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From Radio Insight: Reyes Media Group will acquire CHR “105.9 Kiss-FM” KKSW Lawrence/Topeka KS from Great Plains Media for $2.25 million. Reyes Media will add KKSW to its trio of Spanish language stations in Kansas City. The company owns Regional Mexican “La Grande 1340” KDTD Kansas City and Spanish CHR “Dos Mundos Radio” 1480 KCZZ Mission KS, while leasing 1250 KYYS Kansas City from Audacy as Regional Mexican “La X 1250“. Reyes also owns the Dos Mundos newspaper in Kansas City. The Jerome Zimmer led Great Plains Media retains News/Talk 1320 KLWN/101.7 K269GP Lawrence and Country “92.9 The Bull” KMXN Osage City KS along with properties in Bloomington IL and Cookeville TN. more

From Radio Insight: Audacy CHR “B93.7” WFBC-FM Greenville SC is teasing a “change” coming on Monday, September 23. The station has made social media posts stating, “For nearly 30 years, B93.7 has been a part of countless families? lives across Greenville, the Upstate, and beyond?including our friends in North Carolina and Georgia. We?re incredibly thankful to all of you who?ve welcomed us as part of your extended family more

From Radio Insight: Nielsen continues its releases of the August 2024 diary surveys today. Today’s markets include monthly ratings for Albany/Schenectady/Troy, Allentown/Bethlehem, Dayton, Fresno, Grand Rapids, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The next three releases will feature: On Monday, September 16: Monthly ratings for Bakersfield, Honolulu, Knoxville, Omaha/Council Bluffs, and Tulsa. On Tuesday, September 17: Monthly ratings for Albuquerque, El Paso, Harrisburg/Lebanon/Carlisle, and Metro Fairfield County. On Wednesday, September 18: Monthly ratings for Akron, Charleston SC, Monterey/Salinas/Santa Cruz, and Syracuse. more

From Radio Insight: Bonneville AC 101.1 KOSI Denver is on the hunt for a new full-time host. The posting says, “We are looking for people passionate about radio who can execute a compelling and entertaining show in a PPM world. Work for one of the best broadcasting companies in the Best Place to Live in America! The most talented people in radio want to belong to the Bonneville family. Here is your opportunity!” The full posting and details on how to apply can be found here. The opening comes as Melissa Moore exits as midday host. Moore was on her second stint at KOSI returning to the station in 2018 as afternoon host before moving to middays a year later. She previously served as morning co-host and news director at KOSI from 1997 to 2000. She also spent five years as midday host at Bonneville Country 98.5 KYGO from 2013-18 before moving over to KOSI. Moore has also worked as morning co-host at Country ?K92? WWKA Orlando and Hot AC ?KS 95? KSTP-FM Minneapolis and hosted afternoons on the ?Way-FM? Christian AC network. more

From Radio Online: WBAI-FM/New York unveils a slate of new programming premiering this fall, and some returning favorites. The Progressive outlet's lineup will include a mix of talk shows, music programming and activist-driven content from some of the most respected voices in media. Listeners can tune in to shows such as More...

From Radio Online: Jayson Slade joins CHR WKSZ (95.9 Kiss FM) in Green Bay for middays. As the current Creative Services Director at parent Woodward Community Media, Slade will take over the 9am-12pm slot starting Monday, September 23. In addition to his new role at Kiss FM, Slade is an on-field entertainment host for Green More...

From Radio Online: Benztown appoints two new additions to the company and promoted one. Hannah Schoettmer, a recent graduate of the University of Southern California (USC), joins Benztown as Accounting/Office Coordinator and is based in its Los Angeles studios. Schoettmer's introduction to radio was with RadioActive Youth More...

from Radio Insight: La Guapa Radio Ideas has closed on its $200,000 purchase of Classic Country "K96.9" KYAP Nunn/Fort Collins CO from Northeast Digital and Wireless' Appaloosa Broadcasting Company and has flipped the station to Regional Mexican. The new "La Guapa Radio" absorbs the programming that had been on 95.3 KSIK-LP Greeley including "El Show Del Chito Pikiny La Donia Cuca" in mornings from 6-10am.

From Radio Insight: La Guapa Radio Ideas has closed on its $200,000 purchase of Classic Country “K96.9” KYAP Nunn/Fort Collins CO from Northeast Digital and Wireless? Appaloosa Broadcasting Company and has flipped the station to Regional Mexican. The new “La Guapa Radio” absorbs the programming that had been on 95.3 KSIK-LP Greeley including “El Show Del Chito Pikiny La Donia Cuca” in mornings from 6-10am. more

From Radio Insight: Woodward Community Media continues to bring in former 101.1 WIXX staffers with the addition of Jayson Slade as cluster Creative Services Director and to host 9am-12pm on CHR “95.9 Kiss-FM” WKSZ De Pere/Green Bay WI starting Monday, September 23. Slade spent nine years at WIXX from 2015 until exiting at the end of February. He hosted nights at WIXX until rising to Music Director/midday host last August, while also tracking for Midwest Communications’ other CHRs including WNFN Nashville and KOYY Fargo during his tenure. He is also the on-field host for the NFL’s Green Bay Packers and University of Wisconsin-Green Bay men’s and women?s basketball games. Slade said, ?I?m absolutely thrilled to be starting this new chapter with the incredible team at 95.9 KISS FM! I can?t wait to reconnect with the listeners of Northeast Wisconsin. It?s been too long.” Brand Manager Joe Marroe said, ?We are all beyond excited to have Jayson on the team. He has been an integral part of the Northeast Wisconsin community for the last decade. His cool, calm demeanor and deep familiarity with the audience are truly unmatched. I can?t wait for him to start.? Slade’s arrival follows the arrivals of former WIXX hosts Otis Day, Katie Schurk & Nick Vitrano to the station over the past year. more

From Radio Online: iHeartMedia New York names Astra and Marie as morning co-hosts for WKTU (103.5 KTU, The Beat of New York), effective September 16. Astra joins the morning show after moving up from weekends. She recently landed a job as the global anchor for Page Six, shooting daily news segments for More...

From Radio Online: GeoBroadcast Solutions (GBS) has announced the selection of a group of senior advisors representing a cross-section of experienced radio, global communications, multimedia and entrepreneurial leadership, to serve on its newly formed National Advisory Board. This group will play a crucial role in advising GBS More...

From Radio Online: PodcastOne has entered into a multi-year agreement for the sales and distribution rights to "Fool Coverage with Manny MUA and Laura Lee." The Millennial and Gen Z favored influencer beauty gurus Manny and Laura Lee bring their pop culture comedy podcast to PodcastOne for weekly More...

From Radio Online: Atlanta's Black Radio stations have teamed up with the common goals of voter registration, voter education and voter mobilization in advance of the November, 2024 election. In 2020 several Black Radio Program Directors got together to discuss how they could create positive changes as they look toward the More...

From Radio Online: WBZ-FM (98.5 The Sports Hub) in Boston names Ryan Johnston to play-by-play duties for the Boston Bruins broadcasts. He replaces Judd Sirott, who recently left the radio seat to move over to TV. The sports radio veteran has been with The Sports Hub since 2009 and served as the play-by-play fill-in on 98.5 and More...

From Radio Insight: A coalition of ten stations in Atlanta have teamed up to promote voter registration, voter education and voter mobilization in advance of the November 2024 election. Black Radio United For The Vote will partner with the Urban League of Greater Atlanta and its affiliates. The stations will provide a full day of programming on Tuesday, September 17 “National Voter Registration Day” to “educate, inform, and inspire Atlanta?s black community to register to vote, check their current registration status and be informed about what will be on the ballot.” Participating in the coalition are Clark Atlanta University’s Jazz 91.9 WCLK, Audacy’s Talk 1380 WAOK and Hip Hop/R&B “V103” WVEE, Cox Media Group Adult R&B “Kiss 104.1” WALR, Core Radio Group Hip Hop “Streetz 94.5” WWSZ, Davis Broadcasting’s “Smooth Jazz 100.1/101.1” WJZA, and Radio One’s cluster of Gospel “Praise 102.5” WPZE, R&B Oldies “Classix 102.9” W275BK, Adult R&B “Majic 107.5/97.5” WAMJ/WUMJ, and Hip Hop “Hot 107.9” WHTA. This is the second election cycle the stations have united to participate after being brought together by former WALR Program Director Terri Avery in 2020. ?I?m so grateful that former KISS programmer, Terri Avery, had the vision to bring the leaders of urban radio in Atlanta together to educate and inspire the community. Black Radio United for the Vote will continue to impact our future through this vetting and voting initiative. It?s a great day to be a broadcaster in Georgia?. -Dyron Ducati, Programming Lead, KISS 104.1, CMG Atlanta ?Audacy is committed to serving the community and educating our audience on the importance of voting. V-103 and News-Talk 1380 WAOK are proud to be part of Black Radio United For The Vote and encourage all of our listeners to register and participate this election year.? ? Reggie Rouse, VP Programming and Brand Manager, Audacy?s V-103 “Radio One is happy to once again be a part of BRU and help educate and inform our community about their civic rights and responsibilities.”?*Derek Harper,*Operations Manager, Radio One Atlanta “We understand the power radio still has and also our responsibility to make sure our listeners are well informed.**Joining forces with our fellow broadcasters for the greater good is a testament to our collective dedication to our audiences. WCLK is proud to a part of this powerful radio collective”. -David C. Linton ? Program Director, Jazz 91.9 WCLK ?We need to vote. Young, old, women and men* especially men. We need to vote.? ? Steve Hegwood, President & CEO, Core Radio Group “Every election whether local, state or federal is important but this upcoming election will be historic and decide the moral direction of our future” ? Solo, Program Director/Promotions Director – Core Radio Group ?Many of us were born during the civil rights movement, and we grew up with our parents not only taking us to the polls but also instilling in us the importance of voting and the sacrifices many made. Now, it?s our responsibility to pass on the significance of this civic duty to future generations. .? -Art Terrell, WJZA Program Director more

From Radio Insight: Two days after a public 100th anniversary celebration in Central Park, New York Public Radio has conducted a round of significant cuts. In a memo to staff on Thursday, CEO LaFontaine Oliver said fourteen of 302 employees were being let go, while twelve others took voluntary buyouts. *Gothamist adds that two staffers will be transferred into new positions with the company forgoing its upcoming promotions cycle and annual increases for non-union staff. An additional reporter, Jaclyn Jeffrey-Wilensky, said she was denied for the contract buyout, but resigned instead. The cuts will include the elimination of newscasts in mornings and hosted overnights on Classical 105.9 WQXR Newark NJ. Current weekend overnight host Nimet Habachy will exit the station after 42 years, while weeknight host Lauren Rico will continue to host “Sunday Evenings” from 5-9pm. *Other cuts will include the show ?Notes from America? with Kai Wright on Public News/Talk 93.9 WNYC-FM New York, the podcasts “More Perfect” and “La Brega” from WNYC and all six of the podcasts produced by WQXR, and a reduction in events planned for their “Greene Space” performance space at their Manhattan headquarters. In the memo, Oliver said, “Despite our best efforts to contain costs and grow our revenue, we continue to face severe financial headwinds. Our deficit has continued to mount and it has become painfully clear that without swift action, we will soon face significant questions about our ability to continue to serve New York.? New York Public Radio spokesperson Jennifer Houlihan Roussel told the organization’s Gothamist that sponsorships fell from $23 million in 2022 to $16.2 million in 2023. The group also cut 40 positions in October 2023. In addition to 93.9 WNYC-FM and 105.9 WQXR, New York Public Radio operates 820 WNYC New York, Gothamist.com, and WNYC-FM simulcasters “New Jersey Public Radio” 88.1 WNJT-FM Trenton, 88.5 WNJP Sussex, 89.3 WNJY Netcong, and 90.3 WNJO Toms River. more

From Radio Insight: When Sean ‘Hollywood’ Hamilton debuts in mornings on iHeartMedia’s 103.5 WKTU Lake Success/New York on Monday, September 16 he will be joined by current “War of the Roses” sidekick ‘Marie From Accounting’ and longtime New York personality Astra Viola. Astra, who joined the New York Post’s “Page Six TV” earlier as a host earlier this year and will continue in that position, has hosted weekends and fill-ins at WKTU since 2018. She previously has worked on-air at SiriusXM’s “Pitbull’s Globalization“, hosted afternoons on CHR “92.3 Amp Radio” WBMP from 2014-17, and spent nine years at Cox CHR 106.1 WBLI Patchogue NY in nights and then middays while tracking for the company’s stations in Athens GA and Miami after beginning her career at Dance “Party 105” and Alternative 107.1 WLIR-FM Long Island from 2002-2005. She said, “I’m thrilled to join Hollywood Hamilton & The KTU Morning Crew?pinch me, this feels unreal. Working with such a talented host I’ve long admired is a dream come true. As a lifelong New Yorker with over two decades in the market, I?m incredibly excited for this opportunity to tackle morning radio with the best. A big thank you to Hollywood for this amazing chance, and to Thea Mitchem and Chris Conley for believing in me. And don?t worry, you?ll still catch me on ?Page Six? with all the latest celebrity news. Get ready for what?s next!? The single-named Marie has been a part of Hamilton’s afternoon show since 2011 joining him for the “War of the Roses” segment. She is described as “a radio veteran who has been featured on many of the most prominent national and local radio shows in the business and is an accomplished voice over artist, actress and producer.” Marie commented, “I am truly honored and grateful for this incredible opportunity. A heartfelt thank you to iHeart and Hollywood Hamilton for their years of support and fun. I am excited to join the amazing team at WKTU and be part of this fantastic show. Thank you all!? more

From Radio Insight: James Angus’ Packer Radio Greenville has sold Classic Hits “M106.3” WGLM-FM Lakeview and Classic Country “Backroads Radio” 1380 WGLM/101.9 W270CN Greenville MI to James ‘Jim Aaron’ Chesley’s JAM Radio for $8000 and the assumption of debt. Chesley, who is morning host at WGLM-FM, will also transfer his 25% stake in Angus’ Packer Radio WION’s “I 1430” WION/92.7 W224BZ/100.3 W262DN Ionia MI to Angus as part of the acquisition. Bud Walters’ Cromwell Media is selling its pair of stations in Vandalia IL to Todd Stapleton’s I70 Media for $800,000. The deal includes Classic Rock/Hits “107.1 The Kurve” WKRV Vandalia and AC 1500 WPMB/104.7 W284BI Vandalia and 102.7 W274CE GReenville IL. Cromwell retains its stations in Nashville TN, Owensboro KY, and Decatur, Effingham, and Mattoon IL. Stapleton has worked at the two stations since 2000, working his way up to General Manager. Freed AM Corp.’s Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustee has sold Silent 900 KPYN and translators 95.5 K238BF and 103.9 K280GV Atlanta TX to Jim Davenport’s Cass County Radio Inc. with the buyer paying $55,000 for the license assets and $40,000 for the associated real estate. The deal will include a Time Brokerage Agreement so that the stations can resume operations before their licenses would expire on November 7. Prior to former owner Robert Delgiorno shutting down the signals, 900 KPYN and K280GV featured a mix of Conservative Talk and Christian programming, while K238BF simulcast Rock ?K104? 1320 KNCB Vivian LA Translator SalesFlagler Broadcasting purchases 101.3 W267BX St. Augustine FL from Cornerstone Broadcasting Corporation for $50,000. The company, which has filed a contingent modification to upgrade the signal, will launch a new brand fed by 105.5 WBHU-HD3 St. Augustine Beach. more

From Radio Insight: Benztown has announced a pair of additions and a promotion to its office staff. Hannah Schoettmer, a recent graduate of the University of Southern California (USC), joins Benztown as Accounting/Office Coordinator and is based in Benztown?s Los Angeles studios. Schoettmer?s introduction to radio was with RadioActive Youth Media at Seattle?s largest NPR member station KUOW-FM. She also studied film sound as a student at USC, where she graduated with a B.A. in Cinema and Media Studies. Schoettmer brings skills as an accomplished writer and filmmaker to Benztown. Her written work has appeared in outlets including The Louisville Review, The Indianapolis Review, Glass: A Journal of Poetry, SOFTBLOW, and The Seventh Wave. She has received awards and fellowship support for both writing and film from organizations including Brooklyn Poets, Alabama Rivers Alliance, and the Seattle Opera, and is the author of Body Panopticon*(Bottlecap Press), released in 2022. New to Benztown?s creative audio production team is Megan Vazquez, who joins the company as Long Form Programming Coordinator and Producer. Megan?s audio journey began at Oregon State University (OSU), where she studied Digital Communication Arts and Music Production. She held several positions at OSU?s radio station KBVR Corvallis 88.7 FM, including Station Manager, Assistant Station Manager, and Podcast Director. While at KBVR Corvallis 88.7 FM, Megan also hosted a weekly radio music talk show ?Megzmania?, and hosted and produced the podcast ?Hair, There, and Back,? covering a variety of cosmetology topics. Benztown also announces that it has promoted Estefania Padilla to Affiliate Relations and Music Licensing Representative for Benztown?s portfolio of programming services, content offerings, and libraries. Padilla, who has been Executive Assistant for Benztown since 2022, holds a degree in Communication & Media Studies from Cal State Northridge, where she also minored in Psychology. She is also a bilingual singer/songwriter and has written music for television and film. After hours you can find her recording and performing her own Latin music and curating showcases throughout the Los Angeles area. Benztown President Dave ‘Chachi’ Denes commented, ?Benztown continues to grow, as we focus on attracting up-and-coming talent and the industry?s most creative and skilled audio professionals. Hannah and Megan are strong additions to our world class team, and we welcome them and look forward to their contributions. Likewise, Estefania brings a unique and valued skillset to affiliate relations and music licensing, and we congratulate her on this promotion. It is a thrill to reinforce our amazing team with the very best people who share our dedication to serving Benztown customers with true innovation and excellence.? more

From Radio Online: Kim Zandy is returning to the morning slot at WPRO (92 PRO-FM) in Providence. She co-hosted "Giovanni andamp; Kim" on the CHR outlet for 24 years until her exit in 2023. She join co-hosts Bekah Berger and Jay Buff, who both took over the morning program last May following the retirement of morning personality More...

From Radio Online: Radio One and WBT (News Talk 1110) and WBT-FM, along with The Carolina Journal, have announced a partnership to add The Carolina Journal News Hour on heritage News/Talk station in Charlotte. The live, one-hour program will air weekday mornings from 5-6am beginning September 16 and will be hosted by talk host More...

From Radio Online: The FCC has entered into a Consent Decree with MHR License LLC and MRR License LLC, both licensees of various radio stations operated under Max Media. The decree resolves issues identified during the FCC's review of applications determining that changes in the ownership structure of the licensees had More...

From Radio Insight: Northeast Digital & Wireless’ “Rock 103.3” WWMP Waterbury/Burlington VT has moved its programming to 102.3 WIXM Grand Isle. The move shifts the Rock programming from the 2.85kW/284m Class A signal east of Burlington to stronger the 20kW/111m Class C3 signal across Lake Champlain in New York adding coverage of Plattsburgh at the expense of Montpelier VT, which is still served by simulcaster 1240 WSKI/93.3 W227DF Montpelier. 102.3 had been Hot AC “Mix 102.3” since 2012. 103.3 WWMP is currently running a loop redirecting listeners to the new frequency with both FM stations set to swap call letters as of Wednesday, September 18. Niether WIXM or WWMP subscribed to Nielsen’s ratings. “Rock 103.3” competes against Hall Communications Classic Rock 106.7 WIZN (which had a 5.3 share in the Spring 2024 ratings), Hall Alternative “99.9 The Buzz” WBTZ (4.2 share), and Great Eastern Radio Rock “107.1 Frank-FM” WWFK (0.4 share). more

From Radio Online: Edison Research, with support from audiochuck media company, delved deeper into the True Crime genre with the release of the True Crime Consumer Report. This report provides insights and analysis on the current trends and future outlook of True Crime podcasts. Findings were unveiled in a webinar hosted by More...

From Radio Insight: Nielsen continues its releases of the August 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 Friday, September 13: Monthly ratings for Albany/Schenectady/Troy, Allentown/Bethlehem, Dayton, Fresno, Grand Rapids, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. On Monday, September 16: Monthly ratings for Bakersfield, Honolulu, Knoxville, Omaha/Council Bluffs, and Tulsa. On Tuesday, September 17: Monthly ratings for Albuquerque, El Paso, Harrisburg/Lebanon/Carlisle, and Metro Fairfield County. more

From Radio Online: Council Member John S. Lee proclaimed Tuesday, September 10th as Heidi and Frank Day in the City of Los Angeles. 95.5 KLOS Morning co-hosts Heidi Hamilton and Frank Kramer, along with their entire Heidi andamp; Frank morning team, were honored by the Los Angeles City Council with a special resolution recognizing More...

From Radio Insight: ‘Kelsey J’ Sauers is making the rare 200+ market jump as she moves from Redding CA to become Assistant Program Director of iHeartMedia CHR “Hits 106.1” KBKS-FM Tacoma/Seattle. Sauers joins KBKS-FM from Results Radio Redding where she was Program Director/afternoon host of CHR “Power 94.7” KEWB and APD of Variety Hits “107.1 Bob-FM” KESR. She first joined Results in August 2020 as APD of KEWB and rose to PD exactly two years later. She began her career in 2019 in the dual role of morning co-host at Alpha Media Hot AC “Mix 99.1” KEEZ-FM and midday host at Classic Hits “River 105” KRBI-FM Mankato MN. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kelsey J (@kelseyjonair) more

From Radio Insight: In recent years, the loping, gently uptempo sound of Afrobeats has given the Hip-Hop/R&B format much of its tempo, while becoming a surprisingly strong presence at Adult R&B radio. Last year, its biggest worldwide hit, Rema?s ?Calm Down? (featuring Selena Gomez in the U.S.), became the biggest Top 40 radio hit of the year, and one of its most durable. With crossover stars like Tyla, Wizkid, and Burna Boy, Afrobeats occupies a similar place to reggae and other Caribbean genres in the early 2000s in its wide appeal. ?People ask me what the age group is, and I say it?s everybody. It?s the go-to sound in every club and every restaurant,? says Sheila Okoni-Ashinze, host of Superadio?s newly syndicated AfroZonsas ?Sheila O.??When you hear it at Walmart and Target, you know it?s serious.? The Lagos, Nigeria-born host went to school in England and had radio experience there. When she came to America, she became a booking agent, but was also determined ?to bring this sound to mainstream radio.? She launched the show at Hip-Hop/R&BWPWX (Power 92) Chicago in 2017. ?I had heard that they were the station that ? took chances. They knew Afrobeats because the clubs were playing it.?* In the U.S., Drake f/Wizkid & Kyla?s ?One Dance? had established a beachhead for the sound a year earlier, but breakthroughs for the genre?s own stars were more gradual. Davido?s ?Fall,? one of the genre?s cornerstone records, was released in 2017 and became the No. 1 song of the year on WWPR (Power 105) New York in 2019, ultimately amassing 6,600 spins there. But when she launched the show, ?None of the big names were known,? says Sheila O. The success of Afrobeats shows that ?the world is closer together than it used to be,? says AfroZons producer Emmanuel Ashinze. Despite this, ?We?re still talking about it here like it?s a novelty. In Europe, it?s just like any other pop music.? Part of the show?s goal, Ashinze says, is to ?help create an alignment with the rest of the world.? AfroZons announced its partnership with Superadio and Sheila Eldridge?s Miles Ahead Broadcasting in June. AfroZons is positioned as ?where Hip-Hop meets Afrobeats.? The hour I heard of the Power 92 show combined the genre with everything from the early-?00s Caribbean crossover hits to Central Cee & Lil Baby?s current ?Band4Band,? a breakthrough for UK rap in the U.S. (I didn?t hear it but Sheila O. also teased Tommy Richman coming up.) Here?s AfroZons as heard just after 3 p.m. on flagship Power 92 on July 28: Chris Brown f/Davido, ?Hmmm? ? the duo?s ?Sensational? is a former No. 1 Hip-Hop/R&B and Rhythmic Top 40 single and currently top 10 at Adult R&B. It almost cracked Mainstream Top 40 this spring. YG Marley, ?Praise Jah in the Moonlight? Wizkid f/Buju, ?Mood? ? top 30 Hip-Hop/R&B in 2022 for the one of the genre?s breakthrough acts, who had been to No. 1 at Hip-Hop R&B, Rhythmic, and Adult R&B, and to No. 21 at Top 40 with ?Essence? Central Cee & Lil Baby, ?Band4Band? Rema, ?Yayo? ? from a new album by the ?Calm Down? hitmaker Rupee, ?Tempted to Touch? ? the 2004 soca crossover smash Jidenna, ?Sou Sou? ? by the ?Classic Man? artist; opens with a Dells sample, giving it extra resonance in Chicago. Tyla, Gunna & Skillibeng, ?Jump? ? the Top 15 Rhythmic and Top 20 R&B follow-up to the multi-format crossover ?Water? Drake f/Rihanna, ?Too Good? ? 2016 multi-format hit that came on the heels of the Drake/Wizkid collaboration on ?One Dance? Burna Boy, ?Kilometre? ? from another of the genre?s multi-format superstars Asake & Central Cee, ?Wave? I also listened to The Beat 99.9 FM Lagos,AfroZons? Nigerian affiliate with its own mix of Afrobeats and western music. The Beat has interesting English language imaging, including: ?The radio station you need in your life? ?It flows. It flows. Big beat and premium music ? the Heartbeat of Lagos.? ?If music is life itself, we are the heartbeats.? One notable facet of The Beat: It?s almost all-current, with only one six-month-old title. Based on the dates that songs were made available on Spotify, most of the songs heard here were, incredibly, 4-7 weeks old, something impossible to imagine on the recurrent/throwback-dominated chart formats here, and a testament to the current strength of the music. (As of last fall, Beat FM was No. 8 in a 40-plus station market.)* Here?s Beat FM at 2 p.m. on July 23: Qing Madi f/Kizz Daniel, ?YBIL (You Believe in Love)?* Camila Cabello f/Drake, ?Hot Uptown? KSS f/Zichy, ?Criminal? Sabrina Carpenter, ?Please Please Please? Asake, ?Only Me? ? the oldest song on the station, having come out in January. Lil Kesh, ?Lifestyle? Asake & Central Cee, ?Wave? Darkoo f/Dess Dior, ?Favourite Girl? DJ Neptune f/Savage & Erigga, ?Ou La La? oShamo, ?Osha-Piano? Djames & Crayon, ?Avalay? Byron Messia, Lil Baby & Rvssian, ?Choppa? more

From Radio Insight: The effects of last month’s layoffs at Beasley Media Group have led to lineup changes at their Jersey Shore properties. At Rock “95.9 The Rat” WRAT Point Pleasant Robyn Lane exited as APD/MD/midday host after 28 years at the station. Lane joined the station when it flipped to Rock in 1996 after previously working at WBAB Long Island. Replacing her in middays is Barbara Farragher who moves from sister Classic Hits 100.1 WJRZ Manahawkin and is now using the on-air name ‘Barbara Dean’. Farragher had been with WJRZ since 2008. Replacing Farragher in middays at WJRZ is weekend host Joanne Cruise. Cruise previously spent two decades in middays at Townsquare Media AC 92.7 WOBM-FM Toms River from 1991 to 2011, which also included time in New York hosting weekends at “106.7 Lite-FM” WLTW, “Mix 105” WMXV, and “Y107” WYNY. She also hosted middays at Christian AC “Star 99.1” WAWZ Zarepath NJ and weekends/fill-ins at Press Communications Classic Rock “107.1 The Boss” WWZY Long Branch. Also exiting WRAT last month were evening host Andy Chase and weekend hosts Christopher The Minister and Hurley. more