• [RadioInsight] Deanna Marie Joins WJBR's Morning Show

    From RadioInsight via rec.radio.broadcas@21:1/5 to All on Wed Oct 6 17:49:09 2021
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    RadioInsight

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    Deanna Marie Joins WJBR's Morning Show

    Posted: 06 Oct 2021 02:33 PM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/213817/deanna-marie-joins-wjbrs-morning-show/


    Beasley Media AC Mix 99.5 WJBR-FM Wilmington DE has announced the addition
    of Deanna Marie as its new morning co-host.

    Deanna joins WJBR-FM after hosting middays and later co-hosting mornings at Reno Media Group CHR Alice 96.5 KLCA Reno NV from 2018 until the end of
    August. Prior to entering radio, the New Jersey native performed in shows
    in Atlantic City and Reno.

    She takes the morning slot alongside Johnny B that had most recently been
    held by Jessie Jordan until this summer.

    Beasley Media Group announces Deanna Marie has been named as the new
    morning show Co-host of “The Mix Morning Show with Johnny B and Deanna Marie” on WJBR-FM in Wilmington, Delaware. The show will officially launch at 5:30am on Monday October 11. 2021.

    The New Jersey native most recently worked at 96.5 KLCA in Reno, Nevada,
    where she began her radio career.

    “We are thrilled to have Deanna joining market veteran Johnny B on “The Mix Morning Show”, said Program Director Eric Johnson. “We found Deanna so engaging from our first phone conversation and we think our listeners will
    too. Welcome Home Deanna!”

    “I am so excited to be a part of the Mix Morning Show on WJBR,” said Deanna Marie. “It felt like the right decision from the very beginning and that I’ve known everyone forever- that is a great sign!”

    A seasoned vocalist and theater graduate of Montclair State University, she
    has performed at Atlantic City casinos and other entertainment venues along
    the East Coast.


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    September 2021 (8/19 - 9/15) Nielsen Audio PPM Ratings Day 3: WBNS Leaps To
    The Top In Columbus

    Posted: 06 Oct 2021 02:00 PM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/213783/september-2021-8-19-9-15-nielsen-audio-ppm-ratings-day-3-wbns-leaps-to-the-top-in-columbus/


    Day 3 of Nielsen Audios PPM releases are now available for Charlotte,
    Portland, San Antonio, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, Orlando, Las Vegas, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Cleveland and Columbus.

    All the numbers can be found at RadioInsight.com/Ratings.


    iHeartMedia Classic Rock 99.7 The Fox WRFX takes the Charlotte market lead
    this month thanks to a 6.0 to 6.7 gain. Beasley Adult RB V101.9 WBAV (5.2
    to 5.7) and AC K104.7 WKQC (5.9 to 5.7) tie for second. Radio One Adult RB 105.3 RB WOSF falls from first to a fourth place tie (6.1 to 5.6) with
    Beasley Country 103.7 WSOC (6.1 to 5.6).

    Despite longtime morning hosts Ace TJ departing the station mid-way
    through the monthly, iHeartMedia CHR Hits 96.1 WHQC rises 3.4 to 3.6.
    Beasley Hip Hop Power 98 WPEG jumps up 3.8 4.3 5.5, while Radio One
    News/Talk 1110 WBT/99.3 WBT-FM trends up 3.8 4.0 4.7. iHeartMedia Country 96.9 The Kat WKKT trends down 6.6 5.8 5.2.

    Public News/Talk 91.5 KOPB holds on top of of Portland at an 8.1 share. iHeartMedia Classic Hits 106.7 The Eagle KLTH slips 7.6 to 7.2, while AC
    K103 KKCW rises 6.0 to 6.4. Alpha Media News/Talk 101.1 KXL rises 5.2 to
    5.8. iHeartMedia Classic Rock 105.9 The Brew KFBW trends up 3.9 to 4.9.

    iHeartMedia CHR Z100 KKRZ slips 4.0 to 3.1, although Conservative Talk 1190
    KEX trends up 2.2 2.5 3.2.

    Cox Media Group takes the top three spots in San Antonio. Hot AC Magic
    105.3 KSMG takes sole possession of the lead 7.7 to 7.0, Classic Hits 101.1 KONO-FM drops 7.7 to 6.7, and Classic Rock 106.7 The Eagle KTKX rises 5.8
    to 6.4. iHeartMedia AC Q101.9 KQXT rises 5.1 to 5.8 for fourth. Univision Regional Mexican Que Buena 92.9 KROM surges up 4.1 to 5.4.

    iHeartMedia News/Talk 1530 KFBK/93.1 KFBK-FM regains the sole Sacramento
    lead with an 8.7 to 9.8 gain. Audacy Classic Rock 96.9 The Eagle KSEG dips
    8.7 to 8.6. Bonneville AC Mix 96 KYMX rises 6.7 to 7.0. Public News/Talk
    90.9 KXJZ trends up 4.9 5.4 6.1. iHeartMedia Soft AC 92.5 The Breeze KBEB dips 6.4 to 6.0.

    Bonneville Country 105.1 KNCI has lost nearly half its audience in two
    months as it trends down 8.0 6.2 4.4. Also on the downswing is Audacys
    Alt 94.7 KKDO (4.2 3.9 3.5). Bonneville Hot AC Now 100.5 KZZO trends up
    3.9 4.0 4.6.

    Bonneville News/Talk 1160 KSL/102.7 KSL-FM rises 6.8 to 8.2 to claim the
    Salt Lake City lead. iHeartMedia Classic Hits 94.1 KODJ drops 8.8 to 8.0. Bonneville AC FM 100 KSFI dips 6.7 to 6.8. iHeartMedia Conservative Talk
    570 KNRS/105.9 KNRS-FM jumps up 5.0 to 6.3. Capitol Broadcasting AC Now
    97.9 slips 7.1 to 6.2.

    Bonneville Classic Rock 103.5 The Arrow KRSP falls 6.4 to 4.5 for its
    lowest share since February 2018. All three CHRs in Salt Lake City show
    growth with Cumulus Power 94.9/101.9 KENZ/KHTB up 3.7 to 4.5, iHeartMedias
    97.1 ZHT KZHT up 3.3 to 3.5, and Broadway Medias Mix 105.1 KUDD trending up
    2.4 2.7 3.3. Trending down are iHeartMedias duo of Hot AC My 99.5 KJMY
    3.6 to 2.6 and Rock 106.7 KAAZ 3.6 3.3 1.9.

    A bottleneck is occurring at the top of the Orlando market. iHeartMedia CHR
    XL 106.7 WXXL rises 6.9 to 7.6 to tie Audacy Classic Hits 105.9 Sunny-FM
    WOCL (7.5 to 7.6). Huff notes that the last time WXXL held a share of the
    lead was March 2019. Right behind the two were Cox Adult RB Star 94.5 WCFB
    up 7.2 to 7.5. Tying for fourth are iHeartMedia Spanish Tropical Rumba
    100.3 WRUM (6.6 to 7.0) and Cox Classic Rock 98.9 WMMO (6.3 to 7.0).

    iHeartMedia AC Sunny 106.5 KSNE surges up to lead Las Vegas 5.7 6.0 7.5. Beasley Classic Hits 96.3 KKLZ dips 7.4 to 7.3. Christian AC 90.5 KSOS
    rebounds 6.2 to 6.8. Lotus Regional Mexican La Buena 101.9 KWID falls 6.6
    to 6.1. iHeartMedia Country 95.5 The Bull jumps up to fifth 3.6 to 5.1.

    Beasley Hot AC Star 107.9 KVGS trends up 2.6 3.3 3.6, while iHeartMedia Classic Rock 93.1 The Mountain KYMT moves in the opposite direction 3.3
    2.8 2.1.

    iHeartMedia Rock 102.5 WDVE remains in the lead in Pittsburgh with a 9.6 to 10.4 gain. Audacy Sports 93.7 The Fan KDKA-FM rises 8.2 to 8.8. iHeartMedia Classic Hits 94.5 3WS moves 8.7 to 8.6. Steel City Media Variety Hits 96.9 Bob-FM WRRK surges 6.6 to 8.2. iHeartMedia CHR 96.1 Kiss-FM WKST-FM jumps
    up 4.4 to 5.2.

    iHeartMedia News/Talk 700 WLW expands its dominance of Cincinnati with a
    14.1 to 14.5 gain which Huff notes is its highest since Summer 1990.
    Cumulus Classic Hits 103.5 WGRR dips 11.7 to 10.2 for second. Hubbard
    Country B105 WUBE falls 7.3 to 6.1, while co-owned CHR Q102 WKRQ is up 4.6
    to 4.8. Cumulus AC Warm 98.5 WRRM places fifth 4.6 to 4.7.

    iHeartMedia Rock 102.7 WEBN jumps up 3.6 to 4.6, while Cumulus Classic Rock 92.5 The Fox WOFX slides 5.0 to 4.0.

    Cumulus Medias duo of Classic Hits 94.9 KCMO-FM (9.4 to 10.1) and Classic
    Rock 101 The Fox KCFX (7.7 to 7.6) lead Kansas City. Public News/Talk 89.3
    KCUR rises 5.3 to 5.7. Carter Broadcasting Hip Hop Hot 103 Jamz KPRS-FM is
    up 5.2 to 5.3. Audacy News/Talk 98.1 KMBZ-FM trends down 5.8 5.2 4.5.

    Audacy Country 106.5 The Wolf WDAF-FM rises 3.2 to 4.2 with the start of
    the Chiefs season, while both of Steel City Medias Country outlets trend
    down. 94.1 KFKF dips 4.8 4.7 3.8 and Q104 KBEQ slides 4.3 3.5 4.2. Both Alternatives show gains as Audacys Alt 96.5 KRBZ is up 2.7 3.1 3.3 and Cumulus 105.1 The X KCJK 1.2 2.0 2.7.

    Audacy Classic Rock 98.5 WNCX stays on top of Cleveland down 10.2 to 9.6.
    Radio One Adult RB 93.1 WZAK rises 8.6 to 8.9 to move up to second.
    iHeartMedia Classic Hits Majic 105.7 WMJI slips 9.3 to 8.7. Audacy AC Star 102.1 WDOK places fourth 8.8 to 8.2. iHeartMedia Variety Hits 106.5 The
    Lake WHLK moves 7.6 to 7.2.

    TEGNA Sports 97.1 The Fan WBNS-FM surges up 5.6 to 8.1 to take the Columbus market lead. Huff notes that it is the first time WBNS-FM leads Columbus
    since it was Easy Listening in 1987 and its highest share since October
    2014. iHeartMedia Country 92.3 WCOL rises up 6.9 to 7.9 to take a share of second with Public News/Talk 89.7 WOSU (8.1 to 7.9). iHeartMedia News/Talk
    610 WTVN places fourth 6.7 to 6.9, while CHR 97.9 WNCI dips 7.0 to 6.7.

    Saga AC Sunny 94.7 WSNY trends up 4.5 5.5 5.8. Classical 101.1 WOSA dips
    down 2.3 1.9 0.7.


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    WEEI To Remain Home Of Boston Red Sox

    Posted: 06 Oct 2021 11:26 AM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/213784/weei-to-remain-home-of-boston-red-sox/


    Audacy Sports 93.7 WEEI-FM Lawrence/Boston MA has announced it has signed a multiyear extension to remain the radio home of the Boston Red Sox.

    WEEI-FM (and predecessor 850 WEEI) have carried the Red Sox since 1995. The station will carry all regular season, postseason, and Spring Training
    games as part of the deal. WEEI and its regional network affiliates will
    also feature a weekly rotation of interviews with Red Sox executives as
    part of the stations Greg Hill morning show including team President/CEO
    Sam Kennedy, Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom and General Manager Brian O’Halloran, while manager Alex Cora will appear weekly on the “Merloni and Fauria” afternoon show.

    Audacy and the Boston Red Sox have announced a multiyear radio broadcast contract extension. WEEI (WEEI-FM) will continue to be the Red Sox flagship radio station, as it has since 1995, airing all Spring Training, regular
    season and Postseason baseball games.

    “Few things embody the city of Boston better than the Red Sox, and we’re delighted to extend our partnership with the team,” said Tim Clarke, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Audacy Boston. “The team has delivered some of the most memorable moments in baseball over the course of the last
    two decades and we’re proud to continue giving our audience a front row
    seat to everything surrounding the team.”

    “For the past 26 years, WEEI has been alongside us delivering some of the most memorable moments in Red Sox history on the radio broadcast,” said Sam Kennedy, President and Chief Executive Officer, Boston Red Sox. “From epic wins to devastating losses, there has been a constancy through the
    dependable and familiar voice of Joe Castiglione and the entire WEEI
    broadcast team. We are excited to extend this enduring relationship into a
    new era of Red Sox baseball.”

    Also part of the partnership, WEEI will continue to air a weekly front
    office report with as part of “The Greg Hill Show,” featuring a rotation of interviews with Red Sox President and Chief Executive Officer Sam Kennedy, Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom and General Manager Brian O’Halloran. Additionally, afternoon show “Merloni and Fauria” will welcome manager Alex Cora every week.

    Audacy is the unrivaled leader in sports radio, reaching three times more people than the leading competitor. Audacy is the #1 sports radio ownership group, which owns and operates 39 all-sports stations across the U.S. Its unparalleled broadcast portfolio reaches nearly 30 million sports fans
    monthly and boasts the nation’s leading collection of radio play-by-play coverage. Audacy also serves as the flagship home of 41 professional teams
    and over 50 Division 1 collegiate programs, including the New York Yankees
    and Boston Red Sox, Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs, Golden State Warriors and Chicago Bulls, and University of Michigan and University of Oregon, among others.


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    Domain Insight 10/6: What's Next For 91.7 In Houston?

    Posted: 06 Oct 2021 11:00 AM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/213771/domain-insight-10-6-whats-next-for-91-7-in-houston/


    With Hope Media Group planning to move Christian Rhythmic NGen Radio off of
    its 91.7 signal in Houston to digital distribution on November 8, we now
    have a clear idea of whats next for the FM signal.

    Plus an upcoming change in Cape Girardeau MO.
    This content is for Premium Annual and Premium Monthly members only. Visit
    the site and log in/register to read.


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    Angelo Cataldi To Retire From WIP Mornings At End Of 2022

    Posted: 06 Oct 2021 09:46 AM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/213775/angelo-cataldi-to-retire-from-wip-mornings-at-end-of-2022/


    Audacy Sports 94.1 WIP Philadelphia morning host Angelo Cataldi told
    listeners today that he will retire from the station at the end of 2022.

    The 70-year-old Cataldi has been with the station since then 610 WIP
    flipped to 24/7 Sports Talk in 1989 after previously working as a
    sportswriter for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

    In making the announcement this morning, Cataldi stated he originally
    intended to retire in May 2021, when he took a few weeks off after
    experiencing burnout. As part of his decision to retire at the end of 2022, Cataldi negotiated a one-year extension of his contract that will allow him
    to scale back from five days a week to four starting in January taking Wednesdays off, a driver to take him to and from the Borgata casino in
    Atlantic City and for the station to rehire former Marketing Director Cindy Webster, who had been laid off by Audacy last yea. Webster is now serving
    as a special consultant to the morning show.

    Cataldi stated that he believes that the rest of the morning team of Al Morganti, Rhea Hughes, and Keith Jones will remain once he exits the
    station.




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    Eltons Comeback and the CHR Comeback

    Posted: 06 Oct 2021 08:00 AM PDT https://radioinsight.com/ross/213482/eltons-comeback-and-the-chr-comeback/


    Some thoughts about Elton John & Dua Lipa’s “Cold Heart,” a surprise Top 40
    contender here and the No. 3 song in the U.K., and about comeback singles overall:

    I’m glad “Cold Heart” is charting at this cautiously optimistic time for Top 40 music. Artist comebacks often take place at a time when Top 40 is grasping for direction. When I championed Lady Gaga’s “Shallow” three years
    ago, I acknowledged that the format still needed its next Gaga—somebody who could generate the provocative-but-playful hits that Madonna, then Gaga had provided over the years. 

    That next act turned out to be Dua Lipa. Fifteen months ago, she had to do
    a lot of CHR’s heavy lifting. Now, in a format that stretches from Olivia Rodrigo to Lil Nas X to Ed Sheeran to Walker Hayes, “Cold Heart” adds to the excitement, instead of showing CHR’s problems in relief. “Cold Heart” isn’t tasked with solving anything, but it does contribute to pop music’s energy and depth of available product—two issues that are improving, but hardly solved yet.

    “Cold Heart” benefits from the place that “Rocket Man,” one of the songs it
    interpolates, has earned on the eternal jukebox, and from the reinforcement provided by “Rocketman” the movie, as well as the general trend towards repurposing hits. Even before “Bohemian Rhapsody” the movie, I wanted a new Queen and Adam Lambert album. Now that scenario is under discussion. Brian
    May says he’s struggling for material, but all they really have to do is rework “Don’t Stop Me Now.”

    CHR has, in general, been receptive to hits over the last year from the hitmakers of the format’s 2008-13 dominance: Chris Brown, Nelly & Florida-Georgia Line, Jason Derulo. We have contenders from Pitbull and Coldplay, with the help of BTS. Some could be called comebacks; others like Maroon 5 are artists who never fell out of contention at CHR. Given that
    any Top 40 resurgence is likely to start with 25-to-34-year-olds, there
    should be a place for those acts who can still deliver.

    Many of the stations that have stayed strong through radio’s travails of
    the last year are heritage brands. There’s definitely some symmetry in hearing “Cold Heart” on WHTZ (Z100) New York—which was playing Elton the week it launched—or KIIS Los Angeles, or Pitbull’s “I Feel Good” on WKTU
    New York. How big a hit “Cold Heart” ultimately becomes here doesn’t hinge
    in any way on a Canadian chart reporter, but I still want to hear it on
    CIDR (Virgin Radio), the effective successor to Detroit’s CKLW, the
    legendary Top 40 and longtime Elton supporter that helped break “Bennie and the Jets.”

    Formats such as Triple-A and Adult R&B have always accommodated veteran
    acts. The latter has a chart hit this week from Earth, Wind & Fire, who,
    like Elton, flipped one of their ‘70s hits (“Can’t Hide Love”), brought in
    a contemporary artist (Lucky Daye) and are now on the charts alongside the Isley Brothers, with whom they had a Verzuz battle in April, even as the
    Adult R&B format contemporizes. Robert Plant’s collaboration with Alison Krauss continues with a top 15 Triple-A hit this week. 

    In the U.K., veteran artists are a regular presence on the airplay charts, which are driven by a song’s reach, not its spins. It used to be that behemoth BBC Radio 2 could put a song in the top 25 with just a handful of widely heard spins. But “Thank You” by Diana Ross was recently top 15. Rod Stewart’s “One More Time” was top 20 last week. Abba’s much publicized return with “Don’t Shut Me Out” managed to be No. 9 overall, not just airplay. 

    One of the ironies of “Cold Heart” is that it comes at a time when AC and Adult Top 40 are taking their cues from Mainstream Top 40. American Authors
    are making two appearances on Adult Top 40 this week—one by themselves, one with Santana and Rob Thomas. Acts outside CHR’s consideration, have to
    scrap to make it into the top 15 at that format. Elton has had top 20 hits
    at AC over the years. It’s worth noting that his truest hit at AC and Hot
    AC in recent memory will be because he pursued CHR.

    I’ve compiled the wide range of recent singles from veteran artists this
    week into “The Comeback Playlist.” It stretches from Elton to still-in-play acts like Pitbull and Coldplay to the veterans that you might be surprised
    to know have recent music. Some are still radio contenders for a reason.
    Some are caught in a place between “as good as their classics” and “contemporary enough to be on the radio today.” 

    One of the lessons of “Cold Heart” is that any acts still out there swinging should make a record that can still be on Mainstream CHR.
    Sometimes that’s just what it takes to be supported at their stronghold formats (e.g., Martin Garrix with Bono and the Edge at Triple-A) but the time/space continuum for artist careers is more warped than ever in the streaming world. That’s probably more likely to lead to a several weeks’ resurgence for “Dreams” than Fleetwood Mac’s return to contemporary airplay, but the notion of Elton John back on contemporary radio seemed unlikely too, until it wasn’t.


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    Kasper Goes Big In Pittsburgh

    Posted: 06 Oct 2021 06:20 AM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/213768/kasper-goes-big-in-pittsburgh/


    iHeartMedia Country Big 104.7 WPGB Pittsburgh has tapped Mike Kasper as its
    new Program Director and afternoon host.

    Kasper most recently was hosting afternoons at Audacy Country US99 WUSN Chicago, until exiting in the COVID related cuts of April 2020. Prior to joining WUSN in April 2016, he spent most of his career in CHR with two
    stints at iHeartMedia CHR “96.5 Kiss-FM” WAKS Cleveland including one as APD. He also held APD roles at WRTS Erie and WRVQ Richmond and Music
    Director at WAKS and WXLK Roanoke and on-air at WIOQ Philadelphia and B94
    WBZZ Pittsburgh. He has recently been tracking middays at Mid-West Family Broadcasting Country “95.3 The Bull” WRTB Rockford IL and nights at Alpha Media Hot AC Mix 94.1 WHBC-FM Canton OH.

    Kasper fills the opening created by the exit of JD Greene last July after
    seven years at the station.

    iHeartMedia announced today that Mike Kasper has been named Program
    Director and Afternoon Drive Host for BIG 104.7 (WPGB-FM), Pittsburgh’s #1 for new Country, effective October 11. Kasper will broadcast weekday
    afternoons from 3 – 7 p.m.

    iHeartMedia has the leading consumer reach and influence across multiple platforms and delivers more live programming than any other media company.
    As Program Director, Kasper will be responsible for overseeing the
    programming, research, talent coaching and promotions strategy for the
    station. He will report to David Edgar, Senior Vice President of
    Programming for iHeartMedia Pittsburgh. In addition, as Afternoon Host,
    Kasper will entertain listeners with local lifestyle news and headlines, audience interaction, and country music’s top hits.

    “Mike is the ideal person to lead the BIG 104.7 programming department,” said Edgar. “He will bring his creative lifestyle and promotional ideas to the station, as well as host a high energy, fun afternoon show for Pittsburgh.”

    Kasper most recently severed as an afternoon host at WUSN-FM, in Chicago.
    He began his radio career in Youngstown, Ohio and has served in several on
    air and programming positions in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Philadelphia, and Richmond.

    “I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve as Program Director and Afternoon Drive Host for BIG 104.7,” said Kasper. “To be able to do it in the city that inspired me to get into radio as a kid makes it even more special. Huge thanks to iHeartMedia Pittsburgh for making it possible.
    Can’t wait to help create some fun, compelling radio for Pittsburgh!”


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    A Party Is Ongoing In Reno

    Posted: 06 Oct 2021 05:20 AM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/213759/a-party-is-ongoing-in-reno/


    A third format change took place last week in Reno as Evans Broadcast
    Company flipped Country 94.9 The Wolf K235DC Reno/KRFN-HD2 Sparks to CHR as 94.9 The Party.

    Positioned as Todays Top Hits, the move pits K235DC up against Reno Media Groups Alice 96.5 KLCA. That station currently ranks tenth in the market
    with a 2.6 share, while the former Country format was unlisted in Nielsens publicly facing list. The new brand is currently running jockless.

    The move marks the end of the Wolf brand that launched on then 92.1 KWFP in 2010. The format moved to 95.1 in August 2018, with the translator sliding
    to 94.9 in February 2020. The flip to CHR comes along with the translator upgrading to 125w/164m increasing its coverage of greater Reno.

    Along with K235DC, last week saw Lotus flip AAA 100.1 The X KTHX to Variety Hits We 100.1 KWEE and Reno Media Group rebrand Classic Country 96.9 The
    Rodeo K245BV/KLCA-HD3 as Willie 96.9.


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    Reuters: Spanish Broadcasting System keeps $800k fee win in music copyright case

    Posted: 05 Oct 2021 03:45 PM PDT https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/spanish-broadcasting-system-keeps-800k-fee-win-music-copyright-case-2021-10-05/



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    As Number Of Inappropriate Behavior Allegations Rise WTMX Takes Eric
    Ferguson Off Schedule Through October

    Posted: 05 Oct 2021 03:12 PM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/213746/as-number-inappropriate-behavior-allegations-rise-wtmx-takes-eric-ferguson-off-schedule-through-october/


    With the number of inappropriate behavior allegations against Hubbard Hot
    AC 101.9 The Mix WTMX Chicago morning host Eric Ferguson rising to three,
    the company has removed him from the stations programming through the month
    of October.

    In a memo to staff published by RobertFeder.com, Hubbard Chicago VP/Market Manager Jeff England told employees, We have made the decision that Eric
    will not be on the air through October. We take these allegations seriously
    and we are confident in the results of multiple investigations we have initiated. But we also owe it to ourselves and our listeners to have a deliberate and thoughtful process about our path forward, and candidly we
    are not there yet.

    Feder reported earlier today that former co-host Melissa McGurren became
    the third former WTMX employee to allege misconduct against Ferguson.
    McGurren, who served as morning traffic reporter from 1998 until being
    promoted to co-host in 2017, departed WTMX last December and has since
    joined Audacy Country US99 WUSN in the same role, wrote in a court filing,
    I contend that Eric Ferguson is a serial abuser of women and that for many years, the management of The Mix has protected Ferguson in allowing him to continue in perpetrating his misconduct that goes far beyond the limits of decency despite ample notice from me and many of my co-workers that Ferguson’s behavior is unlawful. When she departed the station after being off the air for several months, McGurren posted a video stating that the
    truth will come out.

    McGurrens filing was submitted as evidence to a defamation lawsuit against Hubbard by former producer Cynthia DeNicolo. DeNicolo sued Hubbard in May stating that Ferguson was responsible for her dismissal 16 years after she stopped providing oral sex and was berated by him in front of other workers
    and pressuring her to babysit his children.

    Kristen Mori, a former account executive at WTMX, has alleged that Ferguson groped her at their station’s Christmas party in 2003.

    Ferguson has hosted mornings at WTMX since 1996. He was paired with Kathy
    Hart until Harts departure from the show after multiple months missing in
    2017. Co-hosts Violeta Podrumedic, Brian ‘Whip’ Paruch, and John ‘Swany’
    Swanson remain in place.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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