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From Radio Insight: It seems like an inevitability. Having been last year?s most-played Christmas song, according to Mediabase, wouldn?t Mariah Carey?s ?All I Want for Christmas? be the first song played by most stations flipping to an all-holiday format? Not for everybody. Soft AC WLIT (Lite FM) Chicago, one of the most successful and closely watched Christmas stations, signed on last Friday at 3 p.m. with Mariah. But none of its iHeart brethren among the early holiday launches did. On Tuesday afternoon, Mediabase shows 20 stations around the country having gone all-Christmas, most of them Mainstream ACs, but also a few Hot ACs and two Christian AC stations. Mariah launched the largest number of those ? five stations ? but there were actually 10 different songs used to kick off the holidays. ?All I Want for Christmas Is You? ? So saturated that I always wonder if this is the year people are going to lose their enthusiasm. But I?ve asked that question before. Besides WLIT, Mariah had the first song on Cox?s WDUV Tampa; Townsquare?s WTSS (The New 96.1) Buffalo, N.Y.; WYJB (B95.5) Albany, N.Y.; and WLTC (103.7) Columbus, Ga. ?It?s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year? is second, but only if you count both of its best-known versions. WHUD Hudson Valley, N.Y., and WJKK (Mix 98.7) Jackson, Miss., launched with Andy Williams. (So did KESZ Phoenix a day later and WTOJ Watertown, N.Y.) Soft AC KBEB (The Breeze) Sacramento, Calif., went with Johnny Mathis. (To some extent, which version you choose may depend on which other songs by either artist you want to play during the first hour.) ?The Christmas Song? was the first song on two stations, but while WFBC-HD-4 (Magic 106.3) Greenville, S.C., played it by Nat King Cole, Christian AC WAKW (Star 93.3) Cincinnati went with Michael Bubl?.* ?Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!? was the first song for WXMA Louisville, Ky., and WMHX Madison, Wis., and both opted for the Dean Martin version. * ?Santa Claus Is Coming to Town? ? The Jackson 5 version was a very cool choice for iHeart?s WMAG Greensboro, N.C., and WMXL (Mix 94.5) Lexington, Ky. Because of Michael Jackson, they?re the holiday artist probably most represented on Mainstream AC during the rest of the year. ?We Wish You a Merry Christmas? ? Both Summit holiday stations so far, KSRZ Omaha and WVEZ Louisville, launched at Midnight Friday with the Kenny G version. ?Rockin? Around the Christmas Tree? received almost as much attention as ?All I Want for Christmas Is You? last year, finally making it to No. 1 on the Hot 100. But only WMOV (Movin? 107.7) Norfolk, Va., has used it so far, and by LeAnn Rimes, not Brenda Lee. ?Jingle Bells? by Frank Sinatra has been on the ascent in recent years. It was the first song on WSHH (Wish 99.7) Pittsburgh.* ?Step Into Christmas? by Elton John was, for a while, one of those songs that waned a little when stations began testing their holiday music. It seems more prominent again, in part because of John?s own resurgence. It was the launch song for WSRW (Star 105.7) Grand Rapids, Mich., although that station played it coming out of a stopset at 6:57 a.m. Friday and then went into ?All I Want for Christmas.? ?We Need a Little Christmas? ? the Percy Faith Orchestra version ? was the song that KFIS (The Fish) Portland, Ore., played at 9 a.m. Tuesday, as it positioned its Christmas-music flip as an answer to Election Day anxiety.* At this writing, there are other holiday stations planning to launch tomorrow. Some of the surprise omissions from the above list will have likely been used by then. But in the first five days, nobody had used ?Last Christmas? ? last year?s most-played Christmas song at AC. Also missing, so far: ?Feliz Navidad,? ?A Holly Jolly Christmas,? ?Jingle Bell Rock,? ?Sleigh Ride,? and ?It?s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas? ? one that I?ve used before as the first holiday song. (The Bobby Helms version of “Jingle Bell Rock” was the first song on*WJJR Rutland, Vt.) Ross on Radio is covering holiday-music programming all season long. We?ve taken a more in-depth look at four of the first Christmas outlets, getting a sense of not just the music, but the tone that stations are taking this holiday. You can also read our own perennial holiday favorite: ?What I Learned from Scheduling Christmas Music.? more

From Radio Insight: Up at the top of the Olympic Peninsula, Radio Pacific has made some changes at Classic Hits “Z104.9” KZQM Sequim WA. In order to remove confusion with Sequim Community Broadcasting’s 91.5 KSQM Sequim, the station has changed call letters to KZEG. The station, which launched in May 2018, will continue to feature programming mostly from Westwood One’s 24/7 network, but is now adding Compass Media Networks’ Anna & Raven for mornings from 5-10am Monday through Saturday. more

From Radio Online: Spanish-language Media company Reyes Media Group has agreed to acquire 100kW CHR KKSW-FM (105.9 Kiss FM) from Great Plains Media for $2.25 million, according to filings with the FCC. The station, covering the Topeka and Kansas City areas, may potentially transition to a Spanish-language format More...

From Radio Online: Public radio KVPR in Fresno, WQLN in Erie, and KRCL in Salt Lake City are set to receive a significant financial boost aimed at enhancing their emergency alert capabilities. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) has earmarked a total of $587,704 for these stations as part of More...

From Radio Insight: Former iHeartMedia Classic Hip Hop ?95.3 The Beat? W237BZ/WDCG-HD2 Raleigh Program Director/afternoon host Brian ‘B’ Paiz is joining Curtis Media CHR “Pulse-FM” 96.9 WPLW-FM Goldsboro and its four translator signals in the Raleigh/Durham market starting Monday, November 18 in a role to be announced. Pulse-FM Program Director Matt ‘MJ’ Johnson said, ?I?m thrilled to bring B.Paiz into the new Pulse-FM?s family. With his enthusiasm and market experience, we look forward to doing great things? Paiz added, ?I am very excited to join the Pulse team. I appreciate MJ and Curtis Media giving me this great opportunity. I love living in Raleigh with my family and this gives me the opportunity to be heard in the Triangle.” Paiz is also now available for voicetracking opportunities through G Networks’ “Personality On Demand” for Hip Hop, Adult R&B, CHR, and Throwback formats. He had joined “95.3 The Beat” in April 2022 as afternoon host and also served as local producer for ?The Fred Show? on CHR ?G105? WDCG before being promoted to Program Director in March 2024 until his exit in August. Paiz began his career at WPEG Charlotte and has also programmed WMNX Wilmington NC, WLZN, WIBB, and WRBV Macon, WRHD-HD2 Greenville NC, was Director of Urban Programming for Clear Channel Columbia SC, and SVP/Programming for iHeartMedia Albany and Columbus GA. He also was Programming and Brand Content Consultant for the syndicated Chubb Rock Show. more

From Radio Online: CNN Audio has announced the debut of "Terms of Service," a weekly podcast aimed at unraveling the complexities of emerging technologies that are becoming integral to daily life. Hosted by CNN tech writer Clare Duffy, the series promises to shed light on a range of technologies from facial recognition to More...

From Radio Online: iHeartMedia appoints Katie Ewell as Market President of its 5-station cluster in Wilmington, DE, effective immediately. Prior to her expanded role as Market President, Ewell served as the Vice President of Sales for iHeartMedia in Salisbury, MD. She began her career at MediaOnePA, part of the USA Today More...

From Radio Insight: Beasley Media Classic Rock “98.7 The Shark” WPBB Holmes Beach/Tampa FL is now being powered by Super Hi-Fi’s AI-driven radio operating system. Following its launch on Audacy’s “103.1 Front Range Country” KQKS-HD2 Denver, the launch in Tampa marks the first deployment of Super Hi-Fi’s system on a full powered signal and hosted station. Super Hi-Fi says, “With this new operational model, human talent continues to program the music and host all personalities, ensuring the station retains its authentic touch. However, the integration of Super Hi-Fi’s AI-enabled, cloud-based system revolutionizes the station’s programming, management, voice-tracking, updating, and delivery. The entire station has ?moved to the cloud?, with Super Hi-Fi?s enterprise-grade stream delivered directly to a modern, optimized transmitter-based playout system. This strategic set of upgrades positions Beasley at the forefront of the industry’s digital transformation, showcasing a new way to deliver radio that reduces complexity and costs while enhancing the listener experience. ” ?We’re excited to begin the deployment of Super Hi Fi?s technology in Tampa, marking another key milestone in our AI and technology roadmap,? said Beasley Media Group Chief Executive Officer Caroline Beasley. ?This technology enables us to deliver our broadcast in a cloud-to-ground approach that streamlines operations and prepares the stations for the future. This launch enhances our station’s capabilities, underscores our commitment to integrating innovative technologies that enrich the listener experience and positions us at the forefront of the evolving audio landscape.? Zack Zalon, Co-Founder and CEO of Super Hi-Fi, commented, “We are thrilled to work with Beasley on their roadmap for the future. The legacy of Beasley?s innovations in radio is already a huge part of the industry?s history, so it’s an honor to have the opportunity to work alongside them as they help carve the next step for radio.” more

From Radio Insight: The ongoing iHeartMedia layoffs have seen the most significant elimination in one market as the News department of News/Talk 640 KFI Los Angeles were all dismissed from the company. News Director Chris Little confirmed that the entire 22 person news department was let go on Monday, November 11. Little had been with KFI since 1991 first as a reporter and fill-in anchor before becoming News Director in 2000. Among other staffers noting their departures are anchors Jo Kwon and reporter Kris Adler. The station’s news team webpage lists ten anchors, four reporters, one correspondent, and six editors along with Little. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chris Little (@thechrislittle) View this post on Instagram A post shared by more

From Radio Insight: As part of its ongoing restructuring, iHeartMedia has announced that Jeff Littlejohn will retire as EVP/Engineering and will be succeeded by Steve George. Littlejohn has been with the company since 1992 starting as Chief Engineer in Cincinnati. He rose through the ranks as he helped expand the company after the 1996 Telecom Actand was part of the team that created the first version of the iHeartRadio App and worked with Toyota and Ford on the first integration of iHeartRadio. More recently, Littlejohn helped spearhead a modernization of iHeart?s studio facilities and conversion to cloud-based audio systems.Littlejohn is well-respected in the industry and is the recipient of the 2014 NAB Radio Engineering Achievement Award and 2008 Radio World Excellence in Engineering Award. He also served as the Chairman of the NAB Radio Technical Committee. He will continue to consult for the company. Littlejohn commented, “I am truly thankful for the incredible opportunity to have spent 32 years with such an innovative and forward-looking company. It has been a privilege to collaborate with so many talented colleagues in building something that serves our listeners and communities in meaningful ways. As I step into retirement, I’m committed to ensuring a smooth transition for Steve George, and I’m excited to continue contributing in an advisory capacity, which will also allow me to spend more time with family and explore new adventures.? iHeartMedia Markets Group President Hartley Adkins said, “There are few people in the industry with the expertise and longevity that Jeff has and we?re grateful for the incredible work he?s done for iHeart. We?ve been fortunate to rely on him for over three decades and I?m so thankful we?ll keep drawing from Jeff in his new consultancy role.” George began his career at iHeart in 2001 as Chief Engineer for the Sioux City IA market and later was Regional Director of Engineering in Omaha, Regional VP of Engineering for the Midwest, and most recently VP of Engineering and Systems overseeing the company’s centralized engineering teams. “I?m honored to step into this role and continue the incredible work that Jeff has done for iHeartMedia,? said Steve George. ?Jeff?s leadership and guidance have been invaluable to our engineering team, and I?m grateful for the opportunity I?ve had to work with and learn from Jeff and many iHeart engineers over the years. I look forward to building on his legacy and the strengths of our outstanding engineering team.” more

From Radio Online: Zelus Esports has closed on its acquistion of 41kW KKFR-FM (98.3), 42kW KMVA-FM (97.5), 41kW KOAI-FM (95.1) and 100kW KZON-FM (103.9) in Phoenix, AZ, from Desert Valley Media Group Desert Valley Media Group. Zelus Esports is a Texas-based company headed by Michael Cutchall and has no other broadcast More...

From Radio Online: In a display of community support, iHeartMedia's WRKO-AM (680), also known as The Voice of Boston, successfully raised over $67,000 in its ninth annual DAV Radiothon. The event, held on Friday, November 8, from 6am to 7pm, was dedicated to benefiting the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Department of More...

From Radio Online: iHeartMedia has announced that Jeff Littlejohn, who has held the position of Executive Vice President of Engineering, is set to retire. Steve George has been named as his successor, effective immediately. Littlejohn's tenure at iHeartMedia spanned 32 years. Beginning his career in 1992 as Chief Engineer for More...

From Radio Online: In a significant show of support for veterans and their families, Beasley Media Group has announced a month-long campaign to highlight veteran services, coinciding with Veterans Day. Throughout November, under its "Beasley Best Community of Caring" initiative, the company will More...

From Radio Online: iHeartMedia appoints Lisa DiMartini as Market President for the Allentown and Reading markets, effective immediately. She most recently served as the Vice President of Sales for iHeartMedia Allentown, where she played helped drive growth and foster innovation. Prior to that, Dimartini was an Account More...

From Radio Online: In a recent study commissioned by Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group, significant strides have been observed in the recovery of the auto aftermarket sector. The study, carried out by MARU/Matchbox, surveyed 1,138 auto parts shoppers in August 2024, revealing a return to pre-pandemic levels of More...

From Radio Online: Former Wisconsin Badgers head coach and Director of Athletics Barry Alvarez joins WTLX-FM (ESPN Madison) and Good Karma Brands as an on-air host and brand ambassador. He will be featured across ESPN Wisconsin programming, including weekly appearances on "The Great Dane Huddle" on ESPN Madison with former More...

From Radio Online: Cumulus Media's WKQZ-FM (Z93) in Saginaw, MI, and Program Director Matt Bingham have set a new fundraising milestone in the annual Men Wear Pink campaign, amassing over $30,000 to aid the American Cancer Society's battle against breast cancer in Mid-Michigan. This achievement has More...

From Radio Insight: Former University of Wisconsin football coach Barry Alvarez is joining Good Karma Brands Madison as a brand ambassador and on-air host. Alvarez will contribute to multiple shows on “ESPN 100.5” WTLX including “The Great Dane Huddle” hosted by his former players Derek Engler and Tarek Saleh. He was coach of the University of Wisconsin’s football team from 1991 to 2005 and athletic director from 2004 until 2021 with the field at Camp Randall Stadium renamed ?Barry Alvarez Field? in his honor in 2022. Craig Karmazin, Good Karma Brands founder and CEO, commented: ?Barry?s significance to the Wisconsin sports landscape and to Good Karma Brands can?t be overstated. I would not have visited Wisconsin as a college student and eventually started a company here had it not been for the way he and Pat Richter transformed the Wisconsin football program. To add a teammate with his leadership skills, experience, knowledge and passion is a huge win for our fans, advertising partners, ESPN Madison, and all of GKB.? more

From Radio Online: iHeartMedia's WKTU-FM (The Beat of New York) adds market veteran Maxwell. Debuting November 14, "The Maxwell Show" will air live weekdays from 3-7pm. Maxwell is a industry veteran with over two decades of experience. For the past 10 years, he's been a voice on co-owned WHTZ (Z100). In addition to his work on More...

From Radio Insight: “Z100” WHTZ Newark/New York afternoon host Maxwell is moving to sister 103.5 WKTU Lake Success for the same daypart starting Thursday, November 15. Maxwell has spent the past decade at Z100 rising from late nights to nights and has co-hosted afternoons with Crystal Rosas since May 2021. He is also heard on 97.9 WNCI Columbus and as part of iHeartRadio?s national custom talent on-air team and digital video host. He commented, “I?m truly blessed to take this next step in my career, and honored to join another iconic New York station, KTU. Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this amazing journey. I?m excited to continue bringing my unique energy and passion for entertaining to the greatest city in the world!? Program Director Chris Conley said, “We are so excited to welcome Maxwell to the KTU family. Maxwell?s charisma, humor, and ability to connect with his audience make him the perfect addition to our lineup. We?re confident that listeners will love what he brings to the table in the afternoon time slot.? Maxwell’s move to WKTU completes its lineup changes following Hollywood Hamilton’s move to mornings in Septemer. more

From Radio Insight: Following the recent restructuring of its regional leadership and last week’s layoffs, iHeartMedia has begun refilling its leadership ranks. Lisa DiMartini has been promoted to Market President for its Allentown and Reading PA clusters. DiMartini is on her second stint with the company serving as VP/Sales for Allentown since September 2021. She had been a senior account executive from 2014 until earlier in 2021 and also spent eight years in that role for the Morning Call newspaper. She will report to iHeartMedia Mid-Atlantic Area President Brit Goldstein, who had been directly overseeing the cluster as well. DiMartini commented, “I am honored to expand my role to lead both the Allentown and Reading markets. I look forward to working with the talented teams in both locations to drive continued success and growth while delivering value to our partners and listeners.” Goldstein added, “Lisa is the consummate professional ? unflappable, positive, and centered. She has rejuvenated the Allentown market with her unique approach to fostering culture and partnerships. I?m very excited to see Lisa apply her business principles to the Reading market and beyond.? Tampa market SVP/Sales Russell Robertson rises to Metro President for West Central Florida overseeing the Tampa and Sarasota markets. Robertson has served as SVP/Sales in Tampa since 2018 after previously spending three years in the same role for the Seattle cluster, and seventeen years as General Sales Manager for the company’s Rock stations in San Diego. Robertson shared, “I’m excited to announce that I’m now the Metro President for Tampa and Sarasota. I’ve had the pleasure of working with this incredible team at iHeartMedia West Central Florida for the past 6.5 years. Coming off our Metro Market of the Year win in 2023, we expect to be again in 2024. Our team is fired up for an attempt of back-to-back-to-back in 2025! I’m thankful to our leadership team who are laser focused on our plan and our sellers who have done all the heavy lifting. I’m humbled to be able to lead such a great team. Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the past 23 years at iHeart.” Jason Wilson has joined iHeartMedia as Area President for OK/AR/KS/MO. Wilson joins iHeart from Cox Media where he was Vice President of its Oklahoma/Arkansas Region and has also held multiple sales roles in the Wichita market including at LIN TV, Sinclair, and Journal Broadcast Group. more

From Radio Insight: Mountain Radio Group has flipped Red Dirt Country “Mountain Country 107.3” 1530 KQSC/107.3 K294CH Colorado Springs CO to a simulcast of 60s-80s Classic Hits 1230 KDZA/K270CM Pueblo. Following its launch in May 2023, KDZA surged to the market lead in Pueblo generating an 8.0 share in the Spring 2024 Nielsen Audio ratings placing it just ahead of iHeartMedia’s similarly formatted 95.5 KPHT. Colorado Springs did not have an Oldies or Classic Hits station. Nick Donovan continues in mornings but moves up an hour to 5-9am. Midday host ‘Charlie’ cuts down to 12-2pm, while Guy Girtin’s afternoon show is also cut back from 2-6pm to 2-4pm. Joining the lineup from the former “Mountain Country” are Coba Hoban who will host 9am-12pm and Operations Manager Kevin Hayes will be heard from 4-7pm. more

From Radio Online: WDZD-LP (Fun One Radio), a community station in Monroe, NC, has once again been awarded "Radio Station of the Year" at the 30th Annual Carolina Beach Music Awards, held at the Alabama Theatre in North Myrtle Beach, SC. This notable achievement marks the fourth victory in five years for the station, More...

From Radio Insight: Upon the closing of its $200,000 sale from Brendan Doran?s PMJ Communications to Dawn Ichikawa?s GRI Telecom Inc, News/Talk 1480 WLEA/106.9 W295CW and CHR ?Fun 92.1? WCKR Hornell NY will cease operation on Monday, November 11. The acquisition had been planned by Ichikawa?s late husband Gordon Ichikawa’s Tower Broadcasting prior to his death in December 2023 to join the company’s two stations in Bath NY: AC ?V98.3? WVIN-FM, Classic Country 1380 WABH/100.3 W262CX/106.5 W293CE. Ichikawa had sold their properties in Elmira NY in late 2022/early 2023 in a pair of deals to Family Like Broadcasting and Radigan Media. Dawn Ichikawa shared the following statement: As we assume possession of WCKR and WLEA on November 11, 2024, we must reorganize and restructure the business and go silent for a period of time. The acquisition was a dream of the former owner of Tower Broadcasting, Gordon Ichikawa. After his unexpected and tragic passing, our family has been faced with the heart-wrenching decision to temporarily silence the radio stations, WCKR and WLEA. Gordon devoted his life to the telecommunications industry. His parents were heavily involved in communications and instilled this passion in Gordon. This led him to start his own communications business, and eventually he acquired multiple radio stations. His mission was to create a hometown radio station that would give back to the community?a dream he held dear throughout his life. In light of this tragic loss, the family must now turn our focus and resources toward managing the other aspects of his estate. While this decision is painful, we are hopeful that this silence will only be temporary, and that, in the future, Gordon?s dream will continue to resonate with the community he loved. We deeply appreciate your support and understanding during this time, and we look forward to the day when we can once again bring the station back to life. more

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From Radio Online: Brian Wheeler, the longtime radio play-by-play broadcaster for the Portland Trail Blazers, has passed away at the age of 62 after battling a prolonged illness, confirmed sports columnist John Canzano and media member Kerry Eggers. Known affectionately as "Wheels," Wheeler was the voice of the Blazers for 21 More...

From Radio Online: As the winter holiday shopping season approaches, advertisers are gearing up for a pivotal period characterized by significant economic challenges, including inflation and fewer shopping days due to a late Thanksgiving. Retailers and brands are under pressure to capture consumer More...

From Radio Insight: Compass Media Networks’ syndicated Conservative Talker ‘Joe Pags‘ Pagliarulo has exited his longtime flagship station as part of iHeartMedia’s ongoing layoffs. Pagliarulo had been based at iHeart News/Talk 1200 WOAI San Antonio since 2005 where he had been heard from 5-8pm. Prior to San Antonio, he mainly served as a television news anchor with time in Flint, Grand Rapids, and Lansing MI and Albany NY, but began his career in radio in West Palm Beach FL and later worked at WXDX Detroit, WHAM Rochester and WGY Albany. After first being carried by a handful of other iHeart stations including KPRC Houston, KHOW Denver, KTLK Minneapolis, and KEX Portland, his show entered national syndication in 2014 as a temporary replacement for Premiere Networks’ “America Now” in 2014 before launching his own show with Compass Media Networks in 2015. That show is unaffected by his exit from WOAI and will continue on the remainder of his affiliates. Pagliarulo had signed a contract extension with WOAI through 2026 earlier this year. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Joe Pags (@joetalkshow) more

From Radio Online: Midday host Erick Erickson teamed up with KRMG-FM to host a special listener event at the We Street Ice Center in Tulsa, OK, on Thursday afternoon. The event attracted approximately 300 fans and KRMG listeners for a meet and greet with Erickson, reflecting his significant impact in the area. During the More...