RadioInsight

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KMOK Enters Canyon Country While KVTY Flows Into The River

Posted: 07 Jun 2021 01:44 PM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...nto-the-river/



McVey Entertainment Group closed on its $350,000 purchase of CHR “Y105�
105.1 KVTY Lewiston, Country “106.9 The Outlaw� KMOK Lewiston and Classic
Country 1350 KRLC/93.1 K226CT Lewiston ID from Ida-Vend Company.

With the change in operating control the company has begun making changes
at its newly acquired stations. The first move sees the merger of Hot AC
103.9 The River K280FQ and Y105 as the River branding shifts from the
translator to KVTY as 105.1 The River.

KMOK rebranded as Canyon Country 106.9. Matt Dangerfield, who had hosted
mornings on K280FQ, moves to KMOK. The station is launching with a trip
giveaway to see Garth Brooks in Salt Lake City.

McVey also owns Conservative Talk 950 KOZE/95.5 K238CI and Rock “Z-Rock�
96.5 KOZE-FM Lewiston.



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WJCT Relaunches Jacksonville Music Experience

Posted: 07 Jun 2021 11:46 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...ic-experience/



WJCT Public Media is relaunching Jacksonville Music Experience as a new
platform for local music programming heard on its radio brands and seen on
WJCT-TV.

Jacksonville Music Experience features programming from WJCT-FMs HD
subchannels Classical24, Anthology, and Electro Lounge Radio, WJCT-TVs
Music Thursday, and new online exclusive content.

WJCT Public Media today expands the Jacksonville Music Experience with a
new online platform dedicated to local music and curation. The refreshed
platform includes new features and weekly updates, giving users a
continuous range of music to discover and enjoy. JME’s team of featured
contributors boasts decades of experience in the local music scene, and
includes journalists, broadcasters, performers and impresarios.
The Jacksonville Music Experience launched in 2020 to connect listeners
with a locally curated selection of programs that can be accessed on the
air through WJCT Public Media’s HD radio stations (Classical 24, Anthology,
and Electro Lounge), on demand through the WJCT app, online at
jaxmusic.org, Music Thursday television programming on Jax PBS and even in
person as concert programming returns to the First Coast. The expanded
online platform now features new and improved features, including:


Main Features: Longform profiles of local musicians, feature stories and
think pieces that provide context to broad, music-related topics and how
they impact Jaxs music ecosystem —Â*from emerging hip-hop artists like
L.O.V.E. Culture and Aalana, to established local favorites like producer
Ryan Turk and Jonathan Grant Berlin of Sunbears! fame


The Local Spotlight: Short-form music reviews of new releases by local
artists


Local Music Calendar: Recommendations of concerts to see at local venues
with useful and actionable information, like artist introductions, venue
info and links to purchase ticketsÂ*


WJCT Soundstage Events: Information about upcoming concerts and
opportunities to engage with local artists


Today in Music History:Â* Significant musical moments, updated dailyÂ*


Electro Lounge Radio Playlist: The best in chill, downtempo and more from
David Luckin


JME DJ Sessions: Once a month on First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross, JME
Contributors introduce listeners to the beautiful noise emanating from
Northeast Florida with a selection of new releases from local artistsÂ*Â*


Fresh Squeeze Playlist: Curated selections of new music from local,
regional, national and global artists, including songs from First Coast
Connect’s JME DJ Sessions — all hand-picked by JME contributorsÂ*


Crate Diggin: JME contributors will dig through their vinyl collections to
discuss rare or significant albums based on a unique theme (Examples:
Unsung Summer Albums, Guilty Pleasures, Pressed to Impress)


JME Twitter Feed: Follow @JMEJaxMusic for the latestÂ* content from
jaxmusic.org as well as topical and buzz-worthy music news from other
sitesÂ*Â*


JME Recommends: JME contributors will introduce readers to the most
intriguing local artists in various genresÂ*


“The Jacksonville Music Experience is specifically designed for fans of all
genres to discover and enjoy the most in-depth, diverse and local selection
possible,� says David Luckin, WJCT Public Media’s Music Director. “With
these new features that are easy to access online, Northeast Florida
listeners will be able to customize every aspect of their music experience,
learn more about music history and broaden their everyday playlists.�
In celebration of the launch, WJCT Public Media will host an Amazon Echo
giveaway campaign to encourage music lovers in Northeast Florida to sign up
to receive JME music updates. To sign up to receive the JME newsletter and
enter the giveaway, please visit jaxmusic.org.




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SiriusXM Seeks Operators For Its Qualified Entity Programming

Posted: 07 Jun 2021 11:33 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...y-programming/



SiriusXM is accepting additional applications from programmers for its
Qualified Entity Program to provide audio programming for its satellite
radio service. The satellite radio provider is looking to select one or
more lessees for available set-aside channels. Applications are due by July
7, 2021.

SiriusXMs Qualified Entity program focuses on selecting programming
representing diverse viewpoints and/or diverse entertainment content;
improved service to historically underserved audiences; original content of
a type not otherwise available to SiriusXM subscribers; access to new
sources of content and new entrants to mass media.

SiriusXMs current Qualified Entity channels include HUR VoicesÂ*and HBCU
RadioÂ*by Howard University, KTV Radio Networks Korea Today, BYU Radio, En
VivoÂ*and La Politica TalkÂ*from National Latino Broadcasting, and SLAM
Radio, the first satellite radio station run by high school students.Â*The
program is part of SiriusXMs voluntary commitments to the Federal
Communications Commission in connection with the merger of Sirius and XM in
2008.

For detailed information about the Qualified Entity program and procedures
for submitting applications for these set-aside channels, please visit
siriusxm.com/qualifiedentity.



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Classic Hip-Hop: Its Been Here for Years

Posted: 07 Jun 2021 11:00 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/ross/209025...ere-for-years/



On April 1, Rhythmic Top 40 KNRJ Phoenix became Throwback Hip-Hop/R&B KZCE
(101.1 The Bounce). On May 18, the first PPM numbers came out and KZCE was
up 1.0–2.7. It was a noticeable debut for a format you might not have
thought much about recently. But someone has.

The Memorial Day format-change weekend began with KLZT-HD2/K274AX Austin,
Texas, becoming The Vibe, positioned as Rhythmic AC, but based largely in
throwback titles. On the following Tuesday, Classic Hits KRKE Albuquerque,
N.M., became 101.3 The Hustle, immediately winning the weekend at least for
station names. Both stations are in markets that already had some version
of Classic Hip-Hop on FM.

It has been more than seven years since the early 2013 launch of WBQT (Hot
96.9) Boston, a gold-based Rhythmic format based heavily in Classic Hip-Hop
and ‘90s/early ‘00s R&B. Eighteen months later, Radio One’s KROI (Boom
92.1) Houston launched a more narrowly defined Throwback Hip-Hop approach,
which turboed the Classic Hip-Hop building boom and prompted a New York
Times story on the format. Even then, the format was a decade old, since
the current KDAY Los Angeles goes back to 2004.

Boom Houston lasted a little over two years, and eventually its Radio One
brethren followed it out of the format. So did iHeart’s KZEP (Hot 104.5)
San Antonio, Texas, one of the format’s major success stories. WRWM (The
Beat) Indianapolis lasted about three, but not before inspiring a
Cumulus/Westwood One Classic Hip-Hop network that was heard on KWQW (The
Vibe) Des Moines, Iowa, until last weekend.

If you had already pegged Classic Hip-Hop the next “Jammin’ Oldies�-style
fad format, and many people did from the outset, the discussion was closed.
But in 2015, when Indianapolis was at its peak, I wrote an article noting
that Jammin’ Oldies was still flourishing in a handful of markets. Count on
that for Classic Hip-Hop too, I predicted.

Eight years later, there are at least 15 stations based in Classic Hip-Hop
in the PPM markets. Boston’s Hot 96.9 never experienced market dominance
but has been a reliable three-share player throughout, even without driving
rival WJMN (Jam’n 94.5) out of the format. That station had a 2.9 in April.
Others in that range include sister WMGC (the Bounce) Detroit (3.4), WBMX
(104.3 Jams) Chicago (2.8), KXQQ (Q100) Las Vegas (3.1). In April, KVBH
(Vibe 107.5) San Antonio was up 4.0 4.6, showing that the format can
become refreshed.

Jammin’ Oldies found its foothold particularly in those markets that
weren’t likely to support a full-fledged, Black-targeted R&B station. But
Detroit and Chicago are markets where coalition formats usually haven’t
been tenable long-term. Both Jammin’ Oldies and Classic Hip-Hop were hurt
in the long run by great first books in formats that were never meant to be
more than niches, but made being a niche player hard to accept. Those
willing to do Classic Hip-Hop as a niche format are still doing fine. On a
translator or more marginal signal, the format is more typically a 2 share
or thereabouts; in San Antonio, its more than a niche, yet again.

Classic Hip-Hop has also changed the Adult R&B format. In the late
‘90s/early ‘00s, some of those stations experimented with Hip-Hop titles
and quickly found them incompatible, even for an audience that grew up in
the Hip-Hop era. Now, the biggest ‘90s Classic Hip-Hop titles are a regular
part of the format, and the ‘90s R&B that is the other half of the
throwback format is the center lane.

WBQT was launched not on a Classic Hits template, but more like a
gold-based AC, playing a handful of recurrents and reaching beyond the
format for Michael Jackson on one side and Justin Timberlake and Maroon 5
at the new end. At that moment, there wasn’t much from contemporary Hip-Hop
to play beyond Drake and a resurgent Jay-Z. Now, Hip-Hop itself is
resurgent, but seemingly a generational chasm apart from 1995-2005 music.
Hot 96.9’s most-played current is Justin Bieber’s “Peaches,� but there’s
also Pop Smoke, DaBaby, and Saweetie among the newer titles.

The Boston version of the format is the one heard in Phoenix, at least in
terms of the “plays Timberlake� pop edges. (KZCE is not playing
recurrents.) Candelaria came from WMGC and Beasley, which in turn acquired
the stations from Greater Media, which owned WBQT at its launch. Austin’s
Vibe is also positioned as a yesterday-and-today station. Albuquerque’s
KRKE is doing a harder mix, more reminiscent of the Boom stations. In the
hour monitored, the most recent title was from 2017.

Here’s Phoenix’s The Bounce, “The Valley’s Throwback Station,� at 9 a.m.,
June 1:

Nelly, “Country Grammar�
Rihanna f/Jay-Z, “Umbrella�
Akon, “Don’t Matter�
Drake, “Find Your Love�
Shaggy, “Angel�
Big Tymers, “Still Fly�
Justin Timberlake, “Rock Your Body�
Jagged Edge f/Nelly, “Where the Party At?�
DMX, “Party Up (Up in Here)�
Outkast, “Hey Ya�
Bruno Mars & Cardi B, “Finesse�
Notorious B.I.G., “Juicy�
Chris Brown x Young Thug, “Go Crazy�
Aaliyah, “Are You That Somebody�


Here’s Austin’s 102.7 The Vibe at 7:15 a.m. on May 28. The Vibe’s mix
ranges from Bobby Brown’s “My Prerogative� to Doja Cat’s current “Kiss Me
More,� but it still reads more like a Hot 96.9 than WSTR (Star 94)
Atlanta’s poppier rhythmic yesterday-and-today mix.Â*

Eve f/Gwen Stefani, “Let Me Blow Ya Mind:
Warren G & Nate Dogg, “Regulate�
TLC, “Creep�
Snoop Dogg, “Drop It Like It’s Hot�
Megan Thee Stallion f/Beyoncé, “Savage�
Jagged Edge, “Let’s Get Married�
Silk Sonic, “Leave the Door Open�
Jennifer Lopez, “Jenny From the Block�
Jay-Z, “Hard Knock Life�
Cardi B, “Bodak Yellow�
50 Cent, “Disco Inferno�
Destiny’s Child, “Say My Name�
Big Punisher f/Joe, “Still Not a Player�
Dr. Dre, “Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thang�
SWV, “Right Here/Human Nature�


Finally, here’s The Hustle on the morning of its June 1 launch at 5:30 a.m.:

2pac & Snoop Dogg, “2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted�
Lil Wayne & Drake, “She Will�
DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince, “Summertime�
NWA, “Straight Outta Compton�
A$AP Ferg, “Plain Jane�
Juvenile, “Slow Motion�
Three 6 Mafia, “Stay Fly�
Project Pat, “Sippin’ on Some Syrup�
Young Jeezy, “I Luv It�
Drake f/T.I. & Swizz Beatz, “Fancy�
Cypress Hill, “Insane in the Brain�
Lil Wayne, “Lollipop�


During the year when COVID-19 upended radio listening, I wondered if
Classic Hip-Hop stations were going to benefit from the same sort of
elevated upper-demo male listening that powered Classic Rock and Active
Rock stations. That hasn’t happened so far, but I’d expect a somewhat
harder-leaning station like the Hustle (or the old Boom outlets) as the
most likely to be helped by that shift, if it continues.



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WFUV Appoints Rich McLaughlin As Program Director

Posted: 07 Jun 2021 08:27 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...gram-director/



Fordham University AAA 90.7 WFUV New York has announced the return of Rich
McLaughlin to the station as Program Director.

McLaughlin, who served as Content Director at the station in 2008-2009,
succeeds the late Rita Houston as Program Director. The Fordham graduate
began his career at the then-startup Sirius Satellite Radio in 2001 as
Format Manager where he programmed the Alt Nation and Left of Center
channels until his first stint at WFUV. He worked at Clear Channel New York
as Digital Program Director from 2009-2011 and then as Director of Digital
Programming and SVP/Programming for iHeartRadio from 2012-2015 and Merlin
Media as Senior Director of Digital Programming in-between. McLaughlin has
been with Amazon Music since 2016 as Seattle based Senior Music Curator and
since last September as New York based Global Programming Lead for its
music catalog.

WFUV (90.7 FM/wfuv.org), New York’s source for music discovery, is pleased
to announce it has named Rich McLaughlin as Program Director. McLaughlin
currently oversees catalog programming globally for Amazon Music. He starts
at WFUV on June 14.

“Rich is uniquely qualified for this role,� said Chuck Singleton, WFUV’s
General Manager, citing McLaughlin’s blend of terrestrial, digital, and
streaming radio experience. “His accomplishments speak directly to the
transition WFUV and the wider industry is experiencing. Rich’s leadership
will be a booster shot for our content development and programming outreach
to diverse new audiences.�

“I’m over the moon about joining WFUV as Program Director,� said
McLaughlin. “The opportunity to serve a station and university deeply
embedded in my DNA is especially meaningful. FUV’s reputation for music
discovery is well earned. The depth of industry partnerships with artists,
labels, venues, and cultural organizations is extraordinary. The engaged
community of music lovers who support its mission as listeners and donors
is second to none. I’m grateful for the chance to guide WFUV’s next
programming chapter, and I can’t wait to start contributing.�

It’s a poignant homecoming for McLaughlin, who succeeds Rita Houston in the
role. Houston passed away in December 2020 after a 26-year tenure at WFUV,
serving as program director, music director, and DJ. McLaughlin’s radio
career began, under Houston’s mentorship, as a Fordham University student
in the late 1990s. “WFUV’s rich history and culture is steeped in its
training mission,� said McLaughlin. “The education I received from Rita is
evidence of her mission accomplished. Rita taught me that success achieved
at the expense of authenticity is failure in disguise. The path she paved
allowed for missteps along the way, and always led me back to what’s real.
Rita’s spirit, fearlessness, and love of music continues to inspire.�

FUV host Paul Cavalconte will introduce Rich to listeners on Sunday, June
13, at 6 p.m. EDT, joining him as guest co-host of “Cavalcade.�

McLaughlin joined Amazon in 2016 as a Senior Music Curator, leading US rock
programming strategy across web, mobile, and Alexa-enabled voice devices
and platforms. He designed and executed the original rock programming
platform for Amazon Music Unlimited, the corporation’s full-catalog premium
music-streaming service.

Before Amazon, McLaughlin was Senior Vice President of Programming at
iHeartMedia. He oversaw programming strategy for the network’s digital
station platform, successfully expanding the company’s digital brands
across all genres. McLaughlin also led content strategy for the launch of
iHeartRadio’s first-ever podcast platform, building partnerships with
artists, managers, major music labels, and broadcast networks such as NBC,
HBO, and ESPN.

McLaughlin’s first post-undergraduate role was at Sirius Satellite Radio.
He was part of the pioneering team that built the broadcast company’s
original station platform. In addition to programing Sirius’s Alt Nation
and Left of Center (now called Sirius XMU), Rich helped architect The
Spectrum, Lithium, Faction, and several other stations.

A graduate of Fordham University (B.A. 2001, MBA 2010), McLaughlin lives on
Long Island with his wife, Sarah, and their three children.

“I’m grateful to WFUV’s entire team,� said Singleton. “They’ve done an
amazing job of keeping us moving forward in a most difficult year.� WFUV’s
four-month, national search attracted a diverse group of more than 60
individuals and was completed with support from Ann Blinkhorn/Blinkhorn,
LLC as well as Mike Henry/Paragon Media Strategies.



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Karina Maria Exits Mornings At Hot 93.3 Dallas

Posted: 07 Jun 2021 07:43 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...t-93-3-dallas/



Cumulus Media CHR “Hot 93.3� KLIF-FM Haltom City/Dallas has a morning show
vacancy as Karina Maria Cabreja has exited.

Cabreja departed in late May after less than two years in the position. She
joined KLIF-FM in October 2019 as co-host alongside Bret Mega and has been
hosting solo since Megas departure for KYKY St. Louis in April.

Prior to joining KLIF-FM, Cabreja spent a little over a year in mornings at
Midwest Communications CHR 95.5 WIFC Wausau WI. She has also worked at
Emmis’ WBLS/WQHT and iHeartMedia’s WWPR New York and in marketing at
multiple record labels.

Cumulus is seeking a new morning co-host.



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Seven Mountains Media Makes Multiple Frequency Shifts In Elmira/Corning

Posted: 07 Jun 2021 07:00 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...lmira-shuffle/



Seven Mountains Media has continued its realignment of its Elmira/Corning
NY cluster following the acquisition of Sound Communications properties in
the market and divestment of multiple signals to Family Life Ministries.

Northeast Radio Watch reports the following changes have taken place, with
some additional moves to follow later this summer.

AC Magic-FM shifts from 92.7 WENI-FM South Waverly PA and 97.7 WENY-FM Big
Flats NY to 1230 WENY Elmira/106.7 W294BU Corning/106.9 W295BY Elmira.
That move drops Conservative Talk The Patriot from WENY/W295BY, but it
remains on 1450 WENI/103.3 W277DG Corning.
The company has merged the two Classic Hits brands as their existing Cool
Radio shifts from 104.9 WPHD Montour Falls to 98.7 WGMM Corning replacing
98.7 Gem-FM.
Classic Rock The Met shifted from 820 WMTT Horseheads/100.9 WMTT-FM
Horseheads to 92.7 WENI-FM
Classic Hip Hop Jamz 101.7 W269BK Horseheads/96.1 WCBF-HD3 has added a
simulcast on 107.9 W300DH Corning replacing a simulcast of Cool
820 WMTT, 97.7 WENY-FM, 100.9 WMTT-FM (moving to 101.1 to serve the Ithaca
market), and 104.9 WPHD will all join Family Lifes Christian network.


Seven Mountains has yet to implement plans for the stations it has acquired
in Hornell and Olean NY except that Country 101.9 The Ride WZKZ Alfred has
moved to Family Life leaving its programming on 1360 WOEN/96.3 W242CT Olean.

Original Report 6/2: With the three-way deal between Seven Mountains Media,
Family Life Ministries, and Sound Communications involving stations in the
Elmira/Corning and Olean NY markets closing on Tuesday, June 1, the
companies have begun moving brands to new frequencies.

The AC Magic format that had been on 92.7 WENI-FM South Waverly PA and 97.7
WENY-FM Big Flats NY has been dropped from 97.7 as that frequency moves to
Family Lifes ownership. Replacing 97.7 in the simulcast is 1230 WENY Elmira
and 106.7 W294BU Corning. 1230 had been simulcasting Conservative Talk The
Patriot that remains on 1450 WENI/103.3 W277DG Corning. 106.7 W294BU had
been rebroadcasting Kickin Country 105.3 WKPQ Hornell.

The Sound Communications properties are the third cluster in Elmira
acquired by Seven Mountains Media since entering the market in 2019 with
the purchase of Community Broadcasters properties. They added Equinox
Broadcastings stations in December 2019 leading to signal and format
changes for five of their brands last July.

The Sound Communications acquisition will see Seven Mountains Media add
92.7 WENI-FM South Waverly PA, 98.7 WGMM Corning, 105.3 WKPQ Hornell, 1230
WENY Elmira, 1450 WENI Corning, 103.3 W277DG Corning, 106.7 W294BU Corning,
and 106.9 W295BY Elmira in the market along with stations in Olean. They
also divested 97.7 WENY-FM Big Flats, 820 WMTT Horseheads, 104.9 WPHD
Montour Falls and 100.9 WMTT-FM Horseheads NY (to be moved to 101.1
Enfield/Ithaca) to Family Life.

The latter deal will require frequency shifts for Classic Rock “101 The
Met� 100.9 WMTT-FM/820 WMTT and Classic Hits “Cool 104.9� WPHD Montour
Falls/Elmira. WPHDs format also overlaps with Sounds 98.7 Gem-FM WGMM
although while WPHD is 1970s and 1980s focused Classic Hits, WGMM is
centered on the 80s and 1990s. The deal also gives Seven Mountains two
Country brands in the market with WKPQ joining the Bigfoot quadcast heard
on 94.7 WQBF Tioga PA, 95.1 W236AK Corning, 96.1 WCBF Elmira, and 97.1 WOBF
Canaseraga/Hornell.