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Alt Returning To Nashville

Posted: 28 Mar 2017 12:15 PM PDT
http://radioinsight.com/headlines/11...ing-nashville/


From RadioInsight


Seven months after flipping Alternative Alt 98.3 W252CM/WNRQ-HD2 Nashville
to Classic Country The Big Legend, iHeartMedia will relaunch the
Alternative brand on 97.5 W248BQ Nashville on Friday, March 31.

W248BQ had been simulcasting 98.3 W252CM to Nashvilles northern suburbs
while awaiting the completion of its signal move to downtown Nashville. Had
it not had to refile for a new tower location last spring, it is likely
that the format would not have been sacrificed for the launch of Classic
Country in September 2016.

All of the former Alt 98.3 on-air staffers still remain in the iHeartMedia
Nashville cluster including Morning host and former Bachelorette contestant
Wells Adams who is APD/MD/Afternoon Host at sister Classic Rock 105.9 The
Rock WNRQ, Gabby Sanderson, and Battle. In preparation for the relaunch of
Alt, the Classic Country format has moved from 105.9 WNRQ-HD2 to 97.9
WSIX-HD2.

#BringBackAlt983 ?? #AltOn975 ?? pic.twitter.com/LcWPo0AyfR

- ALT Nashville 97.5 (@AltNashville) March 28, 2017




The post Alt Returning To Nashville appeared first on RadioInsight.


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Vibe Conflict Leads To WYTS Rebranding As Kiss 105.3

Posted: 28 Mar 2017 10:22 AM PDT
http://radioinsight.com/headlines/11...ng-kiss-105-3/


From RadioInsight


A little over a month after launching as Urban AC Vibe 105.3, iHeartMedias
1230 WYTS/W287CP Columbus OH has rebranded as Kiss 105.3.

No other changes accompanied the renaming. While not confirmed it appears
the new name was caused by a conflict caused by the prior use of the Vibe
brand by River Radio Ministries Christian CHR Vibe Radio HD 104.9 WCVO-HD2
Gahanna/Columbus.


The post Vibe Conflict Leads To WYTS Rebranding As Kiss 105.3 appeared
first on RadioInsight.


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WTOP Retains Top Billing Status For 2016

Posted: 28 Mar 2017 07:32 AM PDT
http://radioinsight.com/headlines/11...g-status-2016/


From RadioInsight


BIA/Kelsey has released its annual report on radio station revenues.

For the sixth time in the past seven years Hubbard Radio News 103.5 WTOP
Washington DC holds the title of the top revenue generator in the nation.
WTOPs projected $67.5 million in revenue rose from $65 million in 2015,
however the radio industry as a whole remained flat around $14.1 billion.

The top 4 remained consistent in place from the year before. iHeartMedia
CHR 102.7 KIIS-FM Los Angeles (The only other station to lead the rankings
this decade) holds steady at #2 with a slight revenue rise from $65 million
to $65.9 million. iHeart sister CHR Z100 100.3 WHTZ Newark NJ holds steady
at third with $48 million, down slightly from $48.4 million. CBS Sports 660
WFAN/101.9 WFAN-FM New York remains fourth at $46.5 million down a bit from
$47 million.

CBS News 780 WBBM/105.9 WCFS Chicago rises from sixth to fifth with $45
million in revenue up from $43.8 in 2015. iHeartMedia Hot AC 104.3 My-FM
KBIG Los Angeles rises to a sixth place time at $44 million from $42.9. It
ties with CBS News 880 WCBS New York, which dropped from fifth as revenue
slid to $44 million from $45 million. The rest of the top ten rankings
stayed the same with iHeartMedia AC 106.7 Lite-FM WLTW New York rising to
$42 million from $40 million, CBS News 1010 WINS New York showing a slight
gain to $40 million from $39.5 million, and iHeartMedia Talk 640 KFI Los
Angeles up to $38 million from $37.8 million.



The digital advertising income of U.S. radio stations continued its ascent
in 2016, as the industry reported a 14 percent increase in online revenues,
compared with only a slight bump in over-the-air income, according the
first quarter edition of BIA/Kelsey’s 2017 Investing In Radio® Market
Report. Washington, DC all-news station WTOP-FM was the top
revenue-generation station, taking in $67.5 million in advertising revenues
as the overall industry over-the-air advertising revenue stayed relatively
flat at around $14.1 billion. The news-talk category experienced an overall
improvement in 2016, likely due to the presidential year.

“In an age where consumers have many entertainment choices, local radio
maintains its strength and popularity in the marketplace among national and
local advertisers,� said Mark Fratrik, SVP and chief economist at
BIA/Kelsey. “Our forecast also notes that by 2021 we expect radio to
surpass newspapers and become the fifth largest media category among
advertisers.�

Fratrik added that the prospects for 2017 remain similar, with OTA revenues
increasing less than one percent and online about 12 percent. BIA/Kelsey
forecasts that the radio industry’s revenue in 2017 will reach a total of
$14.9 billion, representing 10.5 percent of the $148.8 billion U.S. local
advertising marketplace as estimated by BIA/Kelsey.

More promising this year over last are radio transactions and station
sales. With the February announcement that Entercom and CBS Radio will be
combined into one company, after regulatory approval, the industry will
experience renewed activity due to the sale and realignment in some
markets. In 2016 the market was slow, with 556 station sales and nearly
$500 million in transactions across the industry.

“We are encouraged by the Entercom purchase and how it will affect the
competitive landscape,� Fratrik said. “The combined group will be closer
to the size of industry leader iHeart Media and we expect the transaction
to have a positive effect on radio since both organizations are progressive
and well-run.� In February, Fratrik commented on the proposed merger in a
blog post, “ENTERCOM – CBS: What Does it Mean?�


The post WTOP Retains Top Billing Status For 2016 appeared first on
RadioInsight.


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J105 Returns To Boise

Posted: 28 Mar 2017 07:01 AM PDT
http://radioinsight.com/headlines/11...returns-boise/


From RadioInsight


Scripps Media Classic Rock Rock 105.1 KJOT Boise has returned to its
heritage J105 identity.

KJOT was known as J105 from 1985 until 2010 when it broaden its playlist to
include music from the 1970s through 2000s as Variety Rock 105.1. The
station then streamlined its music back to a typical 70s-90s Classic Rock
mix in 2014 as Rock 105.1 but retained its jockless presentation.

The J105 brand relaunch is paired with a return to a hosted presentation.
The first personality to return is Carl CB Ballance, who had been serving
as morning traffic reporter for Scripps Boise radio and television
stations. CB will host middays at KJOT following a brief run in mornings.


The post J105 Returns To Boise appeared first on RadioInsight.