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From Radio Online: Kacey Morabito-Grean, a longtime voice at Pamal Broadcasting's AC WHUD-FM in Newburgh-Middletown, NY, is leaving the station after more than three decades in broadcasting to pursue a new opportunity outside the industry. Morabito-Grean began her career at WHUD in 1991, hosting the "Night Rhythms" evening More...

From Radio Online: KONO-FM/San Antonio APD and air personality Steve Casanova is retiring from the Cox Media Group Classic Hits outlet. The long-time broadcaster, who has been a fixture at KONO-FM since 2000, has previously aired in nights and middays and served as Assistant Program Director. His responsibilities extended to More...

From Radio Insight: After a combined 32 years at Pamal Broadcasting AC 100.7 WHUD Peekskill NY, Kacey Morabito-Grean is departing the station for a position outside the industry. Morabito joined WHUD as host of their “NightRhytyms” evening show from 1991 to 1998 before returning to the station to host mornings alongside Mike Bennett in 2000. She would then move to middays at the station last year and also hosts “Shine On; The Health & Happiness Radio Show” on Sunday mornings. In between her two tenures at WHUD, she spent a year at WLTW New York. In a post announcing her departure, Kacey wrote, “I?m not saying goodbye to anyone or anything! Broadcasting will always be part of my journey – as will loving life here in the Hudson Valley. I?m so very grateful that I got to play on the air in my own backyard for so long. And I treasure the deep connections I shared with my Listeners. We loved fiercely and had so much fun! Come see me on the Holy Mountain! We have more adventures to share.” WHUD is beginning the search for a new host with at least 3 years full time experience. More details are available at the RadioInsight Jobs page. more

From Radio Insight: There?s the Classic Hits format as it exists in most major markets. There are the stations specializing in the ?60s and ?70s but playing mostly the hits that you would have heard on those major-market stations a decade or two ago. Then, there are various stations and shows specializing in what I?ve termed ?Oldies XL,? with more breadth or depth than you would hear elsewhere. Many of those have become favorites of Ross On Radio readers. Thirteen years ago, Don Tandler launched Pop Gold Radio.Tandler?s long career includes hosting afternoons at SiriusXM?s 70s on 7 and weekend oldies programming on WKXW (New Jersey 101.5). On an infinite dial full of ?Oldies XL,? Pop Gold Radio has become a ROR reader favorite, in part because of Tandler?s Saturday afternoon ?Time Machine? countdowns, but also because pre-Beatles titles are part of his mix as well. Bob Radil found a following among ROR readers as well. Radil was a longtime Connecticut radio CE who also hosted a Friday night online show particularly known for its depth and breadth. Radil?s ?The 60s70s Show? drew not just on Top 40 gold but also on the Album Rock radio of that era. In July, after a five-year absence, Radil brought that show to Pop Gold Radio from 6-10 ET on Friday nights. I could probably spend an entire weekend, from Friday at 4 p.m., through Midnight Sunday listening only to Oldies specialty shows programmed by friends and ROR readers. But Pop Gold Radio has a few of them now, including: ?That Thing with Rich Appel?is syndicated to numerous broadcast and online radio stations with a ?60s/?70s-based format, drawing upon the spirit of radio in the era when the music was made. ?That Thing? is running somewhere throughout the weekend, but you can hear it at 6 p.m. Saturday on Pop Gold Radio, right after ?The Time Machine,? which Appel has also been known to host. Tom Natoli?s ?The List? is a countdown that lets listeners go back and re-rank the hits from a given month and year. Natoli is currently soliciting votes for October, 1967 (maybe the hardest month so far, in terms of trying to choose songs that shouldn?t be in my top 20) through Sunday (20). He?ll count down that list at 10:30 a.m., Oct. 23. Natoli also does other numerous themed countdowns on Pop Gold Radio. His ?Top New York Hits of 1964? is set to begin on Oct. 30. Ken Michaels? ?Every Little Thing?was spotlighted in these pages two years ago as part of a roundtable discussion between Beatles specialty show hosts. The show airs on PGR on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. Last weekend?s ?Time Machine? counted down the Cashbox chart from October 1978. This weekend, Tandler is counting down the KHJ Los Angeles survey from October 19, 1965, just a few months after that station revolutionized Top 40 radio. One of the songs from that week that you would normally expect to hear only on a countdown show also made an appearance when I listened to Pop Gold Radio in regular format at 5:20 p.m., October 13: Elton John, ?Goodbye Yellow Brick Road? Ben E. King, ?Don?t Play That Song (You Lied)? Charlie Rich, ?Mohair Sam??if you want to hear it on the radio, it will be on the KHJ countdown Beatles, ?Eight Days a Week? Joe Jeffery Group, ?My Pledge of Love? Creedence Clearwater Revival, ?Looking Out My Back Door? Four Seasons, ?Stay? Elvis Presley, ?A Fool Such As I? Bobby Fuller Four, ?I Fought the Law? First Choice, ?Smarty Pants? Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, ?Keep on Lovin? Me Honey? Smokey Robinson & Miracles, ?The Tracks of My Tears? Joe Simon, ?The Chokin? Kind? Loggins & Messina, ?Your Mama Don?t Dance? Lee Dorsey, ?Do Re Mi? Radil?s show is known both for its depth and for his ability to ad-lib theme segments and for an ongoing listener dialogue on his home and Facebook pages. Here Radil?s first show just before 9 p.m. on July 5: Moody Blues, ?Stop? Giorgio Moroder, ?Knights in White Satin??despite the spelling, a disco Moody Blues cover Four Tops, ?When She Was My Girl??the beginning of a series of comeback songs Radil played Gary ?US? Bonds, ?This Little Girl? Bobby Vee, ?Come Back When You Grow Up? Dean Martin, ?Everybody Loves Somebody? Gene Chandler, ?Groovy Situation? Righteous Brothers, ?Rock & Roll Heaven? Climax, ?Rock & Roll Heaven??an earlier version from the ?Precious and Few? act Mills Brothers, ?Cab Driver? Donnie Iris, ?Love Is Like a Rock? Byrds, ?Things Will Be Better? Ben E. King, ?Supernatural Thing? Rick Nelson, ?Garden Party? John Lennon, ?(Just Like) Starting Over? more

From Radio Online: WIXV-FM (I-95, The Rock of Savannah) partnered with Savannah Harley-Davidson and the Savannah H.O.G. Chapter for the 4th Annual Savannah Harley-Davidson Save The Ta-Tas Poker Run. The event was held on Saturday, October 19 and brought in $6,200 for Margie's Army Foundation, a More...

From Radio Online: Beasley Broadcast Group appoints Lauren Burrows Coleman as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective Friday, November 1. She succeeds longtime CFO Marie Tedesco, who will retire from Beasley after 33 years. Before joining Beasley, Burrows Coleman served as Global Head of Strategic Corporate and Commercial More...

From Radio Insight: After moving its programming in Cincinnati to Radio One’s 101.5 W258CM Cincinnati/WIZF-HD2 Erlanger KY on October 1, La Mega Media Inc. is expanding its distribution in Cleveland and Columbus. The Spanish Variety “Mega Cleveland” brand will return to radio for the first time in over four years on 1300 WJMO starting November 1. Mega was previously heard on 87.7 WLFM-LP from January 2014 until the station ceased operation as a Franken-FM in June 2020. It has since continued broadcasting online only. 1300 WJMO currently serves as parent signal to Gospel “Praise 94.5” W233CG, which will now be fed by 107.9 WENZ-HD2. WJMO will join Omega Media Broadcasting’s “Rumba 107.3-HD2” WNWV-HD2 in the Cleveland Spanish media marketplace. Multiple changes will take place in Columbus. The Lazo Media owned “Mega 103.1” WVKO-FM Johnstown has changed call letters to WWLA and will begin simulcasting its programming on Radio One’s 107.1 WJYD Circleville replacing Gospel “Joy 107.1” on November 1. The expansion will help replace Radio One’s Regional Mexican “La Grande 102.5” WWLG Baltimore as its LMA with Southeastern Ohio Broadcasting System will come to an end after four years. WWLG has requested a call letter change to WKVR and it is expected to begin being operated by Educational Media Foundation as part of its Christian AC “K-Love” network. The Mega changes were first reported our 10/4 Domain Insight report. At the time Radio One also registered LaMegaIndianapolis.com and LaMegaIndy.com hinting at the brand also being inserted on Regional Mexican “La Grande 105.1” W286CM/WHHH-HD2. more

From Radio Insight: Beasley Media Group has announced the appointment of Lauren Burrows Coleman as its new Chief Financial Officer effective November 1 as Marie Tedesco retires after 33 years with the company. Burrows Coleman joins Beasley from Wayfair where she was Global Head of Strategic Corporate and Commercial Finance until January. She has also held roles at private equity firms WindSail Capital Group and Wind Point Partners and as an associate at GE Capital and as a Communications & Media analyst for Lehman Brothers. Beasley Media CEO Caroline Beasley said, “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Lauren into the Beasley family. Her extensive and diverse experience, combined with her leadership skills, are exactly what we need to drive the company forward as we evolve into the future.? Tedesco had been with the company since 1991. Beasley commented, “Marie has been an integral part of our success, and her contributions have shaped the organization into what it is today. It has been a privilege to work alongside her, and we are deeply grateful for her unwavering commitment, hard work, and leadership. We will greatly miss Marie?s wisdom and guidance, and we wish her nothing but the very best!? more

From Radio Online: AdLarge Media has expanded its fwd. network lineup with the addition of "Dear Millennial," a revamped podcast series hosted by podcast creator, Megan Tan. The series is set to offer a fresh perspective on navigating millennial life challenges, answering listener queries through personal anecdotes and More...

From Radio Online: After ten years of leadership, Gayle Troberman has stepped down as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at iHeartMedia, transitioning to a senior advisor role within the company. Troberman, who joined iHeartMedia in October, 2014 after a tenure as Chief Marketing and Ideas Officer at IPG Mediabrands, has been a More...

From Radio Online: iHeartMedia's KPOJ-AM (Rip City Radio 620) in Portland, OR, has announced that sports journalist Sean Highkin will join the station as the Portland Trail Blazers Correspondent, effective immediately. He'll provide coverage of the games, practices, press conferences and everything revolving around the More...

From Radio Insight: iHeartMedia Sports “Rip City Radio 620” KPOJ Portland has announced the addition of Sean Highkin as the station’s Portland Trail Blazers correspondent Highkin is a longtime NBA reporter who will provide comprehensive coverage of the games, practices, and press conferences regarding the franchise. He has covered the Blazers since 2017 for Bleacher Report and his own Rose Garden Report including being named as the 2023 Oregon Sportswriter of the Year. He previously has covered the Chicago Bulls for Bleacher Report, NBC Sports, and The Athletic and covered the NBA for ESPN, USA Today, and Sports on Earth. He commented, “When this opportunity was presented to me, it was a no-brainer. I’m excited to do more on the radio side in addition to my written coverage of the Trail Blazers and work with the very talented team at Rip City Radio.? iHeartMedia Portland Metro President Marshal Burgess said, “Sean?s knowledge, expertise and impressive track record will elevate and take our Trail Blazers coverage to the next level. His insightful analysis and in-depth reporting have made him a respected voice in the sports journalism community, and we are thrilled to have him join the iHeartRadio Portland team.? KPOJ Program Director Rich Moore said, “We couldn?t be more excited to have Sean join our team and help grow and enhance our Trail Blazers coverage. His experience and dedicated following will be a great addition making us the ultimate destination for Trail Blazer fans!? more

From Radio Insight: Santamaria Broadcasting has launched Spanish AC “Amor Radio MN” on 1470 KMNQ Brooklyn Park/Minneapolis MN. KMNQ had been simulcasting sister Regional Mexican “La Raza 95.7” 1400 KMNV/95.7 K239CJ St. Paul. President/CEO Maya Santamaria said, “The Minnesota Latin community now has the best of both top Spanish formats. AMOR Radio is the perfect complement to our flagship station La Raza.* AMOR plays the best of great artists from Juan Gabriel and Rocio Durcal to Enrique Iglesias, Man?, Shakira and even bachata and salsa like Marc Anthony, Romeo Santos and Juan Luis Guerra.?formats. more

From Radio Online: Main Street Media has agreed to acquire WPBX-FM, WOWF-FM, WAEW-AM, WCSV-AM, W242DH and W249DA in Crossville, TN, from PEG Broadcasting. PEG Broadcasting is a Tennessee-based company headed by Dawn and Reed Shaw. Main Street Media is a Tennessee-based company headed by Chad Graves and Scot MacDonald. Main More...

From Radio Online: Dylan Byers, senior correspondent and founding partner at Puck, will host a new podcast titled "The Grill Room," set to launch on October 29. The podcast, produced in partnership with Audacy Podcasts, aims to bring listeners behind-the-scenes insights from the media industry, featuring interviews with More...

From Radio Online: Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB/CRS) has announced the opening of applications for the Futuri Digital Pioneer Scholarship, aimed at fostering new leadership in the digital evolution of radio. This initiative is designed to support an exceptional student who has shown remarkable potential in digital More...

From Radio Online: In a strategic move to streamline its operations and enhance focus on artificial intelligence, Veritone has divested its media agency, Veritone One LLC, to Insignia Capital Group. The deal, valued at up to $104 million, is subject to various adjustments and includes potential earn-out cash payments based on More...

From Radio Online: Audacy Sacramento names Aaron Miller as Senior VP and Market Manager succeeding Stacey Kauffman, who recently departed the company. He previously served as Director of Sales for Audacy's cluster in Phoenix since 2019. Miller began his sales career with Thompson Publishing Company's The Daily Advance, his More...

From Radio Insight: Aaron MillerAudacy has announced that it has promoted Aaron Miller to SVP/Market Manager of its Sacramento cluster following the recent exit of Stacey Kauffman. Miller arrives in Sacramento from Phoenix where he has served as Director of Sales since 2019. Miller began his sales career in his native Elizabeth City NC at Thompson Publishing Company?s The Daily Advance newspaper before moving to The Progress Index in Petersburg VA. He joined then Clear Channel Rock “XL 102” WRXL Richmond as an account executive in 1996 before moving to the company’s Orlando cluster from 1998 to 2010 where he eventually rose to General Sales Manager and Local Sales Manager. He then spent nine years at Cox Tampa as GSM for 102.5 WHPT and 107.3 WXGL until joining Audacy. Miller commented, “I?m thrilled to step into this leadership role at Audacy Sacramento. With such a talented team already in place, I?m excited to work alongside them and accomplish great things together in the years to come.? Regional President Doug Abernethy said, “Aaron?s extensive experience in sales and leadership, along with his deep understanding of the broadcast media landscape, make him a sound choice to take over our Sacramento market. We are confident in Aaron?s ability to thrive in this new role, and that under his guidance, our portfolio of brands will continue to deliver exceptional results for our listeners and advertisers.? Stacey KauffmanKaufmann had been SVP/Market Manager of Audacy Sacramento since July 2018 and rose to Regional VP in May 2021 adding oversight of the company’s San Francisco cluster. She originally joined the cluster in March 2015 General Sales Manager and then Director of Sales after spending five years at Hubbard Chicago as an AE and then Local Sales Manager. Audacy also announced the promotion of Kimberli Rivera from General Sales Manager to VP/Sales in Phoenix to succeed Miller. Rivera has held multiple roles at the CBS Radio turned Audacy cluster since 2011 including Director of Live Events & Experiences, Director of Brand Partnerships, and General Sales Manager. She also held sales roles at Sandusky Radio Phoenix. more

From Radio Insight: After acquiring their stations in McMinnville and Sparta TN earlier this year, Chad Graves and Scot MacDonald?s Main Street Media is purchasing PEG Broadcasting’s Crossville TN cluster for $725,000. The deal includes AC “Mix 99.3” WPBX, “102.5 Wow Country” WOWF, Conservative Talk 1330 WAEW/96.3 W242DH, and Sports “97.7 The Ticket” 1490 WCSV/97.7 W249DA all licensed to Crossville. Main Street Media was formed earlier this year by Graves and MacDonald to acquire the other markets from PEG. The partners each own additional businesses with MacDonald running McMinnville Moving & Storage, while the Atlanta based Graves is a Partner in Bennett Thrasher?s Technology Services accounting practice. more

From Radio Insight: Welcome to the second edition of Mason’s Observations, a weekly review of the songs generating real requests and positive response amongst the 500+ phone calls, texts and DMs we get weekly. Plus, we point out songs with no passion from listeners which got hyped to high chart positions which clutter the format with high tuneout potential.* Songs Worth Consideration This WeekGigi Perez – Sailor Song: Top 10 on US Spotify for the past 4 weeks, this fall-sounding love song has become a Gen Z anthem, thanks to TikTok and it’s nostalgic vibe that sounds so similar to a song we wrote about last week, “Sweater Weather” by The Neighbourhood. Only 24 spins on Top 40 this week (10x on Sirius XM Hits 1 and 14x on KBFF/Portland), about a dozen requests have come in to us this week even though we aren?t yet playing it. Picking up steam on Alternative (#35 this week). Chappell Roan – Pink Pony Club: #8 in requests this week, last week #9. Still not in the top 40 on CHR (currently #52) though major market airplay has picked up with KHKS/Dallas, WFLZ/Tampa and WPXY/Rochester. It’s an easy choice for her third “big single”, though first* released as one 4 years ago. See last week’s observations for our full analysis on this incredible song and artist. Is Unproven New Music Worth Playing?As mentioned by many PDs and by Sean Ross in his column last week, the steady stream of Summer?s great Pop songs has slowed down dramatically, leaving us with a stale Top 20 on Spotify and CHR, and forcing us to play either 7-month old Powers like “Espresso”, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”, and “Too Sweet”, or stuff that the labels are pushing as “hot new songs” but won’t be remembered in 6 months. Which begs the question, “What should Top 40 radio be playing in times like these?” More golds? The same songs in Power? Keeping the categories moving, no matter what the Mediabase charts show? What would YOU be playing if Mediabase (which isn’t a popularity or passion chart) didn’t exist? I would love to get YOUR insight via email, or in the comments below and will be featuring some responses next week. Upon reading our observations last week, WPIA Peoria’s Scott Hecathorn commented, “It’s interesting to see what you’re getting calls for vs. what the record labels are shoving down our throats. We’re putting in Chappell Roan (“Pink Pony Club”) and switching Weeknd tracks (the failing “Dancing With a Flames” for “Timeless”) and will hopefully figure out how to play “Bed Chem” too but right now it’s already ALL Sabrina Carpenter, all the time and I don’t know where to put another one” Buried Treasures of the WeekOne Direction – Night Changes: Last Wednesday, the passing of Liam Payne became the most talked about celebrity death of the year so far. That same night, we did a whole show featuring dozens of live callers talking about their love for Liam and 1D, while playing requests for all their biggest hits. You can hear some of them on my TikTok.* This will be a relevant story to Pop audience for the next few weeks as the toxicology report is issued and his funeral passes. Though “What Makes You Beautiful” and “Story of My Life” were their biggest radio hits, very few stations were going beyond those two songs. We’ve always gotten requests for many of their others, but 2014’s “Night Changes” seems to be the one resonating most with mourning fans. The day after Liam’s passing, it rocketed to #6 on Spotify in America (the highest of all their songs) and #2 in the world. “Story of My Life” made it to #15 (which lyrically is the most fitting song for this occasion) and “What Makes You Beautiful” didn’t even crack the Top 50. As of now and even BEFORE Liam’s passing, “Night Changes” is One Direction’s most-streamed song on Spotify. It peaked at #14 on Top 40. Eminem – Mockingbird: Originally released in 2004, this song has become a top-requested Liveline classic with requests nightly; all ages, men and women. Peaked at #6 on Top 40 and #11 on Billboard. The stories people requesting it tell about their lives are beautiful, as the song is all about Em’s daughter Hailee and her struggle of having a famous father and absent mother. It has a deep connection with people and is more popular today than it ever was. Female-friendly beat and chorus. Eminem’s fifth most-streamed song on Spotify (1.8 billion) and the second most-requested of all his music on Liveline. (“Lose Yourself” is #1).* TLC – No Scrubs: So many discussions in recent years have been about Top 40 playing songs older than a certain year, but a quarter-century is definitely pushing the limits. Released in 1999, this is one of the best performing songs in the history of the format. #1 on Billboard, Top 40 and Rhythmic where it spent 15 weeks at the top, the longest of any song ever. #2 on Billboard for the whole year. Today, it still receives significant major market airplay on Top 40 and Hot AC. As a former wedding/event DJ and Liveline host for 4 1/2 years, there isn?t a more powerful female anthem. This song has been passed down generations and Gen Z still identifies with it* We get a request and warm listener story for this song EVERY night, making it our fifth most-requested Gold ever. Last week, we crowned Justin Bieber’s “Baby” with the “all-time #1 Gold request” achievement. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Liveline with Mason more

From Radio Insight: Beasley Media Group Spanish CHR “92.5 Maxima” WYUU Safety Harbor/Tampa introduced Danny Serrano as its Program Director earlier this month. Serrano most recently hosted mornings at Audacy Hot AC “Mix 105.1” WOMX Orlando from June 2023 until June 2024. He began his career in Tampa as a host/producer at 1150 WTMP at then held multiple roles at the CBS Radio turned Beasley Media Group cluster from 2010 to 2015 including promotions, producer at Sports “98.7 The Fan” WHFS and on-air at Rhythmic CHR “Wild 94.1” WLLD.. He would then spend two years programming CHR “95.3 Gorilla” WYNF Biloxi MS and six years as APD/afternoon host at Cox CHR “Hot 101.5” WPOI Tampa from 2017 until jumping to WOMX. Serrano posted on October 4, “Such a special day today as I’ve been named Program Manger of a radio station I have so many memories of as a street teamer. Working club nights and van hits as a kid. So grateful and blessed to be back here.” more

From Radio Insight: Cox Media Group Classic Hits 101.1 KONO-FM Heloite/San Antonio is conducting a search for a new Music Director and on-air personality as veteran talent Steve Casanova will retire. Casanova has been with KONO-FM since 2000 spending time in nights and middays as well as holding Assistant Program Director duties at the station as well as Classic Country 680 KKYX and defunct Oldies 860 KONO. The San Antonio native began his career at KDNT Denton TX and spent time in San Antonio at Country 107.5 KBUC, AC 106.7 KESI, R&B Oldies 1480 KAPE, and Oldies 860 KONO until joining Country “Y100” KCYY in 1992 where he would use the name Johnny Montego for eight years in nights and middays. In a statement, Casanova thanked Rob Roberts, Roger Allen, RJ Curtis, Scott Huskey, Lee Woods, Gene Kelly and all the remarkable GM?s, programmers, jocks and support staff he has worked with for 42 years of unforgettable memories and success. more

From Radio Online: Audacy St. Louis is the official radio broadcast partner for the Budweiser Guns 'N Hoses on November 27. The annual charity boxing event, which raises crucial support for the families of police officers, firefighters, volunteer firefighters, publicly funded paramedics and EMTs who More...

From Radio Online: In an era where traditional Country music stations often stick to classic hits, MAT Media Group is introducing "Country Hits Now," a digital station broadcasting from Bonita Springs, FL, that blends contemporary Country with timeless classics. Designed for the modern listener, the More...

From Radio Online: YouTube, typically known as the go-to platform for video content, has risen to the top as the most popular service used for podcast listening in the U.S. According to Edison Podcast Metrics, 31% of weekly podcast listeners age 13 and up choose YouTube as the service they use most to listen to podcasts, More...

From Radio Online: Audacy's KYW Newsradio's "Bridging Philly" is hosting a poignant series entitled "Stories from the Journey" throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month, shedding light on the multifaceted battle against breast cancer. Sponsored by the Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Cancer Program, the series dives into More...

From Radio Online: The 2024-25 NBA season tips off Tuesday, October 22 and SiriusXM will provide NBA fans with comprehensive audio coverage. SiriusXM listeners will get access to live broadcasts of every NBA game from Opening Night through the NBA postseason and The Finals, as well as daily in-depth More...

From Radio Insight: Nielsen completes its releases of the September 2024 diary surveys today. Today’s markets include monthly ratings for Chattanooga and Huntsville, Jackson MS, and Madison. September PPM Ratings releases will begin on Monday, October 28. more

From Radio Online: KIMN (Mix 100)/Denver introduces a fresh lineup for its morning show, featuring midday host Katy Mitchel alongside Jeremy Padgett and producer Josh Griesemer. The newly titled "Jeremy, Katy andamp; Josh In The Morning" marks the completion of a series of changes that started last month with the departure of More...