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From Radio Online: Cumulus Media has announced updates to its San Francisco operations, including programming changes and a studio move for flagship Sports KNBR (104.5 andamp; 680) and expanded signal reach for sister station KSFO. KNBR will introduce a revamped weekday schedule starting next week. Greg Silver, a new addition to More...

From Radio Insight: The changes at Cumulus Media San Francisco continue as the company has announced that Conservative Talk 560 KSFO will move to 810 on Monday, November 18 and Sports 680 KNBR/104.5 KNBR-FM will debut a new lineup and studio location. KSFO will replace Sports Betting “810 The Spread” KGO on 810 giving the Conservative Talk outlet the 50kW signal. No changes to its all-syndicated lineup will accompany the move. KNBR will relocate its studios to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, the home of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers. With the move the station has announced that Greg Silver will join 49ers play-by-play voice as midday co-host and producer replacing John Lund starting November 18, while Derek Papa will join Adam Copeland in afternoons on December 2. Cumulus San Francisco Regional Vice President and Market Manager Larry Blumhagen said, ?We make these moves as Cumulus San Francisco is experiencing an exceptionally successful year. We continue to evolve as an organization committed to excellence and to growing for the future. With these changes, we say goodbye to some of our most storied and influential talent and we extend our gratitude for their countless contributions.? more

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From Radio Insight: Starting around Labor Day, the e-mail blasts start coming in. At a time when it is harder than ever to write a new holiday classic, or even get attention with a new version of a standard, artists in multiple formats release a steady stream of new holiday music.* This year, we?re taking a look at the holiday backstories of some of those new releases. We?ll be adding on to this roundup each week as new songs are featured in Ross on Radio. Of course, we?ve also created a playlist where you can hear new holiday music. Ali & Theo, ?Do You Hear What I Hear? (2024)? ? The Canadian duo of Ali Slaight and Theo Tams first teamed up to record ?Do You Hear What I Hear?? 15 years ago. Since then, they have become mainstays of holiday radio at home with annual releases that included last year?s version of ?Little Saint Nick.? This year, the duo and producer Marty Martino update the song and cap off an 18-song Holiday Collection (15th Anniversary Edition). Alma Faye Brooks, ?Dreams Don?t Only Happen at Christmas?? She is a legend among disco era fans for her work on Casablanca, RCA, and Unidisc, including such classics as ?Stop I Don?t Need No Sympathy.? Brooks evokes that era with a new holiday song in partnership with veteran producer John Luongo and her bandleader, Louis Toteda. Brooks also released a recent version of ?Con Te Partiro (Time to Say Goodbye).?* Carpenters Legacy, ?Christmastime with You?? Christmas AC radio has rediscovered the Carpenters in recent years. Sally Olson and Ned Mills perform as Karen and Richard Carpenter in the Las Vegas (and touring) review Carpenters Legacy.Now they?ve released ?Christmastime with You,? an original in the spirit of the group?s classic ?70s holiday album (the focus of their holiday shows). Included here as a bonus: their Spanish-language version of ?Superstar.? CeCe Winans, ?Joyful, Joyful: A Christmas Album??The best-selling female gospel artist of all time, Winans has also become a powerful chart presence at Christian AC radio with ?That?s My King? from her More Than This album. Two weeks ago, Winans released this new Christmas album, featuring the Motown-flavored lead single ?It?s Christmas.? On Dec. 4, she launches a nearly sold-out Christmas tour. For KING + COUNTRY, ?Silent Night (Rewrapped)? ?As AC radio heads into the Christmas format, Christian AC superstars Joel & Luke Smallbone are already top 15 there (as well as Christian AC), teaming with Michael W. Smith for a remake of his ?Place in This World.? Now, they?ve reworked the holiday standard they first covered on 2020?s A Drummer Boy Christmas. A regular presence on the AC chart at holiday time now, FK+C also saw Joel Smallbone?s directorial debut, Unsung Hero, open at No. 2 at the box-office in April.* Harper Grace, ?Santa Baby? ? The Texas native faced a trial by social media at age 11 after a performance of ?The Star-Spangled Banner? went awry. Seven years later, the American Idol alumnus returned to the same stadium for a more-successful rendering. She also travels to schools as an anti-bullying speaker. Grace has seven million career streams. She has performed on Today and opened for Onerepublic, Sara Evans, Martina McBride, and others. ?Santa Baby? is the first of two holiday songs she?ll release this year.* Jackie Evancho, ?At Least I Have Santa? ? Last year, multi-platinum vocalist Evancho heralded her new pop/rock direction with this Christmas original, as well as her interpretation of Joni Mitchell?s ?River.? In February, her ?Behind My Eyes? became a top 20 Billboard AC hit. This fall, she?s on a 13-city tour with Echosmith. Oh, and she?s just released a cover of ?Black Hole Sun.? Kesha, ?Holiday Road? ? It was never a major radio hit, but in many ways Lindsey Buckingham?s song from National Lampoon?s Vacation is his most enduring solo single. Like ?River,? it?s also one that some programmers have always hoped could be co-opted as a holiday song. This year, it?s the holiday offering from Kesha, following her chart return earlier this year with ?Joyride.? The Kings, ?This Christmas (Celebrate in Harmony)? ? 1980?s ?This Beat Goes On/Switchin? to Glide? remains a Ross on Radio readers? favorite, and a staple of Canadian Classic Rock/Hits radio. Recently, its video passed 6,250,000 plays. ?This Christmas (Celebrate in Harmony)? has a surprising, acoustic feel. They?ll finish 2024 on the Nov. 8 ?80s in the Sand festival in Cancun, followed by several Toronto shows later this month. Linda Imperial, ?Christmas, You and Me? ?Another Bay Area performer, Imperial is also an artist with a disco classic, in this case Loverde?s ?Die Hard Lover,? as well as a performing history that ranges from Sylvester and the Weather Girls to Quicksilver Messenger Service and Jefferson Starship. (Her husband, David Freiberg, was an early member of QMS and, later, Jefferson Airplane as well as a current Starship member.) Also, hear ?Christmas in the Tropics.? Lindsey Stirling f/Sabrina Carpenter, ?You?re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch? ? The violinist?s unique take on holiday standards has allowed her to get traction with songs that might seem saturated at AC radio. Last year, three of them were among the format?s most-played 200 holiday songs, including the No. 105 ?Carol of the Bells,? ?Joy to the World,? and ?Sleigh Ride.? Her Snow Waltz 2024 tour begins Nov. 11 in Toronto. ?Grinch? is a newly timely collaboration with Carpenter from her 2018 album ?Warmer in the Winter.? Liz Kennedy, ?Lizzy?s Christmas Sleigh? ? San Francisco-based singer-songwriter ?Liz Kennedy?s artistic powers have only grown with time,? wrote No Depression. Kennedy?s music career began after years spent in casting and TV commercial production. ?Lizzy?s Christmas Sleigh? is the true story of her six-year-old vision of a sleigh across the moon, something her family viewed with skepticism. But the video does feature real-life childhood footage. Melissa Lindner, ?Come on a Sleigh Ride? ? Lindner is currently top 15 at AC radio with a surprising remake, Barry Manilow?s 1978 hit ?Even Now.? Last year, Lindner went top 20 AC with her version of ?White Christmas.? Her holiday songs have had more than 8.5 million total streams. This year, she returns with an early-?60s-flavored rocker, ?Come on a Sleigh Ride.? A former collegiate tennis player, Lindner has racked up more than 37-million streams for her videos. Owen Rivera, ?I Fall in Love with Christmas? ? Rivera was discovered by the National Association of Music Merchants at age 4 and became a regular performer at its annual gala. He had an endorsement deal with SoulTone Cymbals at age 5, followed by SJC Drums (age 8), Tycoon Percussion (age 9), and Ernie Ball (age 12). Last year, he released a cover of ?Feliz Navidad.? This year he opts for a doo-wop-flavored original.* Sacha, ?Rockin? Around the Christmas Tree? ? Four years ago she released an EP, The Best Thing, then was named to CMT?s Next Women of Country Class of 2021 and won SiriusXM?s Top of the Country 2022. This year, Sony Music Canada took her first major label single, ?Hey Mom I Made It? to No. 6 on the Country chart there. They?ve just released this unique take on a holiday standard in both the U.S. and Canada. Look for the new ?Til I Don?t? in January. Sara Evans, ?Children Go,? ?Blue Christmas? ? The Country hitmaker begins her 21 Days of Christmas With Sara Evans tour on Dec. 5 in Tulsa, Okla. Earlier this year, she also released the candid new Diving in Deep With Sara Evans podcast, as well as ?Pride,? a favorite ROR single of 2025. For her holiday release this year, the Melody Place artist enlisted son Avery as producer/guitarist, daughter Olivia on harmony, and brother Matt on bass.* Sarah Reeves, ?Holly Jolly Christmas? ? Singer/songwriter Reeves signed her first record deal at age 18. Since then, her music has been featured extensively in TV, film, and advertising, as well as a guest vocalist for DJs like R3HAB and Armin Van Buuren. Reeves has amassed more than 174 million global streams. Her current hit, ?More Than Enough,? from the album Best Days, is top 10 at AC and top 20 at Hot AC. Sia, ?Snowman? ? Despite the difficulty of breaking through with a new holiday song, ?Snowman? will be hitting 1-billion Spotify streams around the time you read this, as part of 2.43 billion worldwide streams. It also has 337-million YouTube views and more than doubled in spins last year with nearly 14-million impressions. It?s also the soundtrack of roughly 1.5-million TikTok videos, trending even between the holidays. Train, ?This Christmas? ? They continue to release strong, uptempo pop singles, including this year?s ?Long Yellow Dress.? But last year, Train had radio?s most-played version of the Donny Hathaway holiday standard last year: No. 44 most-played (just ahead of the original) and No. 38 not counting overnights. The Train version has also generated nearly 3.5-million streams. The original ?Shake Up Christmas? has 291-million global streams, and 118 million YouTube views. Wyn Starks, ?The Christmas Song?? Starks is currently top 15 at AC radio with ?Happy Again.? Earlier this year, the former star of America?s Got Talent saw a resurgence of previous AC top 10 ?Who I Am,? after Celine Dion sang along to it in a devastating scene from her documentary, I Am: Celine Dion. The song has charted in more than 50 worldwide territories and been top 30 on Shazam?s Top 200 Global Chart.* more

From Radio Online: Longtime Bay Area morning duo Lamont andamp; Tonelli of KSAN (107.7 The Bone) are exiting the Cumulus Media Classic Rock outlet after 35 years. Paul Tonelli and Lamont Hollywood have aired in mornings since 1989, including 14 years on KSJO in San Jose, and on "The Bone" since 2003. On More...

From Radio Online: Syndicated John Boy and Billy will air their final broadcast of The Big Show on WRFX (99.7 The Fox) on November 15, marking the end of a 38-year chapter in Charlotte radio history. The station revealed the news earlier this week through a pre-recorded message, stating: "The station says farewell to the show More...

From Radio Insight: Steel City Media Country “Q104” KBEQ Kansas City MO Program Director/morning host Todd Nixon is expanding his ownership stakes as his Sticks Media acquires 93.5 WLGR Warrensburg/Glens Falls NY from Loud Media for $295,000. Sticks Media acquired Classic Country 1410 KTNK/103.7 K279CY Lompoc CA last year and relaunched the station as gild based Country “Y’all 103.7“. WLGR had just flipped in September to a simulcast of 1160 WSSV Mechanicville/93.3 W227DW Saratoga Springs as Classic Hits “Lake FM“. Nixon commented, “I’m excited to grow our footprint across the country with the power of radio to connect and inspire. Radio continues to be a uniquely powerful medium that brings communities together, and we’re committed to delivering exceptional programming that resonates deeply with our listeners in the lower Adirondack region. I’m deeply grateful to Ricki Lee and his team at Loud Media for building an incredible audience and their commitment to local radio. Lake FM has, in a short time, built a strong and enthusiastic listener base, and we’re eager to build on this foundation, and grow that connection with the community and local businesses.” more

From Radio Insight: After 35 years in morning in the Bay Area, “The Lamont & Tonelli Show” is ending at Classic Rock “107.7 The Bone” KSAN San Mateo/San Francisco following their show on Friday, November 15. The show debuted in 1989 on Rock 92.3 KSJO San Jose where they would remain until late 2002. They would join KSAN in 2003 where they remained until today. Lamont Hollywood had previously spent his career in his native Winnipeg, Manitoba where he worked at multiple stations including mornings at CITI-FM. Prior to launching the morning show, Paul Tonelli spent two years as a traffic reporter for KIOI, KNBR and KSJO. The show also features KSAN Program Director ‘Chasta Lynn’ Michaelis and APD Danny ?Baby Huey? Delmore. Chasta joined the show as traffic reporter in 2012, added midday host duties in 2017, and rose to PD in July 2021. Baby Huey has spent his entire career with the station starting as an intern in 2005 before becoming the show’s producer and added APD duties in October 2021. All of the mentions of their departure are emphasizing their final show on The Bone as opposed to being done altogether. We will update as more details become available. more

From Radio Insight: Aaron Ishmael’s Mid-Century Radio purchases Classic Hip Hop “Jump 104.5” 870 KJMP Pierce/K283CN Fort Collins CO from Northeast Digital and Wireless’ Brahmin Broadcasting Corporation for $50,000. The station has been operated by Ishmael’s co-owned Loud Media since 2019 via LMA. Augusta Radio Fellowship sells 1090 WCZZ/102.7 W274CC Greenwood SC to Benetra Calhoun’s ALJEPI Productions for $95,000. La Radio Cristiana Network acquires 1210 KUBR San Juan/McAllen TX from the estate of Paulino Bernal for no consideration. La Radio will also acquire 890 KVOZ Del Mar Hills/Laredo from the estate’s Consolidated Radio Inc. for no consideration. After beginning to operate the stations as part of his “Sports Superstations” network in September 2022, Bill Shanks’ Shanks Broadcasting will purchase 1400 WSEG/104.3 W282AR Savannah, 1350 WFNS/98.5 W253CI Blackshear, and 790 WSFN Brunswick GA from Southern Media Interactive for $260,000. Shanks owns five other stations and four translators in southern Georgia. Translator SalesTyler Media purchases 92.9 K225BN Oklahoma City from Fred and Evelyn Morton for $12,500. Tyler Media has operated the translator since its sign-on in 2014 with the signal operating as Alternative “92.9 The Edge” via 92.5 KOMA-HD2 since December 2015. iHeartMedia acquires 106.9 K295BR Dickinson ND from University of Northwestern-St. Paul for $12,500. iHeart will utilize the translator to rebroadcast Classic Country 1460 KLTC Dickinson. Ryan Grieg’s San Tan Educational Media transfers 90.7 K214FO Buena Vista CO to Vic Michael’s Mountain Community Translators for $100. The seller had acquired the translator from Educational Media Foundation last year as part of a swap along with $40,000 for what was 90.3 KFXY Buena Vista. The translator will rebroadcast Michael’s 88.1 KVAM Cheyenne WY. more

From Radio Online: News/Talk WGY (News Radio 810) morning host Doug Goudie exits his position at the Albany, NY outlet, becoming the latest in a series of layoffs at iHeartMedia. Goudie, who joined WGY in 2021 after a prior stint at WRKO in Boston, first worked alongside Kelly Lynch in the station's morning slot. Lynch later More...

From Radio Online: Audacy's WFAN (101.9 FM andamp; 660 AM) names broadcaster Dave Sims as the new lead play-by-play announcer for its New York Yankees broadcasts. Sims will fill the position held by John Sterling, who recently retired after a 35-year career with the Yankees. Joining Suzyn Waldman, Sims will bring decades of More...

From Radio Online: KZPT (99.7 The Point) in Kansas City, known for its "The 90's to Now" format, has debuted a new custom jingle package from TM Studios. The new offering, TM 12-Pack Hot AC Vol. 2, is a follow-up to the studio's first Hot AC 12-Pack launched in 2021, and it's aimed at adding fresh branding for Hot AC and Adult More...

From Radio Insight: Nielsen continues its releases of the October 2024 diary surveys today. Today’s markets include monthly ratings for Columbia SC, Des Moines, Little Rock, Monterey/Salinas/Santa Cruz, Spokane, and Springfield MA. The next releases will feature: On Friday, November 15: Monthly ratings for Colorado Springs, Madison, Mobile, Toledo and Wichita. On Monday, November 18: Monthly ratings for Chattanooga and Huntsville. On Tuesday, November 19: Monthly ratings for Jackson MS. more

From Radio Online: Longtime KNBR sports radio personality Tom Tolbert has departed the San Francisco outlet after nearly three decades on air. Tolbert confirmed his exit on Wednesday, sharing with SFGate that he was among several staff members let go from the Cumulus-owned sports outlet. Cumulus spokesperson Lisa Dollinger More...

From Radio Online: WMOS (102.3 The Wolf) in New London, CT, and WWKX (106.3 The Wolf) in Providence, RI, add veteran Rhode Island personalities Will Gilbert and Heather Gersten to the Classic Rock outlets' weekday programming lineup. Gilbert joins as afternoon host, weekdays from 3-7pm More...

From Radio Insight: Cumulus Media’s recently launched Classic Rock “106.3/102.3 The Wolf” WWKX Woonsocket/Providence RI and WMOS Stonington CT is rounding out its lineup with the addition of Heather Gersten and Will Gilbert. Gersten will host middays from 10am-3pm while continuing to serve as APD/morning host and imaging director at sister AC “Lite 105” WWLI Providence. She joined WWLI in 2003 after stints in mornings at WBIX New York and WQSX Boston. She commented, “I’m so thrilled to have true Classic Rock here in Southern New England and I can’t wait to share my love of the format with listeners in Providence and New London. Thanks to Cumulus Media for giving me the chance to truly rock!? Gilbert is best known in the market at co-host of “The Rhode Show” on WPRI-TV since 2011. He has a long association with sister CHR “92 Pro-FM” WPRO-FM where he was morning producer/co-host/newscaster from 1999-2011 following a previous stint with the station from 1989-91. He has also served as a morning producer for 93.3 WSNE from 1993-96. He will host afternoons on the station. He said, “I am incredibly grateful to have been asked to join 102.3 The Wolf and 106.3 The Wolf. I am excited for this new on-air adventure each afternoon in Rhode Island and Connecticut, while still being on TV daily on ?The Rhode Show.? Thank you to Holly Paras, Doug MacGunnigle, and Mary Ellen Kachinske at Cumulus Media and to Pat Wholey at WPRI for making this opportunity a reality.? Program Director Doug MacGunnigle added, “We?re beyond thrilled to add Will and Heather to our lineup on The Wolf. They are friendly and familiar voices to listeners in Southern New England. Their decades of experience in the media and cultural landscape and their knowledge of all things Southern New England will be a huge asset to The Wolf.? Gersten and Gilbert round out a lineup that includes Mike English in mornings. WWKX debuted the Classic Rock format earlier this month joining in simulcast with WMOS, which has featured the brand in the New London CT market since 2001. more

From Radio Insight: Jenelle ‘J Belle’ Vannoy is departing Cumulus Media CHR “93.3 The Q” KOBQ Albuquerque following her show today as she prepares to move to a new station to be announced. Vannoy joined KOBQ in September 2021. She began her career on-air and in production at iHeartMedia CHR “My 93.1” KPLV Las Vegas before holding roles at WXII-TV Greensboro NC, Online Editor at Radio One Charlotte, and as a digital producer for USA Today prior to joining Riviera Broadcasting Phoenix in 2019 as Public Service Director and on-air at “Power 98.3” KKFR until her move to Albuquerque. Cumulus has not yet announced plans for her position at KOBQ. View this post on Instagram A post shared by J. Belle (@jbelleonair) more

From Radio Insight: After 38 years on iHeartMedia Classic Rock “99.7 The Fox” WRFX Kannapolis/Charlotte NC, John Isley and Billy James will no longer be hear in mornings after Friday, November 15. “The Big Show with John Boy & Billy” will continue in syndication via iHeart’s Premiere Networks on a mix of 50 Country and Rock stations including Audacy?s “Classic Rock 101” WROQ-FM Greenville SC, Cumulus?s “KZ 106” WSKZ Chattanooga, iHeart?s “96.1 The Rocket” WRKH Mobile, and Midwest?s 103.5 WIMZ Knoxville. Premiere Networks renewed their agreement to carry the show in September. WRFX has been running promos promoting the final show, while a Premiere Networks rep confirmed it will remain in syndication and streaming on the iHeartRadio app. John Isley and Billy James have been paired together since 1981 when they began hosting mornings at 107.9 WBCY Charlotte. They would move to WRFX in 1986 when the station launched its Rock format. Syndication began in 1993 after an attempt by WZGC Atlanta to move the show there and it reached a peak of over 100 stations when it moved to Premiere in the early 2000s. more

From Radio Online: Woodward Communications Inc. (WCI) has agreed to acquire four stations from Mid-West Family in Springfield, IL. The acquisition includes WNNS-FM, WQLZ-FM, WMAY-FM and WMAY-AM, expanding WCI's presence in Springfield, where it recently purchased four stations from More...

From Radio Online: Audacy's WCBS-FM/New York morning hosts "Foxx and Annie in the Morning" raised $60,078 for America's VetDogs, surpassing their original fundraising target by $10,000. The campaign, organized in honor of Veterans Day, aimed to support a local veteran by providing a trained service More...

From Radio Online: Veteran air personality Antoine Davis has stepped down from his midday slot at Bonneville's KBLX (Throwbacks and Randamp;B) in San Francisco, marking the end of over 20 years with the station in various roles. His departure is part of a round of staff reductions at the company's San Francisco operations More...

From Radio Online: WDVD-FM/Detroit Program Director Michelle Matthews exits the Cumulus Media Hot AC outlet after a little over a year, part of recent staff reductions at the company. Matthews joined WDVD in July, 2023 following an eight-year role as Operations Manager for Saga's cluster in Columbus, OH where she oversaw More...

From Radio Online: Public Radio WYSO-FM in Dayton, OH has launched a new music-only streaming channel called "Novaphonic," available online at novaphonic.fm and via HD radio. Starting November 4, Novaphonic will deliver an uninterrupted 24/7 music schedule curated by the WYSO music team, offering a blend of regional and global More...

From Radio Insight: After over 20 years across three stints, Antoine Davis has exited middays at Bonneville Adult R&B 102.9 KBLX San Francisco as part of cuts made at that cluster earlier this week. Davis first joined KBLX in 1998 as a weekend host, while also hosting nights at Rhythmic CHR 97.7 KWIN Stockton CA. He would return from 2003 to 2012 spending time in middays and afternoons and then returned in November 2014 where he would also spend time co-hosting mornings. Davis’ career also included time at KQBR Sacramento, KQOD Stockton, weekends at “98.1 Kiss-FM” KISQ San Francisco, and afternoons at KRNB Dallas between his two long rums at KBLX. Davis wrote on Instagram, “Well, as they say, nothing last forever. As difficult as this is to do, I am reaching out to let you know after 20+ years on 102.9 KBLX, it has been decided that it is time for me to move on. I want to thank you for always ing kind, considerate and loving to me all these years on the radio. This is a tough break up but, I do realize life happens to everyone. I’ll miss speaking those iconic call letters “KBLX”. I’m very proud of what I was able to accomplish and I realize I was the last link to a station we all loved and most of us grew up listening to. That being said, I hope to speak to you soon & a big warm, loving, THANK YOU.” Davis was part of a handful of other cuts at Bonneville San Francisco this week. At least one additional full-time staffer and a part-timer were affected. more

From Radio Insight: Norsan Media will be bringing its Regional Mexican “La Raza” 840 WCEO Columbia SC to FM with the purchase of 94.9 W235CH St. Matthews from Alpha Media for $300,000. The deal includes an imminent Translator Use Agreement, which will mean an imminent end to the translator’s current AAA “94.9 The Palm” programming that launched in October 2018. The station registered a mere 0.2 share in the September 2024 Nielsen Audio ratings. Norsan’s WCEO is the only Spanish language station in the Columbia market. more

From Radio Insight: Coleman Insights has launched Validate, a new attribution platform that helps radio stations demonstrate the impact of their advertising campaigns. Originally launched by Canadian station operator Pattison Media and licensed globally by Momentum Media, Coleman has gained the exclusive rights to sell and market the service in the United States. Validate helps radio stations show advertisers exactly how over-the-air advertising campaigns generate consumer impressions and drive traffic to websites. Coleman Insights President Warren Kurtzman said, “Validate will deliver remarkable results for radio stations in the U.S. For decades, advertisers have sought concrete ways to measure radio?s impact. I?ve been involved in the sales of services to radio stations for 40 years and I have rarely felt such a universally positive response to a new idea like I?m seeing with Validate.? Coleman has signed Cox Media Group and Connoisseur Media as charter subscribers to Validate. RAB members will receive discounts on Validate subscriptions. ?Radio needs tools that make the impressive results we deliver very clear for advertisers,? said Rob Babin, Executive Vice President, Radio at Cox Media Group. ?We believe Validate does that and look forward to our partnership.? ?When I first saw Validate, I knew it was something that could generate revenue for our stations,? said Connoisseur Media CEO Jeff Warshaw. ?We look forward to being among the first radio groups delivering this important information to advertisers that demonstrates the power of radio.? Coleman says that Validate combines streaming listening data with audience estimates from trusted ratings providers, using a proprietary algorithm to estimate total audience reach across both streaming and broadcast. By reporting on ad performance almost instantly, it allows radio sales teams to give advertisers real-time feedback on the effectiveness of their campaigns. A unique conversion tag further enables advertisers to track website engagement from listeners exposed to campaigns, capturing data for up to 90 days after exposure. more

From Radio Online: Coleman Insights has introduced a new attribution platform called Validate aimed at helping stations across the U.S. demonstrate the effectiveness of their advertising campaigns. Developed in collaboration with Canada-based Pattison Media and Momentum Media, Validate tracks how radio More...

From Radio Insight: The cuts at Cumulus Media have arrived in the Bay Area as the company has cut ties with a pair of longtime hosts at Sports 680 KNBR/104.5 KNBR-FM San Francisco. Former NBA forward Tom Tolbert exits afternoons at KNBR after 28 years with the station. Tolbert joined KNBR in 1996 following a seven year professional basketball career with the Charlotte Hornets, Golden State Warriors, Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Clippers, Chicago Bulls and Canarias in Spain. He was originally teamed with Ralph Barbieri for “The Razor and Mr. T” until 2012. After hosting solo for a couple years, Tolbert then teamed at various times with Ray Ratto, John Lund, Larry Kreuger and Rod Brooks and most recently Adam Copeland. He also served as an analyst for Warrior’s games on KNBR and Audacy’s “95.7 The Game” KGMZ and earlier in his career broadcast NBA games for NBC and ABC/ESPN. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Tolbert will host a final show on Thursday, November 14. Barrett Sports also reports that midday co-host John Lund has exited. Lund joined KNBR in 2016 from crosstown KGMZ to co-host afternoons with Tolbert then moved to middays in 2019 to reunite with Greg Papa, who he previously co-hosted afternoons with at KGMZ. Lund has also hosted shows at KXTG Portland, KESN Dallas, WXYT Detroit, WEAE Pittsburgh and KZNS Salt Lake City while hosting pre- and post-game shows on networks for the Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders, Utah Jazz and Portland Trailblazers. more

From Radio Insight: Woodward Communications is acquiring a second cluster in Springfield IL and divesting its recently purchased stations in Bloomington IL. Woodward closed on its $4.3 purchase of Neuhoff Media’s seven stations in those markets last month. In Springfield, Woodward will acquire Mid-West Family Broadcasting’s News/Talk 92.7 WMAY-FM, Rock 97.7 WQLZ, AC 98.7 WNNS, and Classic Hits “102.5 The Lake” 970 WMAY/94.7 W234CC/102.5 W273DR to join its existing cluster of Hot AC “99.7 The Mix” WXAJ, Country 104.5 WFMB-FM, “Sports Radio 92.3” 1450 WFMB. The company will spinoff Variety Hits “96.7 Bob-FM” WCVS-FM to stay within the ownership caps. Terms were not disclosed. In Bloomington, Great Plains Media will expand with the LMA of Variety Hits “97.9 Bob-FM” WBBE from Woodward. The company already owns Conservative Talk “Cities 92.9” WRPW, AC “Magic 99.5” WZIM and Country “107.7 The Bull” WIBL/92.1 W221CY. The company’s other two stations, “Rock 96.7” WIHN and Hot AC “Now 100.7” WWHX are being divested to undisclosed operators. Woodward Communications President/CEO Tom Woodward said, “We are excited about this opportunity and look forward to integrating Mid-West?s solid brands into our Springfield operations. Over a period of time our plan is to co-locate all of the stations and related operations into Mid-West Family’s current office and studios, which we believe will create synergies that will benefit our employee owners, our customers, and the community.” Woodward Springfield Market Manager Kevin O’Dea will oversee the combined Springfield cluster. O’Dea began his radio career in 1978 as an Account Executive with Mid-West Family Broadcasting?s WMAY Springfield, and recently was awarded the Illinois Broadcaster Association?s 2024 ?Vincent T. Wasilewski Broadcaster of the Year.? O?Dea will continue to report to Kelly Radandt, overall Marketing Manager for both of WCI?s radio groups based in Appleton WI and Illinois. Greg Guy of Tideline Partners advised Woodward on the acquisition of Mid-West Family, the divestitures and LMA. Bob Heymann Jr., Managing Director of Media Services Group ? Chicago, advised Mid-West Family. more

From Radio Insight: Nielsen continues its releases of the October 2024 diary surveys today. Today’s markets include monthly ratings for Akron, Bakersfield, Charleston SC, Harrisburg/Lebanon/Carlisle, and Omaha/Council Bluffs. The next three releases will feature: On Thursday, November 14: Monthly ratings for Columbia SC, Des Moines, Little Rock, Monterey/Salinas/Santa Cruz, Spokane, and Springfield MA. On Friday, November 15: Monthly ratings for Colorado Springs, Madison, Mobile, Toledo and Wichita. On Monday, November 18: Monthly ratings for Chattanooga and Huntsville. more