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From Radio Insight: Bonneville CHR “99.7 Now” KMVQ San Francisco night host ‘Big Reid’ is adding a second shift in the market as he will now also anchor afternoons on sister Adult R&B 102.9 KBLX-FM Berkeley. Reid has been with KMVQ since 2014 starting as an intern before rising to programming and promotions assistant, morning show video producer and weekend host before taking over the night show in October 2018. He shared on Instagram, “If you grew up in the Bay Area, you already know how big of a deal this is. I understand how important this brand is to the people who came before me and I don?t take that lightly. Honored to let y?all know that I have accepted an opportunity to hold down Afternoon Drive on the LEGENDARY @kblx1029! You can now hear me everyday Monday through Friday from 2pm to 6pm playing The Best Throwbacks and R&B! This is gonna be fun! Letsss gooo!” With the addition of Reid for afternoons, Billy Vidal will move to middays from 10am-2pm filling the hole created by Antoine Davis’ cut last month.. Vidal also continues to host mornings at AC 96.5 KOIT. more

From Radio Insight: With Dave Luczak’s upcoming retirement from mornings Saga Communications’ “Classic Rock 96.5” WKLH Milwaukee on December 20, the station has announced that current midday host Dave Coombs will move up to mornings alongside Dorene Michaels and Marcus Allen come January. Coombs has been with WKLH since December 2020, although during most of that tenure he was first remote while hosting mornings at Saga Rock “Lazer 99.3/98.5” WLZX Springfield MA, a position he held until April of this year. Coombs has been part of many morning shows over the past forty years including WCMF Rochester’s Brother Wease Show from 1984-86, WBOS Boston from 1986-87, WQBK Albany NY from 1988-90, WAQX Syracuse from 1990-95, a 20 year run at WTKW Syracuse from 1995-2015, and then AC “Lite 98.7” WLZW Utica NY prior to his move to Springfield. Coombs commented, “When WKLH was assembling a list of candidates to replace Dave Luczak, I was lucky I had the correct first name. I?ve had the pleasure of working with Dave Luczak for four of his 40+ years of service, and I wish we could all continue together forever. The new morning show will contain a lot of your favorite elements, along with some new twists. And we?ll be counting on WKLH listeners to add a lot of content as well. Can?t wait to get started with Dorene and Marcus on the next generation of morning radio in Milwaukee.? WKLH Brand Manager Borna Velic commented, ?I want to congratulate Dave Luczak on an extraordinary career. He set a gold standard for Milwaukee broadcasting, and I wish him nothing but the best in his well-deserved retirement. I?m thrilled to welcome Dave Coombs to ?KLH mornings as he brings incredible experience and enthusiasm. I?m confident that he, Dorene, and Marcus will continue to deliver an entertaining morning show our audience expects and deserves.? more

From Radio Insight: Cumulus Media Sports “The Ticket” 1310 KTCK Dallas/96.7 KTCK-FM Flower Mound TX has unveiled a new jingle/branding package from TM Studios. The new Ticket brand package features Andy Timmons on guitars and a live band. TM says it could work on Rock and Sports stations using Beds and Ramps for live presentation or IDs and Shotguns for coming out of stop sets or between songs. KTCK Program Director Jeff Catlin said, “?When it comes to custom music themes and jingles for The Ticket, I know what I want and how it sounds in my head but speaking that musical language can be tough. That?s why I keep going back to TM. They?re patient and can bring to life what I hear. And they work until it?s absolutely perfect.? TM CEO Greg Clancy, who served as composer and producer of the package, added, ?Cat is a genius in the lab of guy radio, and he gets jingles and sonic branding. He knows that the jingles cohesively hold the station together, allowing the station personalities to be unique and different from one another. Plus, the familiar logo creates instant brand recognition and the emotion of being with friends for the listeners.? more

From Radio Insight: A change is on the way for Glades Media Spanish CHR “Fiesta 96.9/94.7” 1380 WWRF/96.9 W245AY Lake Worth and 94.7 W234DA West Palm Beach FL as the station has begun stunting with English language Christmas music. The station is running promos promoting a new format to launch on Christmas morning. WWRF had a 0.4 share in the November 2024 Nielsen Audio ratings. more

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From Radio Online: iHeartMedia Country WKKT (96.9 The Kat) in Charlotte has successfully raised $200,033 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital through its annual Radiothon. The fundraising event, which took place on December 6 and 7, drew substantial local support, contributing to ongoing efforts More...

From Radio Insight: Nielsen begins its releases of the November 2024 diary surveys today. Today’s markets include monthly ratings for Baton Rouge, Louisville, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, and Puerto Rico. The next three releases will feature: On Monday, December 9: Monthly ratings for Birmingham, Buffalo/Niagara Falls, Greenville/Spartanburg, Richmond, and Rochester. On Tuesday, December 10: Monthly ratings for Albany/Schenectady/Troy and Syracuse. On Wednesday, December 11: Monthly ratings for Dayton, Fort Myers, Grand Rapids, Metro Fairfield County, Tucson, and Tulsa. more

From Radio Online: Laura St. James exits her dual roles as Program Director and midday host at Cumulus Hot AC WXLO-FM in Worcester-Boston, a position she held for seven years. St. James also served as Program Director and afternoon host at CHR WQGN (Q105) in New London, CT, for the past three years. Her extensive radio career More...

From Radio Online: After 26 years, Cumulus Colorado Springs Operations Manager Bobby Irwin has exited. Irwin programmed Classic Rock KKFM (98.1) and AC KKPK (92.9 Peak FM) during his tenure, adapting to the changing needs of the cluster. Reflecting on his career, Irwin said, "I'm proud of the professionals and characters with More...

From Radio Online: The powerful community impact of local broadcasters will take center stage in the 2024 Celebration of Service to America, a one-hour special airing on over 600 radio and television stations nationwide. The program debuts on Saturday, December 7, and will run through Sunday, December 29. "We are honored More...

From Radio Online: The FCC has adopted a Consent Decree with KCCS, LLC, licensee of KSLM-AM and K282BY in Salem, OR resolving issues arising from two unauthorized transfers of control. These incidents involved the transfer of ownership from Cindy Wyant Smith to her daughter, Jacqueline Smith, and subsequent representations of More...

From Radio Online: After four decades as the voice of Milwaukee mornings, Dave Luczak has announced his retirement from Classic Rock WKLH-FM's morning show. His final broadcast is set for December 20, marking the end of an era in Wisconsin radio. Luczak, who began his journey at WKLH in February 1984, has been a fixture on the More...

From Radio Online: The "Lurie Children's Radiothon" broadcast by iHeartMedia Chicago raised over $1 million on Thursday, December 5, to support the patients and families of Ann andamp; Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. The hospital is recognized as one of the nation's top children's healthcare institutions, offering More...

From Radio Insight: Benjamin ‘Ben Merritt’ Chartier mugshot courtesy of Cass County JailMidwest Communications Country “Froggy 99.9” KVOX-FM Moorhead MN/Fargo ND Brand Manager and afternoon host Benjamin ‘Ben Merritt’ Chartier has been arrested and charged with one count of possessing child pornography. KVRR-TV reports Chartier was arrested after an investigation found he had been uploading videos of children between the ages of 3 and 16 engaging in sexual activity with other children and being sexually abused by adults. All references to Merritt have been purged from KVOX-FM’s website, while a story published by the company’s KFGO failed to even mention his connection with the company. Merritt rejoined KVOX-FM in September 2023 after previously co-hosting mornings from 2016 to 2019. He has also served as PD of Country 92.1 KRUE Waseca and AC 100.9 KOWZ Blooming Prairie MN from 2019-22 and iHeartMedia’s “Rock 101.5” KSSS Bismarck ND in 2022-23. more

From Radio Insight: The best moment in listening to author Stephen King?s soon-to-be-shuttered Triple-A WZLO Bangor, Maine, came in my last 15 minutes with the station. First there was the segue from Steve Earle?s ?Guitar Town? to Darlene Love?s ?Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).? The last segue was Joe Jackson?s ?Happy Loving Couples? into Freedy Johnston?s ?Bad Reputation.? I?d finally gotten the secret handshake from somebody whose musical flavor profile was similar to mine. WZLO promises ?music beyond the mainstream? and, in their way, all three of King?s stations do that. Even Heritage Rock WKIT (The Rock)and Classic Hits WZON (Z62)play at least a few things you won?t hear on a group-owned, big-market radio station.* When I last wrote about Z62 six years ago, that station had just returned to Oldies (then a ?60s/?70s version) from the more resource-draining progressive News/Talk format. By 2018, the discussions about the survival of both radio and ?60s music and culture were already downbeat. Even as a seeming cost-cutting move, there was still something encouraging about King?s choice. ?Don?t get all existential yet,? I wrote. Okay, now you can get existential. King?s announcement that all three stations will cease operations at the end of the year has been a national news story. King cited the need to ?get his business affairs in better order? at age 77. A station spokesman encouraged readers not to cry because it was over, but to smile because a millionaire had spent more than 40 years operating money-losing stations as a labor of love. This, even though WKIT was No. 1 in the spring Nielsen ratings. Seeing King leave the radio business is a reminder of why we?ve been losing entrepreneur owners for decades. Often, there hasn?t been a logical heir, blood or otherwise, for those operators. Country KRTY San Jose did not indefinitely survive the passing of owner Bob Kieve, and that was a major-market station that had double-digit shares at the end. King?s stations already had made some concessions to radio reality. WZLO, when I heard it, was jockless. WZON, now based in late-?70s/early-?80s gold, was running the syndicated Rick Dees. WKIT does have a staff of area veterans, but when I listened on Wednesday, the syndicated night maven Greg Beharrell was running in mornings, then I heard Superadio?s Alice?s Attic with Alice Cooper.* The Zone Radio cluster is again conducting a toy and gift drive for area families, a promotion it has been doing for years. WZLO, in particular, had a variety of local retailers as sponsors. The sponsor for the coat drive is Downeast Direct Cremation ? on a large-market, group-owned station, I?d put that in the same category as having a studio sponsorship from 1-800-INJURED. On a horror author?s cluster of stations, it?s part of the legend. WZON?s jingles are modeled on early-?80s WNBC New York. One sweeper refers to it (correctly) as Bangor?s Heritage Radio Station, another announces, ?Throughout the galaxy, there is but one guardian of the retro.? Here?s Z62 at 9 a.m., December 4 with Dees. AC/DC, ?You Shook Me All Night Long? ? the perfect first song to encounter for AC/DC?s biggest celebrity fan Electric Light Orchestra, ?Hold On Tight? Elton John, ?Island Girl? Kool & the Gang, ?Too Hot? Kim Carnes, ?Bette Davis Eyes? Time, ?Jungle Love? Bread, ?Lost Without Your Love? Seals & Crofts, ?Get Closer? Toto, ?Africa? Eddie Money, ?Think I?m in Love? Pointer Sisters, ?Neutron Dance? Go-Go?s, ?Head Over Heels? Foreigner, ?Cold as Ice? Bob Seger & Silver Bullet Band, ?Night Moves? Marshall Tucker Band, ?Heard It in a Love Song? (long version) Here?s WKIT at 10 a.m.: Scorpions, ?The Zoo? Black Sabbath, ?Iron Man? Red Hot Chili Peppers, ?Give It Away? Sammy Hagar, ?I Can?t Drive 55? Pearl Jam, ?Waiting for Stevie? ? their current single Journey, ?Lights? Dave Matthews Band, ?Too Much? Eagles, ?Take It Easy? Black Sabbath, ?Smoke on the Water? Tom Petty, ?Running Down a Dream? Gin Blossoms, ?Hey Jealousy? Here?s WZLO at 11 a.m. Goo Goo Dolls, ?Name? Charley Crockett, ?Trinity River? Sting, ?I Wrote Your Name (Upon My Heart)? Tears for Fears, ?Shout? Red Clay Strays, ?I?m Still Fine (Live)? Nashvillains, ?Christmas in a Bottle? ? with a holiday music sweeper Inhaler, ?Your House? Lucinda Williams, ?Car Wheels on a Gravel Road? Lana Del Rey, ?Say Yes to Heaven? Beabadoobee, ?Beaches? Steve Earle, ?Guitar Town? Darlene Love, ?Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)? The Head & the Heart, ?Arrow? Joe Jackson, ?Happy Loving Couples? Freedy Johnston, ?Bad Reputation? more

From Radio Insight: Scottie Rice?s RCA Broadcasting has closed on its $100,000 purchase of Silent 99.7 KVUT Cuney/Tyler TX from University of Texas at Tyler. With the closing, the station has begun simulcasting co-owned Classic Hits 1370 KFRO/94.1 K231DK Longview as KFRO-FM. The deal expands KFRO’s coverage across the Tyler/Longview market with 99.7 covering Tyler and areas south such as Jacksonville. With the addition of the simulcast, the station has gone all-Christmas for the remainder of the month of December. University of Texas at Tyler had acquired the station in June 2020 to launch a new Public Radio brand in the market. That intent ended in May when the university ceased operations of the station, which had been airing a mix of Public/News Talk and Jazz. more

From Radio Insight: Wheatstone Corporation has announced the appointment of Kelly Parker as Director of Product Development. The move marks a return to Wheatstone for Parker after five years as Vice President of Broadcast Operations for Townsquare Media where he oversaw the company’s technical operations. He previously spent fifteen years at Wheatstone from 2004-19 as a systems engineer when he had a lead role in the development of Wheatstone?s WheatNet IP audio network and later led the development of its flagship LXE console. In his new role, Parker will direct product development for the company?s AoIP, streaming, virtualization, mic and on-air processing and software server lines. Parker commented, “I?ve been on the other side of the industry running 300 plus radio stations for the past few years. Things are definitely changing and Wheatstone is uniquely positioned to adapt technology to those changes.” Wheatstone CEO Gary Snow said, “Kelly has that rare perspective that comes with first-hand experience both as a developer and user of our technology, which will be important as we enter what is expected to be a transformational period for broadcasting.” Parker will be based at Wheatstone’s New Bern NC headquarters and can be reached at kellyparker@wheatstone.com or (252)638-7000. more

From Radio Insight: Translator SalesFour Rivers Community Broadcasting will purchase 92.5 W223CH Lancaster PA from Forever Media for $200,000. The translator currently simulcasts Classic Rock “Rocky 98.5” WYCR York-Hanover via 1490 WRKY Lancaster. The purchase will fill a coverage hole in the Christian network based at WBYO Sellersville PA that stretches across eastern Pennsylvania and into parts of Maryland and New Jersey. Station SalesThe previously announced sale of Lyman and Zoe Bowling?s Sterling Broadcasting LLC News/Talk 1230 WBBZ and Country ?104.7 The Bull? KQSN Ponca City OK to Bill Coleman & Darrel Dye?s Team Radio Marketing Group has been filed with the FCC revealing a $450,000 purchase price. After Siga Broadcasting agreed to sell Spanish Christian ?La Nuestra? 990 KAML/95.3 K237GJ Kenedy-Karnes City TX to Lee De Los Santos’ San Antonio Worship Center for $400,000 in May, the deal has been withdrawn and refiled to choose Karnes City Worship Center with a $455,000 purchase price. De Los Santos has been operating KAML via LMA since April 2020. Community Public Radio donates 88.1 WNEE Patterson/Athens GA to the Andrew Cash led Clarke Public Radio for no consideration. more

From Radio Online: The spirit of giving shone brightly in Dallas this holiday season as KSCS-FM (New Country 96.3) completed its 6th annual "10,000 for the Troops" holiday card drive. This year, the station collected a record 215,800 holiday cards, far exceeding their original goal, with the aim of brightening the holidays for More...

From Radio Online: WLS-AM has teamed up with Ramblin' Ray Stevens (pictured) and PAWS Chicago to bring a special holiday event, "The 12 Strays of Christmas." Starting December 5th, the morning show will spotlight one adoptable pet each weekday to help them find their forever homes. Every morning from 6-9am, listeners can tune More...

From Radio Online: iHeartMedia appoints Paul Lambert as the new Region President for its Houston operations, effective immediately. In his new role, Lambert is tasked with steering the management of iHeartMedia's portfolio in Houston, encompassing sales, programming and digital operations. His responsibilities also include More...

From Radio Online: iHeartMedia and the National Hockey League (NHL) unveiled a new partnership on Thursday to create and distribute two unique podcast series over the coming year. The collaboration kicks off with "NHL Unscripted with Virk and Demers," featuring Prime Monday Night Hockey co-host Adnan Virk and former NHL player More...

From Radio Online: After ESPN New York left its 98.7 FM signal for 880 ESPN in August, the station's longest-running show, "The Michael Kay Show," is reportedly concluding. According to Andrew Marchand of The Athletic, hosts Michael Kay, Don La Greca and Peter Rosenberg are expected to wrap up their program but will remain More...

From Radio Online: Kay Manley, the Program Director and midday host of WGKX-FM (Kix 106) in Memphis, has announced her retirement from the Cumulus Country outlet, effective December 20. This date will also mark her last appearance on the air. Manley took on the role of Program Director in April, having previously served as the More...

From Radio Online: In a recent study by Katz Radio Group, in partnership with an e-commerce company seeking to enhance its holiday visibility, a six-week AM/FM radio advertising campaign demonstrated significant influence on online shopping behavior. The campaign, deployed in two key markets, varied in More...

From Radio Online: In a show of support for the community, WABC-AM in New York has announced a collaboration with Goya Foods and Gristedes Supermarkets to aid the Police Athletic League (PAL) in their Annual Holiday Party. The event, set to distribute 5,000 pounds of food to 450 PAL families, will be More...

From Radio Insight: iHeartMedia has promoted Paul Lambert to Region President for Houston. Lambert has been with the company’s Houston cluster since 2000 starting as an account executive. He rose to General Sales Manager in 2001 and has been Houston Region SVP/Sales since 2016. He began his career as an AE at Guaranty Broadcasting Baton Rouge. He will succeed Eddie Martiny, who was promoted to Division President overseeing Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans in October. Martiny commented, “I have had the pleasure of working with Paul for over 20 years; I have witnessed him excel in numerous management roles and his track record has been remarkable. I am confident that Paul?s knowledge and leadership skills will allow iHeart Houston to continue its winning ways.” Lambert added, “Under Eddie?s leadership, iHeartMedia Houston has had an almost unmatched winning record. I?m honored to carry the torch on behalf of our wonderful clients and the amazing team of iHeart individuals who make magic happen every day!? more

From Radio Insight: Eastlan Ratings has released its October monthlies for Bend OR, Billings MT, Charleston WV, Elkhart IN, Florence/Muscle Shoals AL, Greenville/New Bern/Jacksonville NC, Hot Springs AR, Johnson City/Kingsport/Bristol, Kalispell MT, La Salle/Peru IL, Laurel/Hattiesburg MS, Raleigh/Durham NC, San Luis Obispo CA, Santa Rosa CA, South Bend IN Twin Falls ID, and Waco TX. more

From Radio Online: The Charleston, SC community is mourning the loss of one veteran air personality and programmer Mike Edwards, who passed away recently. Edwards, was the Program Director at WMXZ-FM (Mix 95.9) and a pivotal part of the popular morning show, "Two Girls andamp; a Guy." Starting his radio career at the tender age More...

From Radio Online: Premiere Networks has announced that "After MidNite with Granger Smith" is set to host a Christmas special, delighting Country radio listeners across the nation. The four-hour program, entitled "After MidNite with Granger Smith Presents: A Smith Family Christmas Special," will air between December 20 and More...