XPost: alt.radio.broadcasting
RadioInsight
///////////////////////////////////////////
Edwin 'EeE' Guevara Departs WPST
Posted: 04 Mar 2022 07:05 AM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/220826/edwin-eee-guevara-departs-wpst/
Edwin EeE Guevara has departed Townsquare Media CHR 94.5 WPST Trenton NJ
after six years with the station.
Guevara joined WPST as evening host in December 2015 and rose to Promotions Director and afternoon host in August 2018. He later added Music Director duties and tracked afternoons for many of Townsquare Medias other CHRs.
Prior to joining WPST, Guevara served as a producer at KPWR Los Angeles,
hosted nights at U92.7 KKUU Palm Springs and overnights at Hot 97.5 KVEG
Las Vegas.
Guevara and his fiancee recently launched an events business serving parts
of New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by EeE/Bladi Guevara (@mambawaves)
///////////////////////////////////////////
Chantel Joins WHOM As Morning Host
Posted: 04 Mar 2022 06:38 AM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/220824/chantel-joins-whom-as-morning-host/
Following the move of Jadd Naamani across the hall to the PD/afternoon slot
at CHR Q97.9 WJBQ last month, Townsquare Media AC 94.9 WHOM Mount
Washington NH/Portland ME has debuted its new morning show hosted by
Chantel Toomajanian.
Chantel joins WHOM from Audacy Hot AC Mix 105.1 WOMX Orlando where she
served as morning show producer and midday host. The Boston native also
served as a programming assistant and fill-in host at Mix 104.1 WWBX Boston
and programmed Emerson Universitys 88.9 WERS.
///////////////////////////////////////////
Station Sales Week Of 3/4
Posted: 04 Mar 2022 04:30 AM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/220801/station-sales-week-of-3-4/
Ron and Jennifer Hales Omni Broadcasting will purchase Sports 100.3 The
Ticket WTKE-FM Niceville/Fort Walton Beach FL from receiver R. Lee Hagen
for $425,000. The deal ends a legal battle that dates back to multiple
deals from 2003 through 2005 in which involved Hales Star Broadcasting,
Hagens Gulf Coast Broadcasting, Qantum Communications, Clear Channel and Cumulus Media. WTKE-FM has been carrying Omni run Sport programming since
2010.
Rudy Jennings MRJ Inc. sells Variety 970 WWYO Pineville WV to Tom Synars
Zack Media South. In lieu of financial consideration, Zack Media South will provide the following: broadcasting the church services of Westminster Presbyterian Church on WWYO, and on one week delay on WUSV-LD and all of
WUSVs streaming platforms for 25 years, providing all necessary equipment
to broadcast the church services, commercials to promote the services on WUSV-LD, continue to broadcast Jennings weekday show from 4-5pm, and all
legal fees associated with the license transfer.
Hi-Line Radio Fellowship acquires Christian AC New Life Radio 88.7 KUDI
Choteau MT from Mota Ministries for $15,000. The station will join the
buyers Your Network of Praise Christian Preaching network.
Translator Sales
Glory Media Group acquires 107.9 W300EB Macon GA from Creek Media for
$60,000. W300EB already rebroadcasts the buyers Gospel Glory 980 WDDO Perry.
Triad Family Network donates 103.5 W278AM Sedalia NC to Delmarva
Educational Association. The translator will be utilized to rebroadcast
Gospel The Light 1400 WKEW Greensboro.
///////////////////////////////////////////
Audacy & AccuWeather Expand Partnership Through United Stations
Posted: 03 Mar 2022 01:37 PM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/220793/audacy-accuweather-expand-partnership-through-united-stations/
United Stations, an independent leader in the creation and marketing of
network radio programming and services, Audacy, a leading multi-platform
audio content and entertainment company, and AccuWeather, the acknowledged leader in Superior Accuracy and weather forecasting services for
broadcasters, are pleased to announce the extension and expansion of their three-way partnership via a new, multi-year agreement. The new deal
provides for the continuation of AccuWeather’s services on existing Audacy affiliates, which include the most prestigious news radio stations in
America, and it also adds fourteen (14) new Audacy stations to the list of AccuWeather outlets including FM stations in New York City, Detroit, St.
Louis, Las Vegas, Memphis, and Buffalo.
Additionally, AccuWeather, Audacy and United Stations collaborated on the creation of the newly introduced “Social Plus” service as well as the “AccuWeather Weather Protection Plan.” Both are expanded weather services that provide affiliates access to weather forecasts and expert reporting
from AccuWeather meteorologists before, during and after severe weather
events along with social media posts on the affiliates’ social media platforms. These additional AccuWeather services and the enhancements that
they bring to each affiliate were key ingredients in the renewal process as well as important components to fulfill the needs of Audacy’s FM stations.
Several factors led to the creation of these new weather services for
radio. For starters, incidents of all types of severe weather have doubled
in the last 20 years pushing broadcasters to be better prepared to serve
their communities during dangerous and life-threatening events when seconds count. Simultaneously, radio stations have evolved and expanded the
platforms that they utilize to communicate with their audiences. As a cutting-edge leader in audience engagement, Audacy’s content team
recognized that new ways to utilize AccuWeather’s legacy as the nation’s most trusted provider of weather forecasts would be invaluable to their
local brands.
In marking the renewal and expansion of the three-way partnership, Fred Bennett, Senior Vice President of Revenue Analytics and Networks, Audacy,
said “Our local radio station brands are deeply embedded in each of their communities, and this partnership helps us solidify our commitment to delivering the kinds of information that they depend on and trust.”
AccuWeather’s Ken Prehl added, “Developing new and creative ways of delivering the best weather forecasts, warnings and data around is always energizing, but it becomes extra compelling when we are helping legendary
radio stations continue to fulfill their fundamental roles as broadcasters. Weather is still “lean in” content, and we are extremely excited and proud to extend this important partnership.”
At United Stations, Chief Revenue Officer Greg Janoff added, “Our job is to bring together great content, essential services and the most powerful
brands in radio so that our marketing partners are in the most impactful environment possible. When you are talking about brands like 1010 WINS,
WCBS 880, WBBM, and WWJ it’s an impressive universe, and now that we are adding major market FM stations to the mix, it’s a milestone moment for everyone involved.”
AccuWeather, recognized and documented as the most accurate source of
weather forecasts and warnings in the world, has saved tens of thousands of lives, prevented hundreds of thousands of injuries and tens of billions of dollars in property damage. With global headquarters in State College, PA
and other offices around the world, AccuWeather serves more than 1.5
billion people daily to help them plan their lives and get more out of
their day through digital media properties, such as AccuWeather.com and
mobile, as well as radio, television, newspapers, and the 24/7 AccuWeather Network channel and AccuWeather NOW streaming service. AccuWeather For
Business serves more than half of Fortune 500 companies and thousands of businesses globally.
AccuWeather produces and distributes news, weather content, and video for
more than 180,000 third-party websites. Among AccuWeather’s many innovative and award-winning features available free to the public are MinuteCast® forecasts with Minute by Minute® updates and Superior Accuracy , the
patented AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® current conditions, and
AccuWeather RealImpact scale for Hurricanes. Dr. Joel N. Myers, Founder
and Chief Executive Officer, established AccuWeather in 1962 and is
considered the “father of modern commercial meteorology.” Dr. Myers, a leading creative thinker and visionary, has been named “the most accurate
man in weather” by The New York Times and one of the top entrepreneurs in American history by Entrepreneur’s Encyclopedia of Entrepreneurs.
Audacy, Inc. (NYSE: AUD) is a leading multi-platform audio content and entertainment company with the country’s best collection of local music,
news and sports brands, a premium podcast creator, major event producer,
and digital innovator. Audacy engages 200 million consumers each month, bringing people together around content that matters to them. Learn more at www.audacyinc.com, Facebook (Audacy Corp) and Twitter (@AudacyCorp).
United Stations Media Networks is a division of United Stations Radio
Networks, Inc., and is Americas leading independently owned and operated
radio network. USRN currently produces and distributes dozens of format-specific programs and services accounting for over 5000 affiliations with commercial radio stations across the country. The New York-based
company maintains programming, sales and affiliate marketing offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Washington, and Nashville. USRN was
founded in 1994 by radio pioneers Dick Clark and Nick Verbitsky.
///////////////////////////////////////////
WMYB To Become Ukraine 92.1 This Weekend
Posted: 03 Mar 2022 01:14 PM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/220787/wmyb-to-become-ukraine-92-1-this-weekend/
Dick Broadcasting CHR Energy 92.1 WMYB Myrtle Beach SC will rebrand as
Ukraine 92.1 this weekend.
The station will feature comments from Ukrainians living in Myrtle Beach,
and provide information of fundraising and relief efforts. The station
shared a sample audio clip:
document.createElement('audio');
https://radioinsight.com/wp-content/images/2022/03/Ukraine-921-ANNA.mp3
Starting Friday morning at 10am Dick Broadcastings (TOP 40) Energy 92.1 (WMYB-FM) will rebrand itself as UKRAINE 92.1 as show of solidarity and
support for the people of Ukraine in their fight with the invading forces
from Russia.
Through Sunday night UKRAINE 92.1 will spotlight people from Ukraine who
now live in Myrtle Beach. “It’s sad to see a country invade another country for no reason. Speaking to Ukrainians here in Myrtle Beach, who have family
and friends still in Ukraine, makes this hit close to home and I hope
everyone takes the time to listen and helps them in their fight for peace,” says WMYB PD Zack Williams. In addition, WMYB’s local on-air staff will
pass along information on how listeners can help with fundraising and
relief efforts.
“Kudos to Zack and his team for finding a compelling way to connect a war over 5,000 miles away to people living here in Myrtle Beach” DBC OM Charlie Steele.
This posting includes a media file:
https://radioinsight.com/wp-content/images/2022/03/Ukraine-921-ANNA.mp3
///////////////////////////////////////////
Bob-FM Celebrates 20th Anniversary
Posted: 03 Mar 2022 11:30 AM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/220792/bob-fm-celebrates-20th-anniversary/
Kroeger Medias Variety Hits format Bob FM is commemorating the 20th
anniversary of its launch.
The first Bob FM debuted on 99.9 CFWM Winnipeg on March 4, 2002. That
station would retain the brand until May 2021, when it and many other Bell Media stations rebranded as Bounce Radio. The format would then make its
way to the United States in 2003 when it debuted in Honolulu and then
Oklahoma City. The competing Jack-FM would launch in Vancouver in December 2002.
BOB FM®, the revolutionary 24/7 music format that hit the radio airwaves on March 4, 2002, is celebrating 20 years of playing music from the ‘80s, ‘90s, & whatever. BOB FM® was the first Adult Hits Format of its kind to launch in North America to instant success and acclaim. Currently, BOB FM®
is heard on over 40 radio stations from Anchorage, Alaska to Wichita, KS, including, KYMV, Salt Lake City; KBBD, Spokane; and WRRK, Pittsburgh. BOB
FM® is available to radio stations exclusively from G Networks.
“BOB FM is not as much a format as it is a Life Group,” according to Howard Kroeger, who created the format. “I attended a 40th birthday party where
the music being played was songs that weren’t exactly getting radio airplay at the time songs that were immensely popular on MTV in its early days
when it was all song videos. I conducted an informal focus group right
there with the party goers and immediately recognized a void in the music
radio space that needed to be filled.”
Kroeger was Operations Director for CHUM Broadcasting’s Winnipeg stations
at the time, which gave him access to research and radio signals.
“We did our due diligence, did our research, confirmed the format hole and compiled a library that to this day is made up of over 1000 song titles
from alternative rock, album rock, and pop hits from the ‘80s and ‘90s, with a smattering from the ‘70s,” explained Kroeger, who went on to form Kroeger Media Inc. (KMI) in 2006, which produces BOB FM® , as well as HANK FM®, a 24/7 country format.
“BOB FM’s unique mix is best described as one big mix tape for adult listeners who are too young to be considered full-fledged baby-boomers and
a little too old to be considered as part of generation X,” added Rich O’Brien, Chief Development Officer for G Networks. “Beyond the music, the BOB FM brand is known for its out of the box presentation where the station becomes a personality and listeners are on a first name basis with
the station. Many markets saw their Adults Hits stations debut in the Top
Three with Adults 25-54, when switching to BOB FM.”
For more information, radio stations may visit the BOB FM® website at
http://kroegermedia.com/bobfm/ or the G Networks website at
https://gognetworks.com/24-7-programming/bob-fm/. For direct contact,
stations may reach Rich O’Brien at (o) 212-380-9338, (c) 617-984-9625, or
richo@gognetworks.com.
///////////////////////////////////////////
Cleveland Radio Legend Lynn Tolliver Remembered
Posted: 03 Mar 2022 09:30 AM PST
https://radioinsight.com/blogs/220219/cleveland-radio-legend-lynn-tolliver-remembered/
In early 1981, WZAK Cleveland switched from brokered ethnic programming to
R&B but didn’t really ignite until a year later when market veteran Lynn Tolliver, Jr., was named PD. Tolliver was a veteran of both R&B (WJMO) and
Top 40 (WGCL) radio in the market. The success of WZAK would establish
Tolliver as one of radio’s great showmen and strategists; the station
endures to this day as an Adult R&B outlet.
Lee Zapis was WZAK’s OM, then GM and president of family-owned Zapis Communications. In 2019, he published Change Is on The Air, his memoir of
the legendary station and its legendary programmer. Tolliver died February
13 at age 71. Services for Tolliver are being held today, February 22. The following excerpts are Zapis’ remembrances.
WZAK became famous in Cleveland because Lynn built a solid structure. He
would say, “I’d always been about building the fort. If you create a fort, and you fortify the fort, the fort will protect you. That was my
foundation. A lot of the jocks that I was around earlier, they didn’t understand that; it was always about their ego, their personality, and
their career, not the station.”
Lynn noticed when he promoted the station more, even if he didn’t promote himself, listeners remembered him. Once, when he worked at WJMO, he was in
the car with a friend and Rick James’s “Super Freak” came on. His friend asked, “Is that JMO?” Lynn told him it wasn’t. “Turn to JMO,” his friend
said. And Lynn thought: “Right in the middle of Rick James? Wow.” [Even on AM in 1981,] the station meant more to listeners than the song. It
fortified Lynn’s theory that DJs should always promote the radio station first.
Lynn remembered WZAK as the best radio experience he ever had. At WZAK, he was able to be a part of all the elements of the stationnot just the on-air product, but also the other factors that went into making WZAK what it was. Lynn was involved in the sales process as well as the on-air and off-air promotions, and allowed his staff to do more as well. At other stations, he told me, even as program director “you may not have had any input. At other stations, the DJs are often at each other’s throats on the same stage. I didn’t understand that. I’m thinking, ‘Hey, this DJ comes on in the morning, and that DJ comes on in the afternoon. Why are they at each
other’s throats?’ They are on the same team.”
Tolliver’s philosophy was to let the DJs be free and not to nitpick their style, as some program directors did. He wanted to earn their trust and
give them freedom. “Phat Friday,” the show that his nephew Dave Tolliver and Anthony “Banana” Marshall did together, was the show Lynn hated the most. I think he disliked it so much because of a generational thing. But
it was one of the hottest shows so he let them do their thing.
WZAK embraced research, calling 125 listeners weekly. [Editor—That’s a now unimaginable sample size in an equally unimaginably wide 18-44 demo.] But
he gave the on-air personalities “freedom within a structure.” Lynn’s approach to music was always innovative. Most of the record companies did
not like him because he would listen to the album and try to pick the song
that he thought was the best song for his audience.
Tolliver saw that there were some artists that everybody liked. He would
never choose another artist over Aretha Franklin or the Temptations – even
in the ‘90s. In 1998, WZAK helped give the Temptations their last hit with “Stay.” He would stress how the only way to know if you were playing the strongest possible song in the moment was to play as many great records as possible. If a song worked both lyrically and musically, he said, it meant
that both men and women were covered.
But WZAK helped new artists, too. At WJMO, Tolliver had been credited with breaking “Sara Smile” by Daryl Hall & John Oates, paving the way for the duo as both pop and R&B stars. At WZAK, he launched the careers of LeVert,
then Gerald Levert as a solo artist. He was first to play MC Hammer on the radio, the trio Next, Usher, Mary J. Blige’s “Real Love.” Jodeci once took
a private jet to make sure they got to one of WZAK’s parties because the station had been so instrumental in their stardom.
Kevin Harewood was GM/COO of Hush Productions in the 1980s when the company
was one of R&B’s most prominent music management companies. “Tolliver was so good at picking hits,” Harewood recalls. “He was the first to play a lot of artists, including Freddie Jackson and Meli’sa Morgan. Some of the songs WZAK played first went on to become No. 1 singles. Tolliver just picked
records that [we] weren’t on to yet.”
Left to right is Mike Hilber, our long-time VP of Sales, Lynn Tolliver, Xen Zapis, and Lee Zapis in 2015. Photo courtesy of Lee Zapis.
///////////////////////////////////////////
Liberty Radio Debuts In Philadelphia
Posted: 03 Mar 2022 08:30 AM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/219985/liberty-radio-debuts-in-philadelphia/
John Fredericks Disruptor Radio has closed on its $500,000 purchase of Christian 740 WVCH/103.3 W277CL Chester PA from the Estate of Alice
Moffit’s WVCH Communications Inc. and has launched Conservative Talk
Liberty Radio. The station will also be heard on Broadcast Learning Centers 95.3 W237EH Pennsauken NJ.
Now sporting WJFP call letters, the station becomes the third market for
his ultra-rightwing brand along with Richmond VA market 820 WJFN
Chester/100.5 WJFN-FM Goochland and LMAd Freedom 1690 WMLB Avondale Estates/Atlanta GA. The flip gives an additional Conservative Talk outlet
in Philadelphia to go up against Audacys 1210 WPHT and Salems 990 The
Answer WNTP. WVCH and its translator better serve the southern and western portions of the market.
WJFPs lineup will feature Fredericks in mornings from 6-10am and his
Outside The Beltway in afternoons from 4-5pm. Steve Bannons War Room will
air from 10am-12pm and 5-6pm. Newsmaxs Rob Carson Show will be heard from 12-3pm followed by Doug Collins from 3-4pm. Todd Starnes will air in
evenings from 6-9pm followed by Westwood Ones Dan Bongino from 9pm-12am.
Dave Ramseys show will fill the 12am hour followed by Red Eye Radio
overnights.
The John Fredericks Media Network has acquired WVCH AM 740 and 103.3 FM in Chester and Malvern, PA, and will operate 95.3 FM in Pennsauken, N.J to
become WJFP-AM 740, 103.3 FM, and 95.3 FM.
The new radio signal additions to the John Fredericks Media Network will
give the company enormous reach into Philadelphia, all surrounding suburbs, half of Delaware south to Dover and all of Wilmington and most of South Jersey.
Fredericks also owns or operates four radio stations in Central Virginia WJFN-AM 820 and WJFN-FM 100.5 FM, 92.7 FM, and 107.7 FM, as well as WMLB AM 1690 in Atlanta.
The John Fredericks Radio Show is heard on all of his stations weekdays
from 6:00 AM 10:00 AM, and his TV show, Outside the Beltway with John Fredericks broadcasts on Real Americas Voice News weekdays from 4:00 PM
5:00 PM.
The acquisition of iconic radio station WVCH in greater Philadelphia and
its accompanying FM translator is an essential component of our growth strategy. We want to provide our growing audience with hard-hitting news
and incisive analysis to cut through the cancel culture and the woke fake
news networks that dominate the airwaves today,Fredericks said. Our
proprietary network of show hosts is leading the radio industry, and our
vision of all live weekday coverage and weekend live sports has resonated
with both our listeners and advertisers, Fredericks added.
The John Fredericks Media Network also has full or partial ownership in
three digital newspapers in the Star News Network, The Virginia
Star, Georgia Star News and Pennsylvania Daily Star, operated by CEO Mike Leahy.
Our strategic partnership with Star News Network is a cornerstone of our
future expansion and we mandate that our newspapers operate independently
from our radio and television network. We believe our burgeoning audience
today is yearning for facts, independent thought, and intelligent
commentary, not parroting the same lines over and over as the fake news conglomerate does, Fredericks maintained.
WJFP-AM 740,103.3 FM, and 95.3 FMlaunches on Thursday, March 3rd at 6:00
AM. The weekday lineup includes:
6 AM 10 AM: The John Fredericks Show
10 AM 12 PM: War Room with Steve Bannon
12 PM 3 PM: The Rob Carson Show
3 PM 4 PM: The Doug Collins Show
4 PM 5 PM: Outside the Beltway with John Fredericks
5 PM 6 PM: War Room with Steve Bannon
6 PM 7 PM: Just The News with John Solomon & Amanda Head
7 PM 8 PM: Dr. Gina PrimeTime
8 PM 9 PM: Live From Studio 6B
9 PM -12 AM: The Dan Bongino Show
12 AM 1 AM: The Dave Ramsey Show
1 AM 6 AM: Red Eye Radio
“The Star News Network is delighted to expand our hugely successful partnership with the John Fredericks Media Network from Georgia and
Virginia into Pennsylvania. The combination of the great radio programming
of the John Fredericks Radio Network with the state-based digital news
sites of the Star News Network is a winning combination for everyday
Americans who simply want to know the true facts about state and local news stories, said Michael Patrick Leahy, CEO of The Star News Network.
The Star News Network owns and operates 11 state-based digital news sites, including The Virginia Star, The Georgia Star News, and The Pennsylvania
Daily Star.
Congratulations to John Fredericks on the acquisition of WJFP AM and FM.
There is no more fitting city to add to The John Fredericks Radio Network
than Philadelphia – America’s Cradle of Liberty and birthplace of The Constitution. John’s dedication to truth and conservative principles is paying off big time as the network gets more popular every day. I’m proud
to have the network among our affiliates for The Rob Carson Show and we
look forward to bringing Philadelphia a new talk alternative as part of WJFP’s exciting lineup, said radio talk show host Rob Carson, heard 12 PM
3 PM weekdays across the network.
“John Fredericks and his wife Anne are true warriors who have put their family and livelihoods on the line to bring light where there is darkness.
They are true MAGA fighters and have never once wavered in the face of much adversity. War Room is proud to be carried on their growing network live
and I’m looking forward to connecting with a new radio audience in the PA-DE-NJ triangle,” added Stephen K. Bannon, host of the War Room, the biggest live radio and TV show in America.
///////////////////////////////////////////
English Evan To Depart The Jubal Show
Posted: 03 Mar 2022 08:17 AM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/220777/english-evan-to-depart-the-jubal-show/
Co-host English Evan Omelia has announced he will depart the syndicated
Jubal Show in a few months.
Omelia previously worked as in sales at iHeartMedia Seattle before he was
added to the Carla Marie Anthony morning show at 106.1 KBKS in April 2019.
He was retained when Jubal and Alex Fresh joined the station in August 2020.
In making the on-air announcement, Omelia stated that he is leaving the
show to find happiness stating he fell into radio and wants to seek a
position allowing him to travel and work remotely.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Evan (@evanontheradio)
///////////////////////////////////////////
Radio 95.1 Rochester Adds Newman And The Mayor
Posted: 03 Mar 2022 07:22 AM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/220770/radio-95-1-rochester-adds-newman-and-the-mayor/
iHeartMedia Hot Talk Radio 95.1 WAIO Honeoyo Falls/Rochester NY has added a
new late morning show Newman and The Mayor hosted by Jeremy Newman and Pete
The Mayor Kennedy from 9am to 11am weekdays.
Kennedy most recently was hosting mornings on AC Mix 100.5 WDVI until its
flip to Country last October. He has continued to track shifts for iHeart stations in Binghamton and Syracuse. He has been a staple in the Rochester market for decades with prior stints at CHR 97.9 WPXY and Variety Hits 98.9
The Buzz WBZA before joining WDVI in 2012.
Newman joined the company with the launch of Country 100.5, where he will continue to host afternoons from 2-7pm. He previously spent sixteen years
in mornings at Audacy Country 92.5 WBEE.
With the addition of Newman and The Mayor, Brother Weases morning show is
cut to 6-9am. The rest of the lineup with John DiTullio and Bill Moran from 11am-2pm, The Earl David Reed Show from 2-6pm, and delayed airings of
Rovers Morning Glory from 6-10pm and Bob Tom from 10pm-3am remain in place.
///////////////////////////////////////////
Don't Touch That Dial (Even When We Want You To)
Posted: 02 Mar 2022 02:00 PM PST
https://radioinsight.com/blogs/220738/dont-touch-that-dial-even-when-we-want-you-to/
As an industry, we like to see ourselves as marketing companies, sometimes
more than as radio broadcasters. Many radio companies actively offer
internal marketing, social media management or website development to their clients. At the same time, theyre not always as diligent about marketing
their own products. Here are three recent examples of Hip Hop stations that
are trying and sometimes failing to move their listeners to new locations. Charlotte
Radio One swapped the FM locations of their Hip Hop and Sports stations
this week. If you were attempting to listen to Sports WFNZ on Monday, you
were left lost as The Block moved to its 102.5 frequency and nobody failed
to communicate what was happening.
@wfnz Im a daily listener and have been since I moved to the area in 1999.
As I see in other tweets, no one knew what was going on today not be able
to listen on 102.5. You owe an explanation to your listeners. Period. I
cant get reception on 610.
- Steve Stout (@Skroutyboy) February 28, 2022
102.5 wfnz playing songs instead of sports radio for anyone else? Been like this all day
- Garrett T. (@longfellowT) February 28, 2022
@wfnz did you stop broadcasting on 102.5 FM?
- BoulderSmolderer (@BoulderSmolder) February 28, 2022
It would not be until the following day when WFNZ reappeared on the
stronger 92.7 signal and began promoting its move on-air. Which is more
than the new 102.5 The Block has done. With a newly promoted web domain
that does not yet work, and one single Instagram post to promote its move, listeners to either station were not given any prior warning that a move
was taking place.
Lets say that The Blocks January 2022 cume of 101,300 is a 100% accurate depiction of how many listeners the station has right now, now between the three big social media platforms the Block has a total of 44,660 followers.
Now lets subtract duplicates, former listeners, those outside Charlotte,
bots, and relying on third party algorithms that dont show every post to
every person, how many do you think are actually aware the station moved?
Could the number be closer to the 18 likes the one Instagram post about the move got?
It takes weeks of repetition to make listeners aware of a change yet Radio
One seems to be banking on listeners just magically knowing that its now on
a new frequency?
Seattle
iHeartMedia has definitely gotten the weeks of repetition part down for its upcoming change in Seattle. As of this writing, 93.3 KUBE is on day 12 of running a shadowcast of CHR Hits 106.1 KBKS. But in this case is it asking
too much for its listeners to retain?
Between nearly every song is either a jock or sweeper telling listeners to reset their preset to 106.1 or morning host Jubal Fresh trying to make listeners aware of his show in the case they werent aware he left Hubbard
CHR Movin 92.5 KQMV and then joined KBKS in 2020.
And for those looking for the former Hip Hop brand? At the front end of
every stopset, a sweeper starts with the following, Looking for KUBE 93.3,
you can hear KUBE 93.3 on KUBE 93.3 HD2 on your smart speaker and the iHeartRadio app. This is what you currently see if attempting to search for KUBE on the app:
The first shows the current station logo and will bring you to what is currently airing on the primary 93.3 signal. The second has a new logo that
is unfamiliar to listeners, but will bring them to the new HD2 based
format. In a brief survey of radio professionals, four out of the seven
people we showed this to expected the first to bring them to the KUBE 93.3
Hip Hop format because the logo said KUBE 93.3.
Meanwhile many listeners are still confused after nearly two weeks. None of
the stations airstaff has commented on the change, yet have continued to
post from the stations studio or station events yet ignoring every comment about the fate of the station or their show.
Chattanooga
Did you know Audacy Hip Hop Real 96.1 W241AF/WUSY-HD2 Chattanooga moved to
HD2 only last November? Even I, as someone who digs deep for format
changes, was unaware of the change until this past weekend when we were
made aware of the new operator of the translator beginning to promote its arrival on the signal. Were you to go to the website, stream, or social
media accounts of the Hip Hop brand you would still see it promoted as Real 96.1 despite not being on the signal since at least Thanksgiving weekend.
Not one post promoting that its is now branded on air as Real 100.7 HD2 and could still be heard there.
Nor was there anything ahead of time directing listeners to find the
station moving forward there or on Audacys app.
[continued in next message]
--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)