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From Radio Insight: The cuts continue at Meruelo Media Los Angeles as Rock 95.5 KLOS has dismissed afternoon hosts Kevin Ryder and Doug ‘Sluggo’ Roberts. Roberts, who joined KLOS in 2019 as APD/MD/afternoon host. He had a nearly 30 year run at Alternative 106.7 KROQ from 1990 until moving to KLOS in 2019 with eight of those years pulling double duty in New York on “92.3 K-Rock” WXRK from 1996 to 2004. He also was part of the music programming and writing team at Variety Hits “93.1 Jack-FM” KCBS-FM and has hosted shows on SiriusXM’s 80s Alternative “First Wave” and 90s Alternative “Lithium” since 2004. Ryder would join Roberts in February 2021 following an over 30 year run at KROQ. He and Gene ?Bean? Baxter anchored mornings together from 1989 until Baxter’s departure in 2019 and then continued with Jensen Karp and Allie MacKay until their firing in March 2020. The “Kevin & Bean” show was previously syndicated to other west coast markets including San Francisco, Fresno, Phoenix and Reno and they were inducted into both the National Radio Hall of Fame and the NAB Hall of Fame. Ryder, Baxter, Roberts and once and current KROQ Program Director Kevin Weatherly all came to KROQ from KZZP Phoenix in 1989 and 1990. Meruelo Media eliminated all four midday hosts on their stations in February with “Power 106” KPWR afternoon host ‘DJ Felli Fel’ exiting a week later. Meruleo since added Pio Ferro as SVP/Programming in May. The company then sold one of its two Los Angeles television stations, KWHY-TV to the Church of Scientology in July for $30 million. In addition to KLOS and KPWR, Meruelo owns Classic Hip Hop 93.5 KDAY and Spanish Hot AC “Cali 93.9” KLLI. The firings come as KLOS earlier on Friday started a “Where’s Kevin” marketing campaign with Honda to build awareness of he being at the station. In response to the speculation that Meruelo Media is looking to sell its radio properties in Los Angeles, Ryder told Variety, ?I hope they sell it to somebody who cares about it.? Ironic time to start a ?Where?s Kevin???? campaign.@SluggoDoug and I were both fired today from @955KLOS pic.twitter.com/4g5TpmrRzQ — – (@thekevinryder) September 7, 2024 View this post on Instagram A post shared by @TheKevinRyder (@thekevinryder) more

From Radio Online: The Connecticut Broadcasters Association (CBA) has announced the 2024 inductees to its Hall of Fame. The Class of 2024 will be honored during an event which will also include the inaugural CBA station awards, The CBAs. The Hall of Fame and CBAs will be hosted on Tuesday, October 15th. The evening will offer More...

From Radio Insight: After exiting as midday host at Alpha Media News/Talk 1480 WHBC Canton OH in July, Jordan Miller is joining D.A. Peterson Inc. CHR “Q92” 92.5 WDJQ Alliance/Canton as morning newscaster. Miller spent three years at WHBC, where he also hosted weekends/fill-ins at sister Hot AC “Mix 94.1” WHBC-FM. He has also served as a reporter for WTOV-TV Wheeling WV, WKYC Cleveland and as editor of three weekly newspapers. He also runs JordanMiller.News covering the Canton area. The station says the addition of Miller “marks a significant enhancement to Q92?s commitment to delivering high-quality, community-focused content especially during the morning rush hour for it?s listeners as they head out the door each day.” He will contribute to “Christian & Lauren In The Morning” hosted by Christian Bigglesworth and Lauren Ashley. General Manager Don Peterson said, “Bringing Jordan on board is a tremendous milestone for us. His expertise and dedication to local news are a perfect fit for our locally owned and family-operated station. We believe that his presence will significantly enrich our coverage and provide our audience great information.? Miller commented, “I?m thrilled to join the Q92 morning team and collaborate with Christian and Lauren. It?s an exciting opportunity to engage with local listeners and provide them with the latest news updates that matter most to our community. I look forward to sharing insightful stories and staying connected with our audience every weekday morning.? more

From Radio Insight: The fourth and final day of Nielsen Audio’s PPM releases for the month bring Austin, Raleigh/Durham, Indianapolis, Nashville, Milwaukee, Jacksonville, Providence, Norfolk, Greensboro/Winston-Salem, West Palm Beach, Memphis, and Hartford. All the numbers can be found at RadioInsight.com/Ratings. AustinWaterloo Media Variety Hits “103.5 Bob-FM” KBPA maintains its over three share lead dipping 11.2 to 11.0. Public News/Talk 90.5 KUT-FM surges up 4.9 – 6.2 – 7.9. Audacy AC “Majic 95.5” KKMJ rises 5.4 – 6.2 – 6.7. iHeartMedia’s Country duo flip-flops with 98.1 KVET-FM up 5.8 to 6.2 and 100.7 KASE down 6.2 to 5.1. iHeart CHR “96.7 Kiss-FM” KHFI slips 5.2 to 4.6. Waterloo Media Alternative “101X” KROX-FM gains 2.5 to 3.4. Ahead of last week’s frequency shuffle, Spanish CHR “Latino 93.3” KGSR slid 3.4 – 2.9 – 1.9. AAA “Austin City Limits Radio” KGSR-HD2 moved 1.1 to 0.9. The stream of 98.9 KUTX-HD2’s local music format rose 0.4 – 0.6 – 0.9. Parent AAA KUTX held at a 4.0 share. Township Media Variety Hits “96.3 Jack-FM” 1490 KJFK rose 1.5 to 2.2. Raleigh/DurhamCapitol Broadcasting AC “Mix 101.5” WRAL-FM reclaims the Research Triangle lead up 8.9 – 9.2 – 9.6. Public News/Talk 91.5 WUNC-FM gains 7.8 to 8.6. Radio One Adult R&B “Foxy 107.1/104.3” WFXC/WFXK drops 10.8 to 8.4. iHeartMedia Conservative Talk “106.1 FM Talk” WTKK is down 8.9 to 8.2. Curtis Media Country 94.7 WQDR inches up 6.4 to 6.5. Curtis Media Variety Hits “96.1 BBB” WBBB slides 7.8 – 7.1 – 6.7 – 6.2, while sister Classic Hits “Kix 102” WKIX-FM/WKXU/WKJO is up 5.3 to 5.7. iHeartMedia CHR “G105” WDCG surges up 3.5 – 4.3 – 5.0 for what Ratings Expert Chrs Huff notes is its best share since October 2019. Curtis Media CHR “Pulse-FM” 96.9 WPLW and translators jumps up as well 2.5 – 2.9 – 4.4 for what Huff says is its best share since January 2020. Radio One Gospel “103.9 The Light” WNNL rises 2.9 – 3.0 – 3.4. Hip Hop “K97.5” WQOK falls 4.3 – 3.5 – 3.2. iHeartMedia Country “B93.9” WNCB slides 3.4 – 2.5 – 2.2. IndianapolisRadio One’s News/Talk 93.1 WIBC rises for the sixth straight month up from a 4.9 in February to an 8.5 to take a share of the top spot in the market with Huff noting for the first time since January 2021. Sister AC “B105.7” WYXB drops 9.8 to 8.5 to tie WIBC. iHeartMedia Classic Rock “Q95” WFBQ rises 6.2 – 6.5 – 7.6 for its best showing since June 2020. Radio One Adult R&B 106.7 WTLC-FM slides 8.4 – 7.7 – 7.3. Cumulus’ duo of Country 95.5 WFMS (down 7.4 to 6.5) and Classic Hits 104.5 WJJK (down 8.7 – 6.9 – 6.5) tie for fifth. Cumulus AC “107.9 The Mix” WNTR rises 5.1 – 5.7 – 6.4 and CHR 99.5 WZPL is up 4.5 – 5.3 – 5.9. Radio One Country “97.1 Hank-FM” WLHK climbs 3.7 – 3.9 – 4.8. iHeartMedia Classic Alternative “Indy 103.3” WOLT drops 4.4 to 3.6. NashvilleMidwest Communications AC “Mix 92.9” WJXA rebounds 9.3 to 11 to extend its lead to over three shares. Midwest Variety Hits “96.3 Jack-FM” WCJK is nearly steady 8.0 to 7.9. iHeartMedia Classic Rock “105.9 The Rock” WNRQ blasts off 5.4 to 6.6. Cumulus News/Talk “99.7 WTN” WWTN (6.7 to 6.5) and iHeartMedia Country “The Big 98” WSIX (6.4 to 6.5) tie for fourth. Educational Media Foundation Christian AC “K-Love” 97.1 WLVU soars 4.4 to 5.8. Cumulus’ “103.3 Country” WKDF rises 5.2 to 5.7, while sister Sports “104.5 The Zone” WGFX is down 6.6 – 5.9 – 5.2 and Adult R&B “92Q” WQQK drops 6.0 to 4.7. iHeart CHR “107.5 The River” WRVW slides 6.3 – 5.9 – 5.5 and sister Hip Hop “101.1 The Beat” WUBT falls 5.6 – 5.4 – 4.2. Cumulus Media Classic Country “95.5 Nash Icon” WSM-FM falls 4.3 – 3.9 – 3.2. Midwest Classic Country “Y’all 106.7” WNFN rises 1.8 – 2.0 – 2.4. MilwaukeeiHeartMedia Conservative Talk 1130 WISN continues to surge to new heights up for the fifth straight month 13.0 to 14.1 for what Ratings Expert Chris Huff notes is the station’s highest share since October/November 1969! Saga Classic Rock “Hometown Rock 96.5” WKLH is also moving to new heights 7.5 – 8.2 – 9.4. iHeart Classic Hits “95.7 Big-FM” WRIT is down 7.3 to 6.9. iHeart Country “FM 106.1” WMIL is up for the fourth straight month 6.3 to 6.5. Milwaukee Radio Alliance AC “B93.3” WLDB rises 3.9 to 5.0. Saga Rock “102.9 The Hog” WHQG gains 3.4 to 4.3. Public News/Talk 89.7 WUWM climbs 2.7 to 3.4. MRA Alternative “FM 102.1” WLUM is up 2.6 – 2.8 – 3.1. Audacy CHR “103.7 Kiss-FM” WXSS slides 3.5 – 3.0 – 2.6. Saga’s “Pure Oldies 106.9” WRXS-FM drops 3.0 – 2.5 – 2.2. JacksonvilleRenda AC 96.1 WEJZ slides 11.4 – 11.1 – 9.9 to retain the Jacksonville lead. Cox Classic Rock “96.9 The Eagle” WJGL rises 8.9 – 9.2 – 9.6. Cox News/Talk 104.5 WOKV-FM drops 9.4 – 9.0 – 8.3. iHeartMedia Adult R&B “V101.5” WSOL falls 7.8 to 6.4. iHeart Country 99.1 WQIK dips 5.7 to 5.5 to tie for fifth with Cox Soft AC “Easy 102.9” WEZI as it rises 4.7 to 5.5. iHeartMedia Hip Hop “93.3 The Beat” WJBT partially rebounds 4.0 to 4.6. Cox CHR 95.1 WAPE gains 3.6 – 3.8 – 4.3. iHeartMedia Rock “107.3 Planet Radio” WPLA is up 3.8 to 4.3. Cox Adult R&B “Hot 106.5” WHJX is down 3.5 to 2.8. Public News/Talk 89.9 WJCT-FM jumps 1.9 to 3.4. ProvidenceCumulus AC “Lite 105.1” WWLI retakes the lead up 7.1 to 7.9. iHeartMedia Rock 94.1 WHJY dips 8.1 to 7.8. Cumulus News/Talk 630 WPRO/99.7 WEAN trends up 6.5 – 7.1 – 7.3. Hall Communications’ “Cat Country 98.1” WCTK slides 9.1 – 7.8 – 7.2. Cumulus CHR “92 Pro-FM” WPRO-FM jumps 5.5 to 7.1. Norfolk/Virginia BeachAudacy Adult R&B “95.7 R&B” WVKL holds its lead down 10.4 to 9.0. Sinclair Variety Hits “93.7 Bob-FM” WNOB rises 6.8 to 7.5. Saga Rock “FM 99” WNOR jumps 6.0 to 7.2 and sister Classic Rock “106.9 The Fox” WAFX is right behind up 5.5 – 6.9 – 7.1. iHeartMedia Hip Hop “103 Jamz” WOWI dips 6.1 to 6.0. Max Media AC “92.9 The Wave” WTWV-FM is down 5.8 to 5.1. Max Country “97.3 The Eagle” WGH-FM drops 4.7 to 4.1. Audacy Hot AC “94.9 The Point” WPTE climbs 2.1 – 3.0 – 3.4. Rhythmic CHR “Z104” WNVZ is up 2.8 to 3.1. iHeartMedia Rhythmic Hot AC “Movin 107.7” WMOV-FM drops 1.9 to 1.2. Sinclair News/Talk 790 WNIS rises 2.4 to 3.2. Greensboro/Winston-SalemAudacy takes the top three spots. Adult R&B 97.1 WQMG holds its lead down 12.8 to 12.3. Hip Hop “102 Jamz” WJMH is up 10.2 to 10.3. Variety Hits “98.7 Simon” WSMW moves 8.1 to 8.3. iHeartMedia AC “Mix 99.5” WMAG holds at a 6.2 share. Dick Broadcasting Classic Rock “Rock 92” WKRR rises 4.9 to 5.3 despite the local backlash from the layoff of ‘Weather Dave’ Aiken. Public News/Talk 88.5 WFDD rises 4.2 to 4.7. iHeartMedia Conservative Talk 94.5 WPTI gains 3.6 to 4.3. Audacy Country “93.1 The Wolf” WPAW is down 5.4 to 4.7. West Palm BeachHubbard takes four of the top five spots with Hot AC 97.9 WRMF barely holding its lead up 7.1 to 7.7 and sister Adult R&B “X102.3” WMBX climbing 6.7 to 7.6. iHeartMedia AC “Kool 105.5” WOLL rises 5.4 to 6.3. Hubbard Classic Hits “Sunny 107.9” WEAT trends up 3.9 – 4.3 – 5.5 and “New Country 103.1” WIRK gains 3.7 to 4.4. Public News/Talk 91.3 WLRN Miami (via 101.9 translator) rises 2.9 – 3.4 – 3.7. iHeart CHR “Wild 95.5” WLDI climbs 1.8 – 2.2 – 2.6. MemphisiHeartMedia Adult R&B “V101” KJMS rises 12.6 to 14.0 for what Huff notes ties its PPM record high set in August 2012. iHeart Hip Hop “K97” WHRK follows 7.7 to 7.8. Audacy AC “104.5 The River” WRVR is down 7.9 to 7.6. iHeart Gospel “95.7 Hallelujah-FM” WHAL-FM rises 5.5 – 6.6 – 6.9. Audacy Sports “92.9 The Fan” WMFS-FM is up 2.7 – 3.0 – 3.4. iHeart Hot AC “102.7 Kiss-FM” WEGR rises 2.3 to 3.0. HartfordAudacy AC “Lite 100.5” WRCH reclaims the top spot up 8.8 to 10.3. Audacy Hip Hop “Hot 93.7” WZMX follows up 6.6 – 7.6 – 9.0 for its largest share since March 2016. iHeartMedia Classic Hits “105.9 The River” WHCN rises 7.3 to 7.8. Audacy Hot AC 96.5 WTIC-FM drops 9.9 to 7.5. Full Power Radio Classic Rock “102.9 The Whale” WDRC-FM is up 5.4 to 6.7. iHeartMedia’s “Country 92.5” WWYZ falls 7.5 to 5.8. CHR “Kiss 95.7” WKSS-FM slips 5.2 to 4.3. more

From Radio Insight: SummitMedia has cut ties with Country

From Radio Insight: Scottie Rice’s RCA Broadcasting has acquired Silent 99.7 KVUT Cuney TX from University of Texas at Tyler for $100,000. UT Tyler ceased operations of KVUT in May after attempting to launch a Public News/Talk brand on the station. It had acquired the signal in May 2020 and launched its programming in September 2020. RCA Broadcasting owns Classic Hits 1370 KFRO/94.1 K231DK Longview, which covers the eastern side of the Tyler/Longview market. At closing the station will revert to a commercial license and become KFRO-FM simulcasting the AM. Rice tells RadioInsight, “It’s great that ahead of KFRO’s upcoming 90th anniversary, we can finally provide Tyler and Jacksonville with the same great programming Longview has come to expect from us.” Scott Fybush served as broker for the buyer. Greg Guy’s Tideline Partners represented the seller. more

From Radio Insight: I heard a great bit on CHR morning radio this week. It was about how to best load and maintain your dishwasher.* The discussion was part of the ?Ask the Experts? feature on Top 40 Nova 100 Melbourne, Australia.The morning team were Jase & Lauren ,who, along with newsman Clint Stanaway, had just become the No. 1 music morning show in Melbourne after fewer than 100 shows on the station. Jase & Lauren?s win was that much more notable for coming after months of massive national publicity about the arrival at KIIS-FM Melbourne of KIIS-FM Sydney superstars Kyle & Jackie O. That show, one of the world?s best-known in a country where radio hosts are multi-media stars, displaced Jase & Lauren and sent them across the street to Nova.* With echoes of Howard Stern expanding from New York to Philadelphia, the announcement prompted news stories about how ?live and local? wouldn?t be enough of a defense against compelling and notorious. During the first week in syndication, one of the show?s wrapped busses showed up at a Jase & Lauren appearance. When Hawkins expressed dismay that KIIS would first fire him, then troll him, Sandilands responded by calling him a ?crybaby.? For anybody who lived through Stern?s ascent, the next part seemed inevitable. But in the first Melbourne ratings, which included the debut, KIIS was flat (5.9-5.9) in mornings. In the just released first full ratings period, Kyle & Jackie O were up to a 6.1. But Jase & Lauren rose 8.7-9.6-9.9 during the same period, up from a 5.0 before their arrival. That made them the No. 1 music show in the market, trailing only N/T AM powerhouse 3AW.* Radio analyst James Cridland believes Kyle & Jackie O?s slow start was a function of launching in Melbourne with what he calls ?lazy smut,? not lack of a home-court advantage. In after-ratings comments quoted in Australia?s Radio Today, ARN chief content officer Duncan Campbell emphasizes that ?the battle is still on,? and believes the market will eventually hear past the ?sexualized content? of that first week.* While it?s true that these are early days, Jase & Lauren deserved a First Listen, just for riding out the initial hype. I heard them briefly during the Olympics. I listened again with more intent on the morning of August 27. That morning, Jase & Lauren began the 7 a.m. hour by teasing that after 7:30, they would unveil ?the one thing we agree on? (and disagreed with their spouses on). At 7:30, they promised an expert who would settle a disagreement that was likely taking place ?in every house in Melbourne.?* Around 7:45, the team finally unveiled their expert, a spokesman for a UK electronics association, who happened to have special expertise in dishwashers. The big question, when they worked up to it, was ?do you need to rinse your plates first?? The answer was no. It wastes water and actually confuses the appliance?s sensors.* Andrew, the dishwasher expert, also assured listeners that it was safe to wash their wine glasses, and that they only had to run the self-cleaning cycle once a month or so. These discussions, as it happened, had also taken place in at least one house in New Jersey. The other topic in the 7 a.m. hour was an upcoming remote from a ski area, described as ?going to the snow.? (It?s the equivalent of February in Australia.) Hawkins wasn?t much of a skier. His wife had skied into a tree once, distracted by her hunky ski instructor. A friend had gotten drunk apr?s-ski and passed out in the snow. Hawkins assured Phillips that he was now watching YouTube videos so he would know how to install snow chains.* The next break was listener calls on their skiing experiences, although the first caller had actually injured themselves not skiing but at their grandma?s funeral. The second friend broke both wrists on the bunny slope and then ?needed a wooden spoon and a spatula? to go to the bathroom. Someone misheard that ?spatula? and suddenly each team member had a line about The Bachelor showing up in your bathroom. (?And here?s a rose for you.?)* I only counted three songs in the 7 a.m. The most local topic was the weather ? extreme storms the night before. But there were two newscasts. (A 23-year-old who threw a bottle at a referee had been arraigned. Both major supermarket chains were cutting prices. The only entertainment story of the hour ? a possible additional season of Yellowstone ? was a brief kicker. But an upcoming morning show contest, the $100,000 Minute, promised to have ?all Melbourne winners.? (The mechanics weren?t being explained yet, but listeners would have to guess which minute of the show was worth money.) The station?s current Cash, Car & a Star contest was offering $20,000, a flyaway to Troye Sivan in NYC, and a Suzuki Swift, and seems to be national. In the 8 a.m. hour, a contestant who chose the $5,000 question over a $50 or $500 prize didn?t know that a group of flamingos was called a flamboyant.* In the 8 a.m. hour, the team also replayed a previous celebrity interview, as part of their ?first 100 shows? celebration. This one was with Phillips?s friend Matt Damon. (They were apparently close enough that Phillips had taken Damon?s daughter clubbing in Greece. The segment replayed that morning was mostly focused on child-rearing.) ?I?m happy you guys are crushing the ratings,? Damon said.* more

From Radio Online: iHeartMedia names Jill Strada as Senior Vice President of Programming for Atlanta, effective immediately. She joins the Atlanta cluster from Cox Media Group Miami, where she most recently served as the Director of Operations. Strada also served as the Assistant Program Director for WBQT in Boston, Program More...

From Radio Online: Beasley Broadcast Group has launched an exchange offer through its subsidiary, Beasley Mezzanine Holdings, aimed at restructuring its outstanding debt. The company is offering holders of its 8.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 the option to exchange them for newly issued 9.200% More...

From Radio Online: Salem Radio Network (SRN) on Thursday will broadcast a live simulcast of the ABC News Presidential Debate on Tuesday, September 10th beginning at 9pm ET. The debate simulcast will last 90 minutes, and will be moderated by ABC's David Muir and ABC News Live "Prime" anchor Linsey Davis. As previously More...

From Radio Online: Audacy welcomed Country recording artist Thomas Rhett, syndicated Audacy host Katie Neal, contest winners and music industry insiders at the grand opening of the company's Nashville Sound Space. The Nashville Sound Space is the company's seventh broadcast sound space and first More...

From Radio Insight: Midwest Communications is expanding its holdings in the Kalamazoo MI market with the purchase of Rock 92.5 WZUU Mattawan and nearby Oldies “Cool 101” 100.9 WQXC-FM Allegan from Robert Brink’s Forum Communications for $625,000. WZUU will join a Midwest cluster that already includes Hot AC “Hits 96.5” WZOX, Country “Win 98.5” WNWN, Variety Hits “106.5 Jack-FM” WVFM, News/Talk 590 WKZO/106.9 W295CL, and Adult R&B “The Touch” 1660 WTOU/95.5 W238AL. WQXC-FM is not attributed to the Kalamazoo market, similarly to Classic Hits “The Fat One” 930 WFAT/102.7 W274AQ Battle Creek. more

From Radio Insight: Beasley Media Group has opened an Exchange Offer with its debt holders to exchange their outstanding 8.625% Senior Secured Notes due in 2026 into newly issued 9.200% Senior Secured Notes due August 1, 2028 at an exchange ratio of 95.0% of the aggregate principal amount (or $950 per $1,000 of principal amount) of the Existing Notes tendered for exchange. Beasley says that a holder of approximately 73% of the Existing Notes has entered into a transaction support agreement to support the Exchange Offer, subject to certain customary conditions, including a minimum participation condition (the ?TSA Minimum Participation Condition?) requiring 100% of Existing Noteholders to participate in the Exchange Offer or Tender Offer. The issuer of the notes will purchase up to $68.0 million of aggregate principal amount of the Existing Notes to holders who elect to exchange all of their Existing Notes in the Exchange Offer at a purchase price of 62.5% (or $625 per $1,000 of principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest. If more than $68.0 million principal amount of Existing Notes elect to receive the Tender Offer Consideration in the Tender Offer, $68.0 million principal amount of Existing Notes will be repaid in cash consideration o Caroline Beasley, Chief Executive Officer of Beasley Media Group, said, ?We are very pleased with the announcement of both the launch of this transaction and the support of a holder of approximately 73% of our outstanding indebtedness. We believe this transaction, when consummated, will provide meaningful long-term improvements to our balance sheet and provide value to debt holders and equity holders alike. This transaction is the product of several months of negotiations and represents a significant initial step forward in our long-term plan to reduce leverage and position the Company for future success.? more

From Radio Insight: iHeartMedia has appointed Jill Strada as SVP/Programming for its Atlanta properties. She will oversee a cluster that includes Country “94.9 The Bull” WUBL, Hip Hop “96.1 The Beat” WRDG, Regional Mexican “96.7 El Patron” WBZW, CHR “Power 105.3” WWPW, Spanish CHR “Z105.7” WBZY, and News “BIN 640” WBIN. Strada most recently was at Cox Media Group Miami from 2014 until September 2021 originally as Program Director of CHR ?Hits 97.3? WFLC, she would add the same duties at Hip Hop “99 Jamz” WEDR in 2015 and to Director of Operations in 2018. Strada began her career as “Party 95.3” WPYO Orlando and would rise to PD of what then became “Power 95.3“. She then spent four years as APD/MD of Hip Hop “Hot 97? WQHT New York and PD of Adult R&B “98.7 Kiss-FM” WRKS from 2007 to 2011 before spending a year programming “Power 96” WPOW Miami and a year and a half as APD/MD of “Hot 96.9” WBQT Boston. She has since been leading her own music industry marketing and consulting group: Stradagy. Market President Spencer Byrnes said, “We are thrilled to welcome Jill Strada to the iHeart Atlanta team. Jill has a remarkable talent for launching, developing, and elevating brands in fiercely competitive markets. Her proven track record of success and unwavering dedication to excellence make her an outstanding addition to our leadership team.? Strada commented, “I am absolutely delighted to join iHeartMedia Atlanta. I extend my deepest gratitude to Spencer Bynes and Tony Travatto for this incredible opportunity. This is a company where innovation meets passion, and I’m eager to contribute to the growth of our brands, collaborate with such a brilliant group of people, and to lead such a talented team. Being part of America’s top audio company is an honor, and I?m excited about the incredible journey ahead.? In Atlanta, Strada succeeds former SVP/Programming Meg Stevens, who moved into an advisory role with the company earlier this year. more

From Radio Insight: Following the recently announced sale of their Pampa TX properties, Grant Merrill and Ben Buckland?s Southwest Media Group is selling Oldies 800 KDDD and Classic Country “Big Country 95.3” KDDD-FM Dumas TX to Corey and Bailey Naugle’s Driven Media LLC for $280,000. The buyers own a local Chevy dealership. The sellers had purchased the duo in March 2022 for $300,000. In a statement Merrill said, “This was a difficult decision to sell the radio station. Dumas is the best community that we have ever operated in, and I will miss the listeners and our clients tremendously and I want to thank them for their business. It has been the honor of my career to own KDDD. When we made the decision to sell, we wanted to keep the stations with people who we knew would continue to be good partners to the community. Our new owners are native to the Texas Panhandle and have a heart for this community and the people and businesses that make it so special, and we are confident that they will take great care of these legendary radio stations.” Coloff Media acquires Full Service AC 95.1 KMAQ-FM Maquoketa and Full Service Country 1320 KMAQ Maquoketa/92.5 K223DA Bellevue IA from Dennis Voy’s Maquoketa Broadcasting Company for $400,000. KMCH Manchester Station Manager Sarah Meyer will add duties as Interim Station Manager for the newly acquired duo, while James Shaman, most recently with Grey Ghost Broadcasting’s KQKD Redfield IA joins as Operations Manager. Voy had operated KMAQ/KMAQ-FM since launching the AM in 1958. Marion Williams doubles up in northwest Indiana with the purchase of Talk/R&B 1370 WLTH/92.7 W224EA Gary from Pluria Marshall’s WLTH Radio Inc. for $25,000. Williams, who owns Oldies 1500 WAKE/97.5 W248AP Valparaiso, began operating WLTH via Time Brokerage Agreement in June. more