Approximately one-third into the March ratings period, classic rock WLUP “The Loop” transitioned to contemporary Christian WCKL “Positive, Encouraging K-Love.” It eroded by -1.9 in that sweep (3.2 – 1.3, #11 to #26, 6+). Until the sale is finalized, Educational Media Foundation is operating the Merlin Media-owned station, which disappears from print in April. Gone as well this sweep is Window to the World classical WFMT, which had been trending 1.5 – 1.5 – 1.4 – 1.2 (6+) since “Holiday” 2017.
San Francisco
Spoken-Word Formats – Busting out from a (6+) trending of 2.9 – 3.3 – 3.0 – 2.9 with a gain of nine-tenths to 3.8 (6+), Cumulus Media-owned San Francisco Giants flagship KNBR “The Sports Leader” vaults back into the top ten (#11 to #5). Meanwhile, Entercom’s KGMZ “95.7 The Game” (key station of the Oakland A’s) is without a loss for the eighth time in a row, more than doubling (+1.3) its 6+-stat in that timeframe (1.0 – 1.2 – 1.4 – 1.4 – 1.5 – 1.7 – 2.1 – 2.1 –
2.3, #17 to #16, 6+). While #1 for the fourth time in succession, KQED surrenders one-half share to 8.4 (6+). The Northern California Public Broadcasting news/talker was a combined +1.3 via three straight positive spikes (7.6 – 8.1 – 8.8 – 8.9, 6+). It had been on top 12 consecutive times before “Holiday” 2017. A gain of four-tenths in July halted at four a successive streak without an increase that produced a -1.0 (7.7 – 7.3 – 7.0 – 6.7 – 6.7, 6+). KQED added one-half share in August (7.1 – 7.6, 6+); relinquished 60% of that increase in September (7.3, -.3, 6+); and was +1.3 in November (7.3 – 8.6, 6+). After gaining six-tenths in January (5.6 – 6.2, 6+), Entercom all-news KCBS-AM is down for the third time in a row for a net loss of eight-tenths (6.2 – 5.7 –
5.6 – 5.4, 6+) but carries on in the runner-up slot. Up eight-tenths in October, KCBS-AM was a combined -1.2 via three straight drops in November, December, and “Holiday” 2017 (6.8 – 6.7 – 6.4 – 5.6, 6+). October’s 6.8 was its strongest 6+-performance since February 2017 (6.8, as well). In five straight decreases, KSFO was a combined -1.3 (3.4 – 3.0 – 2.4 – 2.2 – 2.2 – 2.1, #15 to #17, 6+), but the Cumulus Media news/talker gains two-tenths to 2.3 (6+) and is tied with KGMZ at #16. The aforementioned negative streak by KSFO followed four straight gains that doubled (+1.7) its 6+ stat (1.7 – 2.3 – 2.4 – 2.9 – 3.4, 6+). News/talk sibling KGO is trending 2.0 – 1.9 – 2.0 – 1.8, 6+) and remains at #20.
San Francisco Music Formats – Steady at number four, iHeartMedia urban contemporary KMEL “#1 for Hip-Hop and R&B” is up nine-tenths via three increases in a row (3.2 – 3.8 – 3.9 – 4.1, 6+). Conversely, owing to its third consecutive loss, hot AC sibling KIOI “Star 101.3 – More Music, More Variety” is -1.0 (4.2 – 3.8 – 3.3 – 3.2, 6+), slipping from eighth to ninth. Similarly-formatted/Entercom-owned KLLC “Alice @ 97.3” is -.6 in three straight (modest) declines (4.1 – 3.7 – 3.6 – 3.5, 6+) and remains in seventh-place. After picking up seven-tenths in four straight upticks (3.1 – 3.2 – 3.5 – 3.7 – 3.8, 6+), its CHR cluster-mate KMVQ “99.7 Now – New Hit Music” falters by four-tenths to 3.4 (fifth to eighth, 6+). Without increases for the fourth time in a row are Alpha Media classic hits-oldies and hot AC siblings KBAY “94.5 Bay FM The Bay’s Greatest Hits” (2.1 – 1.7 – 1.7 – 1.5 – 1.5, #23, 6+) and KEZR “Mix 106 Today’s Best Music” (1.5 – 1.4 – 1.4 – 1.3 – 1.3, #24, 6+); “Bay FM” is -.6 in that stretch while “Mix” is -.2.
Dallas
Spoken-Word Formats – Five straight negative trends by Entercom’s KRLD-FM “105.3 The Fan” resulted in a -1.2 (3.1 – 2.5 – 2.4 – 2.3 – 2.1 – 1.9, 6+), but the Texas Rangers flagship dials up a +.5 to 2.4 (#22 to #18, 6+). After dropping three-tenths in back-to-back sweeps (3.5 – 3.2 – 2.9, 6+), Cumulus Media’s KTCK “The Ticket – All Sports, All The Time” adds four-tenths to 3.3
(#14 to #12, 6+). “The Ticket” was stuck on 3.0 (6+) in December and “Holiday” 2017 and registered a +.5 in January. A collective -.7 in five consecutive downward moves (1.6 – 1.5 – 1.2 – 1.1 – 1.0 – .9, 6+), ESPN’s KESN “103.3 ESPN Dallas” is up one-tenth in consecutive monthlies (.9 – 1.0 – 1.1, #31 to #32, 6+). While flat at 2.6 (6+), Entercom news – talk hybrid KRLD-AM slips from #15 to #17. Its -.2 in March ended at seven a consecutive string of up or flat trends that netted seven-tenths (2.1 – 2.1 – 2.2 – 2.4 – 2.4 – 2.5 – 2.7 – 2.8, 6+). Going back to “Holiday” 2016, KRLD-AM is within a high of 2.8 and a low of
2.0. In the news/talk arena, North Texas Public Broadcasting’s KERA, which was 2.4 (6+) in February and March, drops one-tenth to 2.3 and departs the top twenty (#17 to #21); Cumulus Media’s WBAP “News Talk 820” regains half the four-tenths it lost in March (2.0 – 2.2, +.2, #21 to #22, 6+); Salem Media Group-owned KSKY “660 AM The Answer” is up one-tenth to 1.0 (flat at #33, 6+); and Cumulus Media’s KLIF-AM “570 News & Information” gains one-tenth as well (.5 – .6, unchanged at #35, 6+).
Dallas Music Formats – In four straight up or flat trends (3.9 – 4.3 – 4.3 – 4.3 – 4.5, fifth to third, 6+), Cumulus Media’s KSCS “96.3 New Country” is a +.6 and it overtakes co-owned/similarly-programmed KPLX “99.5 The Wolf” (fourth to fifth), which continues a down/up pattern (4.8 – 3.9 – 4.2 – 4.0 – 4.4 – 4.3, 6+). Tacking on seven-tenths to March’s +.6 (5.4 – 6.0 – 6.7, 6+), iHeartMedia-owned KHKS “106.1 Kiss – Dallas/Fort Worth’s Hit Music” is #1 for the fourth straight month. When “Kiss” reached #1 in January, it was the first time the mainstream CHR held the lead position since March 2017. Improving by one-half share each are co-owned adult contemporary KDGE “Star 102.1 – More Music, More Variety” (#15 to #14, 6+) and Univision Radio Spanish contemporary KDXX “Latino Mix” (2.3 – 2.8, #19 to #16, 6+). In three straight monthlies without a loss, “Star” is up six-tenths (2.5 – 2.6 – 2.6 – 3.1, 6+), while this is the best 6+-showing for “Latino Mix” since 3.0 in November. Following three up-trends in a row that netted nine-tenths (1.0 – 1.3 – 1.7 – 1.9, 6+) Educational Media Foundation contemporary Christian KYDA “Air 1 Positive Hits” returns seven-tenths of that increase (1.2, #31, 6+). Down an overall seven-tenths in January and February (3.7 – 3.2 – 3.0, 6+), Radio One rhythmic CHR KBFB “97.9 The Beat” recorded a one-half share increase in March but sputters by six-tenths in April (3.5 – 2.9, #11 to #15, 6+). Off by six-tenths as well are Entercom classic hits-oldies KLUV “98.7 K-LUV” (5.0 – 4.4, third to fourth, 6+) and adult hits sibling KJKK “100.3 Jack-FM” (4.2 – 3.6, sixth to ninth, 6+). Off by six-tenths as well are Entercom classic hits-oldies KLUV “98.7 K-LUV” (5.0 – 4.4, third to fourth, 6+) and adult hits sibling KJKK “100.3 Jack-FM” (4.2 – 3.6, sixth to ninth, 6+). After being frozen on 3.4 (6+) in “Holiday” 2017 and January 2018, iHeartMedia’s KEGL “97.1 The Eagle Rocks” (ninth to seventh) records a 3.9 (6+) for the third time in a row.
Houston
Spoken-Word Formats – After recording a .7 (6+) in each of the last four ratings periods, iHeartMedia’s KBME “Sports Talk 790” – the flagship of the defending World Series champion Houston Astros – nearly doubles it to 1.3 (+.6, #26 to #22, 6+). Elsewhere in the market’s sports talk format, Entercom’s KILT-AM “Sports Radio 610” returns the one-tenth it gained in March (.9 – .8 – .9 – .8, #23 to #26, 6+) and Gow
Communications’ KFNC “ESPN 97.5” adds two-tenths (.5 – .7, #28 to #27, 6+). Finishing back-to-back at #15 and #16, respectively, are University of Houston news/talk KUHF (4.0 – 3.6, -.4, #10 in March, 6+), which surrenders in its entirety March’s +.4 and iHeartMedia news/talk KTRH “News Radio 740” (3.4 – 3.3, -.1, 6+). Both KUHF and KTRH improved by six-tenths in January. In advance of its January +.6, KTRH was without an increase in the previous four monthlies for an overall -1.4 (3.9 – 3.3 – 3.2 – 3.0 – 2.5, 6+).
Houston Music Formats – Having finished first in four successive sweeps, iHeartMedia adult contemporary KODA “Sunny 99.1” shifted to second in March. It answers March’s -1.1 with an April +.8 though and returns to the top spot (7.3 – 6.2 – 8.0, 6+), where it is tied with Radio One’s KMJQ (6.8 – 7.0, +.2, repeats at #1, 6+). “Sunny,” which finished second in October and November, was -5.4 in January but gained two-tenths in February. Its 12.5 in “Holiday” 2017 is its strongest 6+-stat since “Holiday” 2016’s 10.3 and the first time any Houston station reached double-digits (6+) since that ratings period. Immediately prior to September’s -.8, KODA was a collective +1.7 via four straight up or flat monthlies (5.5 – 5.5 – 5.8 – 6.4 – 7.2, 6+). Urban AC KMJQ “Majic 102.1 – The People’s Station” was stuck on 7.0 (6+) in January and February, dropping to 6.8 (6+) in March. As the result of three straight decreases (5.2 – 5.0 – 4.3 – 3.7, 6+), KSBJ Educational Foundation’s KSBJ erodes by a cumulative -1.5 as “89.3 Contemporary Christian Music – God Listens” exits the top ten (#9 to #13). Within 3.1 – 3.5 range in each of the last seven sweeps (3.1 – 3.5 – 3.2 – 3.2 – 3.5 – 3.3 – 3.5, 6+), Univision Radio Spanish adult hits KOVE “Amor 106.5” falters by six-tenths to 2.9 (#16 to #17, 6+). More major ups/downs for Entercom adult hits KKHH “95.7 The Spot,” which was +1.0 in January; -.9 in February; +.8 in March; and now -.5 in April (4.1 – 5.1 – 4.2 – 5.0 – 4.5, fifth to eighth, 6+). January’s 5.1 was the best 6+-showing for “The Spot” since last June and July (5.1, as well). In five straight sweeps without a loss (3.8 – 4.4 – 4.7 – 5.3 – 5.5 – 5.5, 6+), iHeartMedia’s KTBZ was +1.7 but “94.5 The Buzz – Houston’s Rock and Alternative” slips by three-tenths to 5.2 (6+) and carries on in fourth-place.
Atlanta
Spoken-Word Formats – Stabilizing itself in March with a 2.6 (6+) after February’s -1.1, Entercom sports talk WZGC “92.9 The Game” trots out a +.7 in April to 3.3 (#17 to #14, 6+). In advance of February’s loss, “The Game” was a combined +.7 in three straight gains (3.0 – 3.4 – 3.5 – 3.7, 6+). As the result of six successive sweeps without a decrease (1.2 – 1.2 – 1.2 – 1.3 – 1.5 – 1.7 – 1.8, 6+), Dickey Broadcasting’s WCNN “Sports Radio The Fan” is +.6; the flagship of the Atlanta Braves enters the top twenty (#22 to #20). Notwithstanding it is #1 for
the 29th successive ratings period, Cox Media Group news/talk WSB-AM is -2.5 in three consecutive negative moves (10.2 – 9.4 – 8.4 – 7.7, 6+); it was +1.6 in January. WSB-AM notched three straight increases for a collective +1.6 (8.6 – 8.9 – 9.9 – 10.2, 6+) but then was a combined -1.6 in three consecutive drops (10.2 – 10.0 – 9.1 – 8.6, October – November – December – “Holiday” 2017, 6+). January 2017’s 10.7 represents its best-ever (6+) PPM-performance. Steady at #19, Cumulus Media
news/talk WYAY “106.6 Where Atlanta Comes to Talk” is up two-tenths to 2.0 (6+), after recording a 1.8 (6+) three straight times. With a December 2017 – April 2018 topline of 4.4 – 4.5 – 4.4 – 4.5 – 4.5 – 4.2 (6+), City of Atlanta Board of Education news/talk WABE remains at #8. Georgia State University news/talk WRAS, which had been +.3 in three consecutive up or flat moves (.7 – .7 – .9 – 1.0, 6+), is off by an overall four-tenths in March and April (1.0 – .7 – .6, #26 to #29, 6+). At #31 and #33, respectively, are iHeartMedia-owned WGST “Talk Radio 640” (.1 – .2, +.1, 6+) and Salem Media Group’s WGKA “AM 920 The Answer” (flat at .1, 6+).
Atlanta Music Formats – Five upticks or flat moves in succession by Cox Media Group adult contemporary WSB-FM “B-98.5” have netted two full-shares (3.9 – 4.7 – 4.8 – 4.8 – 5.5 – 5.9, steady at #4, 6+). Similarly, Cumulus Media CHR WWWQ “Q-100 Atlanta’s New Hits” is +.5 in five straight positive or flat trends (4.1 – 4.1 – 4.2 – 4.3 – 4.4 – 4.6, 6+), progressing from ninth to seventh. The market’s (6+) country share increases by three-tenths as iHeartMedia’s WUBL “94.9 The Bull” (+.1 in April) registers its fourth increase in a row for an overall gain of six-tenths (4.1 – 4.2 – 4.5 – 4.6 – 4.7, seventh to sixth, 6+), while Cumulus Media-owned WKHX “Kicks 101.5” (+.2 in April) is up seven-tenths in four successive up or flat trends (2.9 – 2.9 – 3.2 – 3.4 – 3.6 (#13 to #12, 6+). This is the fourth negative move in a row for Salem Media Group contemporary Christian WFSH “104.7 Fish” (8.5 – 6.0 – 5.5 – 5.3 – 4.2, sixth to eighth, 6+), which is -4.3 (roughly -50%) in that stretch. “The Fish” was a combined +2.9 in December and “Holiday” 2017 (5.6 – 7.2 – 8.5, 6+) but now has its lowest 6+ share (4.2) since July 2017’s 3.9. A November decrease of one-tenth pulled the plug at four its string of successive trends without a loss that netted a +1.8 (3.9 – 3.9 – 4.3 – 5.3 – 5.7, 6+). As the result of three downward trends in succession (3.9 – 3.3 – 3.0 – 2.5, #16 to #17, 6+), Entercom hot AC WSTR “Star 94.1 Today’s Hits” is a cumulative -1.4. In three straight positive spikes, Radio One urban AC WAMJ was an overall +1.2 (4.2 – 4.5 – 4.8 – 5.4, 6+), but “Majic” drops three-tenths to 5.1 and is unchanged at #5. Prior to March, WAMJ was within 4.1 – 4.9 range (6+) in each of the previous 17 sweeps. In addition to being up nine-tenths in three consecutive up or flat moves (5.8 – 5.8 – 6.3 – 6.7, third to second, 6+), Entercom urban contemporary WVEE “V-103 The People’s Station” has its best 6+-showing (6.7) since “Holiday” 2016 (6.7, as well). In four straight down or flat trends, iHeartMedia alternative WRDA “Alt 105.7” is off by one-half share (2.0 – 1.8 – 1.8 – 1.5 – 1.5, #22, 6+).
Philadelphia
Spoken-Word Formats – Another MLB flagship turning in a strong April performance is Entercom sports talk WIP (Phillies), which picks itself up from March’s massive -2.9 with a +1.1 (8.7 – 5.8 – 6.9, fifth to fourth, 6+). Huge shifts have been common lately for WIP, including an overall -1.1 in December and “Holiday” 2017 (8.0 – 7.1 – 6.9, 6+); a +2.6 in January 2018; and -.8 in February. Its format rival – Beasley Media Group’s WPEN-FM “97.5 The Fanatic” – adds three-tenths to 2.8 (#17 to #14, 6+); “The Fanatic” was +.9 in January. On the heels of posting a +.9 in March (5.1 –
6.0, 6+) for its strongest 6+-showing in three years (6.1, March 2015), Entercom all-news KYW surrenders one full-share in April (5.0, fourth to seventh, 6+). KYW improved by one full-share in January and then dropped one-tenth in February. Steady at #9, public news/talk WHYY adds two-
tenths to March’s +.3 (3.9 – 4.2 – 4.4, 6+). WHYY chalked up a +1.0 in January and was -.6 in “Holiday” 2017. Locked on 1.8 (6+) in “Holiday” 2017 and January 2018 and then on 1.9 (6+) in February and March, Entercom news talk WPHT “Talk Radio 1210” drops to 1.5 (#19 to #23, 6+). Unchanged at #21, Townsquare Media news/talk WKXW “New Jersey 101.5,” which had been a collective +.6 in six straight up or flat Philadelphia sweeps (1.2 – 1.2 – 1.3 – 1.6 – 1.8 – 1.8 – 1.8, 6+), is off two-tenths to 1.6 (6+).
Philadelphia Music Formats – By posting an increase of six-tenths (2.8 – 3.4, #15 to #12 6+), Beasley Media Group adult hits WBEN-FM “95.7 BEN-FM” has its best 6+-showing since October 2016 (3.4, as well). The January 2018 – April 2018 6+-topline for WBEB “Today’s 101.1 More FM” is a very consistent 8.3 – 8.4 – 8.4 – 8.3 (6+) as the Jerry Lee-owned adult contemporary repeats at #1. WBEB was -8.7 in January, but in five straight increases before that, “Today’s 101.1 More FM” was a collective +10.3 (6.7 – 7.2 – 7.6 – 7.8 – 12.8 – 17.0, 6+). In “Holiday” 2017, WBEB achieved its most potent 6+-share since 17.9 in “Holiday” 2016. Steady at #2, Entercom classic hits-oldies WOGL “98.1 – Nobody Plays More 80s” is a combined +1.7 in three upticks in succession (5.3 – 6.3 – 6.9 – 7.0, 6+); this (7.0) is its best 6+-stat since September’s 7.4. Registering its fourth straight improvement for an overall +1.3 (3.6 – 4.2 – 4.3 – 4.6 – 4.9, 6+), Entercom-owned WXTU “92.5 Philadelphia’s Country Station” carries on in eighth-place. In seven straight up or flat trends, Connoisseur Media hot AC WPST “94.5 PST” has gained one-half share (.7 – .7 – .8 – .8 – 1.0 -1.0 – 1.1 – 1.2, #24, 6+). Deflating by one-half share each are iHeartMedia rhythmic hot AC WISX “Real 106.1” (2.7, #13 to #15, 6+) and Radio One urban AC WRNB “100.3 R N B” (3.1 – 2.6, #14 to #16, 6+). “Real” was +.8 in three straight increases (2.4 – 2.8 – 2.9 – 3.2, 6+).
Long Island
Spoken-Word Formats – Flat at 2.9 in March (6+), following February’s -1.1, Entercom’s WFAN “Sports Radio” hauls out a +1.1 in April (2.9 – 4.0, 6+) as the New York Yankees’ flagship is back in Long Island’s top ten (#14 to #7). Meanwhile, the key station of the New York Mets – iHeartMedia news/talk WOR “710 The Voice of New York” – notches a +.6 (2.5 – 3.1, #16 to #13). WOR was an overall +.8 in three straight gains (2.0 – 2.1 – 2.6 – 2.8, 6+), before returning three-tenths in March. Albeit down one-tenth (3.0 – 2.9, #13 to #14, 6+), Entercom all-news WCBS-AM overtakes co-owned/similarly-formatted WINS (3.3 – 2.8, -.5, #10 to #15, 6+). WCBS-AM gained two-tenths in January, curtailing four straight down or flat trends for an overall loss of one full-share (3.8 – 3.7 – 3.0 – 2.8 – 2.8, 6+). In March, it recaptured the four-tenths it dropped in February. Without an increase in Long Island for six successive survey periods for a -1.3 (4.2 – 4.1 – 3.9 – 3.6 – 3.4 – 3.4 – 2.9, 6+), WINS was +.4 in March. In addition to posting its fourth consecutive positive spike for an overall +.9 (1.1 – 1.2 – 1.3 – 1.8 – 2.0, 6+), Emmis-owned WEPN “98.7 ESPN New York” cracks the top twenty (#24 to #19). Down one-tenth to 1.4 (yet moving from #26 to #25, 6+), Cumulus Media news/talk WABC has its consecutive streak of Long Island up or flat trends that yielded a +.4 end at three (1.1 – 1.2 – 1.2 – 1.5, 6+). Trending 1.6 – 1.9 – 1.6 (6+), WNYC Broadcasting Foundation news/talk WNYC-FM drops from #22 to #24.
Long Island Music Formats – A gain of six-tenths (3.8 – 4.4, eighth to fourth, 6+) enables Connoisseur Media classic hits-oldies WBZO “103.1 Max FM” to have its best 6+-stat (4.4) since last June (4.4, as well). Also improving by six-tenths is Sacred Heart University’s WSHU “NPR News and Classical Music” (.6 – 1.2, #27, 6+). Even though its 6+-share has been pared in excess of 50% (-6.5) in four straight sweeps without an increase (12.6 – 7.4 – 7.4 – 7.0 – 6.1, 6+), Connoisseur Media hot AC WALK-FM “Real Variety 97.5” is nonetheless #1 for the seventh consecutive time. “Real Variety” was an overall +7.2 in October – November – December – “Holiday” 2017 (5.4 – 6.7 – 8.7 – 12.6, 6+). Off by nine-tenths in October, WALK-FM was on top between June and September. After three consecutive increases that generated a +2.1 (4.2 – 5.1 – 5.3 – 6.3, 6+), it dropped one-tenth in July; rebounded with a +.7 in August; but surrendered six-tenths in September. In back-to-back sweeps, iHeartMedia classic rock WAXQ “Q-104.3” falters by six-tenths (4.6 – 4.0 – 3.4, sixth to tenth, 6+). Via three consecutive increases (2.3 – 2.7 – 3.1 – 4.3, 6+), Connoisseur Media adult contemporary WKJY was +2.0, but “Long Island’s K-98.3” dips by one-tenth to 4.2 (6+), slipping from fifth to sixth. Within 2.0 – 2.9 territory (6+) for the 42nd consecutive ratings period, Emmis rhythmic CHR WQHT “Hot 97” is off by one-tenth (2.6 – 2.5, #15 to #16, 6+).
Riverside
Spoken-Word Formats – Down by a cumulative six-tenths in February and March (1.3 – .9 – .7, 6+), San Bernardino Community College news/talk KVCR regains half that loss to 1.0 (+.3, #15 to #13, 6+). Prior to February, KVCR was +.4 via three minor upticks in a row (.9 – 1.0 – 1.1 – 1.3, 6+). With a very consistent Inland Empire November 2017 – April 2018 topline of .4 – .4 – .3 – .4 – .4 – .4 – .3 (6+), Pasadena City College news/talk KPCC “The Voice of Southern California” moves from #17 to #18. It is part of a five-way logjam there with iHeartMedia’s KUBE “Fox Sports Radio 1350 AM – Riverside’s Sports Station” (.1 – .3, +.2, 6+).
Riverside Music Formats – An overall +1.2 as the result of three upticks in a row (4.6 – 4.9 – 5.4 – 5.8, 6+), Entercom country outlet KFRG “K-Frog” continues in the runner-up slot. After dipping by one-half share in March (5.2 – 4.7, 6+), Univision Radio Spanish contemporary KLVE “107.5 K-Love” answers with a +.6 to 5.3 (fourth to third, 6+). Anaheim Broadcasting’s KCAL-FM registers a one-half share increase (2.1 – 2.6, 6+) as “96.7 Rocking’ The Empire” rises from tenth to eighth. After racking up a cumulative +2.9 in January and February (5.5 – 7.3 – 8.4, 6+), classic hits-oldies cluster-mate KOLA falters by -1.7 in March and April to 6.7 (6+) but is #1 for the fourth month in succession. January’s +1.8 pulled the plug on three straight decreases that accounted for a -2.0 (7.5 – 6.0 – 5.8 – 5.5, 6+). Prior to January, KOLA last occupied the #1 slot in January 2016 with a 6.9 (6+). This is the fifth sweep in succession without an increase for Entravision’s KLYY “Jose” for an overall -3.0 (7.6 – 7.3 – 5.8 – 5.8 – 5.0 – 4.6, third to fourth, 6+). Returning roughly half of March’s +.9, Liberman Broadcasting regional Mexican KRQB “Que Buena 96.1” (3.0 – 2.5, -.5, 6+) shifts from seventh to tenth; its 3.0 in March was its best 6+-performance since 4.2 in August 2017. Flat at #11, Educational Media Foundation contemporary Christian KLRD shows a decrease of one-half share as well to 1.5 (6+); “Air 1 Positive Hits” was trending 2.0 – 1.9 – 1.9 – 2.0 (6+).
San Jose
Spoken-Word Formats – After trending 3.0 – 3.3 – 3.0 – 3.0 (6+), Cumulus Media sports talk KNBR trots out a +1.6 – the highest (6+) March 2018 – April 2018 increase by any station in the 12 PPM-markets highlighted here. Moreover, “The Sports Leader” (3.0 – 4.6, 6+) catapults from #12 to #4 and the San Francisco Giants flagship reaches the four-share level in San Jose (6+) for the first time since May 2017’s 4.2. Simulcast partner/co-owned KTCT is flat at .5 (unchanged at #31, 6+). Stuck on 1.0 (6+) in December, “Holiday” 2017, and January 2018, Entercom’s KGMZ “95.7 The Game” gained two-tenths in February but the key station of the Oakland A’s drops one-tenth in March and April (1.2 – 1.1 – 1.0, flat at #29, 6+). Floundering by -.8 in February and then leveling off in March, Entercom all-news KCBS-AM advances by one-half share in April (5.8 – 6.3, 6+) and finishes second for the fourth time in a row.
Nearly two full-shares ahead of it is Northern California Public Broadcasting’s KQED, which is #1 for the fourth straight month although down in April by six-tenths (8.8 – 8.2, 6+). When KQED lost six-tenths in “Holiday” 2017, it shifted to #2, following five straight sweeps on top; it was +1.0 in January. A loss of one-tenth in December halted three consecutive gains that produced an overall +1.3 (6.9 – 7.3 – 8.0 – 8.2, 6+). Unlisted in San Jose since posting a 5.1 (6+) in the “Holiday” 2015 report, KQED returned in January 2017 by recording a 6.9 (6+) to finish at #1 and it stayed on top through April 2017. A combined +.7 in January and February (2.4 – 2.8 – 3.1, 6+), Cumulus Media news/talk KGO is -1.0 in March and April (3.1 – 2.9 – 2.1, #14 to #17, 6+). Co-owned news/talk KSFO, also an overall +.7 in January and February (1.2 – 1.5 – 1.9, 6+), gains one-tenth (1.9 – 2.0, 6+) to progress from #23 to #18.
San Jose Music Formats – Not only does Entercom adult contemporary KOIT-FM record a +1.0 to 4.2 (6+), applying the brakes to three downward trends in a row that accounted for a roughly 58% loss (-4.4) of its 6+-share (7.6 – 3.7 – 3.3 – 3.2, 6+), “96.5 Better Music for a Better Workday” returns to the top ten (#11 to #7). A gain of eight-tenths (3.7 – 4.5, 6+) takes Univision Radio Spanish adult hits KBRG “Amor 100.3” from eighth to fifth. Regional Mexican sibling KSOL “Que Buena” erases March’s -.5 with an April +.6 (2.8 – 2.3 – 2.9, #18 to #14, 6+). Up by six-tenths as well is Entercom CHR KMVQ “99.7 Now New Hit Music” (3.6, flat at #12, 6+), which was -1.2 in five straight monthlies without an increase (4.2 – 3.3 – 3.3 – 3.3 – 3.0 – 3.0, 6+). A combined +2.6 in six successive up or flat sweeps (3.2 – 3.4 – 3.8 – 4.0 – 4.7 – 4.9 – 5.8 – 5.8, 6+), co-owned KUFX “98.5 K-Fox, The South Bay’s Classic Rock” segues from second to third. Returning all of its March +.6 (and one-tenth more), hot AC cluster-mate KLLC “Alice @ 97.3” departs the top twenty (2.6 – 1.9, -.7, #17 to #21, 6+); March’s 2.6 was its strongest 6+-share in San Jose since May 2017 (2.6, as well). Meanwhile, its hot AC rival, Alpha Media-owned KEZR, is a cumulative -1.1 in four straight decreases (5.1 – 5.0 – 4.7 – 4.6 – 4.0, fifth to ninth, 6+). As a result of dropping six-tenths to 2.7 (6+), Univision Radio rhythmic CHR KVVF not only exits the top ten (#10 to #15), “Hot” halts at six a consecutive string of up or flat trends that netted a +1.2 (2.1- 2.5 – 2.5 – 2.6 – 3.0 – 3.2 – 3.3, 6+).
Middlesex-Somerset-Union
Spoken-Word Formats – Four successive losses by WFAN accounted for a -1.9 (5.2 – 5.0 – 4.2 – 4.1 – 3.3, 6+), but the Entercom sports talk facility and New York Yankees flagship is an overall +.8 in March and April (3.3 – 3.4 – 4.1, steady at #9, 6+). Immediately prior to the -1.9, WFAN was +1.4 via three straight increases (3.8 – 4.3 – 5.1 – 5.2, 6+). Its format competitor – WEPN “98.7 ESPN New York” – is trending 1.6 – 1.9 – 2.0 – 1.7 – 2.0 (#23 to #21, 6+). Without a loss for the fourth straight time for a net gain of eight-tenths (1.5 – 1.5 – 1.7 – 1.9 – 2.3, 6+), iHeartMedia news/talk (and New York Mets flagship) WOR progresses from #20 to #18. Despite a -.8 (8.1 – 7.3, 6+), Townsquare Media news/talk WKXW “New Jersey 101.5” is #1 for the fourth month in a row. “New Jersey 101.5” posted a +.9 in January to advance from second to first with its strongest 6+-stat since April 2016’s 8.5. WKXW held the lead position from January 2017 through November 2017. The four latest (6+) trends for Cumulus Media news/talk WABC are 1.5 – 1.6 – 1.4 – 1.5 (flat at #24); WABC was +.4 in January. Following three consecutive downward moves for a loss of six-tenths (2.8 – 2.5 – 2.3 – 2.2, 6+), Entercom all-news WCBS-AM answered with a +.7 in March – only to drop nine-tenths in April (2.9 – 2.0, 6+), freefalling from the top twenty (#14 to #21). Similarly-programmed sibling WINS is flat at 1.1 (#26 to #25, 6+). Even though it is down one-tenth (2.6 – 2.5, 6+), WNYC Broadcasting Foundation’s WNYC-FM advances from #17 to #16. In three straight improvements (2.2 – 2.5 – 3.1 – 3.4, 6+), the public news/talker was a cumulative +1.2 but was -.8 in March.
Middlesex Music Formats – Boasting a seven-tenths increase (4.1 – 4.8, 6+), Pillar of Fire contemporary Christian WAWZ “Star 99.1” jumps from eighth to fifth. A gain of one-half share (2.9 – 3.4, #14 to #12, 6+) enables Entercom-owned WBMP “Alt 92.3 New York’s New Alternative” to register its best 6+-share since June 2017 when it was a mainstream CHR (“Amp”). Although unchanged at #20, Cumulus Media hot AC WPLJ “New York’s 95.5 PLJ” improves by two-tenths to 2.1 (6+), thus halting five straight down or flat trends that accounted for an overall -1.2 (3.1 – 2.7 – 2.6 – 2.6 – 2.6 – 1.9, 6+). With the loftiest (6+) March 2018 – April 2018 decrease by any station in the 12 PPM-markets highlighted here (5.6 – 4.2, -1.4, 6+), Beasley Media Group adult contemporary WMGQ “Magic 98.3 Today’s Hits/Yesterday’s Favorites” drifts from third to seventh. An overall +1.5 in five successive up or flat moves in Middlesex-Somerset-Union (4.0 – 4.2 – 4.2 – 4.7 – 5.2 – 5.5, 6+), Entercom classic hits-oldies WCBS-FM “101.1 New York’s Greatest Hits” forfeits six-tenths to 4.9 (6+) yet actually climbs from fifth to fourth. After trending 3.4 – 3.3 – 3.2 – 3.3 – 3.4 (6+), Spanish Broadcasting System Spanish tropical WSKQ “Mega 97.9” regresses by one-half share to 2.9 (6+) and spirals from the top ten (#9 to #15).
Tuesday, November 21, 2017
FOX News Channel Taps Mark Levin for Sunday Evening Program. The name of the new program is “Life, Liberty & Levin” and will debut in February and air at 10:00 pm ET on Sunday nights. FOX News Channel says Mark Levin’s show “will explore the fundamental values and principles undergirding American society, culture, politics, and current events, and their relevance to the nation’s future and everyday lives of citizens. The hour-long program will feature Levin’s lively, in-depth and long-form interviews and powerful debate style with consequential guests covering history, philosophy, and economics.”
FNC president of programming Suzanne Scott adds, “Mark’s passion for the principles found in the Constitution and success in talk radio has made him a distinct figure in the media landscape. We look forward to adding this spirited program to our weekend lineup.” Levin says, “I am honored to join FOX News, a network I have enjoyed appearing on as a guest for quite some time. As a proud citizen of the United States, I am delighted to share the significance of American values with such a wide audience and look forward to engaging with important guests about crucial topics.”
Jim Blasingame Celebrates 20 Years of ‘The Small Business Advocate.’ The nationally syndicated “The Small Business Advocate” program, hosted by Jim Blasingame, debuted on November 17, 1997 and is still the only syndicated, live weekday program “dedicated to Main Street businesses.” Blasingame says, “When we began, we wanted to provide Main Street entrepreneurs with the information, resources and inspiration they need to start, run and grow a small business. Thanks to the support of our audience, Brain Trust members and corporate partners, we’ve accomplished that goal and continue to deliver multi-media resources for small businesses, including a mobile site and a video series.” In addition to his radio work, Blasingame is a prolific writer with three books to his credit (plus, one due out next year!) and a weekly, syndicated column that’s appeared in newspapers and business journals, plus online publications, including Forbes.com, BizJournals.com, Manta.com and Nasdaq.com, plus his own weekly ezine. Forbes Media chairman Steve Forbes comments, “Congratulations to Jim Blasingame on his 20th anniversary. I’ve been a regular guest on Jim’s show for years. He really knows Main Street business, is a great interviewer, and his peerless commitment to serving small businesses and promoting entrepreneurship comes through in everything he does. Well done, Jim.”
Salisbury Gives Up Local Show on KFNC-FM, Houston to Focus on Network Program. Sports talk personality Sean Salisbury is leaving his post at Gow Media’s KFNC-FM “ESPN 97.5” where he co-hosts the “Unfiltered: with Sean Salisbury & John Granato” to “focus his energies exclusively on his national radio and TV show.” His eponymous sports talk show is heard from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm ET on the SB Nation Radio Network. The program is also simulcast from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on beIn Sports TV. Gow Media CEO David Gow says, “The Sean Salisbury show is on a really strong trajectory with a ton of momentum. The show has recently picked up new radio station affiliates in Lubbock, Phoenix and Atlanta. And we are excited to have Sean focus his efforts on the next wave of growth for the show.”
Dickey Broadcasting Drops ‘The Regular Guys’ on ‘The Fan 2.’ The four-month experiment with Larry Wachs’ new version of “The Regular Guys” hosting mornings at WFOM, Atlanta “The Fan 2” is over. The Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Rodney Ho reports that station chief David Dickey says the company is going to focus on an all-sports lineup on the station. Both Dickey and Wachs tell Ho that everyone put in a good effort to get the show off the ground but, in the end they agreed that it just wasn’t going to work. Read Ho’s piece here.
Schieffer Faces Daytona Beach. Pictured above is former “Face the Nation” host Bob Schieffer (left) being interviewed by WNDB, Daytona Beach afternoon drive personality Marc Bernier (right). The two appeared at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University last night (11/20) as part of the school’s Speaker Series. The two discussed the current state of reporting and Schieffer’s new book, Overload: Finding the Truth in Today’s Deluge of News (Rowland & Littlefield, 2017). Photo: David Massey.
Roy Moore Case, New Sexual Misconduct Allegations, Sanctuary Cities Ruling, GOP Tax Plan, Charles Manson Dies, Putin-Assad Meeting, Trump vs Marshawn Lynch, and NFL Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (11/20). The allegations of sexual predation against Alabama U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore; the latest round of allegations of sexual misconduct against Charlie Rose, Senator Al Franken, and NYT reporter Glenn Thrush; a federal judge rules against President Trump’s order to withhold funding from “sanctuary cities”; analysis of the possible effects of the Republican tax reform plan; Charles Manson dies at age 83; Vladimir Putin meets with Bashar al-Assad over Syria’s civil war; President Trump’s criticism of Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch for standing during the Mexican national anthem; 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. At Detroit country outlet WDRQ “NASH FM 93.1,” Cumulus Media appoints Jessica Tyler midday personality, APD and music director. Tyler comes to Detroit from her most recent post with Summit Media at country WQNU, Louisville “Q103.1” where she was morning drive co-host and APD. Cumulus Detroit director of FM programming Robby Bridges states, “I’ve known
Jessica a long time and the special bond she creates with listeners on and off the air, the friendships she develops with the artists, songwriters and managers, plus the relationships she has with the record community in Nashville are second to none.”…..Madison radio pro Sara Freeman is giving up her full-time afternoon drive show on Mid-West Family Broadcasting’s adult contemporary WMGN “Magic 98” to take a position with her husband’s real estate firm. She’ll continue to handle weekend shifts. Coming aboard the station is former WKTI, Milwaukee personality Jillene Kahn. She’ll host middays
until Freeman exits, then take over afternoon drive. On tap to fill the midday slot after that is Julie Jacobs…..Former WBMP, New York “92.3 AMP Radio” weekend personality Mike McGinn joins Beasley Media Group to host the afternoon drive show on WMGQ, New Brunswick, New Jersey “MAGIC 98.3.” WMGQ program director Debbie Mazella says, “I am really excited to have Mike on the air and make ‘MAGIC 98.3’ his home. He’s got the energy we are looking for in afternoon drive. Take a listen and you will hear what I mean!”…..In Jacksonville, Cox Media Group swaps frequencies between alternative WXXJ and adult contemporary WEZI. WXXJ moves to the class A signal at 106.5 and WEZI slides down to the class C frequency at 102.9. CMG Jacksonville market vice president Dan Lawrie states, “Our ‘Easy’ listeners told us they wanted a larger signal and we listened!”…..iHeartMedia’s Detroit adult hits WDTW flips to alternative rock as “ALT 106.7.”…..Sun Broadcast Group announces Shelby Wood Wasicki joins the company as national account manager. In this role, she’ll forcus on products including: Shazam For Radio, The Hit List with Fitz, Country Fried Mix with DJ Sinister, Sun Select RADAR, Sun Latino Networks, and many others.
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Rosen Rises to OM of Chicago’s WSCR, WXRT. Ten-year WSCR “The Score” program director Mitch Rosen is boosted to operations manager of the CBS RADIO Chicago sports outlet, as well as co-owned triple A WXRT. In a memo to the stations’ staff, CBS RADIO Chicago senior vice president and market manager Rod Zimmerman writes, “Mitch’s organizational skills, management style, and sales focus will help grow the great [WXRT] brand.” Rosen previously programmed the Windy City’s similarly-programmed WMVP “ESPN Radio 1000″ and was Paragon Marketing Group’s vice president of broadcast representation. Norm Winer continues as WXRT program director.
Chad Peterson Named Morning Host at KFKA, Greeley, Colorado. Weld County Colorado native Chad Peterson is the new morning drive host at Broadcast Media LLC’s KFKA, Greeley, Colorado. He’ll anchor the newly re-imaged “Advantage Bank’s Morning Drive” program. Peterson says he’s excited to return to his roots, “Returning to the heritage station in the market – the one I grew up listening to – is a privilege and an honor. I’m excited to serve the community.”
Howie’s Back – Actually He Never Left – Carr Continues on Boston Airwaves with New Flagship and Ownership of 15-Affiliate Regional Network Set for National Expansion. Last week TALKERS reported New England radio legend Howie Carr’s departure from his longtime radio home WRKO, Boston after two decades upon the termination of his most recent employment contract. It was no secret that the relationship between Carr and WRKO owner, Entercom Communications, had been a stormy one with the air personality/Boston Herald columnist and prolific best-selling author likening his departure from the facility to being “sprung from prison.” Beginning today (11/17) Carr brings his 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm daily program up the dial to WUFC 1510 AM as the evolving news/talk outlet also kicks off a return today to branding itself by its original, legendary handle, WMEX. The station, owned by Blackstrap Broadcasting is under the
management of Kevin Wallis’s Wallis Communications which reportedly has signed a purchase and sale agreement to take over ownership of the outlet during the first quarter of 2015. More importantly, Carr exits Entercom taking ownership and control with him of his 15 station New England regional network – the Howie Carr Radio Network (HCRN) which includes such heritage outlets iHeartMedia’s WHYN, Springfield, Saga Communications’ WGAN, Portland and WCRN, Worcester owned by Kurt Carberry who will manage affiliate relations and distribution for HCRN. Known for succeeding on both the ratings (adults 25-54) and revenue fronts, Carr has developed a reputation for being extremely listener and affiliate-friendly in terms of live appearances, sales promotions and production services – qualities he says he intends to keep intact as he expands the scope of the network to a larger segment of the Northeast and ultimately across the nation. On joining the new 1510 AM outlet, Carr tells TALKERS, “It’s a real pleasure to finally be working again with people who are truly committed to radio, and to the talk format in particular. Boston remains a great market for talk radio, and WMEX is where it all began, with Jerry Williams talking to James Michael Curley, Malcolm X and so many others. It’s also the station where I started, in 1980, occasionally hosting the Herald Bulldog Edition. I know the new WMEX is going to be a great success for all concerned.” The heritage WMEX calls in Boston go back to 1934 (first at 1500 AM, then 1470 AM before taking up 1510 AM in 1941) and the station was home to many radio greats over the years including Arnie “Woo Woo” Ginsburg. In addition to Carr, the new incarnation of WMEX includes such national personalities in its line-up as Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, Dennis Miller, and Alex Jones as well as local shows including the daily “Morning Meeting” provided by Boston Herald Radio. Sales and marketing for the Howie Carr Show and HCRN are being handled by the company’s vice president Kathy Carr who can be emailed at Kathy@howiecarrshow.com.
Sullivan Honored by Habitat for Humanity of Ohio. At its annual conference, Habitat for Humanity of Ohio last week awarded the 2014 Volunteer of the Year award to the 13-year host of Premiere Networks’ “At Home With Gary Sullivan” program. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati president and chief executive officer Ed Lee notes, “Gary Sullivan is always willing/eager to share/leverage his knowledge and contacts to help expand the reach of Habitat for Humanity in the Greater Cincinnati region. He has truly made a difference in our community and helped transform lives through decent, affordable home ownership. The Habitat mission is brought to life by our volunteers – none do it better than Gary.” Sullivan remarks that he is “embarrassed and humbled by this award, but proud to accept it on behalf of all the hard working Habitat volunteers.” His Saturday and Sunday Premiere Networks radio show is heard in 240 markets. In addition to being a longtime Habitat volunteer, Sullivan is a board member and serves on the “executive” and “development” committees. He has been active in the non-profit Christian housing ministry for over 20 years. He created/hosted “The Hardware Store,” which aired on HGTV for four years in the mid-1990s.
Sales Management Moves at Greater Media Detroit. At the Detroit station group, Greater Media announces Patti Taylor is promoted to general sales manager of classic rock WCSX and rock WRIF. At the same time, Jonathan Ghazal is named sales manager for WMGC “Detroit Sports 105.1.” Taylor has been serving as GSM for WCSX since February of 2013. Ghazal joined Greater Media Detroit as an account executive in October of 2012. Ghazal takes over for Cindy Senkbeil who remains with the WCSX sales team. She’d been sales manager of WMGC since November of last year.
Odds & Sods. Small business expert Jim Blasingame celebrates his 17th year on air hosting “The Small Business Advocate.” The show began as a two-hour daily program on November 17, 1997…..WGN, Chicago promotes Scott Miller to supervising producer. Miller is the executive producer of the Pete McMurray show. His new duties will mean he has oversight of the booking for all of the Tribune radio shows…..The price tag on Hubbard Radio’s purchase of Omni Broadcasting’s 16 Minnesota stations is $8 million dollars. The deal, announced last week, must pass FCC muster…..CBS RADIO Pittsburgh is the media sponsor of the 16th Santa Spectacular taking place at Point State Park this Friday (11/21). The CBS RADIO Pittsburgh stations – including news/talk KDKA-AM and sports talk KDKA-FM – are helping to present the afternoon’s activities that culminate in the lighting of Duquesne Light Tree and fireworks-to-music finale.
KNX, Los Angeles Continues ‘On Your Corner’ Series with Holiday Charity Component. The “KNX On Your Corner” on CBS RADIO’s all-news KNX, Los Angeles continues in December as the station profiles Cerritos on the 12th from Mimi’s Café . Dick Helton and Vicky Moore will anchor the live broadcast from 5:00 am to 9:00 am, Frank Mottek will host the “KNX Business Hour” from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm and Jim Thornton and Diane Thompson will anchor the news from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Listeners can participate on Twitter and Facebook using #KNX OnYourCorner. Mimi’s Cafe will also serve as a drop-off point for KNX’s annual “CHiPs For Kids” holiday toy drive in conjunction with CBS 2 and KCAL 9. New, unwrapped toys will be collected for distribution locally to less fortunate children by the California Highway Patrol.
Backbone Networks Offering TALKERS Readers Free eBook, “16 Tickets to Starting a Talk Radio Station.” Boston-based, digital radio tech firm Backbone Networks – the state-of-the-art broadcasting solutions company that played an important role in the successful launch of TalkersRadio, has published an eBook designed to show talk broadcasters aspiring to set up their own internet talk stations the key steps to take in order to make it happen. According to Backbone president Richard Cerny, “Every successful radio personality can now easily afford his/her own 24/7 station.” Cerny tells TALKERS, “The future of radio is bright but targeting a single distribution medium to reach listeners has many challenges. The future is an integrated view of your listeners. One that encompasses AM, FM, satellite and the internet. The barriers to entry for starting a digital station have been lowered, especially compared to the cost of running a traditional terrestrial radio station. The difference between surviving and thriving depends on your station as a platform, your programming and the fan base you build and maintain.” The newly published eBook is available at no cost to TALKERS readers. To obtain a copy, please click here.
Ferguson Tensions, Latest Hostage Execution/Battle Against ISIS, Net Neutrality, GOP vs ObamaCare, 2016 Presidential Prospects, and DEA Raids NFL Teams Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (11/17). A state of emergency is declared in Missouri as the decision by the grand jury whether to indict officer Darren Wilson is awaited; the execution of aid worker Peter Kassig over the weekend and the ongoing battle against ISIS in Iraq and Syria; the controversy over net neutrality and the Obama Administration’s support of it; talk of the GOP’s plans to take on the Affordable Care Act; the potential candidates for president in 2016; and the weekend raid of three visiting NFL teams by the Drug Enforcement Agency were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.