Tag: "WPTI"
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Pamplin to Sell News/Talk KPAM, Portland. According to a story at OregonLive.com, Pamplin Media Group is selling news/talk KPAM and adult contemporary KKOV-AM and the new owner — Intelli LLC — is expected to flip KPAM to a Vietnamese-language station. The story notes that KPAM staffers posted on social media that the sale was taking place. A call to the station connected to a recording that says the stations will spend the next three to six months (the time expected for the FCC to approve the sale) on a “farewell tour.” Pamplin also owns the Portland Tribune and a number of suburban community newspapers in the Portland area. In addition to airing syndicated programming, KPAM features the morning drive “First Edition” show with Tim Hohl and Terry Travis, and the afternoon drive show, “Afternoon Northwest” with hosts Michael Herrington and Eric Peterson.
Nielsen Reports Third Quarter Net Revenue Up 4.5%. Reporting on third quarter financial numbers, Nielsen Holdings plc says its net revenue was $1.6 billion, an increase of 4.5% over the same period in 2016. Nielsen divides its services into two segments – Watch and Buy – with ratings services under the Watch banner. Nielsen CEO Mitch Barnes states, “In Watch, Total Audience remains our priority as we drive adoption and arm our clients with the critical tools and data they need.” Revenues within the Watch segment for the third quarter of 2017 increased 10.1%, or 9.7% on a constant currency basis, to $838 million, compared to the third quarter of 2016. Excluding the acquisition of Gracenote completed on February 1, 2017, Watch revenues increased 2.4%, or 2.0% on a constant currency basis. Audience Measurement of Video and Text revenues increased 16.9%, or 16.5% on a constant currency basis. Excluding the acquisition of Gracenote, Audience Measurement of Video and Text revenues increased 5.0%, or 4.6% on a constant currency basis, primarily due to our ongoing investments and continued client adoption of our Total Audience Measurement system. Audio revenues decreased 7.3% on a reported and constant currency basis for the quarter due to timing of deliveries.
Chris Edge Promoted to Area SVP at iHeartMedia. Programmer Chris Edge is being promoted to area SVP of programming for Raleigh and Greensboro, a position in which he’ll oversee programming of 10 iHeartMedia stations, including news/talk WTKK, Raleigh and WPTI, Greensboro. Edge has been handling programming strategies for the Raleigh stations for the past five years. iHeartMedia EVP of programming for the Northeast Meg Stevens says, “Chris has had exceptional success in Raleigh and we’re thrilled he’s taking on a larger role for our brands in the area. His leadership skills and dynamic personality make him right for the job.”
Skyview to Provide Turnkey Distribution for Clemson Tigers Network. The collegiate marketing firm JMI Sports owns the multi-media rights to Clemson University sporting events. That firm has just struck a deal with Skyview Networks for the Clemson Tigers Network to use Skyview’s distribution services and satellite receivers. This includes broadcasts of Clemson football, baseball, and men’s and women’s basketball. JMI’s Scott Morris says, “The expanded distribution of Clemson’s sports programs made possible by Skyview will allow fans to follow their Tigers from across the region and beyond. We are proud to make these improvements in our first year as the multi-media rights holder for Clemson athletics.” Skyview Networks says the distribution service is a cost-effective solution for the Clemson University Tigers. It will offer the resources necessary for JMI Sports to expand their affiliate base and provide those affiliates with the most up-to-date features, including record and store technology, copy-split spot insertion, and time shifting broadcasts to fit their format.
Fourth Annual Mahindra-Limbaugh Military Salute Giveaway Taking Place. This will be the fourth year that Premiere Networks superstar Rush Limbaugh and Mahindra North America will honor Veterans Day and acknowledge the service and sacrifice of U.S. military service members via the Mahindra Military Salute Giveaway. The contest gives all active and former military service members who enter the chance to win a Mahindra 750S camo Flexhauler utility vehicle. Entries are being accepted for the utility vehicle giveaway through November 5. The winner will be selected in a random drawing on November 9, 2017. Limbaugh says, “Thanks to Mahindra, the makers of the toughest utility vehicles on Earth. And God bless each member of our military, and their families, who protect our freedom.”
TALKERS News Notes. A friendly wager is taking place between iHeartMedia talk show hosts Michael Berry and Bill Handel. Although Berry’s program is broadcast to 20-some affiliates stations, his home base is KTRH, Houston and Handel’s is KFI, Los Angeles. Since Berry loves his Houston Astros, he’s challenged Handel to a bet over the Dodgers-
Astros World Series: the host whose home team loses has to send $1,000 worth of local products to the host whose team wins. Both are making appeals on social media and on air to their listeners, asking for ideas on products that represent the home city…..A number of iHeartMedia news/talk stations will be airing the podcast “Inside Psycho” as a one-hour special adapted from Wondery’s hit podcast with Mark Ramsey throughout this weekend and leading up to Halloween. Stations airing the special program include: WOR, New York; KOA, Denver; WIOD, Miami; WISN, Milwaukee and more than 70 others. iHeartMedia says this marks the first time a made-for-podcast show will air across broadcast radio, introducing podcasts to millions of new listeners…..ABC-TV’s “20/20” and ABC Radio are teaming up to present new details on the 2002 murder of Christa Worthington in Truro, Massachusetts, a crime that rocked the idyllic Cape Cod town. The reports take a look at all the evidence in the case, investigating whether the right man is behind bars. The ABC Radio six-part, podcast begins with the first episode today (10/25), hosted by ABC Radio’s Mark Remillard. The two-hour television special, “20/20: A Killing on the Cape,” airs on ABC TV on November 24.
Giordano Interviews O’Reilly. This was a live audience event and not broadcast on CBS RADIO’s WPHT, Philadelphia. WPHT talk host Dom Giordano (left) spoke with former FOX News Channel star Bill O’Reilly (right) about his newest book, Killing England (Henry Holt and Company, 2017), his time with FNC, and his future plans. O’Reilly also took questions from the sellout crowd of more than 900 at The Broadway Theater in Pitman, New Jersey.
Gallagher and Prager Lead Salem Listeners on ‘Stand with Israel’ Tour. More than 500 Salem Radio Network listeners are taking a tour of Israel, led by network talk show hosts Mike Gallagher and Dennis Prager. The trip is part of Salem’s commitment to “Stand with Israel.” Gallagher and Prager have been to Israel in the past but both say this trip has been a “life changing” one for them and their listeners. Gallagher, who is originating his talk show from Israel each day, is pictured here speaking to the group of listeners at the ancient Caesarea amphitheater.
Trump Tax Plan, Jeff Flake Campaign Decision, Trump-Corker Feud, Clinton Campaign and DNC Funded Trump Russia Dossier, North Korea Nuclear Threats, Obama DOJ Settlement Policy, Sexual Harassment-Weinstein/Toback Cases, World Series, and NFL Ratings, Anthem Protests and Games Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (10/24). The Trump Administration’s tax reform plan; Arizona Senator Jeff Flake’s decision not to run for re-election in 2018; the re-ignited feud between Senator Bob Corker and President Trump; the revelation that the Clinton Campaign and the Democratic National Committee funded the efforts to create the Trump-Russia dossier; North Korea’s nuclear weapons program and threats against the U.S.; the Obama Department of Justice’s policy of steering settlement monies away from organizations with conservative connections; sexual harassment and the Harvey Weinstein and James Toback cases; the Dodgers-Astros World Series; and NFL ratings, attendance, anthem protests and Sunday action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
TuneIn Names Holly Lim CFO. Digital audio service TuneIn announces it has appointed Holly Lim chief financial officer. Lim will be based at the company’s San Francisco headquarters and will oversee finance, legal, HR, workplace and corporate development. She most recently was CFO at Soundcloud and has also served with such firms as Google, Stetson, Comedy Central, and New Line Cinema.
Music Radio News and Career Moves. New York City rock radio legend Shelli Sonstein celebrates her 40th anniversary on the Big Apple airwaves by inking a new, four-year deal to continue co-hosting the “Jim Kerr Rock and Roll Morning Show” on
WAXQ “Q104.3.” Sonstein recently won a Gracie Award for best radio co-host and a second one for best public affairs show. She’s been co-hosting Kerr’s program since 2003. Sonstein first partnered with Kerr on the radio on WPLJ from 1977 to 1989. Sonstein also hosts “Sonstein Sunday” and “Sonstein Sessions” on the iHeartRadio app. She also serves as an advisory board member of the Asbury Park Music & Film
Festival…..iHeartMedia announces that Alex Mac is the new afternoon jock at KDXA, Des Moines “ALT 106.3” and the evening personality at KLLT, St. Louis “ALT 104.9.” He’s also going to serve as music director at KDXA. He comes to Des Moines from the company’s Richmond station group where he was evening host at “XL102.”…..Radio One promotes radio pro Tim Davies from vice president and general manager of Radio One Atlanta to regional vice president. The company says Davies’ promotion reflects “his success in talent and market management, revenue growth, and high-performance team development.” Radio One and Reach Media CEO David Kantor states, “Tim is a proven market leader who has been consistently progressive in his business acumen, sales strategy and people management skills. His steadfast leadership has continued to position our local stations and nationally syndicated shows to win. It’s a pleasure to announce his well-deserved promotion.”
Monday, August 29, 2011
All-News and Talk Radio Stations Keep Public Informed During Hurricane Irene. The hurricane/tropical storm that swept up the East Coast over the weekend pushed radio stations, especially news and talk radio stations, into their familiar and historical roles as providers of timely and emergency information as Irene bore down upon their markets. While radio of all formats can deliver this kind of information, news and talk radio does so without breaking format – they just alter the type of news, information and talk they provide. Their P1s expect to be kept informed during these times and the many news and talk stations up and down the East Coast did an exemplary job of being there for their listeners. (There were simply too many examples of stations serving their listeners this weekend to name them all!) According to TALKERS monitoring of radio during the Irene event, the approach to coverage went through three basic phases: First, tracking and speculating on the direction, timing and tips for preparing for the storm. Second, being in the storm itself when the power goes out and all hell is breaking loose (a crucial phase for radio). Third, the aftermath — the details and politics of recovery. The past 10 months have provided ample opportunity for coverage of natural disasters with a higher-than-usual occurrence of these, from intense snowstorms to floods to tornadoes and recent earthquakes. News and talk radio remains the best link to accurate and timely information when the power goes out. The bigger questions now include: Should emergency preparedness and local, on-the-ground coverage become a more institutional component of the competitive terrestrial radio infrastructure? Also, should talk radio of all genres focus primarily on super-serving its most loyal fans (who are still in the habit of using radio) or break out of that role and aggressively try to bring new listeners to the format (or in the case of those who have left, back to the format)? (Photo courtesy of NOAA.)
WJOX-FM, Birmingham Sports Host Finebuam’s Suit Against Citadel Revealed. Thanks to a judge for unsealing the suits filed by Paul Finebaum against Citadel’s WJOX-FM, Birmingham, we know more about the claims. The Birmingham News reports Finebaum – who has a deal with Citadel to host a show on WJOX-FM that is regionally syndicated – accuses WJOX-FM of breach of contract when Citadel declared bankruptcy in December 2009. Finebaum further alleges he was subsequently forced to agree to contract changes under duress that have caused him “great financial impact.” Finebaum alleges WJOX-FM, GM Bill Thomas threatened to remove his show from its affiliates and Sirius XM if he didn’t agree to a reduction in revenue from the show. Citadel says Finebaum was fully aware it filed for bankruptcy when he signed the contract addendum in January 2010. The company also states any talk of removing the show from affiliates was due to poor financial performance that the company did not want to continue. Finally, Citadel questions why Finebaum is filing the suits now since Citadel exited bankruptcy protection more than a year ago and calls the suits a “pretense by which Mr. Finebaum hopes to avoid fulfilling his obligations under the employment agreement.” Finebaum is under contract to Citadel through January 2013.
Clear Channel Ousts Vassilaros from WPTI-FM, Greensboro; Simulcasts Raleigh AM Show. WRDU-FM, Raleigh’s “Morning Rush” program hosted by KC O’Dea and Carmen Connors is now heard on the company’s WPTI-FM, Greensboro as well. Morning drive host Dimitri Vassilaros – who left his newspaper and part time radio gigs in Pittsburgh in January to take the WPTI-FM job – is out. Vassilaros hosted a weekend show at CBS Radio’s KDKA and wrote a column for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review prior to heading south.
Michael Harrison Writing a Book with Mike Kinosian about Talk Radio Set for Publication February 2012. TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison has announced he is writing a book about talk radio, in collaboration with TALKERS special features correspondent Mike Kinosian. Talkers: The Irrepressible Voices of Radio will be published by Talkers Books and will be part history, part memoir and part commentary based upon radio pioneer Harrison’s 21 years as publisher of TALKERS, 45 years as a professional broadcaster, and his lifelong love affair with popular culture and media. The primary focus will be Harrison’s observations of many leading figures of contemporary talk radio set against the backdrop of key events connected to the scene’s colorful history. Material will be drawn from his professional and personal experiences with these extraordinary individuals and supplemented by the extensive database accumulated over the decades in the TALKERS archives. He also delves back into his own roots as a kid listening to New York City Top 40 in the 1950s and 1960s to becoming an FM album rock groundbreaker on both coasts in the 1970s, an innovator in the trades and eventually one of the driving forces behind the modern talk radio era. With more than a quarter century of insight and experience at Radio & Records, Inside Radio and now TALKERS — and as one of the radio trade publication world’s most prolific interviewers — collaborator Mike Kinosian brings his formidable radio background and writing skills to the project. According to Harrison, “Between the two of us we know just about everyone who’s anyone in the talk business from a number of angles. Mike Kinosian has personally interviewed and written biographical profiles of more than 100 spoken-word radio stars in his illustrious career as an industry chronicler. His legendary “Mike Kinosian Interviews” remain the gold standard of radio trade journalism. Having a professional of his stature supporting my efforts in this undertaking is nothing short of inspirational!” Commenting on his joining forces with Harrison on this ambitious endeavor, Kinosian states, “It is a high honor and a rare privilege to serve as this book’s collaborator, not solely since the subject matter is so personally appealing, but also — and much more significantly — because it is with Michael Harrison. No one else in the talk radio industry commands Michael’s immense level of respect and credibility. His behind-the-scenes knowledge of the industry, credentials, accomplishments, detail to recount facts and especially his character are impeccable.” Among those examined beneath their professional personas are Rush Limbaugh, Howard Stern, Sean Hannity, Alan Colmes, Glenn Beck, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, G. Gordon Liddy, Michael Savage, Jerry Williams, Gene Burns and many more. Harrison shares never-before-published stories about his personal conversations and dealings with Bill Clinton and George W. Bush regarding their relationships with the media. He finally reveals the back story and truth about his controversial encounter with Al Franken during the future U.S. Senator’s Freedom of Speech Award acceptance at the New Media Seminar. He talks about his longtime friendship with Alan Colmes, going back to the dreams they shared as part-time MOR jocks on a small Long Island AM daytimer 43 years ago. He resurrects the colorful decade (1975-1985) he spent as one of the first FM “youth talkers” hosting a trailblazing talk show on L.A.’s legendary rocker, KMET. Talkers: The Irrepressible Voices of Radio by Michael Harrison with Mike Kinosian promises to reveal a side of talk radio never before exposed to the public. Summing it up, Kinosian states, “Unsurpassed quality is the dominant theme the two of us have stressed to each other in writing this book. Based on the early drafts, we are well on our way to accomplishing that goal.” The promotion of Talkers: The Irrepressible Voices of Radio will be supported with a national tour.
Scott Hennen Signs with Genesis Communications Network for National Distribution. Talk radio pro Scott Hennen’s Fargo-based talk show, “Common Sense Club,” (heard in North Dakota on KNOX, Grand Forks from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm) will be distributed for national syndication via the Genesis Communications Network. Hennen tells the Fargo Forum he expects to debut on about a dozen stations.
“The Talk” May Be Adding Two New Hosts for this Season. The CBS daytime TV talk show “The Talk” lost hosts Leah Rimini and Holly Robinson Peete – their contracts were not renewed for the show’s second season. The network is preparing to fill their slots alongside Sara Gilbert, Julie Chen and Sharon Osbourne with radio host and comedian Sheryl Underwood and Kardashian matriarch Kris Jenner. Jenner is signed to fill in for Osbourne for the show’s first two weeks of the new season but may stay on as Osbourne’s regular fill in. Underwood will also be part of the first two weeks but is expected to be a regular this season.
Recognition of a Job Well Done. CBS Radio’s all-news KNX, Los Angeles was recently recognized by Los Angeles City councilman Dennis Zine for its coverage of Carmageddon – the July shutdown of the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles. Pictured here from left to right are: traffic reporters Jeff Baugh, Tommy Jaxson and Meghan Reyes; Councilman Dennis Zine, news director Julie Chin, and director of programming Andy Ludlum.