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RadioInsight

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WFYI Indianapolis To Purchase WBAA Lafayette From Purdue University

Posted: 01 Jul 2021 01:42 PM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/210298/wfyi-indianapolis-to-purchase-wbaa-lafayette-from-purdue-university/



Purdue University has announced it will sell Public News/Talk 920 WBAA West Lafayette/105.9 W290CM Lafayette and Classical 101.3 WBAA-FM West Lafayette
to Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Media.

Terms of the deal were not yet disclosed and is pending approval by the universitys Board of Trustees at their July 7 meeting. The stations will
retain their current programming, although some consolidation will take
place between WBAA and the buyers 90.1 WFYI-FM Indianapolis. The groups
expect the deal to close around October 1.

MIPM states is intends to maintain some WBAA staff in Lafayette.

Purdue University announced Thursday (July 1) that it has signed a letter
of intent to enter an agreement for WBAA radio AM and FM to be operated by Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Media (MIPM), which currently operates
WFYI public broadcasting in central Indiana, with the goal of enhancing the station’s public service mission and offerings while preserving WBAA’s strong local heritage.

“Like we’ve seen done at many other higher education institutions, Purdue University has been looking for a public radio partner to lead WBAA toward
its next 100 years in Greater Lafayette,” said R. Ethan Braden, Purdue
senior vice president for marketing and communications. “WFYI is a strong public broadcasting entity, well-known and respected throughout Indiana,
and we believe this agreement represents enhanced opportunities for our students, it preserves the experience that listeners enjoy today, and it extends WBAA’s reach and public service offerings.”

Pending approval by Purdue’s Board of Trustees, which will address the
matter at its July 7 meeting, and approval of the license transfer by the Federal Communications Commission, MIPM is expected to assume operations of WBAA on or around Oct. 1.

Through the proposed agreement, WBAA will maintain its call letters, its
strong heritage and its physical presence in Greater Lafayette. Local news
and reporting, NPR and global news, and classical music — mainstays of WBAA’s current lineup — will continue to be aired on WBAA-AM and WBAA-FM and its digital frequencies.

Details are still to be determined, but enhancements are expected to
include:

Purdue students in the Brian Lamb School of Communication, WBAA’s
internship partner, will have access to expanded learning and development opportunities both locally with WBAA and through the larger MIPM and WFYI networks, in positions spanning broadcasting, digital media, sales and marketing, and more.
WBAA members who donate at least $60 annually would receive a complimentary WFYI Passport membership (including access to a robust video streaming
library of PBS and local programs) as part of the transition, an added membership perk for WFYI members that is not currently available for WBAA members.
Program and underwriting partners will gain access to a broader
listenership via shared programming that will also air on WFYI stations.


“We are so pleased to work with Purdue University — a world-class research institution — on preserving its public service mission through WBAA,” said Greg Petrowich, president and CEO of Metropolitan Indianapolis Public
Media. “Through this agreement, we will strengthen and build on WBAA’s commitment to listeners and the communities served by WFYI and WBAA.”

WBAA-AM received its broadcast license on April 4, 1922. It is Indianas
longest continuously operating radio station, one of several AM stations
signed on by land-grant schools in the early days of radio. WBAA-FM began broadcasting in 1993. WFYI recently celebrated its 50th anniversary of operations.

This transition is subject to approval by the FCC, expected in September.

For additional information, see FAQ.



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Stephen Donovan Exits Mornings At WWLI Providence

Posted: 01 Jul 2021 01:07 PM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/210296/stephen-donovan-exits-mornings-at-wwli-providence/



Cumulus Media AC Lite 105 WWLI Providence has parted ways with morning
co-host Stephen Donovan after seven years.

Donovan joined WWLI in December 2013 after a decade in mornings at Hot AC
104.5 WXLO Worcester MA first as part of the Zito Jen Show and later
adding billing on the Jen Steve Show alongside Jen Carter. During his
entire tenure at WWLI, Donovan had been teamed with Heather Gersten.

Gersten will continue on solo for what the station is now billing as
Heather In The Morning. Gersten joined WWLI in 2003 after stints in
mornings at WBIX New York and WQSX Boston. She also serves as Assistant
Program Director at the station.




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FCC Reveals 114 Qualified Bidders For Auction 109; Removes One Allocation
From Auction

Posted: 01 Jul 2021 12:51 PM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/210294/fcc-reveals-114-qualified-bidders-for-auction-109-removes-one-allocation-from-auction/



The July 27 FCC Auction 109 of what was supposed to be 136 FM signals and 4
AM signals is down one signal as the Class A allocation on 107.1 in
Livingston Manor NY has been removed as the FCCs media bureau determined it
was not properly added to the FM Table of Allotments and erroneously
included in the Auction 109 inventory.

The FCC also listed the 114 qualified bidders that have submitted their
upfront payments and may participate in the auction. Among the groups
making larger upfront payments to participate are Educational Media
Foundation ($210,000), VCY America ($185,000), Glory Communications
($150,000), Smile FM ($125,000), Juan Matos Baretto ($109.000), Thumb Broadcasting ($100,000) and Bark Out Loud Dogs Media ($95,000). Applicants
were required to submit enough money to pay the minimum bid for the
allocations they are seeking. For example Entravision and iHeartMedia
submitted $45,000 upfront, the starting price for the 107.9 Sacramento allocation. The full lists of available allocations and which facilities
they previously selected to pursue are available.

55 groups that previously filed to participate in the auction were
disqualified for failing to submit the upfront payment by the June 16
deadline or other reasons. These include groups such as Bonneville, JVC
Media, Red Wolf Broadcasting and Saga Communications. Two applicants
received FCC letters stating their removal from the auction for failing to disclose stakes in other bidders. Paul Scott Alexander and his fathers
Scott Communications Inc. both sought to participate in the auction, but
failed to disclose that the younger Alexander has attributable interest in
the latter as an officer in the company disqualifying him from bidding. Christopher Maynards Sonic Staffing Inc. was disqualified as Maynard was
also listed as Vice President of Ekklesia of Texas and failed to amend the application prior to the June 16 deadline.



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iHeartMedia Resurrects 96 Rock Atlanta

Posted: 01 Jul 2021 11:32 AM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/210286/iheartmedia-resurrects-96-rock-atlanta/



iHeartMedia has resurrected the 96 Rock brand in Atlanta after fifteen
years.

Previously residing on 96.1 WKLS from 1974 to November 2006, this version
of the 96 Rock brand exists exclusively on the iHeartRadio app with a 70s through 90s Classic Rock format.

The station includes occasional drops from previous WKLS on-air talent including former Regular Guys morning host Larry Wachs and longtime personalities Tim Rhodes andWillard.

CHR Power 96.1 WWPW continues to operate on the 96.1 frequency in Atlanta.


iHeartMedia Atlanta announced today the return of 96 Rock, effective immediately. The legendary station returns digitally after a 15-year hiatus
and can now be heard nationwide via the iHeartRadio app as well as
96rock.com, iHeartRadio.com and smart speakers everywhere.

 

Starting immediately, 96 Rock will be streaming a wide variety of classic
rock including songs from artists like AC/DC, Def Leppard, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Metallica and many more. The station will also feature some of
the voices that have contributed to making 96 Rock a legendary station in
the Atlanta market and the industry. Former 96 Rock talent Larry Wachs, Tim Rhodes and Willard have lent their voices to the station.

 

“Righting a wrong has never felt better… You’re welcome,” said Drew Lauter,
President of iHeartMedia Atlanta. “96 Rock was an iconic rock station in Atlanta for decades, serving the community with some of the best rock and
roll ever recorded. I’m thrilled that listeners nationwide can now
experience this station again anytime and anyplace.

 

“96 Rock is a legendary brand,” said Meg Stevens, Senior Vice President of Programming. “Multiple generations grew up with 96 Rock in their lives and
it was a staple to the Atlanta community. Having it back will allow new generations to enjoy the station on a digital platform while allowing us to engage the audience in new cutting edge ways.”




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Greg McElroy & Cole Cubelic To Host Mornings At WJOX

Posted: 01 Jul 2021 10:11 AM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/210289/greg-mcelroy-cole-cubelic-to-host-mornings-at-wjox/



Cumulus Media Sports Jox 94.5 WJOX-FM Birmingham will debut a new morning
show hosted by former Alabama and New York Jets quarterback Greg McElroy
and former Auburn lineman Cole Cubelic on Monday, July 12.

McElroy has been a college football analyst for ESPN since 2014 and will continue in that role. Cubelic has been part of WJOX-FMs Three Man Front
midday show since 2018 and is also a sideline reporter for SEC Networks
college football coverage. Fellow WJOX-FM midday co-host and APD Pat Smith
will be a regular contributor to the new morning show.

The new show follows the exit of the Jox Roundtable in mid-June to launch a
new digital platform.

CUMULUS MEDIA (NASDAQ: CMLS) announces that it will kick off Birmingham,
AL’s newest morning radio show for sports fans on Jox 94.5/WJOX-FM Monday, July 12th, hosted by two Alabama gridiron greats, both premier national
sports commentators. The show will air on Jox 94.5fm Monday through Friday
from 7am–10am, hosted by Greg McElroy, former Alabama quarterback and ESPN college football color commentator, and Cole Cubelic, former Auburn
University offensive lineman and captain and sports analyst on SEC Network
and ESPN.

Greg McElroy led the University of Alabama to the 2010 BCS National Championship, won an SEC Championship and was an MVP in 2009. He finished
his college career with a 24-3 record, was drafted by the NFL’s New York
Jets in 2011. McElroy graduated from the University of Alabama in three
years with a degree in Business Marketing and earned a Master of Science
degree in Sports Management in 2010 with a 4.0 GPA. He was a Rhodes
Scholarship finalist in 2010. He joined ESPN in 2014 as one of college football’s premier analysts.

Cole Cubelic joined SEC Saturday Night, the franchise that features SEC Network’s marquee college football game each Saturday, as an expert
sideline reporter in 2017, alongside Jordan Rodgers and Tom Hart. Cubelic joined WJOX-FM in 2018 as Co-Host of 3 Man Front. He graduated from Auburn University in 2001 with a B.S. degree in Communication and Media Studies.

Pat Smith, a 25-year sports media broadcaster heard on both radio and television, will be a contributor to the new morning show. Smith is the
creator of the nations number one college football radio/television
program, “Finebaum”, hosted by Paul Finebaum. Smith is also a popular play-by-play broadcaster for college and high school football. He is
Assistant Program Director of Jox 94.5 and will continue daily hosting
duties on the station’s 3 Man Front from 10am-12Noon.

Damian Mitchell rounds out the team from behind the glass as Producer,
while adding humor and wit to the program every morning.

Greg McElroy said: “After seven years on satellite, I’m so excited to be come to work in my adopted hometown of Birmingham. College football is my passion and being able to cover it from my own backyard will be incredibly rewarding. WJOX has long been the home for college football and I’m fired
up to join their lineup of talented hosts. Also, I’m very excited to
finally have the opportunity to team up with Cole to share our love for football with the best CFB fans in America.”

Cole Cubelic commented: “I have worked with Greg on multiple occasions
across different platforms and am thrilled to share the airwaves with
someone who has accomplished all that he has in this field. I truly believe with the JOX brand behind us that Greg and I can develop the most informed college football show on the planet!”

Ryan Haney, Operations Manager, Cumulus Birmingham, remarked: “This is a
show that I have wanted to put together for a long time and I am excited to
get started. Greg and Cole are two of the top college football minds in the country. Having them in mornings on Jox 94.5 in America’s number one
college football market is huge.”

James Robinson, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Birmingham, noted: “I’m excited to partner with the two premier sports personalities in the country that are committed to Birmingham and Jox 94.5, the southeast’s top sports station. We think Birmingham sports fans will love what they hear
each weekday morning on Jox 94.5!”



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SiriusXM Launches Beach Boys Channel

Posted: 01 Jul 2021 07:40 AM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/210278/siriusxm-launches-beach-boys-channel/



SiriusXM has launched a two-month long limited run channel dedicated to The Beach Boys.

Airing on channel 105 through August 31, Good Vibrations: The Beach Boys Channel is focused on the release of their box set Feel Flows – The
Sunflower and Surfs Up Sessions 1969-1971 on August 27.

The Beach Boys, one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful bands of all time, and SiriusXM announced today the launch of
Good Vibrations: The Beach Boys Channel, a limited-engagement channel
featuring sun-drenched songs from every phase of the groups
decades-spanning career. The channel begins July 1 on channel 105, and airs through August 31.

Ideal for summertime listening, The Beach Boys Channel will bring the bands iconic sounds from the California coastline into the homes and cars of
SiriusXM listeners, wherever they are. As the most complete and
comprehensive audio collection from one of Americas most-beloved bands, the channel will feature The Beach Boys early songs about surf, sand, girls and cars, to their pioneering sounds that influenced generations of artists. Listeners can expect to hear the bands biggest hits, hard-to-find rarities,
a cappella vocals, backing tracks, alternate versions, exclusive stories
from family and band members (past and present), band members solo work,
and much more.

In the hours leading up to The Beach Boys new and expansive box set, Feel
Flows – The Sunflower and Surfs Up Sessions 1969-1971, out on August 27 via Capitol/UMe, the channel will spotlight some of the rare and
never-before-heard audio material from the box set, which boasts 135
tracks, including 108 previously unreleased tracks, live recordings, radio promos, alternate versions, alternate mixes, isolated backing tracks and a cappella versions, culled from the album sessions.

For all information on Good Vibrations: The Beach Boys Channel visit: https://siriusxm.us/BeachBoysChannel

Feel Flows – The Sunflower and Surfs Up Sessions 1969-1971 will be released by Capitol/UMe on August 27.  For more information on this please visit: https://thebeachboys.lnk.to/FeelFlowsPR

Subscribers are able to listen to Good Vibrations: The Beach Boys Channel
(ch. 105) online, on-the-go with the SXM App, and at home on a wide variety
of connected devices including smart TVs, devices with Amazon Alexa or the Google Assistant, Apple TV, PlayStation, Roku, Sonos speakers and more. Go
to www.siriusxm.com/ways-to-listen to learn more.




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Caitlin Fisher To Join K95.5 Tulsa For Mornings

Posted: 30 Jun 2021 01:30 PM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/210265/caitlin-fisher-to-join-k95-5-tulsa-for-mornings/



Cox Media Group Country K95.5 KWEN Tulsa has tabbed Caitlin Fisher as its
new morning co-host alongside Program Director Matt Bradley.

Fisher will join Cox Tulsa from their Athens GA cluster where she holds mutliple roles including middays on Country 106.1 WNGC, nights on AC Magic 102.1 WGMG, and newscaster on Conservative Talk 1340/98.7 WGAU.

Fisher will take the slot that had been held by Natalie Cash until her exit
in April after a decade at the station. She is the second transfer from
Athens to Tulsa following Abby Jessens hiring as Director of Branding and Content for Hot AC “Mix 96.5” KRAV-FM last September.

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