RadioInsight

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WABC Revamps Daily Lineup

Posted: 14 Jan 2021 01:17 PM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...-daily-lineup/



Red Apple Media Conservative Talk 770 WABC New York and 107.1 WLIR-FM
Hampton Bays NY has announced a pair of programming changes.

Juliet Huddy has moved from co-hosting middays to join Frank Marano on the
77 WABC Early News from 5-6am. Curtis Sliwa will remain in middays from
12-3pm for the rebranded The Curtis Sliwa Show.

WABC also recently dropped the Ben Shapiro Show and is currently running a
series of one hour shows in afternoon drive. Former New York City mayor and
Donald Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani will host from 3-4pm, WABC Editorial
Content Manager Lidia Curanaj follows from 4-5pm, and Red Apple Media CEO
John Catsimatidis hosts from 5-6pm. Shapiros show is now airing on Salem
Medias 970 The Answer WNYM Hackensack NJ in the 5-6pm and 9-10pm hours.

John Catsimatidis, CEO of Red Apple Media and 77 WABC Radio, Chad Lopez,
President of Red Apple Media and 77 WABC Radio, and Dave LaBrozzi, Senior
VP of Programming for 77 WABC Radio have announced two new programs that
began this week. Both programs will be simulcast on WLIR 107.1, Long Island
and streamed online at www.wabcradio.com.

Curtis Sliwa will now host the new The Curtis Sliwa Show, remaining in his
current 12 p.m. timeslot, bringing New Yorkers news updates, talk, and
entertainment for the midday hours.

During the 5 a.m. hour, Juliet Huddy and Frank Morano will host the new, 77
WABC Early News, featuring local news updates with Deb Valentine, traffic
on the 7’s, sports with Sid Rosenberg, Business Reports, and travel,
airline, and weather reports.

Catsimatidis commented: “Juliet Huddy and Frank Morano will combine their
decades of radio experience for the all-new ‘77 WABC Early News’ bringing
the Tri-State area all they need-to-know to start their mornings right.
Huddy and Morano are two well-respected radio powerhouses. We could not be
more excited to put them together for a jam-packed hour of news, traffic,
sports, businesses, and much more.�

Catsimatidis continued, “Curtis Sliwa needs no introduction. He is an
outspoken advocate for the Tri-State area and its millions of residents.
Curtis will keep bringing his one-of-a-kind perspective to our loyal
listeners during the midday hours.�

Lopez added: “Juliet Huddy and Frank Morano are two of the finest in the
business. Their broadcasts have earned a reputation for giving New Yorkers
the news they need when they need it. Bringing them together on the
airwaves is an asset to 77 WABC. The 77 WABC Early News will be a
must-listen for New Yorkers, bringing two unmistakable personalities in one
hour.

“We are excited for Curtis to continue his success in the 12 p.m. hour,
telling it how he sees it, in a way that only Sliwa can,� continued Lopez.

“New Yorkers agree, no one does talk radio like our personalities,� stated
LaBrozzi. “We are excited to bring this new dynamic to 77 WABC radio and
for the continued success of our station and programs.�



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Cumulus Media Fined $233,000 For Sponsorship Identification Violations

Posted: 14 Jan 2021 12:50 PM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/1...on-violations/



Nearly a year and a half after first proposing a $233,000 fine against
Cumulus Media over multiple violations of sponsorship identification rules,
the FCC has issued the forfeiture order.

The agency noted that Cumulus entered into a Consent Decree in 2016 to pay
a $540,000 a civil penalty, enter into a compliance plan, and report any
noncompliance with the sponsorship identification rules within 15 calendar
days after discovery of such noncompliance for violations at Country 97.5
WOKQ Dover NH related to not identifying the sponsor of announcements when
the station was under its ownership. The FCC stated that 26 additional
violations were then made after the original penalty including 13 that were
not timely reported to the FCC as required. After the $233,000 fine was
proposed in August 2019, Cumulus sought a reduction or removal of the fine
but did not contest the violations.

The new fine claims that in 2017 and 2018 seven Cumulus stations failed in
twenty six instances to identify the sponsor of announcements and waited
eight months to notify the FCC as required under the Consent Decree. Six
Michigan stations, WTKA and WWW Ann Arbor, WFBE and WTRX Flint, WDRQ and
WDVD Detroit aired a non-complaint ad by Relevant Sports LLC over thirteen
times on May 16, 2017 and were not reported to the FCC until January 2018.
WMAC Macon GA ran a non-compliant spot for a gubernatorial candidate in May
2018.

Original Report August 6, 2019: The FCC has proposed a $233,000 fine
against Cumulus Media over multiple violations of sponsorship
identification rules.

Cumulus had entered into a Consent Decree in 2016 to pay a $540,000 a civil
penalty, enter into a compliance plan, and report any noncompliance with
the sponsorship identification rules within 15 calendar days after
discovery of such noncompliance for violations at 97.5 WOKQ Dover NH
related to not identifying the sponsor of announcements. The new fine
claims that in 2017 and 2018 seven Cumulus stations failed in twenty six
instances to air such identifications and waited eight months to notify the
FCC as required under the Consent Decree.

Six Michigan stations, WTKA and WWW Ann Arbor, WFBE and WTRX Flint, WDRQ
and WDVD Detroit aired a non-complaint ad by Relevant Sports LLC over
thirteen times on May 16, 2017 and were not reported to the FCC until
January 2018. WMAC Macon GA ran a non-compliant spot for a gubernatorial
candidate in May 2018.

In a letter noting his dissent of the fine proposed, FCC Commissioner
Geoffrey Starks believes the $25,000 portion of the fine levied for
violating the Consent Decree is not in line with FCC procedure and is too
low, The $25,000 proposed forfeiture for the consent decree violation does
not follow well-established Commission precedent and is not, in my mind,
commensurate with the misconduct and violations at issue.

From my time in the Enforcement Bureau, I know that these actions are
significant and will not go unnoticed by savvy lawyers, who will
undoubtedly refer to this case in future investigations. I fear that the
Commission’s action here will make it more difficult for us to impose
significant penalties for consent decree violations in the future and will
signal to industry that we do not take noncompliance seriously. This will
undermine the deterrent effect of our enforcement actions and make it more
difficult for the Enforcement Bureau to prosecute its important mission.
For these reasons, I dissent.

The Federal Communications Commission today proposed a $233,000 fine
against four Cumulus Media subsidiaries for apparent violations of the
FCC’s sponsorship identification rules, and for apparently failing to
promptly self-report some of these violations to the FCC despite its
agreement to do so under a prior Consent Decree with the FCC’s Enforcement
Bureau.

The FCC’s action today advances the agency’s longstanding goals of
protecting consumers by ensuring that they know who is attempting to
persuade them, and of protecting broadcasters and sponsors from unfair
competitors that fail to abide by the FCC’s sponsorship disclosure rules.
When a broadcast licensee fails to disclose the sponsor of paid
programming, it might mislead the public into believing that the paid
broadcast material is a station’s independently generated news or editorial
content. In addition, this action advances the Commission’s commitment to
ensure that parties fully comply with consent decrees and other FCC orders.

In 2011, a Cumulus subsidiary failed to adequately identify the sponsor of
announcements broadcast on its New Hampshire radio station. As a result, in
2016 Cumulus entered into a Consent Decree with the Enforcement Bureau in
which, among other things, Cumulus agreed to pay a civil penalty, enter
into a compliance plan, and report any noncompliance with the sponsorship
identification rules within 15 calendar days after discovery of such

noncompliance.

In today’s action, the FCC finds that in 2017 and 2018, seven of Cumulus’
radio stations apparently failed, in twenty-six instances, to air
appropriate sponsorship identifications as required by FCC rules. In
addition, Cumulus waited nearly eight months before reporting certain of
these violations to the Bureau, in violation of its commitments in the 2016
Consent Decree.

The proposed action, formally called a Notice of Apparent Liability for
Forfeiture, or NAL, contains only allegations that advise a party on how it
has apparently violated the law and may set forth a proposed monetary
penalty. The Commission may not impose a greater monetary penalty in this
case than the amount proposed in the NAL. Neither the allegations nor the
proposed sanctions in the NAL are final Commission actions. The party will
be given an opportunity to respond, and the Commission will consider the
party’s submission of evidence and legal arguments before acting further to
resolve the matter.

The Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture is available he

https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/at...CC-19-70A1.pdf



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94.9/96.9 The Drive Return To Rock Along I-15 To Vegas

Posted: 14 Jan 2021 12:22 PM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...i-15-to-vegas/



Heftel Broadcasting shifted Variety Hits The Drive 94.9 KHRQ Baker and 96.9
KHDR Lenwood/Barstow CA to Active Rock just after Christmas.

The stations, which serve the I-15 corridor to Las Vegas, previously was
Rock until quietly moving to Variety Hits in 2018. The new format is being
overseen by cluster VP/Programming Gonzo Greg Spillane and featuring a mix
of currents from Foo Fighters, Greta Van Fleet, and Royal Blood and
90s/2000s gold from the likes of Nirvana, Green Day, and Metallica.
Spillane has had a long career in Rock radio with stints at stations
including KNAC Los Angeles, WRZX Indianapolis, WMMR Philadelphia, and KVGS
Las Vegas.

The new year has brought new rock back to the High Desert of Victor Valley
in Southern California and across the Mojave. At the stroke of midnight on
December 26th, Heftel Broadcasting’s Highway Radio Network officially
declared the silent night over with AC/DC’s “It’s A Long Way To The Top (If
You Want to Rock ‘n’ Roll)� and launched into Everything That Rocks, which
concisely sums up the exciting new sound of DRIVE 96.9/94.9, KHDR and KHRQ
FM. Now blasting out new rock from Foo Fighters, Greta Van Fleet, and Royal
Blood, backed up with a solid 90’s-based library of bands like Nirvana,
Green Day, and Metallica, DRIVE 96.9/94.9 reaches the rockers of
Victorville and Barstow, as well as those on the road to and from Vegas and
Laughlin.

Explaining the sudden, unexpected increase in decibels, Highway Radio
VP/Programming “Gonzo� Greg Spillane, observed, “After some recognisance
from around the Victorville, Barstow, and Baker FM dial, it became clear
that we needed to combat the deep-seated, Adult Hits Classic Rock
industrial complex and bring non-Jurassic rock music back to the High
Desert. We’re looking forward to not only liberating and connecting with
the disenfranchised and downtrodden rock audience of the high desert, but
also with the millions of monthly, Vegas-bound travellers seeking an
appropriate road-trip soundtrack on their way through the Mojave.�

Heftel Broadcasting Owner/CEO Richard Heftel added, “Highway Radio is
dedicated completely to the residents and travelers of Southern California
and Southern Nevada. This progress really is the result of requests from
our awesome listeners.� Then, flashing the venerable rock n roll,
hand-horns salute, Heftel closed with an energized, “ROCK ON!�



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WBCN Goes Dark As Beasley Sells Tower Property

Posted: 14 Jan 2021 11:45 AM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...ower-property/



Beasley Media turned off 1660 WBCN Charlotte NC on December 31 following
the sale of the stations tower site to a real estate developer.

The Charlotte Business Journal reports that local developer Beauxwright
purchased the 5.397 acre site utilized by 1660 WBCN and an adjacent 0.1
acre property for approximately $5 million and intends to construct
townhouses on the lot.

The WBCN site was previously also the home of RFPJY LLCs 1370 WGIV
Pineville until the station lost its lease with Beasley in early 2019.

The Fox Sports Charlotte programming that had been heard on 1660 WBCN
continues to be heard in the market on 94.7 W234BY Charlotte and 103.7
WSOC-HD3.



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Connor McKnight Joins ESPN 1000

Posted: 14 Jan 2021 11:09 AM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...ins-espn-1000/



wmvpGood Karma Brands has announced the addition of Connor McKnight to ESPN
1000 WMVP Chicago.

McKnight will serve as pre and post-game host for Chicago White Sox
baseball, host White Sox Weekly and serve as a fill-in play-by-play voice
for the White Sox games. McKnight previously hosted White Sox pre and
post-game shows for Cumulus 890 WLS from 2016-2018. He most recently served
as midday co-host for Entercoms 670 The Score WSCR and has also worked at
720 WGN and 87.7 The Game WGWG-LP in the market.

ESPN Chicago, The Home of The White Sox, is excited to announce the most
recent addition to the play-by-play team, Connor McKnight, a long-time
sports host in the Chicagoland area. McKnight will join the team as an
On-Air Host for White Sox Weekly, as well as pregame and postgame for every
White Sox game.

We are so excited to add Connor to the ESPN Chicago team, and we know fans
of the South Siders will gravitate towards him both on the air and on
social media for White Sox news,� said ESPN Chicago Market Manager, Mike
Thomas. “He comes to us with a wealth of MLB experience and knowledge and
will sound great on game days and beyond!�

White Sox Weekly will include a two-hour show in season and one-hour show
off season. Pregame and postgame shows will air a minimum of 30 minutes
before and after the game. Fans can tune into ESPN 1000 yearlong to hear
analysis and insight from McKnight, as well as the White Sox front office,
coaches, and players. Connor will also call play-by-play on ESPN Chicago,
with Darrin Jackson, when Len Kasper fills-in on the TV broadcast.

In addition to McKnight, ESPN Chicago welcomes two new teammates to its
roster: new ESPN Chicago Director of Marketing, Jessica Felten Taylor and
Ryan Maguire, executive producer of the White Sox Radio Network.



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Hits 104.5 Launches In Columbus GA

Posted: 14 Jan 2021 08:20 AM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...n-columbus-ga/



Davis Broadcasting launched CHR Hits 104.5 1580 WIOL/104.5 W283DF Columbus
GA within the past few months.

Previously Sports CBS Sports 1580, the new format is featuring Kidd
Kraddick In The Morning. The new format creates an in-market competitor to
PMB Broadcastings Q107.3 WCGQ Columbus.



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One Morning Host, Two Voices For 98.5 The Beat San Antonio

Posted: 14 Jan 2021 08:02 AM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...t-san-antonio/



Univision Rhythmic CHR 98.5 The Beat KBBT Schertz/San Antonio TX has
debuted Rick Carmen as its new morning show this week.

The show is hosted by Raul Rico Colindres and features the syndicated
Carmen voice he produces as Carmens Calls giving them two voices in one
body.

Colindres joined Skyview Networks in October as VP/Content Development and
Syndication and will continue in that position. Skyview also took over
distribution and sales of Carmens Calls this month.

KBBT previously aired Premiere Networks The Breakfast Club in mornings.












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Icicle Broadcasting Seeks Buyer For Chelan WA Trio

Posted: 13 Jan 2021 04:19 PM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...helan-wa-trio/



Icicle Broadcasting has announced it is seeking a buyer for its three
properties in Chelan WA.

The Harriet Bullitt owned company is seeking a local operator for the
stations with General Manager Elliott Salmon stating, “Our sales focus will
be to find a local buyer. KOZI is a well-known part of the Chelan community
and it is very important to us to make sure that KOZI remain a local
resource. Our owner, Harriet Bullitt, has always been committed to local
radio, and she feels strongly that KOZI/KZAL should stay in local hands.�

The stations on the block are AC 93.5 KOZI-FM Chelan, Country Z-Country
94.7 KZAL Manson, and News/Talk 1230 KOZI Chelan. Icicle intends to retain
AAA 101.1 KOHO-FM Leavenworth/Wenatchee WA.


Known for its committed service to North Central Washington, Icicle
Broadcasting has announced plans to sell KOZI-FM/AM and KZAL-FM. Icicle
Broadcasting will retain KOHO FM, which exclusively serves the Wenatchee
Valley.

The newly formed radio group comprising KOZI-FM/AM and KZAL-FM will be
based in Chelan at its current location. KOZI-FM programs a highly popular
full-service Adult Contemporary format. KOZIAM programs a local sports and
news/talk format featuring nationally well-known personalities.

The KOZI signals reach the entire Chelan basin. KZAL-FM (Z-Country)
programs a Contemporary Country Music format playing the best hits of today
and yesterday. The KZAL signal reaches the entire Wenatchee Valley.

According to Elliott Salmon, General Manager of Icicle Broadcasting, “Our
sales focus will be to find a local buyer. KOZI is a well-known part of the
Chelan community and it is very important to us to make sure that KOZI
remain a local resource. Our owner, Harriet Bullitt, has always been
committed to local radio, and she feels strongly that KOZI/KZAL should stay
in local hands.�

Icicle Broadcasting believes this restructuring and sale will preserve the
viability of the company’s mission of community radio. The sale of
KOZI-FM/AM and KZAL-FM may take months to consummate. In the meantime,
Icicle Broadcasting will continue to operate the four-station cluster as it
always has to serve the local communities. Icicle Broadcasting has retained
the services of a media broker to handle the sale of KOZI-FM/AM and
KZAL-FM. For more information about the sale, please contact:

Greg Guy, Patrick Communications at