Tag: "KEIB"
Friday, June 18, 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, “Delta Blues” looks back at this past week of June 14-18, 2021. The program features guests (in order of appearance): Kevin Casey, executive editor, TALKERS magazine; Jennifer Horn, morning show co-host (870 AM the Answer) KRLA, Los Angeles/co-host DJV Show; Harry Hurley, host, WPG, Atlantic City, NJ; Bill O’ Reilly, commentator, Key Networks; and 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 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.
Travis & Sexton Set To Bow On 400+ Affiliates. Being billed as one of talk radio’s biggest-ever launches, Premiere Networks’ three-hour (12:00 noon – 3:00 pm, ET) “Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show” debuts next Monday (6/21) on more than 400 stations. The program inherits the timeslot held for more than three decades by talk radio icon Rush Limbaugh. Premiere Networks president Julie Talbott remarks, “The reaction from our radio station and advertising partners has been tremendous. Clay and Buck are proving to be a winning combination as we prepare to launch their new show in this highly-coveted timeslot.” Starting in September 2016, Travis began hosting Fox Sports Radio’s “Outkick The Coverage with Clay Travis” on more than 350 affiliates. Travis founded Outkick.com, which he sold to Fox Corporation earlier this month; he currently co-hosts FS1’s first daily gambling TV show, “Fox Bet Live.” Meanwhile, former CIA officer/NYPD counterterrorism expert Sexton previously headlined Premiere Networks’ three-hour “Buck Sexton Show” on more than 200 stations. The NYC native appears on The First, a digital-first TV network available on more than 14 platforms. Charter “Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show” affiliates (all eleven owned by iHeartMedia) include: WOR, New York; KEIB, Los Angeles; KTRH, Houston; WXKS-AM, Boston; WIOD, Miami; KFYI, Phoenix; KTLK, Minneapolis; WFLA, Tampa; KDFD, Denver; KEX, Portland; and KFBK AM & FM, Sacramento. It will also be available as a podcast on the iHeartRadio Podcast Network.
Cumulus Media D.C. Designates Boden Vice President/Market Manager. Inbound from Fredericksburg, Virginia, where he was VP/market manager of Alpha Media’s four-station group, Jeff Boden is named to a similar position at Cumulus Media Washington (DC), where he will oversee news/talk WMAL “105.9 FM – Where Washington Comes To Talk” and sports talk WSBN “ESPN 630 AM The Sports Capitol.” Cumulus Media executive vice president of operations Dave Milner states, “WMAL and WSBN are exceptional stations and demand an exceptional leader at the helm. Jeff Boden is the perfect choice to take these legendary stations into the future. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have him on the Cumulus Media team. His deep experience and relationships in the market make him our ideal choice. Jeff is respected and appreciated by those in and out of the company and steps into the big shoes left by former VP/market manager Ken Roberts, who sadly and suddenly passed away in April.” Boden comments: “I am truly honored to have this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It’s wonderful to serve the local community and our advertising partners. I look forward to working with so many people I have known for years, as well as with newer additions to the team.” From 2005 – 2012, the American University alum and former president of Delmarva Broadcasting Company was president/general manager of WMAL (as well as then cluster-mates) WRQX and WJZW when the stations were owned by ABC Radio and later Citadel Broadcasting. Boden has served as board chair for the Washington Area Broadcasters Association and in the same capacity for the Greater DC/Maryland Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Round Two of May PPM Ratings Released. The second of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s May 2021 PPM survey period has been released for 12 markets including: Washington (DC); Boston; Miami; Seattle; Detroit; Phoenix; Minneapolis; San Diego; Tampa; Denver; Baltimore; and St. Louis. Nielsen Audio’s May 2021 survey period covered April 29 – May 26. Mike Kinosian presents his “Ratings Takeaways” from this group of markets. In Seattle, Bonneville’s KIRO-FM “97.3 FM” gains four-tenths (6.2 – 6.6, 6+) to jump from second to first, the lone news/talker from these 12 PPM markets to finish at #1 (May 2021, 6+). Its Denver sports talk sibling – KKFN “104.3 The Fan” – notches that format’s greatest (6+) improvement among these 12 metros (2.1 – 3.0, +.9, #18 to #12, 6+). There’s a bit of irony in San Diego as three iHeartMedia-owned news/talk properties each pick up two-tenths: KOGO “News Radio 600” (5.5 – 5.7, fifth to second, 6+); KGB-AM “760 AM” (1.8 – 2.0, #20 to #19, 6+); and KFI “AM 640” (1.6 – 1.8, #21 to #20, 6+). In addition to Seattle’s KIRO-FM, the only other station from these 12 PPM-markets to land on top (May 2021, 6+) is American University-owned public radio news/talk WAMU (10.2 – 9.5, -.7, 6+), which repeats at #1 the fifth straight month. See Mike Kinosian’s complete “Ratings Takeaways” from this second round of markets (as well as yesterday’s first round) here.
KHTK Extends Its Pact With The NBA’s Sacramento Kings. Continuing a partnership that dates back to 1994, Bonneville Sacramento sports talk KHTK “Sports 1140” will remain the radio flagship of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings. Bonneville Sacramento senior vice president and market manager Steve Cottingim remarks, “We are excited to continue our relationship with the Sacramento Kings for years to come. Bonneville’s commitment to our local community continues to make KHTK the perfect home for our Sacramento Kings.” KHTK program director Jason Ross notes, “Having the opportunity to work on the radio broadcasts for the team and to work for the radio station, I feel the passion of this fanbase and the community.” Sacramento Kings president of business operations John Rinehart adds, “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with KHTK, providing an incomparable experience for the best fans in the NBA. KHTK brings a shared passion for the community and their broadcast not only paints the picture of game action but also provides a high level of entertainment for listeners.” As part of the long-term deal, KHTK will have streaming rights within 75 miles of Golden 1 Center.
Quintet Welcomed To Colorado Public Radio’s Board Of Directors. Joining the CPB board this past Wednesday (6/16) are: Linda Appel Lipsius; Ricardo Baca; Lori Bergen; Steve ErkenBrack; and Sherisse Hawkins. Board chair Philip Johnson remarks, “We are happy to welcome these members to the board of directors. Each of them brings a passion for community and [Colorado Public Radio‘s] mission, along with professional and personal experiences that will enrich and inform the board’s efforts.” Lipsius joined the board of Denver Urban Gardens in 2020 and became executive director in 2021. She is co-founder and former CEO of Teatulia Organic Teas and was a vice president at Orange Glo International. Indigenous-born Colorado native Baca is a journalist, keynote speaker, and entrepreneur. He served as The Denver Post‘s first-ever marijuana editor and founded news vertical The Cannabist, where he extensively covered the advent of adult-use cannabis and related issues across the country. AdCann named Baca “Marketer of the Year” in 2019. Bergen is the founding dean of the College of Media, Communication and Information at the University of Colorado-Boulder, where she holds the James E. De Castro Chair in Global Media Studies. A former journalist, she has been a faculty member and served in academic leadership roles at Kansas State University, Texas State University and Marquette University. ErkenBrack served as president and CEO of Rocky Mountain Health Plans; Mesa County’s elected District Attorney; and Colorado’s chief deputy attorney general. He has founded two law firms in Grand Junction and Denver and is currently “Of Counsel” with Grand Junction’s Hoskin Farina & Kampf, P.C. He was president of the Colorado District Attorneys Council. Engineer/technologist Hawkins is founder/CEO of PageDip. The award-winning business owner has appeared in Vanity Fair and on ABC-TV‘s “Shark Tank.” She worked as a Walt Disney Imagineer, building theme park attractions around the globe, and a system architect specializing in digital video delivery.
NAB Show Accepting Nominations For “Product Of The Year.” The awards recognize the most significant and promising new products and technologies developed by NAB Show exhibitors. Award recipients will be selected by a panel of industry experts in 16 categories and announced October 12 during the official awards ceremony/reception. Nominated products and technologies must be available for delivery this calendar year. NAB executive vice president of global connections and events Chris Brown notes, “NAB Show is the premier venue to launch and demonstrate new products that sit at the intersection of media, entertainment and technology. We look forward to exploring innovations from the past two years and celebrating their impact on our industry.” In addition to “Radio,” product categories for this year’s NAB Show “Product of the Year” awards are as follows: AI/Machine Learning; Asset Management, Automation, Playout; Audio Production, Processing and Networking; Camera Support, Control and Accessories; Cameras; Cloud Computing and Storage; Digital Signage & Display Systems; Graphics, Editing, VXF, Switchers; Grip Equipment; Hardware Infrastructure; IT Networking/Infrastructure & Security; Location/Studio Lighting; Monitoring and Measuring Tools; Remote Production; and Streaming. Nominations are being accepted through September 17; companies can submit product nominations here.
New FCC Rules Address Emergency Alerts. The latest FCC-adopted policies are aimed to improve the way the public receives emergency alerts on radios, mobile phones, and televisions. The move is in response to a false 2018 emergency alert in Hawaii, which mistakenly warned of an incoming ballistic missile attack. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 subsequently directed the FCC, in consultation with FEMA, to adopt rules to strengthen emergency alerting in various areas. The Commission adopted a “Report and Order” to ensure that more people receive relevant emergency alerts, enable government agencies to report any false alerts, and improve the way states plan for emergency alerts. Specifically, the “Report and Order” combines the current “Presidential Alerts” category with alerts from the FEMA Administrator to form a new non-optional alert class called “National Alerts.” Under the alert class, all states are encouraged to form State Emergency Communications Committees, which help administer alerting on the state level, or to review the composition and governance of existing committees, as well as require certification of annual committee meetings, while providing a checklist of information that should be included in annual state Emergency Alert System plans. It also specifies that government agencies may report false emergency alerts to the FCC’s 24/7 Operations Center and clarifies how alert originators can repeat their alert transmissions.
TALKERS News Notes. As reported by The New York Post, former WNYC, New York City reporter Fred Mogul has brought a defamation and wrongful termination suit against the New York Public Radio news/talk station. Filed earlier this week in Manhattan Supreme Court, the suit claims that Mogul was falsely accused of plagiarism over two lines of AP copy included in a draft of a report for WNYC sister site Gothamist but not the completed January 28 piece, which credited AP. Mogul, who was fired February 5, alleges that editor-in-chief Audrey Cooper told over 50 staffers that Mogul failed to credit AP on the story’s byline
and had “lifted another person’s words.” Mogul, however, claims the draft followed WNYC’s style guide … RAB senior vice president of insights, Annette Malave, successfully completed the University of South Florida Muma College of Business’ “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace” certificate. The 14-hour course focused on how companies and organizations can create more diverse workplaces while addressing equity issues and fostering inclusivity. Malave comments, “Multicultural efforts have always been a passion of mine throughout my career in the ad industry. The events of 2020 made me realize that I needed more than just passion, but an education on the role that diversity, equity and inclusivity play in our lives and in the workplace. I hope to take what I learned from this course and apply it to what I do in life and what we offer at RAB.” … Word comes from RobertFeder.com that Good Karma Brands Chicago sports talk WMVP “ESPN 1000” will add an FM HD2 simulcast, slated to be functional for tonight’s game between the White Sox and Houston Astros.
Art Lovers Go Hunting For A Bargain. In addition to hosting a daily three-hour (12:00 noon – 3:00 pm) show on Cox Media Group Jacksonville news/talk WOKV-FM, Toronto-born Mark Kaye does a weekly program on Newsmax TV. When the New York University-educated Kaye heard that Hunter Biden had changed careers to become a professional artist, he decided to do some painting of his own. The subject of his effort was fellow Florida resident Donald Trump. Kaye remarks, “When we reported that Hunter Biden was painting full time, we laughed; [however], when we heard art dealers were prepared to offer [as much as a million dollars] for an original Hunter Biden painting, we cried. If Hunter Biden could get [that much money] for his paintings, so could we.” Kaye crowdsourced ideas from his listeners and asked them what he should paint. “If they asked for it, we painted it.” That’s how he ended up with the portrait of Trump. Kaye’s portrait is currently for sale via online auction with an asking price of $10,000 or best offer. Kaye comments, “We’ve seen Hunter Biden’s work and, quite frankly, this painting is way better. As far as the $10,000 asking price, we didn’t want to be greedy – plus, people love a bargain.” Kaye’s fans have driven the price to $2100. Kaye will announce the winner immediately after the auction concludes next Monday (6/21).
Nielsen-MRI Fusion Study: 37% Of Newsmax Viewers Identify As Independents. A recent Nielsen-MRI fusion study profiled Newsmax‘s audience and found 37% of its viewers described themselves as “independents”; CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News each drew 35%. In addition, 37% of Newsmax viewers label themselves Republicans; 26% say they are Democrats. Seven of ten (70%) report they always vote in national, state, or local elections. According to Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy, “This study shows that Newsmax attracts a very diverse group of Americans from all backgrounds. One thing they have in common is their appetite for real news delivered by objective journalists with no axes to grind – something that’s resonating with independent voters.” Top jobs held by Newsmax viewers include positions in education, office/administration, sales, management, construction, and farming. Newsmax attracts an equal mix of the sexes, with a 50/50 male-female split.
Profile: KFI Keeping Listeners Informed in Unusual Times
By Mike Kinosian
TALKERS
Managing Editor
LOS ANGELES — Only the most vociferous glass half-full proponent would venture to discern the slightest glimmer of positivity about the present-day coronavirus crisis.
Meanwhile though, it must never be forgotten that through it all, genuine heroes continue to surface and walk among us.
Precisely as in life itself, cream has a glorious tendency to rise to the top in the radio industry.
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
WGN, Chicago Brings John Williams Back for Weekday Show. The Joliet, Illinois native has been hosting a weekend show – Saturdays from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm – since he left weekdays at WGN back in 2015 to focus on his WCCO, Minneapolis PM drive program. Now, with the WCCO contract coming to an end, John Williams returns to Chicago to host the daily 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm program, plus a Saturday show at the new 10:00 am to
12:00 noon time, effective March 13. To make room for Williams, WGN trims the daily Bill Leff and Wendy Snyder show to 10:00 am to 12:00 noon. WGN VP of programming Todd Manley states, “When we learned there was an opportunity to bring John back to Chicago full time we had to jump on it. There has never been a better time to have more of his inventive and intelligent talk on the station.” The station also makes a change to Saturdays with the cancellation of the Kathy O’Malley and Judy Markey program. Manley says, “We’re excited about the Saturday changes and want to express how incredibly grateful we are to Kathy and Judy for their contributions to the WGN family. We will look for every opportunity to continue their legacy.” The change at WCCO wraps a seven-year stint in afternoons for Williams. CBS RADIO has not announced its plans for filling the afternoon slot on WCCO.
Dave Ramsey Brings Smart Money Tour to Orange County. On Monday (1/30), nationally syndicated radio star Dave Ramsey presented his Smart Money event at Mariners Church in Irvine, California, speaking about how to win with money, get out of debt and invest for the future. Ramsey’s daughter, best-selling author and speaker Rachel Cruze, joined him on stage. Ramsey and Southern California affiliate KEIB, Los Angeles “The Patriot” promoted the event. KEIB program director Robin Bertolucci states, “It’s no secret Dave Ramsey has an extremely successful show but when you see him interact and connect with his listeners in person it adds another layer of understanding as to why he is so successful. Dave’s listeners and sponsors love and trust him and we here at KEIB are always thrilled when he brings his show to town.” In addition to yesterday’s event, Ramsey will join nationally recognized speaker Christy Wright for the Business Boutique 1 Day event in Irvine today (1/31). Business Boutique 1-Day is a brand-new event designed to equip attendees with what they need to successfully start and run their own business. Pictured above are (from l-r): Bill Denton, vice president of sales for iHeartMedia Los Angeles; Robin Bertolucci; Dave Ramsey; and Darren McMillan, vice president of sales for iHeartMedia.
Trump Travel Ban, National Security Council Controversy, Trump Supreme Court Nominee, Quebec City Mosque Attack, Iran Missile Test, SAG Awards Speeches, Pac Man Company Chief Dies, and Super Bowl Build-Up Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (1/30). President Donald Trump’s ban on travel from seven predominantly Muslim countries, the related protests, and the firing of acting Attorney General Sally Yates; the controversy over Trump’s inclusion of White House adviser Stephen K. Bannon on the National Security Council’s principals committee; Trump’s announcement he’ll name his nominee for the Supreme Court at 8:00 this evening; the deaths of six after a shooting at a mosque in Quebec City; the reaction to Iran’s Sunday missile test and the expected UN hearing on the matter today; the flap over political speeches at Sunday’s Screen Actors Guild awards; the man whose company created Pac Man dies at 91; and the build-up to Super Bowl LI were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
TALKERS News Notes. Current KFI, Los Angeles weekend host Wayne Resnick is ending his weekend program there but is becoming a part of the daily Bill Handel morning show. He posted the news on his Facebook page saying, in part, “On March 13, I will join the Bill Handel show. I’ll be giving the sports reports, helping produce the show, and joining the rest of the crew on air. This can happen now because I am retiring from my career in federal law enforcement after 27 years. The management at KFI, especially [PD] Robin [Bertolucci], have basically created a unique position for me that will allow me to do all the different things I have loved doing at KFI over the years, and to do them while watching Bill eat his daily ham and cheese Hot Pocket noisily. Everyone seems very excited about this (me too!) and Robin told me to ‘go crazy.’ Trust me when I say I have no intention of being insubordinate by not following directions.”…..The nationally syndicated weekend program “What’s Cooking in the Mr. Food Test Kitchen” is now being heard on NRG Media’s KXEL, Cedar Rapids…..This Sunday’s Super Bowl LI will be broadcast in Spanish by Entravision Communications Corporation. This is part of Entravision’s three-year deal with the NFL that allows the company to broadcast in Spanish via its NFL network. Coverage will air in 13 markets and 13 affiliate radio properties.
Chris Monk to Lead Cumulus’ Flint and Saginaw Stations. Broadcasting executive Chris Monk returns to the Flint and Saginaw, Michigan markets for Cumulus Media to lead the company’s nine
stations as regional vice president. He’ll also be market manager for the four-station Saginaw cluster. Monk led the markets under previous owner Citadel from 2007 through 2012. Most recently, he was serving with Adams Radio Group in Fort Wayne as VP and market manager. In Flint, Cumulus operates CHR WWCK “CK105.5,” country WFBE “NASH FM 95.1,” classic hip hop and R&B WDZZ “Z92.7,” news/talk WWCK-AM “Supertalk 1570,” and sports WTRX-AM. In Saginaw, the company operates rock WKQZ “Z93,” classic rock WILZ “Wheelz 104.5,” CHR WIOG, and adult contemporary WHNN “My 96.1.”
Music Radio News and Career Moves. At Riviera Broadcasting’s hot AC KMVA, Phoenix, the station debuts the “Smasher & Dee in the Morning” program. Smasher was most recently with CBS RADIO’s crosstown classic hits KOOL and Dee Garcia has been with KMVA hosting the midday program…..Atlanta classic hits outlet WSRV “97.1 The River” is celebrating its 11th anniversary with a Steve Miller Band and Peter Frampton concert at Verizon Amphitheatre in Alpharetta on July 16. Cox Media Group programmer Chris Eagan says, “‘The River’ has been rocking Atlanta for 11 years and we can’t wait to blow the candles out on our cake with thousands of our closest friends on July 16.”…..In Philadelphia, iHeartMedia’s alternative WRFF “Radio 104.5” is celebrating its 10th birthday with two concerts at the BB&T Pavilion. The May 13 lineup will feature: Kings of Leon, Bastille, Empire of the Sun, The 1975, Fitz and the Tantrums, and Rag‘n’Bone Man while the June 11 lineup will feature: The Killers, Bleachers, Foster The People, Kaleo and Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness…..Rock WJRR, Cocoa Beach, Florida announces the “Earthday Birthday 24” show taking place on Saturday, April 22 at the Central Florida Fairgrounds. The station says the “Earthday Birthday” is one of the largest locally produced annual rock festivals in the state and draws upwards of 15,000 music lovers from around the globe! The three stages will feature such artists as: Sublime with Rome, Sevendust, Alter Bridge, Thrice, Candlebox, Sick Puppies, Nonpoint, and more…..Alpha Media Portland proudly announces that triple A KINK “Morning Music Run” co-host Sheila Hamilton is receiving the prestigious Judy Cushing Celebrating Life Award on February 24. Hamilton, a five-time Emmy Award-winning journalist and author, shared her first-hand experience with losing her husband to suicide in her book, All the Things We Never Knew. She’s been an outspoken advocate for change in mental health care. Hamilton says, “I’m grateful to be honored by Lines for Life, whose trained volunteers de-escalate 98% of the over 17,000 suicide line calls received annually. That’s important, lifesaving work.”