Tag: "WISN"
Tuesday, December 7, 2021
New Morning Programming for WFLA, Tampa. Effective January 4, iHeartMedia’s Tampa Bay news/talk WFLA begins new morning drive programming. “AM Tampa Bay with Jack Harris” will air from 5:00 am to 7:00 am and the new “Ryan Gorman Show” will air from 7:00 am to 10:00 am. “The Ryan Gorman Show” stars Ryan Gorman
alongside co-host Aaron Jacobson and producers Katie Butchino and James Burlander and will “feature the biggest news stories and trending topics from the local Tampa Bay community. Every morning will be filled with the latest headlines, news, weather and 
traffic updates, plus discussions and interviews with local and national dignitaries presented as the talk of Tampa Bay.” Gorman says, “I’m excited to make the move to mornings and follow Jack Harris, a Tampa Bay and talk radio legend, and bring something unique and different to talk radio. We’re going to cover the biggest stories of the day and have fun doing it. Plus, we’ll feature guests who have the inside scoop on what’s happening in Tampa Bay and across the country and how it will impact you. I’d like to thank the incredible leadership team at iHeartMedia Tampa for the opportunity to host a morning show in my hometown.” Gorman has been host of “PM Tampa Bay” on the station since March 2018. He will continue to host “iHeartRadio Communities,” a show focusing on important national topics that runs on iHeartRadio stations across America and often anchors coverage of national breaking news events.
WCCO Unveils New Morning Show Hosted by Vineeta Sawkar. Taking over as morning drive personality on Audacy’s WCCO-AM, Minneapolis on January 3 is Vineeta Sawkar, who’ll host “The Morning News with Vineeta Sawkar” from 6:00 am to 9:00 am. Sawkar – a longtime KSTP-TV broadcast journalist – fills the role held by Dave Lee, who retired from the station back in April. WCCO brand manager Brad Lane
states, “After an extensive search, we are excited to welcome Vineeta to 830 WCCO and are thrilled that the tradition of news and personality in the morning will continue. Her rich experience, journalistic integrity and warm 
personality make her the perfect choice to evolve our station’s longstanding tradition of delivering the biggest headlines in the morning while exploring the news and events that matter most to Minnesotans.” Sawkar comments, “I’m truly humbled, honored and excited to host ‘The Morning News’ on WCCO. No one can replace Dave Lee. He is a broadcasting legend and a friend as well. This station is so rich with history and memories for so many of us. I hope the ‘Good Neighbor’ station you once listened to in the mornings for school closings is the place you can continue to listen for news and information to get your day started…with some fun, too.”
Audacy Puts All-News KNX on the FM Band. Southern California all-news KNX-AM is getting an FM simulcast partner as Audacy announces the launch of “KNX News 97.1 FM” in Los Angeles as it ends the CHR format on KNOU-FM. Audacy regional president
Jeff Federman says, “For over 100 years, KNX has been the station Southern California has depended on for breaking news, important events and life changing moments. With spoken-word audio consumption at an all-time high, this move allows us to significantly upgrade the existing KNX brand and create a news destination for a new generation. KNX is a powerful and trusted brand in this market, and we look forward to delivering the same award-winning content on crystal-clear FM radio.” The company adds that the launch “underscores Audacy’s commitment to its local news brands, reflective via a multiplatform transformation announced earlier this year. The station will launch with a two-minute tribute to some of the station’s biggest headlines over the last 100 years, while previewing the next chapter of its history.”
Round Four of November PPMs Released. The fourth of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s November PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford. Nielsen’s November 2021 sweep covered October 14 – November 10. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Raleigh, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WTKK-FM adds a full share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) to finish the survey with a 7.3 share and remains ranked #4 while Curtis Media Group’s crosstown news/talk WPTF rises seven-tenths for a 2.9 share and finishes ranked #12. Emmis Communications’ Indianapolis news/talk WIBC-FM climbs to the #2 rank after adding six-tenths for a 7.8 share. In Milwaukee, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WISN takes over the #1 rank after adding a full share to finish with a 10.3 share while Good Karma Brands’ crosstown news/talk WTMJ falls to #2 after shedding 2.2 shares for a 7.6 share finish. Cox Media Group’s WOKV-FM, Jacksonville dips two-tenths for an 8.0 share finish and falls to the #3 rank in the market. You can see Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets (as well as the first three groups) here.
Good Karma Brands Promotes Prince to Vice President. West Palm Beach market manager Stephanie Prince is promoted to vice president in which Good Karma Brands says she’ll continue to lead “ESPN West Palm’s content, marketing, and sales departments for ‘ESPN 106.3 FM,’ ‘Deportes Radio 760 AM,’ ESPN on WPTV
Newchannel 5 & WFLX Fox 29, the Roofclaim.com Boca Raton Bowl, and the team’s ESPN digital assets, while furthering her role as a leader throughout Good Karma Brands.” Prince says, “I’m thrilled to continue to grow within GKB and to lead ESPN West Palm. Our dedicated and passionate team provides value for our partners and great content for our consumers across all of our assets. Palm Beach County has been home for the last 14 years, and I’m excited about our community, ESPN West Palm and GKB as we continue to expand, grow and evolve.” Good Karma Brands president Steve Politziner comments, “Stephanie is the ultimate example of a teammate whose hard work and determination have continued to lead to successes and new opportunities within GKB & ESPN West Palm. Witnessing her career ascension has been one of the great thrills of my professional career. The ESPN West Palm team and all assets she oversees are in great hands under her leadership.”
December 7, 1941: When ‘Radio News’ Came of Age. Voice over and talk radio pro Mark Wainwright writes in a piece for TALKERS magazine about how radio covered the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He says, “In the midst of today’s 24/7/365 news cycle, when “breaking news” is an hourly occurrence, it’s worth remembering that broadcasting was very different 80 years ago. The concept of news on the radio barely existed in the early days of the medium. While radio had been covering important happenings since its beginning – Roosevelt’s “Fireside Chats,” political conventions, elections, major sports events and such – news, as we know it, was a low priority. It wasn’t until radio’s “Golden Age” in the 1930s that regular updates of the day’s news began to take hold. Americans typically depended on newspapers to get their daily news fix, even more so when “breaking news” happened. Radio wasn’t really equipped to handle these situations, so it fell to the wire services and newspapers to break the news.” Read his piece here.
TALKERS News Notes. Veteran Washington reporter James Rosen is joining Newsmax as chief White House correspondent. Rosen has served as a correspondent for FOX News and Sinclair Broadcast Group and has reported from the White House,
the State Department, Capitol Hill, the Supreme Court, the Pentagon, and the campaign trail. He has filed stories from nearly all 50 states and some 40 foreign countries, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, China, Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Saudi Arabia, Uganda, and Haiti. Newsmax Media CEO Christopher Ruddy says, “James Rosen is not only a reporter’s reporter, but also a great thinker and author who can share complex issues on a TV screen and explain them in clear and understandable ways.”…..A new podcast company from Imagine Entertainment – called Imagine Audio – is launching as part of a collaboration with iHeartMedia. Imagine chairmen Brian Grazer and Ron Howard announced the launch of the deal that will include a slate of co-produced, unscripted podcasts, further expanding Imagine’s IP verticals beyond the traditional screens. The partnership will collaborate to launch six new series over the next two years distributed through the iHeartPodcast Network…..United States Senator Michael D. Brown (D-D.C.), in solidarity with SiriusXM talk host Joe Madison, is beginning a weekly fast every Monday for D.C. statehood. Last month, Madison began a hunger strike for voting rights and has subsisted on a liquid diet for the past 29 days. Senator Brown joins to make sure that the issue of D.C. statehood is included in the national narrative on voting rights…..Beasley Media Group recently took over Tao in New York City to celebrate the company’s 60th Anniversary. The 4th Annual Holiday Soiree event, which thanked the company’s valued advertising partners, featured special live performances from Curb recording artist Lee Brice and acclaimed actor and musician Kiefer Sutherland. Pictured below are (from l-r): Beasley Media Group president Bruce Beasley, CFO Marie Tedesco, Sutherland, CEO Caroline Beasley, Brice, VP of operations Brad Beasley, chief content officer Justin Chase, and VP of music and entertainment and director of Charlotte operations John Reynolds. Photo: Joseph Frazz Photography
Mike Bendixen Exits ‘Newstalk 1010’ Toronto. Downsizing at Bell Media’s news/talk
CFRB, Toronto “Newstalk 1010” affects the programming department as station program director and company national format director news & talk programming Mike Bendixen exits. Bendixen had been programming the station since 2009 and had been with the company since 1998. You can reach out to him at bendixen.mike@gmail.com.
COVID-19 Omicron Variant, Biden-Putin Call/Russian Military Buildup, U.S. Diplomatic Boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics, January 6 Investigation, ‘Remain in Mexico’ Policy, and Nunes to Leave Congress for Trump Media Outlet Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (12/6). The Omicron coronavirus variant and vaccine mandates; President Joe Biden’s scheduled call with Vladimir Putin and Russia’s military buildup at the Ukraine border; China reacts to Biden’s plan for a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing; the investigation into the January 6 attack on the Capitol and former Mike Pence staffer Marc Short’s cooperation with the House committee; the Biden administration continues the Trump era “Remain in Mexico” policy for migrants; and California Republican Congressman Devin Nunes will leave the House to join Donald Trump’s new media company were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Friday, October 8, 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, “Floors and Ceilings,” looks back at this past week of 10/4 – 10/8. The program features guests (in order of appearance): Kevin Casey, executive editor, TALKERS; Harry Hurley, talk show host, WPG, Atlantic City; Steve Weisman, professor of Law, Bentley University, Boston/founder, Scamicide.com; Dr. Daliah Wachs, talk show host, Genesis Communications Network/physician; Ken Coleman, talk show host, Ramsey Solutions; 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; KTLK-FM, St. Louis; WPG, Atlantic City, NJ; 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; KQEN, Roseburg, OR; 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.
WPHT, Philadelphia Promotes Greg Stocker to Brand Manager. Executive producer and assistant brand manager Greg Stocker is promoted to brand manager for Audacy’s news/talk WPHT, Philadelphia “Talk Radio 1210,” effective immediately. In this role, Stocker will oversee content strategy, talent, operations and branding for the
station. Stocker assumes the brand manager role for the station previously held by Spike Eskin, who left the Audacy Philadelphia operations to become program director for the company’s WFAN, New York. Audacy Philadelphia SVP and market manager David Yadgaroff says, “I’m so pleased to see 
Greg earn this well-deserved recognition for his hard work and commitment to WPHT. Greg brings a passion for talk radio to his role and is the perfect manager to lead WPHT and our newly expanded local lineup along with some of the biggest names on the national stage.” Stocker joined the company as an intern in 2003 after obtaining a degree in TV/radio from Northampton County Community College. From 2005 through 2013, he was producer of “The Michael Smerconish Show” and since 2014, he has been executive producer of “The Rich Zeoli Show.” In 2019, he was named assistant brand manager in addition to his producing role. He comments, “It’s truly an honor to be leading this legendary radio station. I have an amazing team and I’m excited to guide us all into the next phase of WPHT’s evolution.”
Round Four of September PPMs Released. The fourth of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s September 2021 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford. Nielsen’s September 2021 sweep covered August 19 – September 15. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Raleigh, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WTKK-FM adds 1.6 shares to finish with a 6.4 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) and rises from #7 to #4 while Curtis Media Group’s news/talk WPTF-AM declines 1.2 shares for a 2.4 share finish and falls to the #14 rank. Good Karma Brands’ news/talk WTMJ, Milwaukee is at #1 after adding nine-tenths for a 9.1 share finish while iHeartMedia’s crosstown news/talk WISN is close behind at #2 after adding 1.7 shares for an 8.9 share finish. In Nashville, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WWTN-FM “Super Talk 99.7” is steady with a 7.8 share but rises to the #1 rank while iHeartMedia’s crosstown news/talk WLAC is up eight-tenths for a 2.9 share and wraps the survey at #14. You can see Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets (as well as the first three rounds) here.
WABC, New York to Celebrate 100 Years of Broadcasting. New York City news/talk WABC is celebrating 100 years of continuous broadcasting. John Catsimatidis, chairman and CEO of The Red Apple Group and subsidiary Red Apple Media, announces that WABC will celebrate its “rich history and the cultural impact that the iconic station has had on the lives of its listeners” throughout the next year, kicking off this month. The celebration will feature guests, interviews, milestones, remembrances,
and more. You can visit the 77 WABC Celebrates 100 Years webpage here. The special retrospective series airs every Sunday in October, from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Last Sunday featured Rush Limbaugh’s first show on 77 WABC and talk radio pioneer Bob Grant. This Sunday spotlights Dan Ingram, the thinking man’s DJ. Catsimatidis states, “With 50,000 watts of clear channel power, 77 WABC represents the many and diverse communities in New York and America with a common sense approach to the issues that confront our world, along with music and entertainment on the weekends. Looking forward to the next 100 years, we’re reaching our listeners on every available platform – broadcast, podcast, streaming, and mobile – and we’re thinking beyond radio. We’ve built a state-of-the-art audio/visual facility, which we call Studio 77. Our morning show is available for our fans to watch, as well as listen, and we’ve hosted live broadcast events such as a mayoral primary debate and special 9/11 programming that included the leaders of New York then and now. We’re developing new talent and exploring new ideas.” WABC launched in 1921 as WJZ. On May 1, 1953, the station changed its calls to WABC.
KIDO, Boise’s Kevin Miller Talks Idaho Politics on CNN. Pictured above is KIDO-AM, Boise morning drive personality Kevin Miller (right) appearing on CNN’s “Cuomo Prime Time” with host Chris Cuomo (left) discussing the recent political theatre involving the state’s Republican Governor Brad Little and Lieutenant Governor Janice McGeachin.
TALKERS News Notes. Radio pro Karina Farias joins Edison Research as project coordinator. Farias was most recently program director and morning co-host at KUFX-
FM, San Jose. Edison Research president Larry Rosin says, “Karina’s experience in audio combined with her passion for research will be a great fit, and we’re excited to have her join the team.” In her new role with Edison, Farias will be directing an array of market research projects with a focus on audio and media clients. She will also take a role in Edison Research’s election research…..Focus 360 adds of two national personal finance shows to its roster. “Real Money Pros” and the “Jared Dillian Money Minute” are now being 
repped by Focus 360 for network advertising and affiliation sales. Focus360 founder and CEO Phil Brown says, “As the country continues its climb out of the employment and economic disasters of last year, we wanted to expand our network to help listeners where they need it most – their bank accounts! Jared Dillian and the ‘Real Money Pros’ have been helping people through tough money issues for years and I am extremely excited to have them join the Focus 360 financial lineup!”…..ESPN releases VOL 1 of “Shots of Hype,” a new digital spoken-word audio series of motivational speeches. The three-part series is comprised of 15 tracks written and performed by well-known ESPN on-air personalities, including former athletes, coaches, and analysts. VOL 1 is now available via Hollywood Records across all major digital music platforms globally…..Sports USA reaches an agreement with the NHL to
be the league’s exclusive live national radio play-by-play partner through the 2024-2025 season. The broadcasts will include select regular season games and continue through the Stanley Cup Final each year. Sports USA founder and CEO Larry Kahn says, “We look forward to building on the success we had during our coverage of the 
Stanley Cup Playoffs last season and are thrilled to expand upon this partnership. The NHL has a loyal and passionate fan base and we couldn’t be more excited about the next four years.”…..WHO, Des Moines afternoon drive talk host Simon Conway interviewed former President Donald Trump this week ahead of Trump’s planned rally in Iowa this weekend. During the 15-minute conversation, they discussed the Durham investigation, the border, the economy, inflation, Afghanistan, Iowa and it’s first in the nation status, crime and much more. Conway’s show is also heard on WMT, Cedar Rapids and WOC-AM, Quad Cities.
The Budget Debate, Debt Ceiling Negotiations, and Infrastructure & Reconciliation Bills Combine as Top News/Talk Story for Week of October 4-8. The negotiations between Democrats and Republicans over the debt ceiling and the debate between Democratic factions over President Joe Biden’s $1 trillion infrastructure bill and his $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill were the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was talk about COVID-19 boosters and mask & vaccine mandates, followed by the investigation into the January 6 Capitol attack tied with former President Donald Trump’s ongoing claims of election fraud at #3. 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.
Audacy Seeks Co-Host for Boston Red Sox Podcast. A podcast co-host is being sought for a yet-to-be-titled Boston Red Sox show that will launch as a result of Audacy’s partnership with Major League Baseball and the launch of Audacy’s third
podcast studio 2400Sports. The co-host will be paired alongside newly hired host Steven Perrault, who joins Audacy from Barstool Sports, and will be counted on to provide their unique, engaged, and passionate perspective during each show. The show will break down some of the top storylines, rumors, and subplots happening in and around the team. Additionally, with access to current and former Red Sox personnel, the show will look to reach fans with unparalleled affection and vigor. See more about the position and apply here.
Alpha Media Portland Seeks Content Director. There’s an excellent opportunity for an experienced content director at Alpha Media Portland. The company is looking for a content director for news/talk 101.1 KXL, sports talk 750 KXTG – “The Game” and talk 970 AM KUFO – “Freedom” and for a corporate executive with involvement of key talk talent and stations. Alpha says, “We’re looking for someone with experience
programming winning news/talk, talk and sports stations that thrive with content and entertainment in the digital world. The ideal candidate must possess an extremely good work ethic, be a self-starter who is highly organized with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and have strong leadership skills. Alpha Media owns or operates 207 radio stations in 44 markets across the United States and is a diverse, multimedia company sharing music, sports and news across a variety of platforms. We believe in creating progressive products, world-class events and building strong relationships in our communities. See more about this position and apply here.
