Activity Stream

From Radio Online: iHeartMedia flips Adult Hits KVDU (104.1 The Spot) to the new "104-1 The Vibe," Baton Rouge's Randamp;B and back-in-the-day jams, effective October 14. The new format will feature Baton Rouge's Randamp;B and Back in the Day Jams, including songs from artists like Michael Jackson, Mary J Blige, Jodeci, Anita More...

From Radio Online: The Media Mix Modeling season is in full swing for advertisers working on a July-June fiscal year calendar. Media Mix Modeling (MMM) is a statistical analysis that helps advertisers understand how different marketing activities impact a company's sales and return on investment (ROI). It measures the More...

From Radio Insight: Following last week’s announcement of three new Program Directors at Delta Media Corporation’s Lafayette LA holdings, current Operations Manager Clint Domingue has stated he will be exiting at the end of this week. Domingue has spent his entire career at the cluster since 2014. During his tenure he rose from a producer at Sports “103.7 The Game? KLWB-FM Carencro and later added on-air duties at then AAA “106.3 Radio Lafayette” turned Rock/Alternative ?106.3 Lafayette?s Rock & Alternative? KYMK-FM Maurice where he currently hosts middays. He added cluster Production Director duties in 2021 and was named Operations Manager in January 2022. Domingue wrote, “After a little more than ten years, this week is my final week at Delta Media. Ten years ago, I started as a college student wanting to learn the ropes. From that moment on, my love for this business grew and my role in this company grew alongside it. From being a producer for a weekend sports radio show to being the Operations Manager for the entire cluster, I climbed to the top step by step. With all that said, my decision to step away from Delta Media was probably one of the toughest decisions l’ve ever made. This was where I grew into my own not only as an on-air talent but as a man. For all of that and more, I’m forever grateful. Honored to be able to finish out my time imparting my knowledge to the rest of the great team we have at Delta Media to keep the good things we have going on rolling. I’ll have some news on my next move a lot sooner than you think.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Clint Domingue (@clintdomingue) more

From Radio Insight: Futuri has announced it has debuted multiple AI powered enhancements to its Topline sales intelligence platform. The new update includes a new dashboard and enhanced AI to generate real-time insights and organize client information in one place with no search or request needed. Futuri says this gives customers access to instant competitive insights, centralized account management, streamlined workflow, and real-time content generation. Topline President Kathy Engle says, “With an all-new dashboard, everything sales professionals need is now in one place – simplifying their workflow and eliminating wasted time. TopLine also takes things a step further by automatically generating marketing briefs and insights in real time, so sellers can stay ahead of the game without lifting a finger. It’s about freeing up time to focus on what matters most: closing business!? Futuri CEO Daniel Anstandig adds, “Sales research has become an indispensable part of the process for media sales executives, and TopLine is proud to serve thousands of sales professionals from major to small markets in their mission to get appointments and close deals” more

From Radio Online: Atlanta media is mourning the loss of longtime radio personality and comedian Wanda Smith, who passed away recently. Smith was heard on WVEE (V-103), where she co-hosted the Frank and Wanda in the Morning alongside Frank Ski from 1998 to 2012. After a brief hiatus, she returned to the station in 2014, More...

From Radio Online: Grupo Berumen and Steel City Media have partnered to bring the streaming radio outlet "Radio Las Palmas" to WLTJ-HD2 (92.9) to serve the growing Hispanic population in western Pennsylvania. The station broadcasts live from the Beechview neighborhood in the city of Pittsburgh. Las More...

From Radio Online: Futuri has announced key updates to its TopLine sales intelligence platform, aimed at enhancing the media sales process for professionals in the industry. The latest enhancements provide real-time insights and client information, automatically organized and accessible in one More...

From Radio Online: Auddia Inc. has exceeded its 30-day user retention goal of 10%, achieving 12% in the month of September. The firm has been focused on growing its user retention for the past year through product enhancements that included new ad-free podcast listening experiences and numerous UX More...

From Radio Insight: Grupo Berumen’s streaming “Radio Las Palmas” has joined with Steel City Media to bring the station to 92.9 WLTJ-HD2 Pittsburgh. The streaming station launched in October 2023 as a partnership between the company that operates the Las Palmas supermarket chain in Pittsburgh and hosts Erick Serrano, Mateo Mattos, and Manuel Moya. WLTJ-HD2 had been home to La Mega Media’s “Mega 92.9“. The new brand is described as carrying “the best music from Central and South America, news, sports, live DJ’s, community outreach and promotions.” more

From Radio Online: Audacy's WSSP-AM (1250 AM The Fan) in Milwaukee will return to FM and once again be heard on 105.7 FM (W288CB) beginning October 14. The station will continue to be heard on 1250 AM. Concurrent with the FM relaunch, the Sports outlet will introduce two new local weekday shows. More...

From Radio Insight: Concurrent with the move of 104.1 KVDU Houma to the Baton Rouge market and its flip from Variety Hits ?104.1 The Spot? to Adult R&B “104.1 The Vibe“, iHeartMedia has completed the move of Rock “103.7 The Fox” WFFX Hattiesburg MS into the New Orleans market. Now licensed to Marrero LA, WFFX has moved to the tower utilized by co-owned Conservative Talk 99.5 WRNO-FM and Country 101.1 WNOE New Orleans along with other stations as a Class C2 with 12kW/306m. The move was part of a multi-facility shift involving six stations in Louisiana and Mississippi triggered by the destruction of the 2000 foot tower utilized by KVDU and Cumulus Media Alternative “Alt 92.3” WZRH LaPlace by Hurricane Ida in August 2021. WFFX has begun stunting as “Halloween Radio” with commercial-free music. Among the songs heard were MC Hammer “Addams Groove”, Ray Parker Jr. “Ghostbusters”, Michael Jackson “Thriller”, Rob Zombie “Dragula”, Bow Wow Wow “I Want Candy” plus music from Halloween themed movies and television shows such as Scream, Nightmare Before Christmas, Twilight Zone, and Stranger Things. more

From Radio Insight: iHeartMedia has completed the move of Variety Hits ?104.1 The Spot? KVDU Houma/New Orleans LA to the Baton Rouge market with the launch of Adult R&B “104.1 The Vibe“. As first indicated in our 10/9 Domain Insight, the new brand is positioning as “Baton Rouge’s R&B and Back in the Day Jams” and featuring Premiere Networks’ Steve Harvey Morning Show and Keith Sweat Hotel at night. It creates a direct format competitor to Cumulus’ market leading Adult R&B “Q106.5” KQXL, which had a 13.8 share in the September 2024 Nielsen Audio ratings. Now licensed to Gonzales LA, KVDU is now operating as a Class C3 with 18kW/101.8m from a site near the I-10 and I-12 junction in Baton Rouge. The move was part of a multi-facility shift involving six stations in Louisiana and Mississippi triggered by the destruction of the 2000 foot tower utilized by KVDU and Cumulus Media Alternative “Alt 92.3” WZRH LaPlace by Hurricane Ida in August 2021. The move of KVDU to Baton Rouge allowed iHeart to also complete the move of 103.7 WFFX Hattiesburg MS into New Orleans and begin stunting. more

From Radio Insight: Four years after moving its Sports format to AM only, Audacy has returned 1250 WSSP Milwaukee back to the FM dial with the restoration of its simulcast on 105.7 W289CB Milwaukee with the station returning to its former “105.7 The Fan” identity. WSSP and W289CB previously simulcast from 2014 until October 2020 when the translator flipped to Hip Hop “Hot 105.7“, which now goes away. After moving back to AM, WSSP dropped all of its local programming from August 2022 until this April when Steve ?Sparky? Fifer returned to the station to host “Wisconsin Sports Daily” from 2-5pm weekdays. With the return to 105.7 comes two new shows. Andy Herman’s “Pack-A-Day Podcast” joins WSSP from 8-9am daily. Former Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby and Mitch ‘Thunder’ Nelles will follow from 9-11am. Nelles previously served as a host and salesperson for Good Karma Brands “ESPN Milwaukee” from 2005-14 and iHeartMedia’s “Big 920” WOKY from 2015-19. The move brings the number of FM Sports stations in Milwaukee back to three with WSSP joining Good Karma’s “ESPN Milwaukee” 94.5 WKTI and iHeartMedia’s “97.3 The Game” WRNW-FM. The now defunct “Hot 105.7” had a 1.5 share in the September 2024 Nielsen Audio ratings. “1250 The Fan” had a 0.2 share tying it with iHeart’s “Big 920” WOKY running the national Fox Sports Radio lineup, while WRNW-FM had a 2.4 share and WKTI does not appear as a non-subscriber. more

From Radio Insight: Steve Hegwood’s Core Radio Group has entered into a Time Brokerage Agreement with Coastal Broadcasting of Larose to operate what was Sports “ESPN 100.3” KLRZ Larose/New Orleans. With the TBA in place, KLRZ began stunting with nonstop Lil’ Wayne as “Wayne 100.3” as tribute to the New Orleans native. The move marks Hegwood’s return to New Orleans nearly two decades after his On Top Communications Hip Hop “Hot 104.5” KNOU’s facilities were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 leading to the company filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in early 2006. After its temporary facilities were destroyed by Hurricane Gustav in 2008, the station was sold twice and finally resumed full operations as 1980s Hits “Z104.5” KWMZ-FM in 2013. The Time Brokerage Agreement on file with the FCC notes that Core Radio Group has also entered into an Option Agreement to purchase the station with the $10,000 per-month LMA fees going towards the acquisition should it be exercised. The company operates multiple Hip Hop stations under the “Streetz” brand including in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, and Norfolk. All of the stations also carry the Atlanta based “Yung Joc and The Streetz Morning Takeover” distributed by Superadio Networks. Local Sports programming had come to an end on KLRZ at the end of August when the 12-3pm “Sports Hangover with Gus Kattengell” ended after a fourteen year run between Cumulus Media’s “106.1 The Ticket” WMTI and then KLRZ. Kattengell also served as studio host for pre-game, halftime, and post-game coverage of the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans for the past five year. The Pelicans announced their move from KLRZ to Audacy News/Talk 870 WWL New Orleans/105.3 WWL-FM Kenner for the upcoming season in June. KLRZ carries ESPN Radio national programming plus the morning and afternoon shows from Guaranty Media’s Baton Rouge based ?104.5 ESPN? WNXX Jackson/104.9 KNXX Donaldsonville LA. more

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From Radio Insight: Longtime Rock and Hot Talk personality Anne ‘Liz Wilde’ Whittemore-Firestone died last week after a long cancer battle. Whittemore began her radio career at WAIL Key West in 1984 as ‘Anne with a Plan’. She took on the ‘Liz Wilde’ persona in 1988 when she joined WSHE Miami as evening host. She would spend the 1990s in multiple big markets including time hosting afternoons at WAAF Boston, nights at WLUP Chicago and mornings at WPLL Miami and WMMS Cleveland. In 1999, Wilde would make the move to Talk hosting afternoons at WINZ Miami and then a Fisher Entertainment syndicated show until 2002. She would then spend time at KLLI Dallas and WRXK Fort Myers until 2006. Outside of an audition to host mornings at WLUP in 2015, she mostly has been out of radio since then. In recent years she and her late-husband, former WRXK morning co-host Leroy Firestone, operated an art gallery and boutique in Bradenton FL. more

From Radio Insight: Longtime “V103” WVEE Atlanta morning personality and comedian Wanda Smith has passed away at the age of 58. Smith co-hosted mornings at WVEE from 1998 to 2012 and 2014 to 2019 on shows hosted by Frank Ski and Ryan Cameron. Audacy Atlanta SVP/Market Manager Rick Caffey stated, “Our hearts are weighing heavier today as we grieve the loss of our beloved Wanda Smith, someone who always made us smile and who was a big part of V-103 for years. We extend our deepest prayers and condolences to her family. Woke up to news of the passing of Wanda Smith. Wanda was exactly the person Atlanta radio fans knew her to be: hilarious, vivacious and entertaining. But I?ll mostly remember how she loved people back. How she?d pull them in w/ a Wanda hug and show compassion and kindness to? — Elle Duncan (@elleduncanESPN) October 13, 2024 My condolences to the family of Wanda Smith in her passing. Truly an Atlanta radio staple and honored to have produced for her while at V-103. — Syndicated Sam more

From Radio Online: A hot air balloon struck and collapsed the iconic KKOB radio tower in Albuquerque's North Valley on Friday morning during the city's famed Balloon Fiesta. According to Bernalillo County Fire Rescue (BCFR) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the balloon hit the tower More...

From Radio Online: FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks visited KADD and KXLI in Las Vegas on Tuesday to observe the implementation of MaxxCasting and ZoneCasting technologies. These advancements are designed to enhance localized broadcasting and were approved earlier this year by the FCC. More...

From Radio Online: New Albany Broadcasting Company's WLRS-AM (1570) and W223DK (92.5) in Louisville became the first stations in the area to flip to an all-Christmas music format for the 2024 holiday season. Branded as "The 92.5 Days of Christmas," the festive programming began on October 1 and will run through December 31. More...

From Radio Online: The radio world is reflecting on the remarkable career and lasting impact of J.J. Jeffrey, a longtime air personality and station owner who passed away on Thursday, October 10, at the age of 84. Known for his vibrant personality both on and off the air, Jeffrey built a legacy across New England and beyond, More...

From Radio Insight: Nielsen continues its releases of the September 2024 diary surveys today. Today’s markets include monthly ratings for Birmingham, Buffalo/Niagara Falls, Fort Myers, Greenville/Spartanburg, Richmond, Rochester, and Tucson. The next three releases will feature: On Monday, October 14: Monthly ratings for Albany/Schenectady/Troy, Allentown/Bethlehem, Dayton, Fresno, Grand Rapids, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. On Tuesday, October 15: Monthly ratings for Bakersfield, Honolulu, Knoxville, Omaha/Council Bluffs, and Tulsa. On Wednesday, October 16: Monthly ratings for Albuquerque, El Paso, Harrisburg/Lebanon/Carlisle, and Metro Fairfield County. more

From Radio Insight: A tower of Cumulus Media News/Talk 770 KKOB Albuquerque collapsed a little before 9:00 this morning after a hot air balloon crashed into it. The balloon was part of the annual Balloon Fiesta in the city. It struck the tower this morning and then continued flying. Some homes near the tower were evacuated as a precaution as power was cut to the site. The condition of those in the balloon was unknown. Yesterday happened to be the 20th anniversary of a Smokey The Bear balloon crashing into the same tower. KKOB continues to broadcast on simulcast 96.3 KKOB-FM Albuquerque. A hot air balloon clipped the KKOB radio tower causing it to collapse just west of Balloon Fiesta Park. No injuries were reported, and the balloon was able to land safely somewhere else. pic.twitter.com/LIIwy0xoDc — Grant Tosterud (@granttosterudwx) October 11, 2024 more

From Radio Online: Los Angeles-based voice actor Aaron Bradley adds Coast Radio Group's Country WZKX-FM (Kicker 108) in New Orleans as its imaging voice, effective October 1. Bradley will voice the station in partnership with Benztown handling production. Coast Radio Group Operations Manager Bryan Rhodes and Benztown VP, Masa More...

From Radio Online: iHeartRadio Broadway will present an hour-long special celebrating 30 years of Disney on Broadway this November. Hosted by Elvis Duran and the Morning Show co-hosts Danielle Monaro and Medha Gandhi, the special features a Qandamp;A and performances by EGOT-winning composer Alan Menken More...

From Radio Insight: New Albany Broadcasting Company’s 1570 WLRS New Albany IN and 92.5 W223DK Louisville KY is the first all-Christmas music station for the 2024 holiday season. “The 92.5 Days of Christmas” began running on the signals on October 1 and will continue through December 31. The station is promoting that it will debut a new Spanish language format “Latino Radio Service” in January 2025. The signals cover the northern parts of the Louisville market, specifically across the Ohio River in Southern Indiana. WLRS had entered into a Time Brokerage Agreement with Thomas Hoyt’s Pure Radio LLC that had started in June with those signals simulcasting their Christian Preaching “Pure Radio” network also heard in the market on 92.3 W222CD Louisville via SummitMedia’s 106.9 WVEZ-HD2. W222CD/WVEZ-HD2 is not affected by the change at WLRS. more

From Radio Insight: Family Stations is completing its restructuring with the transfer of its assets from its California based holding company to the newly created Tennessee based Loam Media Inc. The ownership and management of the two organizations is identical. The deal is structured with Loam Media, which was incorporated in June, merging with Family Stations with Loam as the surviving entity. The mission statement for Loam Media Inc. states “the primary purpose of Loam Media is to inspire every individual to discover and pursue a relationship with Christ, by delivering media that blends captivating stories, doctrinally-sound teaching, innovative technology, and breathtaking artistry. By providing sound Bible teaching, stories and music, our intent is that the listener would receive hope, strength, and encouragement from this programming.” After closing on its $250,000 purchase of “Air 1” 107.1 WIRO Ironton OH from Educational Media Foundation last month, Kevin West?s KW Ministries sells the station to Total Media Group for the same price. A Time Brokerage Agreement ahead of closing is included in the deal. KW retains Christian ?Expression Radio? 1230 WITO Ironton. Olivet Nazarene University sells its CP for 91.5 WONS New Castle IN to The Gospel Light Ministries for $5000. KAJC FM transfers Christian Preaching 90.1 KAJC Salem OR to Lebanon PA based Calvary Chapel Bible Broadcasting for no consideration. The two organizations have identical boards. Lushomo Health Education Centre transfers its CP for 90.5 WTLG Makanda/Carbondale IL to Vanguard Association of Sunbelt Colleges Corporation for no consideration. Translator SalesAdvance Ministries sells 100.5 K263BH New Auberry CA to Cocola Broadcasting Companies for $25,000. K263BH has changed parent signal to Fresno Free College Foundation’s 88.1 KFCF Fresno. more

From Radio Insight: Longtime DJ turned station owner Joseph Noyes ‘JJ’ Jeffrey passed away after brief cancer battle at the age of 84. A native of Portland ME, Jeffrey began his career in his home state in the 1950s. Early career stops included WMEX Boston as ‘Melvin X Melvin’ and Operations Manager at WNVY Pensacola FL. He would then join WRKO Boston as afternoon host followed by time in the same daypart at fellow Top 40 powerhouses WFIL Philadelphia and WLS Chicago. Jeffrey would partner with Bob Fuller to launch Fuller-Jeffrey Broadcasting in 1975 with the purchase of 102.9 WBLM Lewiston/Portland ME. The company would expand across the country eventually holding clusters in Modesto, Sacramento, Santa Cruz, and Santa Rosa CA and Des Moines IA before completing their sell-off in the late 90s of what is mostly now Townsquare Media’s clusters in Portland and Portsmouth NH to Citadel in 1999. The duo would immediately form Atlantic Coast Radio, which built up a new Portland cluster of Sports “WEEI” 95.5 WPPI Topsham/95.9 WPEI Saco, Sports “The Big Jab” 96.3 WJJB-FM Gray/1440 WRED Westbrook/92.5 W223BH Portland, and Conservative Talk 1310 WLOB/100.5 W263BZ Portland and 98.3 W252EI Brunswick. It?s with heavy heart we say RIP to our fearless leader J.J. Jeffrey. A true pioneer of the radio industry he was instrumental in shaping the landscape of Maine radio and beyond. J.J. was a true legend. https://t.co/G9gg6RykmS — 96.3 WJJB The Big Jab (@WJJBTheBigJab) October 10, 2024 It's safe to say we lost an industry GIANT today. JJ Jeffrey made my love of music and sports possible. WBLM is the soundtrack of my youth. Not a day went by without trying to tune in 107.5 before they moved to 102.9. In my later years, he brought back The Big Jab, but this time? — Jeff Schools (@DigitalSchoolzy) October 10, 2024 more

From Radio Insight: Delta Media has announced three programming promotions at its Lafayette LA cluster. At Rock/Alternative “106.3 Lafayette’s Rock & Alternative” KYMK, Matt Miguez takes the reins as Program Director. Miguez will also host middays and continue contributing to segments and shows on “ESPN 103.7” KLWB-FM. The company notes that Miguez will work closely with station consultant Jeff Sanders for KYMK. Classic Country “Mustang 107.1” KOGM promotes Steve Wiley to PD. Wiley will also replace Miguez in middays at KOGM in addition to his current duties as news and traffic reporter for the cluster. He joined Delta Media in 2022 after spending 23 years at Townsquare Media AC 99.9 KTDY. Adult R&B “Z105.9” KFXZ Program Director Stephanie Smallwood will add programming oversight for Zydeco 105.3 KSLO-FM. Smallwood has been with KFXZ since 2013. “We are thrilled to promote Matt, Steve, and Stephanie to these well-deserved positions,” said Johnette Cochran, General Manager and Vice President of Delta Media Corporation. “Their dedication and passion for the industry exemplify the talent we are fortunate to have within our organization. It?s a great feeling to recognize their hard work and promote from within.” more

From Radio Online: A long-standing Halloween tradition is set to return as WZPL (99.5 ZPL) in Indianapolis' "Smiley Morning Show" hosts the 22nd Annual Smiley Pumpkin Drop at The Shops at Perry Crossing in Plainfield. The event will be held on Thursday, October 24, 2024, from 6-10am, featuring a live broadcast and a nearly More...