Activity Stream

From Radio Insight: Daniel AlegreTelevisaUnivision has appointed Daniel Alegre as its new CEO as Wade Davis will transition to Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and continue as a member of the Board?s Executive Committee. Alegre most recently was CEO of Yuga Labs, the parent company of NFT collective Bored Ape Yacht Club, preceded by President/Chief Operating Officer of Activision Blizzard where he was responsible for managing all revenue, game development and leadership teams for the company?s top gaming franchises. He began his career in radio and music in his native Mexico and Central America before spending sixteen years at Google where he held positions including President of Global and Strategic Partnerships, President of Shopping and Payments and President of Asia Pacific and Latin America. He is fluent in English, Spanish, French and German and graduated from Princeton University, Harvard Business School and Harvard Law School. ?On behalf of the Board, I?m excited to welcome Daniel to TelevisaUnivision as we embark on the next phase of our strategic journey focused on further integration and optimization,? said Alfonso de Angoitia, Executive Chairman of TelevisaUnivision. ?It?s been a very dynamic media environment, and we are grateful for what Wade has accomplished in the turnaround of Univision and the subsequent transformative merger between Univision and Televisa?s content business to create TelevisaUnivision ? the world?s leading Spanish-language media and content company. We are proud stewards of a storied and prolific content factory containing the largest Spanish language library of rich and iconic intellectual property. As we look to grow our unparalleled market position and the recent investments in our linear and streaming platforms as well as our news and sports products, Daniel is the right leader at the right time to take the helm. His unique global operational experience working in the U.S., Mexico and Latin America across technology, digital platforms and entertainment honed over three decades is exactly what TelevisaUnivision needs to drive our next phase.? Mr. Alegre said, ?The media landscape is undergoing a profound transformation and TelevisaUnivision is strategically poised to seize new opportunities while staying deeply connected to the communities we serve. The U.S. and Mexico represent the most valuable and populous Spanish-language markets in the world, a demographic that is becoming more prominent both regionally and globally. Building on TelevisaUnivision?s solid foundation, global content pipeline, ongoing investments in cutting-edge technologies, and unmatched reach, we are uniquely positioned to continue serving this vital audience. Wade and the entire TelevisaUnivision team have created a strong multi-platform media business with world-class quality and breadth of entertainment, news and sports programming. I look forward to working with our global teams and partners to build on TelevisaUnivision?s great history and take the Company to new heights.? Davis, who previously served as CEO of Viacom, founded ForgeLight in 2019 n 2019 to build, acquire and operate companies in the Media and Consumer Technology sectors. He commented, ?In 2020 Searchlight, ForgeLight and Liberty Global partnered with Grupo Televisa in our acquisition of Univision, setting out to turnaround and transform the legacy business. The success of those efforts paved the way for the merger with Televisa?s content business to create TelevisaUnivision ? a business without comparison in the global media landscape today,? said Mr. Davis. ?Thanks to the efforts of our exceptional team, TelevisaUnivision has consistently delivered above-market revenue growth, outperformed the U.S. and Mexican advertising markets and launched and have grown our direct-to-consumer business, ViX, to become the largest dedicated Spanish-language streaming service in the world. We could not have picked a better successor than Daniel, who brings an incredible track record of operational and strategic execution. He is the ideal executive to take TelevisaUnivision into its next phase of growth. The Company?s future is bright, and I look forward to supporting Daniel and the TelevisaUnivision team in my role as Vice Chairman of the Board.? ?We, alongside ForgeLight, invested in Univision in 2020 in support of Wade?s vision of a holistic, growth- led turnaround of the business,? said Eric Zinterhofer, Founding Partner, Searchlight Capital Partners, L.P. ?The transaction with Televisa was a continuation of that successful vision at a global scale, resulting in an unmatched, vertically integrated Hispanic media business. In coordination with Grupo Televisa, Wade and the management team, we accomplished the integration of TelevisaUnivision as well as the global launch of ViX, completing the multi-year transformation process. There has been longstanding alignment between TelevisaUnivision, Wade, Searchlight and the rest of the Board to effect an organized succession plan to bring in a world-class CEO to lead the Company in this next phase of its trajectory. We are all extremely supportive of Daniel and have full confidence in the Company?s strategy and management team.? more

From Radio Online: Media research firm Coleman Insights has announced changes to its Integr8 USA national callout music testing service, which the company launched in May, 2023. Integr8 USA originally served three formats with new music research -- a combined Pop test for CHR and Hot AC, as well as tests for Country and More...

From Radio Insight: Mike Vincent is reassuming the Program Director duties at WVRC Media Country 97.9 WKKW Morgantown WV. Vincent originally served as PD/afternoon host at WKKW from 2019 until May 2022 when he was promoted to Director of Country Music Programming for the entire company. He has continued to host afternoons at the station in his higher role, which he also maintains. Vincent takes the day-to-day programming reins at WKKW back from WVRC Media Morgantown Operations Manager Matt Kelly, who continues in that role and as Program Director of CHR 101.9 WVAQ. In a staff memo shared, Kelly said, “I had spoken to upper management about this a while back, as my duties as dual-PD for BOTH WVAQ and WKKW, on top of my duties as Operations Manager, were not working. I felt I wasn’t truly able to give time and attention to everything, and everyone, that needed it. With this move, Mike will be able to truly be plugged into the sound of the station – making it the best it can be. He knows this format better than I do.” Prior to joining WKKW, Vincent served as OM/PD for Cumulus Media Melbourne FL, programmed WSJR Scranton PA, was APD/afternoon host at WFLS Fredericksburg VA, Assistant Production Director/on-air at KBWF San Francisco, morning host at WRWD Poughkeepsie, and held roles as National Broadcast Director for SnoCountry and Broadcast Operations Manager for Mountain News Corporation. more

From Radio Insight: Coleman Insights has announced it is expanding its Integr8 USA callout music testing service. Integr8 USA is splitting its combined test for CHR and Hot AC into format specific tests along with the existing Country and Alternative services. The company says the new structure brings Integr8 USA into alignment with client strategies for both formats, including focused audience targeting and pacing that reflects each format?s respective music cycles. Integr8 USA says it now offers 34 weekly new music reports and four recurrent reports as the slight reduction in the number of reports previously offered is more in sync with the strategic needs of music programmers and allows Coleman Insights to lower the price of the service to subscribers. Coleman Insights President Warren Kurtzman said, ?This relaunch of Integr8 USA brings the service more in line with what our subscribers tell us they need. The changes we?ve made make Integr8 USA more affordable and an easier fit into our clients? 2025 budgets.? more

From Radio Insight: Nielsen continues its releases of the August 2024 diary surveys today. Today’s markets include monthly ratings for Akron, Charleston SC, Monterey/Salinas/Santa Cruz, and Syracuse. The next three releases will feature: On Thursday, September 19: Monthly ratings for Columbia SC, Little Rock, Springfield MA, and Toledo. On Friday, September 20: Monthly ratings for Colorado Springs, Des Moines, Mobile, Spokane, and Wichita. On Monday, September 23: Monthly ratings for Chattanooga and Huntsville, Jackson MS, and Madison. more

From Radio Insight: Townsquare Media CHR “92 Moose” WMME Augusta ME Brand Manager/morning host Matt James is adding additional duties as afternoon host at Country 97.5 WOKQ Dover NH. James shared, “As a passionate listener of country music, this is a perfect fit for me.” A second generation broadcaster, James has spent his entire career at WMME since 2002 rising to Brand Manager in 2017 and joining the morning show a year later, a timeslot anchored by his father Jon James until his retirement in 2016. James succeeds former WJBQ Portland Brand Manager/afternoon host Jadd Naamani in afternoons at WOKQ following his exit from the company last month. more

From Radio Online: iHeartPodcasts, Topic Studios and Vespucci have announced Crooks Everywhere, a new true crime podcast that delves into the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia, a Maltese journalist who spent her life fighting for truth, justice and decency in a country overrun by corruption. A 10-part series, the program More...

From Radio Online: KAZR (Lazer 103.3) in Des Moines names Wes Styles as the Rock outlet's new Program Director and afternoon talent. He joins Lazer from Neuhoff Media in Bloomington, IL, where he served as Cluster Operations Manager and hosted the morning show on WIHN. His previous experience includes roles as Cluster OM and More...

From Radio Insight: Part of the ongoing strength of commercial radio in the UK has been the existence of a viable free digital radio tier. With no opportunity to subscribe to satellite radio, and no need to negotiate the architecture of North American HD Radio subchannels, digital-only stations have had enough of an impact that BBC Director of Music Lorna Clarke recently cited them as the impetus for the BBC?s application for additional services. In the UK, you are still more likely to encounter broadcast radio in a taxi or Uber. Last year, the final station I heard on my way back to London Heathrow Airport was Magic Soul, a side channel of Bauer?s AC network Magic. Last week, rival group broadcaster Global added twelve more channels to London?s DAB choices. One of the 12 stations is the extension of its AC Smooth Radio network, Smooth Soul. As spinoffs from an AC format, both services are texturally comparable to KTWV (The Wave) Los Angeles, playing the R&B and disco that crossed over in the UK. That includes a lot of songs that weren?t crossover hits in America, since the UK remained welcoming to disco and R&B during the 1979-82 ?Disco Backlash.? (Bauer?s Classic Hits network also has a streaming only format, Greatest Hits Grooves, only available to the paid tier of its streaming app subscribers.) Magic Soul was hosted when I heard it and lists a staff of eight presenters. Smooth Soul is currently jockless. I considered structuring this article as a ?punch wars,? but that would have been beside the point. Whatever my opinion on the programming strength of ?Every 1?s a Winner? by Hot Chocolate vs. ?Needle in a Haystack? by the Velvelettes, I?m happy to hear them both. The only place you would regularly hear either in America is on SiriusXM?s ?70s on 7 and Smokey?s Soul Town respectively. Here’s Magic Soul with ?the best of soul and Motown? at 11 a.m., Sept. 12: Martha & the Vandellas, ?Dancing in the Street? Yarbrough & Peoples, ?Don?t Stop the Music? Jacksons, ?Blame It on the Boogie? Charles & Eddie, ?Would I Lie to You?? Rose Royce, ?Is It Love You?re After?? Ashford & Simpson, ?Solid? Velvelettes, ?Needle in a Haystack? Stevie Wonder, ?You Are the Sunshine of My Life? Boyz II Men, ?I?ll Make Love to You? James Ingram f/Michael McDonald, ?Yah Mo B There? Lauryn Hill, ?Ex-Factor? Bob & Earl, ?Harlem Shuffle? Midnight Star, ?Midas Touch? New York City, ?I?m Doin? Fine Now? Here?s Smooth Soul during the same hour: Billy Paul, ?Me & Mrs. Jones? Cherrelle & Alexander O?Neal, ?Saturday Love? Beyonc?, ?Love on Top? Spinners, ?I?ll Be Around? Smokey Robinson, ?Being with You? Ben E. King, ?Stand By Me? Hot Chocolate, ?Every 1?s a Winner? Gabrielle, ?Dreams? Michael Jackson, ?Billie Jean? Barry White, ?Let the Music Play? Randy Crawford, ?You Might Need Somebody? Sly & the Family Stone, ?Dance to the Music? McFadden & Whitehead, ?Ain?t No Stoppin? Us Now? Force MD?s, ?Tender Love? Emotions, ?Best of My Love? Four Tops, ?Baby I Need Your Loving? more

From Radio Online: "The Dana Cortez Show," syndicated by Skyview Networks, adds KGSR-FM in Austin, TX and KZOR-FM in Hobbs, NM to the program's affiliate network. "We couldn't be more thrilled with the way The Dana Cortez Show sounds on Vibe 93-3," said KGSR-FM Program Director Lynn Barstow. "Dana, DJ Automatic, and Anthony A More...

From Radio Online: Ben Holsen is appointed Program Director for Northwestern Media's Contemporary Christian KTIS-FM in Minneapolis-St. Paul. He previously served as the Program Director for Northwestern's Faith Radio Network since 2021. Holsen begins his new post on October 21. He'll replace Matt Deane, who was recently named More...

From Radio Online: The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee passed the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act out of committee Wednesday by a roll call vote of 45-2. This legislation is meant to ensure the continued availability of AM radio in all vehicles, recognizing the essential role it plays in delivering critical news, More...

From Radio Online: Edison Research's Share of Ear shows just how much tastes have changed among those age 13-34 when it comes to spoken word audio. Spoken word content includes news, personalities, talk and sports, and can be consumed via any audio platform such as radio, streaming, podcasts and audiobooks. The graphic More...

From Radio Insight: Waterloo Media’s newly launch Rhythmic Throwbacks “Vibe 93.3” KGSR Cedar Park/Austin TX has added Skyview Networks’ “Dana Cortez Show” for mornings and Jonathan ‘Snupe’ Daniel as afternoon host. Daniel has previously worked in Austin at Waterloo Alternative “101X” KROX-FM, Audacy Classic Hip Hop “Hot 95.9“, and most recently hosted middays at Genuine Austin Radio Sports “104.9 The Horn” KTXX. He also covers local high school sports for “Fox 7” KTBC-TV. KGSR Program Director Lynn Barstow commented, ?We couldn?t be more thrilled with the way The Dana Cortez Show sounds on Vibe 93-3. Dana, DJ Automatic, and Anthony A sound amazingly at home in Vibe?s music mix, and they connect with the audience like they?re right here in Austin.? Cortez’s show has also been added at Noalmark Broadcasting Hot AC “Z94” KZOR Hobbs NM. For affiliation information on either program, contact affiliation@skyviewsat.com or visit skyviewnetworks.com/dcs. more

From Radio Insight: Northwestern Media Christian AC 98.5 KTIS-FM Minneapolis has announced the promotion of Ben Holsen to Program Director. Holsen has been programming Northwestern’s Christian Preaching “Faith Radio” network based at 900 KTIS Minneapolis since June 2021. He previously spent his career in secular radio with stints co-hosting mornings at Alternative “Go 96.3” KQGO from 2015-2020, afternoon co-host at Sports “105 The Ticket” WGVX/WGVY/WGVZ, midday host at predecessor Soft AC “Love 105” as well as Production Director for Cumulus Minneapolis, and part of the morning show at Hubbard Hot AC “KS 95” KSTP-FM. Holsen began his career in his native Sioux Falls at Rock 103.7 KRRO where he rose to APD/MD. Holsen succeeds Matt Deane following his promotion to Station Manager in July. Deane said, “Ben?s combination of skill and talent for doing connective radio, along with his heart for sharing Jesus with more people in the Twin Cities make him the perfect person to fill this role.? Holsen commented, ?The opportunities to serve at Northwestern Media have been a blessing. It?s an organization of special people with an unwavering focus on mission. I am humbled and excited to work with Matt Deane and the 98.5 KTIS team.? more

From Radio Insight: Total Media Group has made a few changes at its stations in Southeastern Ohio. Over in Point Pleasant WV/Gallopolis OH, Hot AC “QFM” is split into two formats. 1030 WTHQ/94.1 W231CY Point Pleasant WV is now Conservative Talk “The Eagle” with the station featuring Meigs County Marauders high school sports. 1390 WMPO Middleport-Pomeroy/99.9 W260DF Athens/103.7 W279CE Middleport OH flips to Sports utilizing Fox Sports Radio network programming and Point Pleasant High School play-by-play. With the loss of the “QFM” brand, Classic Hits “K92.1” WYVK Middleport OH/Point Pleasant WV segues to AC, while keeping its previous branding. Over in Waverly and Chillicothe OH similar flips take place. Hot AC “Q100” 100.1 WXZQ Piketon has also flipped to Conservative Talk “The Eagle“. Southern Gospel 660 WXIC/95.9 W240DZ Waverly has also gone to Sports “The Game” also using Fox Sports Radio programming. more

From Radio Insight: Crystal Media Networks has signed a deal with AdLarge to take over their advertising sales in 2025. Crystal Media Networks will also rebrand as Portfolio Media. Crystal Media Networks CEO Nick Krawczyk said, “?We are excited to work with AdLarge. In my discussions with Cathy, it became clear that AdLarge’s vision, work ethic, and approach to client relationships align closely with ours at Crystal. Their stellar reputation and talented team of sales experts position advertisers for a successful 2025.? AdLarge Founder/CEO Cathy Csukas commented, “We are thrilled to represent Crystal Media Networks. Nick and his talented team have built an extraordinary company. Their market strength has led the audio industry for years and will be an incredible complement to the power of the AdLarge portfolio. The AdLarge sales team, led by Robin Sloan, is poised to provide exceptional service starting with the 2025 upfront.? more

From Radio Online: AdLarge will take over all advertising sales for the Crystal Media Networks portfolio for the 2025 upfront and broadcast year, effective immediately. Additionally, Crystal Media Networks will rebrand as Portfolio Media in 2025. This partnership provides targeted reach at scale for client advertisers. More...

From Radio Online: Audacy Podcasts launches "Cement City," a limited-run documentary series hosted by journalist Jeanne Marie Laskas that goes inside a local election in the small Rust Belt town of Donora, PA. Over ten episodes, "Cement City" tells the story of a broken-down town at a precipice. Donora's population is 4,650. More...

From Radio Insight: Saga Communications has appointed Wes Styles as Program Director and afternoon host at Rock “Lazer 103.3” KAZR Pella/Des Moines IA. Styles joins KAZR from Neuhoff Media Bloomington IL where he was Operations Manager and Program Director as well as morning host on ?Rock 96.7? WIHN Normal until departing at the end of August ahead of his move to Des Moines. He had been with Neuhoff Bloomington since February 2019 after previously holding programming roles at Community Broadcasters Fort Walton Beach FL, Rock 92.7 WQLZ/AAA 97.7 WLCE Springfield IL, Rock ?Q103.9/103.5? WQBK/WQBJ Albany NY, ?Rock 105? WXQR New Bern NC, and ?Rock 104? WWIZ Youngstown OH. He fills the position that had been held by Andy Hall until the end of June. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wes Styles (@wesstylesradio) more

From Radio Online: Saga Communications promotes two senior executives within the company. Samuel D. Bush is named Executive Vice President, while maintaining his roles as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Bush, who joined Saga in 1997 as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, was More...

From Radio Insight: Nielsen continues its releases of the August 2024 diary surveys today. Today’s markets include monthly ratings for Albuquerque, El Paso, Harrisburg/Lebanon/Carlisle, and Metro Fairfield County. The next three releases will feature: On Wednesday, September 18: Monthly ratings for Akron, Charleston SC, Monterey/Salinas/Santa Cruz, and Syracuse. On Thursday, September 19: Monthly ratings for Columbia SC, Little Rock, Springfield MA, and Toledo. On Friday, September 20: Monthly ratings for Colorado Springs, Des Moines, Mobile, Spokane, and Wichita. more

From Radio Online: Christine Martinez-Escobar (pictured) is rejoining iHeartMedia as Market President for its Austin market, while Rosie Perez has been appointed as Market President for San Antonio. Escobar will oversee operations for iHeartMedia's five Austin stations. Her previous experience includes serving as President/GM More...

From Radio Online: Jacobs Media is returning to the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas with a newly expanded, two-day tour, specifically designed for radio broadcasters. The tours will focus on how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the industry, providing attendees with opportunities to explore AI More...

From Radio Online: WSNY (Sunny 95) in Columbus is the flagship for a new custom "Good Music, Good Mood" jingle package for AC formats from TM Studios. TM 12-Pack AC Volume 2, is a dozen cut package and sequel to the first AC 12-Pack released in 2021. The package is designed to brand effectively around the wide variety of music More...

From Radio Insight: TM Studios has launched “TM 12 Pack AC Volume 2” jingle package originally designed for Saga AC “Sunny 95” WSNY Columbus OH. The package includes twelve cuts “designed to brand effectively around the wide variety of music found on today?s AC stations, keeping the radio stations sounding current and modern, while having all the elements to build momentum and brand recall on the air around the clock, TM 12-Pack is perfectly priced for midsize markets, while sounding like the Top 10.” WSNY Program Director Tony Bristol said, “It?s great to have jingles back on Sunny 95! We?re already singing along with the package, and they sound so good on the air.? TM Studios Creative Director/COO Dave Bethell said, ?Today?s AC is feel-good, the brief for this package was to create an up tempo positive package that reflects the feel and personality of Sunny 95 and AC Radio, These jingles will instantly put your listeners in a good mood.? more

From Radio Insight: iHeartMedia has announced a trio of leadership appointments in Texas. Christine EscobarChristine Escobar has joined the company as Market President in Austin. Escobar most recently spent two decades at Univision Austin where she rose from account executive to National Sales Manager, General Sales Manager, Director of Sales, and from 2017 until 2023 was President/General Manager. She began her sales career at then-Clear Channel Austin from 2001 to 2003. Escobar said, ?I am beyond excited to rejoin the iHeartMedia family, representing our legacy brands in Austin. The audience and client connections that the team has established are unmatched. To be associated with The University of Texas athletics as well as Austin FC shows the true local value that iHeartMedia brings the Central Texas community. I look forward to much success with the organization in Austin and beyond.” Rosie PerezRosie Perez rises to Market President in San Antonio. Perez has been with the company since 2000 where she has rose through the ranks first as a sales assistant and promotions coordinator in Los Angeles before moving to San Antonio in 2002 spending time as NTR/Digital Manager, VP/Sales, VP/Agency Partnerships, and since July 2020 SVP/Sales. Perez commented, “It?s been an honor to be part of the iHeartMedia San Antonio family for over two decades. I am thrilled to take on this new challenge as Market President and to work with such a passionate team. To continue to grow with a company that is constantly innovating and changing the industry is so inspiring and a dream come true for me.” George FloraGeorge Flora rises to SVP/Sales in Dallas/Fort Worth. Flora had been SVP/Sales in Austin since returning to the company in April 2023. He previously was VP/Sales in Phoenix from 2013-16 and VP/Sales and Director of Automotive Partnerships in Los Angeles from 2016-20. He has also held roles as General Sales Manager for Bonneville San Francisco and Sales Manager for ESPN and CBS Radio Los Angeles. Flora commented, “I?ll miss the exceptional team in Austin. That said, I?m excited to embrace this new role and build upon the tremendous success in the DFW region. I look forward to leading the talented sales team to continue to deliver innovative solutions and optimistic about the incredible achievements we?ll accomplish together.” All three will report to Region President Amy Leimbach. She stated, “Rosie, Christine and George are incredibly talented and are the right choice to lead their teams in the Dallas-Austin-San Antonio Region. They each have a strong track record and a unique set of skills that fit their respective markets, with the ability to build and cultivate winning teams.? more

From Radio Insight: KRTH (K-Earth 101) Los Angelesis one of the Classic Hits format?s most-admired radio stations. In the August PPMs, it led one of radio?s most-competitive markets with a 6.8 share, down only slightly from a 7.1. KRTH plays its power ?80s songs up to 34x a week, according to Mediabase. KRTH?s strategy goes back to the early ?90s on that station when power rotation meant ?(I Can?t Get No) Satisfaction? and not ?Take on Me.? CHBM (Boom 97.3) Toronto is also one of the Classic Hits format?s most-admired and consistently successful stations. Boom?s top-spun song played 10x last week; this week, the top song played only 9x. Canada?s PPM numbers aren?t made public to the trades, so if you need American examples, the two highest-rated Classic Hits stations in PPM this month, each with an 11.1 share, are WGRR Cincinnati (powers 9x) and WOCL (105.9 Sunny FM) Orlando(11x).* For the week ending Sept. 14, there were six PPM-market stations on the KRTH template of about 15 songs playing more than 4x a day (29-34x). Four of the others are co-owned Audacy outlets. There were another 13 stations playing songs at least 2x a day (14-23x). Mega-rotations haven?t had the same impact for every station that has tried them. But sisterKXSN (Sunny 98.1) San Diegoalso leads its market, going 8.3-7.8 in August. That station is currently comfortably ahead of an Adult Hits competitor, KXBG (Big 100.7), which emphasizes variety.* The mega-spins issue is ongoing among Classic Hits PDs. As we did several years ago for CHR, we decided to analyze 39 stations in PPM markets doing a mainstream Classic Hits format. The goal wasn’t to write a brief for either fast or slower spins, since both have their success stories, as much as to add insight to programmers’ decisions. Here’s how we chose our panel:* We didn?t include those stations doing an older ?60s/?70s-skewing version of the format. We didn?t include stations that were positioned to listeners as the industry as Classic Hits but are essentially Classic Rock?e.g., WSRV (The River) Atlanta. We didn?t include most Adult Hits stations, with their lower spin template, except in a few cases where those stations had effectively become the only Classic Hits station for their market: KKHH (The Spot) Houston,* WCJK Nashville,WSMW (Simon 98.7) Greensboro,WQSR (Jack FM) Baltimore. We did include a few stations that blurred the line between Classic Hits and gold-based AC, particularly WDUV Tampa and WKQC (K104.7) Charlotte, N.C.*Those stations aren’t far on the format landscape from an acknowledged Classic Hits leader,*KOLA Riverside, Calif. As with the choices that go into coding music, we realize that readers? decisions might have been different. It should also be noted that all ratings here are based on the available 6-plus numbers, raising the possibility that a station could be doing better in its target demo. As stations ponder their own rotations, here is what we found: Most Classic Hits rotations have been static over the last two years. Looking at rotations from October 2022 vs. the week ending Sept. 14, 2024, most stations are still within 3-4 spins of where they were on power rotation two years ago. By that time, KRTH was already phenomenal and many stations had made their decision. Since that time: WLS-FM Chicagohas become the only non-Audacy station to go with mega-powers, as one of a package of changes. The station is up 3.9-4.2 in our two-year window. Audacy?s KSPF (The Spot) Dallas,formerly KLUV (K-Love), went from 31x to a still hit-driven 23x. That station is tied for first in the market and at the same 4.8 share of the previous analysis. WOCL went from 19 spins two years ago to 11x on powers now and is actually up sharply, 5.1-11.1. Two other stations that reduced spins are currently looking for their footing in the market. KOSF San Francisco has just rebranded as ?Classic Hits 103.7.? WMXJ (The Beach) Miami (34x-17x) is down 4.2-3.6 from when its spins were higher. That market has been disrupted by the phenomenon of bilingual gold-based Soft AC WMIA (Magic 93.9). As a group, shares are higher for stations with lower spin-counts. While it should immediately be noted that the stations playing mega-powers are in larger, more competitive markets, these are average shares calculating August PPM numbers against the top spin number on the top power-rotation song: 29-34 spins, 5.0 share 20-23 spins, 5.4 share ? there?s nobody between 23 and 29 this week 15-18 spins, 5.8 share 11-14 spins, 7.2 share 9-11 spins, 7.5 share That correlation holds in reverse, when you start with the stations with the highest shares, and look at how many times they?re spinning their powers. 10+ shares, average of 10 spins a week on powers 8-9 shares, average of 14x 6-7 shares, average of 16x 4-5 shares, average of 16x 2-3 shares, average of 21x Market situation matters. Most Classic Hits stations are up against both Classic Rock and Mainstream AC competition, where 2x a day or less on powers is more standard. Some are also in markets where there is an Adult Hits station. Both KRTH and co-owned KSPF have the advantage of having a Jack-FM in the building, meaning that the cluster can provide its own relief button if you?re not looking for a mega-hit at the moment. Conversely, stations like WOCL, CHBM, and WSMW have the advantage of covering both Adult and Classic Hits for their markets. That said, WWSW (3WS) Pittsburgh has a 9 share, moderate spins (13x), and a Classic Hits rival. KQQL (Kool 108) Minneapolis has an 8.4 share, a similar competitive situation, and also tops out at 13x. (Adult hits KZJK (Jack FM) actually has comparable top spins.) There are also those successful Classic Hits stations with lower shares that don?t have an Adult Hits competitor because they outlasted them, such as WGRR or KCMO-FM Kansas City (10x). Classic vs. Adult Hits is a pending column unto itself, although one complicated now by how close the formats have gotten over 20 years. On the national and local level, there are other factors at play. While rotations have stayed stable for most stations, other things have changed around Classic Hits in the last two years. Many stations have pushed further into the ?90s and early ?00s, sometimes seemingly helping the older-skewing Classic Rock. Country and even CHR have been able to create a little more excitement around current music. Even among the stations with mega-spiclns, there are only two consensus mega-hits. Of the six stations doing mega-spins, there are only two songs that all agree on: the Police, ?Every Breath You Take,? and Bon Jovi?s ?Livin? on a Prayer.? Even format signatures like ?Don?t Stop Believin?? and ?Don?t You (Forget About Me)? fail to achieve total consensus. Mega-spins have considerable impact on the overall Classic Hits chart. While ?Don?t Start Believin?? has only five of the six PPM stations we looked at, it also receives mega-spins in a diary market at Cox?s WZLR (The Eagle) Dayton, Ohio. Those six stations comprise 176 spins on a song that received 987 total spins this week. While all of the songs receiving mega-spins at the six stations we looked at are reliable testers, that airplay is likely having an impact on stations not able to do local research. * Your thoughts on Classic Hits mega-spins are welcome. more

From Radio Online: Local News radio is the most trusted news source, besting TV and social media, according to a new study conducted by Audacy in partnership with Alter Agents. The study, "Local News Radio: Credible, Engaging andamp; Mobilizing," explores News radio's connection with news enthusiasts who consider News radio to be a More...

From Radio Online: Stroke Mastro is appointed as morning host WKSM-FM (99Rock) in Fort Walton Beach, FL. He joins Taryn Driggers on "The Morning Movement," weekdays from 6-10am. Mastro was most recently heard as a five-year cast member of "That Damn Show" on Audacy's co-owned KRXQ-FM (98 Rock) in Sacramento. Prior to that, More...