XPost: alt.radio.broadcasting

RadioInsight

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Duane & Abby Join WIXY

Posted: 15 Apr 2022 12:04 PM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/223829/duane-abby-join-wixy/



Former Kix 106 WGKX Memphis morning hosts Duane Shannon and Abby Summers
are joining Saga Communications 100.3 WIXY Champaign IL.

The husband/wife duo will host mornings on WIXY with Shannon doubling as Program Director of WIXY and Classic Country WYXY Classic 99.1 WYXY. They succeed J.R. Gonzalez, who departed earlier this year, while his former
co-host Melissa Anfield announced today she is departing to relocate to the
St. Louis area.

Shannon and Summers hosted mornings at WGKX from November 2010 until
February after previously co-hosting mornings together at Cumulus’ “107.9 The Duke” WOGT and Brewer Broadcasting Hot AC “Alive 95.3” WALV-FM Chattanooga. Shannon also served as Program Director at WGKX from his
arrival until giving up those duties in 2020. He also programmed former
Soft AC “98.9 The Bridge” WKIM-FM Memphis and both WOGT and WALV-FM during his time in Chattanooga.




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Country 103.9 Launches In Columbus

Posted: 15 Apr 2022 09:05 AM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/223752/country-103-9-launches-in-columbus/



North American Broadcasting Company flipped Variety Hits 103.9 Jack-FM WJKR Worthington/Columbus OH to Country 103.9 at noon today.

The brand is being overseen by NABCO Operations Manager Johnboy Crenshaw. Crenshaw joined the company at the start of the year after previously
spending two decades at market leading Country 92.3 WCOL including seven as cluster Director of Programming for Clear Channel from 2005 to 2012.
Crenshaw has also served as Operations Manager for Cumulus in Grand Rapids
and Youngstown and most recently Director of Programming for Saga Charlottesville VA.

WCOL is currently ranked fifth in the Columbus market with a 6.7 share. The market is also served by T100 WCLT-FM Newark, which focuses its ad sales on
the areas east of Columbus itself. NABCOs stations do not subscribe to
Nielsen.

Introducing the NEW Country 103.9! #1 for the most country music in
Columbus! pic.twitter.com/7eCe01cv6Y

- Country1039fm (@country1039fm) April 15, 2022



North American Broadcasting Company announced today that WJKR (103.9 FM)
has changed its format to country. The station will now be known as Country

103.9. The new format will feature popular country artists, like Luke
Combs, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Jason Aldean, to
name a few.

North Americans President and CEO Matt Mnich said, “Country music is the
most popular format in the United States because of the loyalty of the
audience and the attractive demographics it delivers. Having programmed
country for more than three decades in the past, we know the value of the listeners and the power of the music. Central Ohio deserves more than one choice for country music and we couldn’t be happier to be back in country radio.”

North American’s Operations Manager John Crenshaw added, “I moved to Columbus twenty-eight years ago to build a world-class country station and
I am proud to have been part of that success. I am looking forward to doing
it once more with Country 103.9”

Country 103.9 will announce its air staff lineup in the next couple of
weeks. Additional programming information will be made available at Country1039fm.com.


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iHeartMedia Florida Division President Lynda Byrd To Retire

Posted: 15 Apr 2022 07:29 AM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/223813/iheartmedia-florida-division-president-lynda-byrd-to-retire/



iHeartMedia Florida Division President Linda Byrd will retire from her role
and move into an advisory role on July 15.

Byrd has served as Market President in Orlando since 1999. She was promoted
to Division President in 2018 and was one of three people put in charge of
the Metro Division of “markets that are large areas that still encompass multiple communities – but are not regional hubs like the company’s largest markets” along with Tom McConnell and Tony Coles in January 2020.

In her new advisory role, Byrd will focus on her continued involvement in iHeartMedia’s Hispanic footprint.

iHeartMedia announced today the retirement of media veteran Linda Byrd, Division President for iHeartMedia Florida. As a company leader for four decades at iHeartMedia, Byrd has contributed to the success of nearly 50 different markets and countless employees. Byrd will transition out of her Division President role into an advisory role on July 15 and will continue
to report to Hartley Adkins, President of iHeartMedia Markets Group. One
of the duties in her advisory capacity will be the continued involvement in iHeartMedia’s Hispanic footprint, where she has made significant contributions.

“Having worked with Linda for 25 years, I can testify she is a once-in-a-generation leader: Incredibly thoughtful, passionate and courageous,” said Adkins. “I am delighted Linda will get more quality time in retirement and very pleased we will have the advantage of three more
years of her guidance as a consultant.”

Byrd has been in the industry for 45 years, the last 40 with iHeartMedia, including its predecessor companies. During this time, she has overseen 46 different markets. In addition, she has collected impressive
accomplishments, including being the first female state chair for any
Broadcast Association in the country and the winner of the RAB General
Manager of the Year Award. Along with making Radio Ink’s Most Influential Women List for 23 straight years, the American Advertising Federation gave
her the Silver Medal Award recognizing her work as an outstanding
advertising professional in Florida. In addition, she has received the prestigious Florida Broadcaster of the Year Award.

“Linda has built and grown iHeartMedia in the Florida region for more than four decades, and we’re grateful for her many years of strong leadership
and teambuilding,” said Bob Pittman, CEO and Chairman of iHeartMedia. “She has also been a good friend and advisor—and as she embarks on this new chapter and gives up her operating responsibilities, we are fortunate that she’ll continue on with us as an important and valued advisor.”

“Every company would benefit from having more Linda’s on their team,” said
Greg Ashlock, CEO of iHeartMedia Multiplatform Group. “Linda has made a career of investing in people: From mentoring and developing to
challenging, collaborating, and ultimately empowering. She is intelligent, invested, decisive and uncompromisingly authentic. We are better as a
company because of her contributions.”

“It’s hard even to say the word retire,” said Byrd. “I have had the most
fantastic career working in an industry that I absolutely love. I’ve never even thought about doing anything else. And I am so fortunate to have been
on this iHeart train, and previous companies, for the last 40 years. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I am thankful and excited to have the opportunity to transition into an advisory role for the next stage of my
life. And I’m truly appreciative of the support and partnership I have had for so many years with Bob, Rich, Greg and Hartley. I couldn’t have asked
for a better team to learn from and work with.”



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Audacy Launches 102 Jams San Francisco

Posted: 15 Apr 2022 06:09 AM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/223791/audacy-launches-102-jams-san-francisco/



Audacy has flipped Rhythmic AC Q102 102.1 KRBQ San Francisco to Classic Hip
Hop 102 Jams.

The new brand launched at 6:00 this morning with 2 Pac/Dr. Dre California
Love, Snoop Doggs Drop It Like Its Hot and Luniz 5 On It kicking off the revamped format. The station is promoting Commercial Free Fridays as part
of its new identity. The move pushes KRBQ back closer to its original music position following its launch in 2014. In recent years it had evolved from Classic Hip Hop to a broader RB based Rhythmic AC.

Chuy Gomez, who previously hosted mornings on KRBQ from April 2018 to
August 2019 has rejoined the station to host afternoons. Gomez is best
known in the market for his two decade run at iHeartMedia Hip Hop 106.1
KMEL from 1993-2013 and also has worked at Wild 107.7 KYLD and “Hot 105.7” KVVF in the Bay Area.

KRBQ is ranked tied for twelfth in the San Francisco market with a 2.3
share in the February 2022 Nielsen Audio ratings. It added an additional
1.4 share in San Jose.

The Jams moniker plays off the branding used by KMEL through most of the
1990s, while cloning the branding used by the companys 104.3 Jams WBMX
Chicago.

With the format change, previous afternoon host Efren Sifuentes exits.

Audacy today announced the immediate launch of 102.1 JAMS (KRBQ-FM) in San Francisco. The station, previously known as The New Q102.1, will continue
to feature a wide collection of classic hip-hop hits and throwbacks,
including favorites from 2Pac, Snoop Dogg, E-40, Dr. Dre., Missy Elliott
and more.

“We’re pleased to introduce the Bay Area’s newest station and continue to bring our listeners a home for their favorites in throwback hip-hop,” said Stacey Kauffman, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Audacy San Francisco. “JAMS will embody the very best this format has had to offer and we look forward to continuing to grow this brand as the Bay Area’s go-to
for hip-hop.”

102.1 JAMS will launch with Bay Area legend Chuy Gomez assuming the role of afternoon drive talent. Additional lineup updates will be announced in the coming weeks.


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Loud Media Expands In Knoxville

Posted: 15 Apr 2022 05:50 AM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/223737/loud-media-expands-in-knoxville/



Ricki Lee and Aaron Ishmaels Loud Media is growing their Knoxville TN
cluster with the acquisition of Sports 850 WKVL/100.9 W265DR and Classic Country Pure Country 1400 WGAP/105.9 W290DJ Maryville from Blount
Broadcasting Corp for $175,000.

WKVL and WGAP will join a Loud Media cluster that includes Classic Hits
104.9 Lake-FM WPLA La Follette, Rock 106.1 WVLZ Oliver Springs, and Oldies
Mid Century Radio 1180 WKCE/105.1 W286DT Knoxville. The company also
operates stations in Fort Collins CO and Upstate New York.

Loud Media is pleased to announce an agreement with Blount Broadcasting
Corp to acquire WGAP, WKVL, and their associated translators W290DJ and
W265DR.

Ricki Lee, Loud Media: ​“Acquiring these two heritage stations further shows our commitment to the Knoxville TN market. We are excited to be
expanding our footprint and very much look forward to sharing our plans for these signals on completion.

The acquisition is subject to FCC approval and Loud Media expects to close
on this transaction in Q3 of 2022.


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Power 105.1 New York Debuts On The Radar

Posted: 15 Apr 2022 05:04 AM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/223789/power-105-1-new-york-debuts-on-the-radar/



iHeartMedia Hip Hop Power 105.1 WWPR-FM New York will debut On The Radar
hosted by Gabe P on Fridays from 8 to 10pm.

The show is described as a destination for artists, showcasing exclusive interviews, freestyle performances, and cyphers, focusing on rising artists
but also featuring some established ones.

iHeartMedia New York’s Power 105.1, New York’s Hip-Hop and RB, announced today the debut of “On The Radar,” beginning Friday, April 15. “On The Radar” will broadcast Fridays from 8 10 p.m.

“On The Radar” is hosted by native New Yorker, Gabe P, and is the destination for artists, showcasing exclusive interviews, freestyle performances, and cyphers. “On The Radar” has featured artists such as B Lovee, Fivio Foreign, Kali Uchis, Coi Leray, Toosii, Fredo Bang, Kay Flock, Digga D, Aitch, J.I The Prince of N.Y and many more.

“I saw a gap in the industry for my generation,” said Gabe P. “I felt like
rising artists and even some established artists didnt have a platform for
them to come and feel comfortable, where they could not only showcase their personality in an interview but also showcase their talent in a freestyle. Starting independently, the platform has quickly grown to be one of the must-go-to destinations for artists when they come to New York.”

“Connecting with emerging artists is key to the relationship between listeners and the music they love, and we’re delighted to bring “On The Radar” with Gabe P to Power 105.1,” said Thea Mitchem, Executive Vice President of Programming and Program Director for Power 105.1. “This show will spotlight the purity, strength, and raw creativity of Hip-Hop.”


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Station Sales Week of 4/15

Posted: 15 Apr 2022 04:30 AM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/223768/station-sales-week-of-4-15/



25-7 Media sells News/Talk 1400 KBLJ/104.3 K282BX and Big Country 92.1 KTHN
La Junta CO to Robin Greg Reeds Thunder Media for $275,000. 25-7 Media
will retain its two stations in nearby Lamar.

The previously announced sale of Xana Oregons Regional Mexican “Ke Buena 95.7” 1330 KYOZ/95.7 K239CL Spokane WA to 247 Media Ministries has a
purchase price attached of $225,000.

Toney Baldwins TBTS Broadcasting acquires Gospel 1580 WESY Leland MS from
East Delta Communications for $28,000 and Hip Hop/RB Bad 94 94.3 WBAD
Leland from Interchange Communications for $322,000. An LMA of both
stations took effect on April 1. The stations share similar ownership now
as the current owners of WBAD own 75% of WESY.

Globecom Media sells Classic Hits Happy Radio 92.5 KKHA Markham TX to David Rowells Bay and Beyond Broadcasting LLC for $240,000. In a second deal
between the two parties, Bay and Beyond Broadcasting will acquire 96
Country 96.1 KIOX-FM Edna for $360,000.

Cecil Wilson sells Chatham Broadcasting Company of Siler City and its
News/Talk 1570 WNCA Siler City NC to Barret Hayes, Dacia Hayes, and Renee Kennedy for $100,000.

Larry Hembrees Jasper Public Radio sells Oldies 91.7 WJPR Jasper IN to
Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools for $158,000. The school district owns
the student run Scratch Radio 93.7 WJWS-LP Jasper, which will be divested
ahead of closing as required.
Translator Sales

Family Life Ministries will trade 88.9 W205CB Cayuga Heights NY to State University of New York Oswego for 92.5 W223BR Ithaca.


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Domain Insight 4/14: Imminent Moves Coming Ahead Of Easter Weekend

Posted: 14 Apr 2022 04:27 PM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/netgnomes/223760/domain-insight-3-14-imminent-moves-coming-ahead-of-easter-weekend/



Some radio brand will be reborn as the rumor mill is swirling with imminent changes in a few markets ahead of Easter Sunday.

We start in Columbus OH
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