Activity Stream

From Radio Insight: Nielsen continues its releases of the June 2024 continuous diary market and Spring 2024 biannual ratings surveys today. Today’s markets include June monthly ratings for Dayton, Fort Myers, Grand Rapids, Metro Fairfield County, Tucson and Tulsa. Spring ratings for Danbury, Fort Smith, Kalamazoo, Lima/Van Wert, McAllen/Brownsville/Harlingen, Muskegon, New Haven, and Sarasota. Other markets coming this week: On Wednesday, July 24: June monthly ratings for Albuquerque, Allentown/Bethlehem, El Paso, Fresno, Honolulu, Knoxville, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Spring ratings for Johnson City/Kingsport/Bristol, Las Cruces, and Williamsport. On Thursday, July 25: June monthly ratings for Akron, Bakersfield, Charleston SC, Harrisburg/Lebanon/Carlisle, and Omaha/Council Bluffs. Spring ratings for Canton, Hagerstown/Chambersburg, Lancaster PA, Lincoln, Myrtle Beach, New London, Wilmington DE, and York. On Friday, July 26: June monthly ratings for Columbia SC, Des Moines, Greenville/New Bern/Jacksonville NC, Little Rock, Monterey/Salinas/Santa Cruz, Spokane, and Springfield MA. Spring ratings for Gainesville/Ocala, Hot Springs, and Stockton. more

From Radio Online: iHeartPodcasts and Pushkin Industries announced a new six-part true crime podcast that will dive into the 2020 disappearance of Lydia "Dia" Abrams in the beautiful mountain town of Idyllwild, CA. Throughout the series, journalist Lucy Sherriff will reveal the culmination of her four-year investigation into More...

From Radio Online: Cumulus Media promotes Mike Hohler to Program Director for its San Francisco Bay Area Sports stations KNBR-AM (680), KGO-FM (104.5), KGO-AM (The Spread 810 AM) and KTCT (1050). Hohler is currently Assistant Program Director for the stations, and joined the San Francisco cluster in 2002 as midday producer for More...

From Radio Insight: Mid-West Family Broadcasting has flipped Country “96.1 The Ton” W241AD South Bend IN/99.9 WQLQ-HD3 Benton Harbor MI to a simulcast of Sports 960 WSBT South Bend. The flip reverses the move made in June 2021 when the translator broke off of its simulcast of WSBT to create an in-market competitor to Federated Media’s “B100” 100.7 WBYT. In the Fall 2023 Nielsen Audio ratings, WBYT had a 7.2 share with “The Ton” at a 0.9. The station is currently running promos during breaks redirecting Country listeners to co-owned “97.5 Y Country” WYTZ Bridgman/Benton Harbor MI, which is a rimshot signal at best in South Bend. WSBT, which is the local affiliate of South Bend’s Notre Dame football and basketball and South Bend Cubs basbeall, currently carries a mix of programming from Fox Sports Radio and Infinity Sports Network along with a local 5-7pm show hosted by Darin Pritchett focusing on Fighting Irish football. With just the AM signal, WSBT had a 1.4 share last Fall. more

From Radio Insight: The “WAMC/Northeast Public Radio” network based at 1400 WAMC/90.3 WAMC-FM Albany NY has announced the appointment of Sarah Gilbert as President/CEO to fill the position vacant since Alan Chartock retired in May 2023 after 42 years leading the organization. Gilbert most recently served as President and Chief Content Officer for the Chicago Council On Global Affairs following eight years at NPR where she rose from Senior Supervising Editor of Weekend Edition to Executive Producer of Morning Edition and creator and EP of the daily news podcast Up First to Vice President of News during her tenure. She spent much of her early career at the BBC based in London, Brussels and Washington DC as an editor, producer, and Deputy American Bureau Chief and at American Public Media’s Marketplace as Managing Editor. WAMC Board Chair Dorothy Reynolds stated, “We are thrilled to welcome Sarah to the helm of this incredible organization. This has been an intense and deliberative process. While the final decision rests with the Board, we are deeply grateful for the thoughtful and on-going input from WAMC staff who took time away from other obligations to work with us in this critical effort.? Gilbert said, “Coming to WAMC, with its strong staff, powerful programming, and dedicated listeners and members, is an incredible opportunity to use all my skills and experiences to continue to build, grow, and strengthen this amazing organization.” WAMC COO and Interim CEO Stacey Rosenberry added, “I was incredibly honored to be given the opportunity to lead and I now look forward to expanding the leadership team. We are first and foremost a news and information organization and Sarah?s experience, particularly in digital production, will help us diversify our delivery tools while maintaining our highest commitment to quality programming.? more

From Radio Insight: Mid-West Family Broadcasting News/Talk 92.7 WMAY-FM Taylorville/Springfield IL has named Patrick Pfingsten as the new host of “Springfield’s Morning News” starting on Monday, July 29. Pfingsten currently operates a public relations firm and writes a political newsletter “The Illinoize”. He previously was a reporter and anchor for WDWS Champaign from 2005 to 2011 before working in communications for multiple Illinois Republican politicians. He has also served as a fill-in host at WMAY-FM since 2022. Mid-West Family Broadcasting Springfield General Manager Mark Van Allen stated, “In our divided political world, we decided it was time to break from the partisan talking points and start listening to someone who will cut through the bull. The public deserves information and opinions they can trust, and we believe Patrick will be a great asset to Springfield and our entire state in raising the level of debate in our politics.? Pfingsten, who will replace Mike Wennmacher in mornings said, “I?m honored to be asked to continue the long tradition of WMAY?s commitment to Springfield, surrounding communities, and the state of Illinois. Our state and nation are at a critical time and too many media figures are too consumed with trying to push an agenda. We?re going to lean on the truth.” The show will include video streaming and promoted through the Illinoize newsletter. more

From Radio Insight: Mike HohlerCumulus Media has promoted Mike Hohler to Program Director of Sports 680 KNBR/104.5 KNBR-FM, “810 The Spread” KGO, and “KNBR 1050” KTCT San Francisco and John Kerley to Assistant Program Director. Hohler has been with KNBR since 2002 starting as midday show producer before rising to APD. Kerley joined KNBR as morning show producer in February after previously working across town at Audacy’s “95.7 The Game” KGMZ. The promotions follow the demotion of Adam Copeland back to just afternoon co-host earlier this year. Cumulus San Francisco/Los Angeles RVP/Market Manager Larry Blumhagen commented, “I am excited to see Mike Hohler take the reins as Program Director of these dynamic, listener-driven stations. Mike has been a dedicated member of this terrific team for over two decades and knows every working part of our programming operations. He has meaningful relationships with our broadcast partners, which he will continue to build upon and grow in his new leadership role.? He continued, ?John Kerley brings a strategic approach to the Assistant Program Director role for our Sports stations. We are fortunate to have such a talented and collaborative sports programming team and are in very capable hands with Mike and John at the helm. Our all-star lineup ? including all the great talent in our Bull Pen – makes for a winning team and positions these stations for continued success!? more

From Radio Insight: After relaunching ?My Country 100.5? KVWF Augusta/Wichita KS in May as ?100.5 The Twister“, My Town Media has dropped the “My Country” brand at its six other stations in Kansas in favor of “Thunder Country“. Sharing the “Country’s Biggest Hits” positioning with KVWF, the new brand debuted on the company’s 93.5 KKDT Burdett/Hays, 98.3 KQZQ Kiowa, 99.5 KHDL Americus/Emporia, 1460 KKOY/99.9 K260DF Chanute, 102.9 KBIK Independence, and 1340 KSEK/107.9 K300DE Pittsburg. The stations had previously moved away from their emphasis on Red Dirt Country following the exit of brand PD/afternoon host Colby Ericson in April. more

From Radio Online: Seth Resler joinn Paragon as Community Building consultant, a new position at the firm. Resler has developed a blueprint for community building that capitalizes on existing digital platforms and enables public radio stations to launch, grow and monetize their own micro-communities. Prior to spending over 8 More...

From Radio Online: The country's only survey of air talent in commercial radio has extended its deadline to Friday, July 26. In collaboration with Don Anthony's Morning Show Boot Camp, Jacobs Media's AQ6 is seeking feedback among air personalities, shows, teams and producers across the U.S. This sixth More...

From Radio Online: Radio Hall of Famer Christopher "Mad Dog" Russo signs a new three-year agreement to remain the face and voice of SiriusXM's national all-sports talk channel, Mad Dog Sports Radio (channel 82). Russo will continue to host his daily all-sports show, "Mad Dog Unleashed," every weekday (3-6pm ET). The new More...

From Radio Insight: SiriusXM has announced that it has signed Christopher ‘Mad Dog’ Russo to a three-year contract extension to remain the face and voice of “Mad Dog Sports Radio” (channel 82). Russo, who joined SiriusXM to launch the channel in 2008, will extend his tenure at the company in the new deal to nineteen years as he will continue to host “Mad Dog Unleashed” from 3-6pm Eastern/12-3 Pacific. That will match the length of time he co-hosted “Mike & The Mad Dog” on 660 WFAN New York with Mike Francesa from 1989 until 2008. Russo stated, “SiriusXM is my radio home. I?m proud of what we?ve built here over these last 16 years. I love the platform and the freedom to be me and do the kind of show my audience and I enjoy. Four decades into my career I can honestly say I am as excited to turn on that mic and talk to my listeners every day as I was when I first started my career!? SiriusXM President/Chief Content Officer Scott Greenstein added, “While he has inspired a lot of imitators over the years, there?ll never be anybody else on the air like Chris. He?s more popular and dynamic today than he has ever been and we couldn?t be more excited and proud to have him continue his legendary career on SiriusXM.? Russo also hosts the daily “High Heat with Christopher Russo” on MLB Network and SiriusXM’s MLB Network Radio and makes regular appearances on ESPN’s “First Take”. The Mad Dog Sports Radio lineup features: ?The D.A. Show with Babchik? with Damon Amendolara and Mike Babchik (6-9 am ET) ?Schein on Sports? with Adam Schein (9 am – noon ET) ?Beadle & Decker? with Michelle Beadle and Cody Decker (noon ? 3 pm ET) ?Mad Dog Unleashed? with Christopher Russo (3-6 pm ET) ?Mad Dog Daily? with Steve Torre (6-7 pm ET) ?Mad Dog Sports Radio Tonight? with Tom Byrne, JT the Brick and Lance Medow (7-10 pm ET) ?Night Cap? with George Wrighster (10 pm ? midnight ET) more

From Radio Insight: DTS, Inc., a global leader in next-generation audio and a wholly owned subsidiary of Xperi Inc. (NYSE: XPER), today released its Top Most Listened-To Songs In-Vehicle for Q2 2024* in the U.S., U.K. and globally, based on data gathered by the DTS AutoStage Broadcaster Portal. First-quarter chart toppers, including Jack Harlow, Dua Lipa and Taylor Swift, were replaced in Q2 by Teddy Swims and Benson Boone, with Sabrina Carpenter. Carpenter made an impressive showing across U.S., U.K. and global charts (#1, #6 and #6 respectively), coinciding with the release of her new single ?Espresso? and her 2024 Coachella performance. Doja Cat demonstrated her staying power as the only Q1 Top 5 artist to holdover into Q2, while Beyonc??s ?Texas Hold ?Em? hit the #3 spot globally and Ariana Grande?s ?We Can?t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)? took the #3 spot in the U.S. ?Once again, our quarterly list of the Top Most Listened-To Songs In-Vehicle, gathered from active listening data from millions of vehicles around the world equipped with DTS AutoStage, pinpoints not only what is played, but what consumers are actually listening to in their vehicles. This means we can see how a song is actually landing with an audience and if engagement is building, waning or flattening,? said Joe D?Angelo, senior vice president of broadcast at Xperi. ?This quarter, it was especially fascinating to see artists who have achieved initial traction through less conventional music channels ? TikTok in the case of Benson Boone, YouTube for Teddy Swims, Disney for Sabrina Carter ? making their mark globally with in-vehicle listeners, who are also sticking with mega stars Doja Cat, Beyonc? and Ariana Grande.? Top Most Listened-To Songs In-Vehicle (U.S., U.K. and Global) Q2 2024 In addition to the end of Taylor Swift?s impressive reign in the Top 5 (although she remains solidly in the Top 10), Q2 2024 saw rapper Jack Harlow?s ?Lovin on Me? drop to #11 in the U.S. and #7 globally, replaced with ?Lose Control? from American singer-songwriter Teddy Swims, whose music blends genres including R&B, soul, country and pop. Swims had the #1 most listened-to song in-vehicles in the U.S., and the #2 song in the U.K. and globally in Q2. TikTok performer Benson Boone?s ?Beautiful Things? took the #2 spot in the U.S. and the #1 spot globally, while Ariana Grande?s ?We Can?t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)? moved up to the #3 spot in the U.S. and the #4 spot globally. Sabrina Carpenter, an American singer and actress who first gained recognition for starring in the Disney Channel series ?Girl Meets World,? made an impact in Q2 with two releases: ?Espresso? hit the #1 spot in the U.K. and #6 globally and in the U.S., and ?Feather? reached the #13 and #14 spots in the U.S. and globally respectively. Doja Cat?s ?Agora Hills? was the only song to remain in the Q2 Top 5 in the U.S. from Q1 2024, while Dua Lipa?s ?Houdini? and Tate McRae?s ?Greedy? fell out of their Q1 positions in the global Top 5, but held steady in Q2?s Top 10. Top 5 Most Listened-To Songs In-Vehicle U.S. Q2 2024 Artist Song 1. Teddy Swims ?Lose Control? 2. Benson Boone ?Beautiful Things? 3. Ariana Grande ?We Can?t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)? 4. SZA ?Saturn? 5. Doja Cat ?Agora Hills? Top 5 Most Listened-To Songs In-Vehicle U.K. Q2 2024 Artist Song 1. Sabrina Carpenter ?Espresso? 2. Teddy Swims ?Lose Control? 3. Dasha ?Austin? 4. Perrie ?Forget About Us (Acoustic)? 5. Noah Kahan ?Stick Season? Top 5 Most Listened-To Songs In-Vehicle Global Q2 2024 Artist Song 1. Benson Boone ?Beautiful Things? 2. Teddy Swims ?Lose Control? 3. Beyonc? ?Texas Hold ?Em? 4. Ariana Grande ?We Can?t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)? 5. Hozier ?Too Sweet? ?Our recent Connected Car Entertainment Trends report confirms that audio is the #1 form of entertainment in-vehicle, and that AM/FM radio is most popular for music listening in the car,? continued D?Angelo. ?Our Most Listened-To Songs In-Vehicle charts reinforce the impact radio is having on the in-car entertainment landscape, and makes a powerful case for the importance of the data and analytics available from the DTS AutoStage Broadcaster Portal.? The DTS AutoStage Broadcaster Portal provides radio broadcasters worldwide with analytics about where their audiences are listening, when they are listening, how long they are listening and the content they enjoy the most. Insights from the DTS AutoStage Broadcaster Portal represent data from the millions of vehicles globally equipped with the DTS AutoStage platform, furthering Xperi?s mission to support the broadcast community by empowering broadcasters to forge deeper connections with their audiences. Radio stations can access the DTS AutoStage Broadcaster Portal at no cost, whether they are broadcasting digitally or via analog by registering through the Xperi DTS AutoStage Broadcaster Portal. more

From Radio Insight: The WNET Group has expanded the coverage of its Public News/Talk/Variety WLIW-FM to a third signal on Long Island. Launched in June 2020 following the purchase of the former 88.3 WPPB (now WLIW-FM) Southampton, the station then added 96.9 W245BA Manorville in western Suffolk County in 2022 and on Monday signed-on 88.7 WEER Montauk covering the eastern end of Long Island and into nearby parts of Connecticut and Rhode Island. The WNET Group acquired WEER from the estate of Jim Pierce?s Eastern Towers LLC for $100,000 in January 2023 and the signal had been silent since last October while awaiting equipment repairs. ?WLIW-FM has taken another step forward in our coverage and commitment to our community,? said Diane Masciale, Vice President & General Manager, WLIW. ?In the weeks ahead, we?re also looking to deliver a new app that will allow audiences to easily take WLIW-FM wherever life takes them.? The station carries a mix of national and local Public programming including locally originating programming from 7am to 4pm. In addition to WLIW-FM, the WNET Group operates three regional public television stations, WNET-TV Newark NJ/New York City, WLIW-TV Garden City, and “NJ PBS” on four stations in New Jersey. more

From Radio Insight: Following his departure from mornings at iHeartMedia Country 102.1 WDRM Huntsville AL and afternoons at 97.5 WAMZ Louisville KY last month, Brent ‘Dingo’ Crank is returning to SummitMedia to host afternoons at Country 104.7 WZZK Birmingham. Crank previously worked for SummitMedia as morning host at Country “Q103.1” WQNU Louisville from July 2016 until September 2019 when he left to relocate to WDRM to be closer to his and his wife’s families in Alabama. He began his career at WDRM and later hosted mornings at KSWG Wickenburg AZ, KFIN Jonesboro AR, and WGTR Myrtle Beach. Dingo takes the afternoon timeslot that had been held by former APD/MD ?Kelsey K? Schuler until her exit in June. more

From Radio Online: To understand the magnitude of the brand Steve's Pest Control built with long-term advertising on AM/FM radio, the Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group commissioned MARU/Matchbox to conduct a study of 98 consumers in the Columbia-Jefferson City DMA in December, 2023. This week's blog examines the More...

From Radio Online: Digio Strategies, a radio group which owns six radio stations and a digital company, based in Mississippi and Alabama, is merging with Darkhorse Press. Therese Apel, owner of Darkhorse Press will make her return to radio news on US 96.3, Mix 98.7, 93.5 The Legend and Blues 93.1 on Monday, August 5 at 6am More...

From Radio Insight: Nielsen continues its releases of the June 2024 continuous diary market and Spring 2024 biannual ratings surveys today. Today’s markets include June monthly ratings for Albany/Schenectady/Troy and Syracuse. Spring ratings for Augusta, Bangor, Burlington/Plattsburgh, Concord, Hudson Valley, Lebanon/Hanover/White River Junction, Manchester, Montpelier/Barre/St. Johnsbury, Newburgh/Middletown, Portland ME, Portsmouth, Poughkeepsie, Utica/Rome, and Watertown. Other markets coming this week: On Tuesday, July 23: June monthly ratings for Dayton, Fort Myers, Grand Rapids, Metro Fairfield County, Tucson and Tulsa. Spring ratings for Danbury, Fort Smith, Kalamazoo, Lima/Van Wert, McAllen/Brownsville/Harlingen, Muskegon, New Haven, and Sarasota. On Wednesday, July 24: June monthly ratings for Albuquerque, Allentown/Bethlehem, El Paso, Fresno, Honolulu, Knoxville, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Spring ratings for Johnson City/Kingsport/Bristol, Las Cruces, and Williamsport. On Thursday, July 25: June monthly ratings for Akron, Bakersfield, Charleston SC, Harrisburg/Lebanon/Carlisle, and Omaha/Council Bluffs. Spring ratings for Canton, Hagerstown/Chambersburg, Lancaster PA, Lincoln, Myrtle Beach, New London, Wilmington DE, and York. On Friday, July 26: June monthly ratings for Columbia SC, Des Moines, Greenville/New Bern/Jacksonville NC, Little Rock, Monterey/Salinas/Santa Cruz, Spokane, and Springfield MA. Spring ratings for Gainesville/Ocala, Hot Springs, and Stockton. more

From Radio Online: To salute teachers across America, syndicated Bob andamp; Sheri conducted a multi-platform nationwide contest that culminated in a fun-filled trip for eight grand prize-winning teachers and their guests to the Margaritaville Resort in Ft. Myers Beach, FL this past weekend. Two of the Bob and More...

From Radio Insight: Digio Strategies is growing its operations in Jackson and Meridian MS with the purchase of Therese Apel’s Darkhorse Press. Launched in 2021, the publication focuses on crime news in the state of Mississippi. Apel, who previously has worked as a newspaper and television reporter in the state, will anchor morning news updates for four of Digio’s Jackson stations: “Blues 93.1” WHJT-HD2, Classic Country “93.5 The Legend” WHJT, Country “US 96.3” WUSJ, and AC “Mix 98.7” as well as breaking news coverage on CHR “Y101” WYOY and Classic Hip Hop “102.1 The Box” 780 WIIN. Digio Jackson General Manager Kelly Crocker said, “We are building our business for continued success for decades to come and by adding one of the most respected journalists to our team, this helps solidify our position in our state.” Apel followed, “I?m honored to be taking my decades of experience in journalism and joining forces with some of the most respected talent in the radio and media industry in Mississippi. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to grow in a way that keeps us authentic, local, and Mississippi-centric while enabling us to bring you the news and stories that you want to see and hear with much more momentum.” She continued, “The goal of Darkhorse Press has always been to bring you fair, unbiased news with integrity. I can?t even express how God?s hand has led this partnership and how unmistakeable He?s been throughout these talks. We look forward to many years, and we want to give Him all the glory for all He?s done to bring us to this point and beyond.” Digio Operations Manager Jan Michaels added, “We were searching for more ways to serve our local community and by adding Therese and Darkhorse Press, we are accomplishing that goal. When most companies are replacing local talent with automation or national services, we are continuing to build our local team to better serve and be an even more trusted source of news, information and entertainment.” more

From Radio Online: Musburger Media has agreed to acquire VSiN, The Sports Betting Network, from DraftKings Inc. Original VSiN founders Brian Musburger and Bill Adee, who were part of the team that previously launched and led the multi-platform broadcast and content company, will lead it moving forward. VSiN will continue to More...

From Radio Insight: Three and half years after selling VSiN to DraftKings, a group of the original founders are reacquiring the Sports Betting network. Brian Musburger and Bill Adee as Musburger Media have repurchased VSiN for an undisclosed amount. Musburger, who served as founder and CEO had continued to manager the network under DraftKings ownership. DraftKings had purchased the network from Vegas Sports Information Network Inc. in March 2021. The VSiN programming will continue with its programming available 24/7 on iHeartRadio, TuneIn, VSiN.com, and either 24/7 or in select dayparts on multiple video providers and 300 radio affiliates across the country from its studios at the Circa Resort in downtown Las Vegas. Musburger stated, ?While a lot has changed in the sports betting industry over the past three-and-a-half years, our original vision for VSiN still holds and we are committed to delivering the most credible, independent information and analysis sports bettors can find anywhere. We truly appreciate the work we?ve done with DraftKings and look forward to continuing to collaborate on future projects. Bill and I couldn?t be more excited about leading VSiN into the future and cementing our position as a trusted authority in sports betting.? DraftKings Chief Marketing Officer Stephanie Sherman commented, “DraftKings continues to optimize its investments in content and media to align with the most critical areas and needs of our business strategy, objectives, and goals. We want to thank Brian, Bill, and the entire team at VSiN for a great relationship, and we look forward to continuing to advertise on the network.? more

From Radio Insight: How hot was it in Portland this Tuesday? ?The Pacific Northwest is melting!? declared PD/PMD Dylan Salisbury on KBFF (Live 95.5).One of Live?s sweepers announced that they were ?currently taking reservations for friends with a boat and central air-conditioning.? Another said, ?This is the heat they had Stanley and Zero diggin? them holes in.?* On KKRZ (Z100),PD/PMD Rayne played up the air-conditioned part of a museum-ticket giveaway. Portland was one of the earliest markets where CHR seemed to go cold. According to ratings expert Chris Huff, iHeart?s Z100 first descended into the four-share range, then a rare occurrence for a major-market heritage CHR a decade ago. Since 2018, it has typically been found in the three-shares.* So while the format?s rebound stories remain outliers, it has been gratifying to see one in Portland, where Z100 and Alpha?s Live 95.5 have added more than four shares between them since January. In the June PPM, Live was up 4.3-5.1, making it No. 4 in the market, and the contemporary music leader. Z100 was up 4.1-4.5 (and nearly two shares ahead of January).* Live 95.5 has made a few appearances in these pages over the last year thanks to the presence of middayer Ashley Elzinga, whose ?AI Ashley? alter-ego became the first and heavily watched test case of AI-generated hosting. It has also been the major-market CHR most likely to acknowledge streaming?s left-field hits.* Z100 returned to my radar in February for bringing PD Tim ?Rayne? Rainey back to radio after three years. Live 95.5 recently added TM Studio?s ?Live in Portland? package. As the ?AI Ashley? experiment enters its second year, there were plenty of reasons to take a ?Fresh Listen? to both stations. Compared to Live 95.5, Z100 has a deeper throwback component, although it?s become more reaction-record-conscious since Rayne?s arrival. There was a ?before you added it to your playlist, you heard it here first on Z100? stager before ?Million Dollar Baby.? (Mediabase shows the station as having been three days ahead of Live on the first spin.)* In that way, and others, you can hear Rayne working hard to reanimate even regular station business like the hourly ?text-to-win? codeword teasers, or talking about the most-requested song. He had also just brought the ?What?s in My Pants?? feature to the market. ?We did it on Friday and got two complaints, so we have to do it again.? (The item in question that day was a HydroFlask.)* Between Rayne?s two contests, I counted nine talk breaks that hour, compared to only three that were entirely produced. That?s a ratio I haven?t heard on CHR (or most) stations in a long time. Here?s Z100 at 3:50 p.m., Monday, July 15: Post Malone w/Morgan Wallen, ?I Had Some Help? Chappell Roan, ?Good Luck, Babe!? Katy Perry, ?Firework? Ariana Grande, ?We Can?t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)? Linkin Park, ?In the End? Tommy Richman, ?Million Dollar Baby? David Kushner, ?Daylight? Dua Lipa, ?Illusion? Black Eyed Peas, ?Where Is the Love? Hozier, ?Too Sweet? Sabrina Carpenter, ?Please Please Please? Miguel, ?Sure Thing? Imagine Dragons, ?Demons? Sabrina Carpenter, ?Espresso? Billie Eilish, ?Birds of a Feather? And here?s the station at 2:50 p.m., Tuesday, July 16: Ariana Grande, ?We Can?t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)? Sabrina Carpenter, ?Please Please Please? OneRepublic, ?Counting Stars? Benson Boone, ?Beautiful Things? Baby Bash, ?Suga Suga? Billie Eilish, ?Lunch? Tate McRae, ?Greedy? Dua Lipa, ?Illusion? Post Malone, ?Better Now? Gotye, ?Somebody That I Used to Know? Sabrina Carpenter, ?Espresso? Billie Eilish, ?Birds of a Feather? I listened to both Elzinga and Salisbury on Tuesday. The only appearances of ?AI Ashley? in the hour I heard that day were weather forecasts, along with three regular breaks. She teased Salisbury?s upcoming Niall Horan ticket giveaway. She also did a break about pet names before announcing, ?We?re commercial free at 12:30, Buttercup!? Salisbury was mostly talking about the weather ? not a throwaway topic on a day that went into the upper 90s. ?Taylor?s preaching with this one,? he said next to Swift?s ?Cruel Summer.? He also asked listeners what they were ordering for Amazon Prime Day. So far, he said, it had just been dog bones. ?But it?s early.?* Some other notes: Live?s new jingles promise ?Portland?s Top Hits.? KBFF never felt low-effort to me before, but the jingles do make a definite difference in the ?something?s happening? factor. There?s also a signature jingle that appears once or so an hour on Z100, meaning that the market has not just a viable CHR battle, but one with jingles on both stations to some extent. Z100 was giving away tickets to Throwback Hip-Hop sister KXJM (Jamn 107.5)?s ?Summer Jam? concert, featuring Ice Cube, E-40, Mya, Luniz, and Ginuwine. Z100?s Rayne did a break about the upcoming Portland Pride Festival and Parade, particularly how much he?d heard about it as a newcomer to the market. Live 95.5 had a sweeper declaring itself ?Proudly Portland.? Here?s Live 95.5 just before 11 a.m., Tuesday, July 16: Sabrina Carpenter, ?Espresso? The Weeknd, ?Blinding Lights? Tommy Richman, ?Million Dollar Baby? Teddy Swims, ?Lose Control? Kendrick Lamar, ?Just Like Us? Gayle, ?ABCDEFU? Post Malone w/Morgan Wallen, ?I Had Some Help? Sabrina Carpenter, ?Feather? Justin Bieber, ?Ghost? Chappell Roan, ?Good Luck, Babe!? David Kushner, ?Daylight? Sabrina Carpenter, ?Please Please Please? Wiz Khalifa f/Charlie Puth, ?See You Again? Benson Boone, ?Beautiful Things? Shaboozey, ?A Bar Song (Tipsy)? DJO, ?End of Beginning? Artemas, ?I Like the Way You Kiss Me? Taylor Swift, ?Cruel Summer? And here?s the station at 4 p.m., Tuesday, July 16: DJO, ?End of Beginning? Tommy Richman, ?Million Dollar Baby? Dua Lipa, ?Levitating? Hozier, ?Too Sweet? Billie Eilish, ?Birds of a Feather? Pink Pantheress & Ice Spice, ?Boy?s a Liar (Pt. II)? Taylor Swift, ?Fortnight? Jonas Brothers, ?Sucker? Dua Lipa, ?Dance the Night? Sabrina Carpenter, ?Please Please Please? The Weeknd, ?The Hills? Chappell Roan, ?Pink Pony Club? Sam Smith & Normani, ?Dancing With a Stranger? Taylor Swift, ?Cruel Summer? Shaboozey, ?A Bar Song (Tipsy)? Nicki Minaj f/Ice Spice w/Aqua, ?Barbie World? more

From Radio Insight: Ryan Hoppe’s “Hoppe Hour” has joined the lineup on the nationally syndicated Podcast Radio network. The show, which began on colleges stations WHCM and WNUR in the Chicago suburbs, has been based in the Tampa area since 2015 where Hoppe has worked at multiple stations in production and on-air roles including “102.5 The Bone“WHPT, 620 WDAE, and currently at Beasley Media’s cluster. Described as a “unique blend of Hot Talk and throwback hits”, “Hoppe Hour” has won Creative Loafing of Tampa Bay’s “Best Local Podcast” in 2015 and 2017 and “Best Radio Host” in 2022. Hoppe told RadioInsight, “I am thrilled to be featured on Podcast Radio US! We can’t wait to connect with new audiences and continue to deliver the entertainment and information that my listeners have come to love since 2012. I believe that this expansion is just the beginning. Hoppe Hour?s goal is to continue growing and evolving, reaching even more listeners with my unique brand of radio. I am committed to providing high-quality content and I?m excited about the future of Hoppe Hour on Podcast Radio US. I can?t thank Gerard Edwards, Lorra Smedley, Gary Krantz, and Mike McVay enough for this opportunity.” more

From Radio Insight: ‘Slick’ Tom Tiberi has exited nights at Cumulus Classic Rock “97 Rock” 96.9 WGRF Buffalo NY after sharing a meme of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin laying in coffins on his personal Facebook page that he claims was doctored by others to look like he posted it following Trump’s assassination attempt last weekend. Tiberi, who has been at WGRF (and predecessor WGRQ) in multiple stints since the early 1980s, shared the following statement: Last Thursday I shared a dark humored FB meme about former President Trump, on my personal FB page. Was it in poor taste? Yes, it was. However, the point I need to stress is that this meme was put up BEFORE the assassination attempt on Saturday, I then took it down immediately! However, by then a small but well-organized group of far-right extremist on FB had taken a screen shot of my meme and posted it all over public FB and to their private far right FB groups. This included posting phone numbers and e-mail addresses of Cumulus local and corporate Cumulus management. The screen shot they shared made it look like I had posted the meme AFTER the assassination attempt rather than on Thursday. This small group of individuals have succeeded in getting me fired from 97 Rock, as Cumulus local management crumbled under the pressure from this small group of lunatics. Make no mistake, this was a well-organized hit job! Funny, these are the very same people who whine about cancel culture and freedom of speech. For now, I would like to express my deep affection and thanks to all my loyal listeners that have welcomed me into their homes and supported me over the last 25 years. You are more than listeners to me; you are and will always be my true friends. Let us just say so long for now, as I’ll be back!! A request for comment to Cumulus has gone unanswered as of this writing. Tiberi’s radio career began in 1979 at 1400 WYSL Buffalo and outside of brief stints early in his career in Nashville and Winston-Salem, he has remained in his hometown since joining “97 Rock” in 1982. His most recent stint at WGRF began in 2010 when he returned to the station after being part of budget cuts two years prior following a two decade run in nights from 1988 to 2008. He has also worked in the market at stations including WBYR, WECK, and WZIR. INSTANT INSIGHT: Reason #8787234 that personal politics and music radio should not mix. While Tiberi shared the meme on his personal account, he did so as a representative of WGRF and Cumulus. Anything said in a public space that could lead to loss of advertising revenue or negative publicity will likely put a talent at risk. It also didn’t help that this is the second incident in recent years regarding talent from WGRF. In 2021, then-morning host Rob Lederman was fired after comments made on-air where he compared how he likes toast to the skin tones of black women. A few weeks later the station parted ways with the remainder of the morning show and WGRF’s Program Director. more

From Radio Online: Dan Taberski's new podcast, Hysterical, has widely premiered across streaming platforms. The series follows the outbreak of a mysterious illness affecting otherwise healthy teenage girls in LeRoy, NY and as the investigation deepens, other seemingly inexplicable phenomena begin to connect back to a contagion More...

From Radio Online: The Texas Radio Hall of Fame (TRHOF) has released the names of the fifty (50) nominees for its 2024 Induction Class. The voting portal will be open and accessible to voting members via TRHOF.net through midnight on Monday, August 5. Over two hundred broadcast professionals with ties More...

From Radio Insight: The Texas Radio Hall of Fame (TRHOF) has released the names of the fifty (50) nominees for its 2024 Induction Class. The voting portal will be open and accessible to voting members via TRHOF.net through midnight on Monday, August 5th. ?We?ve been continually working to refine, streamline, and demystify the nomination and voting process? observes TRHOF Executive Director Doug Harris, ?and each year we continue to make major steps forward. Once again, we have a group of outstanding broadcasters for our voting members to consider with a balloting platform that includes their photos and biographical information for review.? Over two hundred broadcast professionals with ties to Texas radio were nominated for consideration by the TRHOF Review Committee, which reached a consensus on the final fifty. Voting members of the TRHOF will now determine the twenty individuals who will be honored in the TRHOF?s Annual Induction Ceremony at the Texas Museum of Broadcasting and Communications in Kilgore, TX. ?We are very pleased with this slate of nominees, which spotlights the depth and breadth of Texas radio talent,? says Harris. ?From the tower to the boardroom to the conference room, this list of nominees touches the geographic boundaries of the state and connects to a variety of markets, formats and virtually every position of service in the broadcast world.? Those selected for the 2024 Induction Class will be honored during the organization?s Annual Induction and Reunion Weekend, November 1-2, 2024, at the Texas Museum of Broadcasting and Communications in Kilgore, Texas. Information on becoming a TRHOF voting member is available on the organization?s website and interested parties may still join?and vote?in this year?s selection. DAN ACREE DAVID ANDERSON JUD ASHMORE BOB BARRY JAY BRITT MIKE CAPPS STEVE COFFMAN RAOUL CORTEZ FRANK ?BIG FRANK? EDWARDS STEVE EVERETT JOHN FROST PAUL GLEISER JOHN GRANATO AND LANCE ZIERLEIN HENRY GUERRA MAT ?THE MIGHTY QUINN? GUINN DENE HALLAM JERRY AND WANDA HANSZEN JAY HOWARD JOJO AND PATCHES JANE PRINCE JONES JAY JONES MARY LENOUE ANDY LOCKRIDGE MICHAEL MAIN GARY MASON MELANIE MILLER GEORGE HENRY NELSON JOHN NELSON JOHN ?THE LAMA? OAKES MICHAEL PACKER CHARLIE PARKER PHIL PARR DAN PENA TOM PERRYMAN PAULA PRINCE TOM RICHARDS ROSINDA RIOS BURNS CHRISSIE ROBERTS JOHN ROBERTS J D ROSE KEN RUSH RAY SCHILENS CLIFTON ?KING BEE? SMITH DR. J. THOMAS SMITH GARY STONE TERRI THOMAS HARVEY ?HARVEY T? THOMPSON JERRY TRUPIANO GARY ?BLUE EYES? WALKER VAL WILSON more

From Radio Online: Yea Networks-syndicated "Tino Cochino Radio" joins Amaturo Sonoma Media Group's CHR KHTH (Hot 101.7) in Santa Rosa, CA for nights from 6-10pm beginning Monday, July 22. Previously the daypart had run jockless. Jeff Woodworth currently airs in Hot 101.7 mornings and Eloy Camacho in afternoons. KHTH More...

From Radio Online: Roberts Metro Broadcasting's Adult Randamp;B K295CQ (Foxy 106.9) in St. Louis and KXBS-HD3 in Bethalto, IL, has announced the death of morning co-host and longtime St. Louis personality Tammie Holland. Holland, aged 53, succumbed to a long battle with colon cancer. She joined Foxy 106.9 at its launch in More...