Activity Stream

From Radio Insight: After stunting for the past few weeks as “Tay Radio” with non-stop Taylor Swift, Advanced Media Partners has launched the new permanent brand for 96.5 WHPI Farmington and 104.3 W282BS Dunlap/WPIA-HD2 in its Peoria cluster. WHPI/W282BS flipped this afternoon to Variety Hits “Shuffle Radio” positioning as “All Variety All The Time”. The new format targets Midwest Communications’ market leading Classic Hits “93.3 The Drive” WPBG. Heard in our brief sampling of the station were Crazy Town ?Butterfly?, Oasis ?Wonderwall?, Wild Cherry “Play That Funky Music”, Def Leppard ?Bringin? On The Heartbreak?, and Heart “All I Wanna Do Is Make Love To You”. more

From Radio Insight: Nielsen continues its releases of the August 2024 diary surveys today. Today’s markets include monthly ratings for Colorado Springs, Des Moines, Mobile, Spokane, and Wichita. The next release will feature: On Monday, September 23: Monthly ratings for Chattanooga and Huntsville, Jackson MS, and Madison. more

From Radio Online: After a 25-year run, the "Ace andamp; TJ Show" has come to an official end, with a new iteration of the program already in development. On Friday, the show's official Facebook page announced the launch of the "TJ andamp; Riggins Show," starting on Monday, September 23. The post confirmed that much of the same content More...

From Radio Online: TelevisaUnivision has announced that Daniel Alegre will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Alegre succeeds Wade Davis, who will transition to the role of Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and continue as a member of the Board's Executive Committee. The leadership change comes as part of More...

From Radio Online: Red Apple Media and WABC-AM/New York owner John Catsimatidis (pictured) has taken a leading role in the Save AM Radio campaign, responding to car manufacturers' plans to phase out AM Radio from electric vehicles. Along with airing promos on WABC, Catsimatidis has funded multiple ads in the New York More...

From Radio Online: The Radio Hall of Fame inducted its 2024 class of honorees on Thursday, September 19 at the 2024 Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony and dinner at the Omni Nashville in Nashville. The eight inductees included Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase of "The Crook andamp; Chase Countdown," Lee More...

From Radio Insight: Bonneville and Smith Entertainment Group have extended their partnership making “KSL Sports Zone” 1280 KZNS Salt Lake City/97.5 KZNS-FM Coalville UT the broadcast home for the NHL’s new “Utah Hockey Club”. The stations and the franchise are owned by Smith Entertainment Group with the station operated by Bonneville, whose “Arizona Sports 98.7” KMVP-FM Phoenix served as its the franchise’s radio home as the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Folta will join the franchise at its new radio play-by-play voice. He had been Manager of Communications and Broadcasting and voice for the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs and previously called games for the ECHL’s Atlanta Gladiators and Florida Everblades along with Emory University, Florida Gulf Coast University, and Fort Myers Mighty Mussels baseball. Utah Hockey Club General Manager Bill Armstrong said, “We try to grow our game; we try to get everybody involved. I think this partnership allows that to happen. The more things we put out about how interesting hockey is, some facts, our skilled players, it just increases our viewership which leads to more people following the team. It?s an exciting partnership. For us to be new in Utah and already have the buzz out there, its a great thing.? Bonneville Salt Lake Sports Director Nate Dowdle said, “KSL Sports is now multi-platform serving audiences wherever they are?on social, streaming, websites, podcasts, apps, radio, and TV. This approach allows us to engage more deeply with fans, grow our audience, and provide the best sports content across every channel.? KZNS/KZNS-FM also carries Utah Jazz basketball and Real Salt Lake and Utah Royals soccer with some broadcasts shared with News/Talk 1160 KSL/102.7 KSL-FM. more

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From Radio Insight: Cromwell Media Sports “102.5 The Game” WPRT-FM Pegram/Nashville TN has announced the addition of longtime Nashville sportswriter Adam Vingan to its 11am-2pm show featuring former Tennessee Titans Wide Receiver Derrick Mason and Nashville Predators television play-by-play voice Willy Daunic. ?DMase, Vingan, and Daunic? or “DVD” will air from 11am to 2pm weekdays. Vingan previously covered the Nashville Predators for the Tennessean and The Athletic spent the past two seasons as a contributor to NHL Network and Sportsnet in Canada. He will also be featured on the station’s Predators game coverage and host the weekly ?Preds Insiders? show. Vingan said, ?My relationship with 102.5 The Game goes all the way back to when I first moved to Nashville in 2015. The station has been so good to me which is why it was a no-brainer to join the Cromwell Media team. I can?t wait to get started.? Cromwell Media Nashville Director of Operations & Sports Programming Chase McCabe added, ?Adam has been a fixture with us for a long time and his natural chemistry with Derrick and Willy made this an easy choice,? said Chase McCabe. ?He has great knowledge of our partners the Predators and of course the Titans, and the SEC. I know he?ll be a great addition to our already awesome team.? more

From Radio Online: The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has expressed concerns about the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) proposed rule requiring broadcasters to include disclaimers on political ads that use artificial intelligence (AI). NAB's Chief Legal Officer and Executive Vice President for Legal and More...

From Radio Insight: Ace & TJThe long running syndicated “Ace & TJ” morning show has made an abrupt change relaunching as “TJ & Riggins” starting on Monday, September 23 as David ‘Ace’ Cannon has exited the show. A brief statement on the show’s social media pages simply states, “The new TJ & Riggins Show begins Monday, September 23. Expect much of the same content and products with some new additions to be announced soon. Ace is no longer associated with the show.” Cannon had begun hosting a second solo afternoon show on their “Ace & TJ Button” stream earlier this year. New co-host Riggins joined the show as an intern in 2009 becoming part of the show on and off-air and has served as Vice President of Programming for The Ace & TJ Network since 2016. Cannon and Ritchie ‘TJ’ Beams met when both were working part-time at KQID Alexandria LA in 1991 and would eventually be teamed together in mornings. They moved to WZYP Huntsville AL in 1995 before arriving at “Kiss 95.1” WNKS Charlotte in 1998. The show has been a constant in the Charlotte market since moving to “Channel 96.1” WHQC in 2012, back to WNKS to run from 9am-12pm in July 2022, and to its current home on Beasley Classic Hits “K104.7” WKQC in May 2024. The show is syndicated to stations including SummitMedia Country “Q103.1” WQNU Louisville KY and Classic Hits “Awesome 100.9” WJSR Richmond VA, Dick Broadcasting CHR “Bob 93.3” WERO New Bern NC, Withers Broadcasting CHR “Mix 96.5” WKIB Cape Girardeau MO. and iHeartMedia CHRs 104.7 WNOK Columbia SC, “103X” WJMX Florence SC, and “Kiss 98.3” WKSI Winchester VA. We will update this story with more details should they become available. more

From Radio Online: Hudson Hott exits iHeartMedia's Alternative KYSR (ALT 98.7) in Los Angeles where she hosted middays. Citing the high cost of living in California, she announced on Instagram that her family is relocating to North Carolina. She will host weekends and fill-ins on a remote basis. Before relocating to Los More...

From Radio Insight: Nielsen continues its releases of the August 2024 diary surveys today. Today’s markets include monthly ratings for Columbia SC, Little Rock, Springfield MA, and Toledo. Nielsen has also reissued the Spring 2024 ratings for Portland ME due to a crediting oversight involving two Nielsen diaries causing audience estimates for WFNK-FM to be marginally understated. The public 12+ numbers were not changed by the reissue and audience estimates for other stations were not affected. The next releases will feature: 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: EAB Media Group has relaunched Country “Kix 106.9” KXIO Clarksville AR as “106.9 The Maverick“. Positioning as “Real Country”, the station will continue to carry Clarksville High School and University of the Ozarks sports. New KMVM call letters are pending. more

From Radio Online: Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio has announced the first annual Digital Sales Mentorship program. This program is designed specifically to support the growth and evolution of women in Digital Radio Sales. This program is a year-long initiative designed exclusively for female radio and digital sellers More...

From Radio Online: Benztown signs Hope Media Group's KSBJ-FM in Houston to its group of Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) affiliate stations airing the Benztown Contemporary Christian Music Library. In addition, Salem Media adds two new Christian-formatted affiliates, including KDAR-FM (98.3 The Word) in Oxnard, CA and KGU-FM More...

From Radio Online: KOOL-FM (Big 94.5) in Phoenix inks a multiyear contract extension with 20-year radio veteran and afternoon host Niko Petrou. He'll continue to be heard on "The Niko Show" on weekdays from 2-7pm MT. He joined Audacy Country sister KMLE in 2018 as a morning co-host. Before that, Petrou held various roles at More...

From Radio Online: Cumulus Media appoints Theresa Vicari Ahee as Regional Sales Manager for the company's six stations in Detroit and Ann Arbor, MI. Vicari Ahee brings more than 16 years of experience in media, public relations and marketing to the company. This marks a return to Cumulus for Vicari Ahee, who was recruited by More...

From Radio Insight: After eighteen years in mornings at Beasley Media Rock 105.5 WDHA-FM Dover NJ, Jim Monaghan will step down as host of “The Morning Jolt” following his show on Friday, September 20. Monaghan joined WDHA-FM in 1998 and took over mornings in 2006. Prior to the station he spent nineteen years at Rock 102.7 WNEW New York with time on-air and as afternoon & morning drive producer, Music Director, and Sports Director at the station. He also worked at 97.1 WYNY and 90.7 WFUV New York. While exiting the morning show, Monaghan will continue to host the station’s Freeform Rock “All Mixed Up” on Sunday mornings from 7-10am. In addition to radio, Monaghan has held numerous roles in baseball coaching multiple New Jersey high schools, private instruction, scouting, and serving as Director of Community Relations for the Atlantic League’s Newark Bears, Guests on Monaghan’s final show will include former New York Ranger Stephane Matteau and Jim Babjak and Dennis Diken of The Smithereens. more

From Radio Insight: After recent cuts in St. Louis and West Palm Beach, Hubbard Radio has made cuts at News 103.5 WTOP Washington DC. Entertainment Editor Jason Fraley shared that he was cut on Tuesday as part of the round of layoffs. Fraley joined WTOP out of college as morning news writer in 2008 before becoming its film critic in 2011 and Entertainment Editor in 2014. He is also a screenwriter and director. DCRTV.com reports that five other staffers were also cut this week including VP/Finance Sam Millstone and Senior Director Of Technology George Molnar. The report also notes that the station is eliminating its vacant AM traffic producer role and some reporters will have hours reduced. It pains me to report that I am sadly included in another round of layoffs at @WTOP. Times are tough in radio, but I'm truly grateful for the past 16 years. If anyone knows of any jobs (inside or outside of journalism/film) let me know. Thanks for listening over the years! pic.twitter.com/c8m7ewVGto — Jason Fraley (@AboveTheJFray) September 18, 2024 more

From Radio Insight: Audacy Classic Hits “Big 94.5” KOOL-FM Phoenix has signed afternoon host Niko Petrou to a multiyear contract extension. Niko first arrived in Phoenix in February 2018 to host mornings at Country 107.9 KMLE. He would move to mornings at KOOL the following February and then slid to afternoons when the station relaunched as “Big 94.5” in September 2022. Prior to Phoenix, Petrou worked at CHR ?Channel 95.5? WKQI Detroit and at multiple stations in New York including two stints at “Z100” WHTZ including hosting nights, APD/MD/midday host at “92.3 Amp Radio” WBMP, and Dance “Pulse 87” WNYZ-LP. Petrou said, “I?ve had an amazing experience since joining Audacy and moving to Phoenix. I?m beyond grateful for the listeners who have matched my vibe and helped me feel at home here. Thanks so much to Dave Pugh, Chris Hernandez and Larry Morgan for continuing to support this playground we call work. There are BIG things to come, and I cannot wait to continue relishing in all that Phoenix offers.? SVP/Market Manager Dave Pugh added, “We?re ecstatic to bring listeners Niko?s electrifying energy for another three years. After two decades on the radio, Niko still knows how to put on a lively show, and we?re excited for him to continue turning up the party during afternoons on BIG 94.5!? more

From Radio Online: "Historical Records," a new podcast blending the worlds of hip-hop and history, is set to launch on September 27. The project is a collaboration between Story Pirates' Benjamin Salka and Lee Overtree, co-executive produced by Story Pirates Studios, Questlove's Two One Five Entertainment and Miramax CEO More...

From Radio Online: iHeartPodcasts announces an all-new podcast titled "I Do, Part 2" focusing on love, resilience and second chances, available Thursday, September 19. The weekly show will be hosted by an experienced group of iHeartPodcast talent -- Jennie Garth, Jana Kramer, Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes -- each of whom has More...

From Radio Online: WPHT-AM (Talk Radio 1210) in Philadelphia adds "FOX Across America with Jimmy Failla." The syndicated political show will be heard weekdays from 7-10pm ET, beginning October 7. The show features guests from across the political spectrum for discussions on the day's leading headlines and airs on 150 stations More...

From Radio Online: As the U.S. observes Hispanic Heritage Month, the role of Spanish language broadcasters in supporting the Hispanic community takes center stage. With more than 36.2 million Hispanics eligible to vote this election cycle, they represent a critical and growing demographic in shaping the future of the nation. More...

From Radio Online: Beasley Broadcast Group's board of directors has approved a reverse stock split of its Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock at a ratio of 1-for-20. Stockholders previously approved the reverse stock split on August 26 and provided the board with discretion to determine the More...

From Radio Insight: Hudson Hott has signed-off from middays at iHeartMedia Alternative “Alt 98.7” KYSR Los Angeles. Hott has spent her entire career at iHeart, first with a near 20 year run at Modern AC turned Alternative “Star 101.9” KUCD Honolulu mostly hosting mornings with Scotty B Blaisdell. She moved to Los Angeles in 2017 and joined KYSR as a weekend host. She took over middays in August 2019. She told listeners that her family is relocating to North Carolina due to being unable to afford to continue to live in Los Angeles. She will remotely continue to host weekends/fill-ins at KYSR and nights at Hot AC “Star 101.3” KIOI San Francisco. KYSR has not yet announced plans for middays at the station. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ALT 98.7 LA's NEW ALTERNATIVE (@alt987fm) more

From Radio Insight: Audacy Conservative Talk 1210 WPHT Philadelphia will add FOX News Radio’s ?FOX Across America with Jimmy Failla? to its lineup starting Monday, October 7. FOX Across America will air from 7-10pm replacing Westwood One’s Mark Levin on WPHT’s schedule. Audacy Philadelphia SVP/Market Manager David Yadgaroff said, “Jimmy?s coverage of today?s top stories brings a refreshing lightness to the political polarization in America, uniting listeners from all parties with laughter. Talk Radio has proved to be a reliable news source for listeners, so we?re proud to add this renowned program to our airwaves as the anticipation builds for the 2024 presidential election.? Failla added, “As a former taxi cab driver, I am thrilled to join a station that’s built the same strong relationships with its listeners as I built with my passengers. I can’t wait to take this ride!? more

From Radio Insight: Readers appreciate the station recommendations they get from the Ross on Radio column. I appreciate the tips that I get from readers, including those about their own stations. Reader Donovan Tildesley found fan favorite KDRI (The Drive) Tucson, Ariz. This week, he let me know that his station had made an unusual format segue. I?m glad when readers reach out; I need guidance through an infinite dial of 100,000-plus stations, too. That recently changed station, CKEE (Whistler FM) Whistler, B.C., was Triple-A for more than a decade. Six weeks ago, it made an uncommon segue to Top 40, aggressive both on new music and throwbacks. The added factor of Canadian Content means that it?s a unique experience for a North American CHR and a good choice for somebody looking for new music in a radio atmosphere, not just a playlist. WTSQ Charleston, W. Va.,is a non-comm Triple-A modeled on KEXP Seattle or KCMP (The Current) Minneapolis. They came to my attention when PD Shanen Wright reached out to let me know about listeners? very different Song of the Summer choices. (See the list here.) The station slogan ?The Status Quo? is ?pure irony,? Wright says. The station plays a lot of local music and is in the process of launching a ?CharlesTunes? stream of local music. Recommended listening time: after 5 p.m. on Friday when Wright says the station is at its most mainstream. Mainstream ACWMGS (Magic 93) Wilkes-Barre/Scrantonprobably should have gotten a mention a few weeks ago in a story about the market?s three-way Classic Hits battle. Sins of omission in this column are never intentional. Hearing PD/p.m. driver Stan Phillips was one of those radio affirming experiences, when you feel like you are still hearing radio at full-strength. I also listened to their sister station (and a sister station of theirs). WBHT (Hot 97.1) Wilkes-Barrelaunched more than 20 years ago, during Top 40?s early ?90s nadir, to provide an alternative to the adult-leaning WKRZ. Most of those stations aren?t still here. I liked hearing PD Valentine and the attention the station gives to new music. I also listened to Cumulus sister WWWQ (Q99.7) Atlantathis week because PD Louie Diaz was the first PD to start playing Meghan Trainor?s ?Criminal? after its showcase on Netflix?s The Perfect Couple. After 10 days, it?s in the CHR top 50. Scott Shannon?s True Oldies Channelis back on the New York broadcast dial thanks to WINS-FM-HD3. While Shannon?s older gold channel has always been one click away, hearing it on an HD radio did allow me one serious oldies geek experience: seeing the WINS calls displayed next to ?Don?t Let Me Be Misunderstood? by the Animals which was, technically, playing on WINS for the first time since its Top 40 AM switched to News in 1965. Gold Radio UK:As Capital Gold, they were a big part of my education on UK oldies when they began streaming in the late ?90s. They have existed in recent years as ?Gold,? an older-leaning alternative to Bauer?s successful Greatest Hits network. Last week, when owner Global revamped their digital radio lineup, they also added new jingles, slightly changed the name and positioning, and added a few more ?80s. It?s still a good choice if you?re looking for a Classic Hits mix that?s older, different than the U.S., but still hit-driven. WIIN (Blues 102.1) Jackson, Miss. This week, owner Digio launched Jackson?s first Alternative outlet, Rock 93.1, sending one of radio?s unique rated-market choices to a new frequency. WIIN plays Classic R&B and Southern Soul going back to the ?60s. Listening to a station like this one always gives me a new song to download and in this case it was from the still very active artist of ?Cupid Shuffle? fame; (he?s also currently on the Adult R&B charts.) I first heard about WFKX (96 Kix) Jackson, Tenn.,years ago when it was owned by that market?s best-known DJ ?Super-Wolf? and his wife, the R&B singer Denise LaSalle.* I came back recently with middayer Kimberly Kaye and found an unusual R&B mix heavily dependent on the last 10 years including some Hip-Hop not usually found at the format. CIND (Indie 88) Torontois an industry favorite for cause. It?s a great showcase for Canada?s vital Alternative scene, but with traces of Triple-A and sometimes ?anything goes.? (Their No. 1 song is Chappel Roan?s ?Good Luck, Babe!?) There?s also sense-of-place; there was an interview with a listener on her Toronto International Film Festival favorites. And they?re teasing an announcement on Monday. more

From Radio Insight: Audacy has entered into a partnership to make SPARC Media Hub the preferred promotional workflow system for the company. SPARC Media Hub is a workflow system for radio stations with its name serving as an acronym for its five hubs: Sales, Promotions, Announcers, Reception, and Creative. It is designed to helps station staffs communicate effectively with features including creative, promotions, digital workflow, custom prep sheets, built-in texting, phone screening. The companies state that the integration of SPARC Media Hub will enable Audacy to automate and streamline various aspects of its promotional activities, from content creation and scheduling to performance analytics and reporting to improve efficiency and allow Audacy to focus more on creative and strategic initiatives with tools to manage and optimize its promotional campaigns and prize fulfillment practices. Audacy Chief Programming Officer Jeff Sottolano said, “As we aim to enhance our promotional capabilities and streamline our workflow processes, SPARC is the perfect partner to elevate our promotional strategy. This partnership underscores our commitment to leveraging technology to enhance our capabilities and best serve our listeners, clients, and content teams.? SPARC Media Hub CEO Joey Arsenault added, “We are honored to be chosen by Audacy as their promotional workflow system. Our mission has always been to empower media companies with the tools they need to succeed in an ever-evolving landscape. Partnering with Audacy is a testament to the capabilities of our platform, and we look forward to supporting their promotional endeavors.” more