RadioInsight

///////////////////////////////////////////
WDDV Flips To Oldies

Posted: 05 May 2020 01:54 PM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/1...ips-to-oldies/



iHeartMedia has flipped 1320 WDDV Venice/Sarasota FL to Oldies Oldies 1320.

The station, which had been running WFLA Tampas morning show and Bloomberg
network programming as NewsRadio 1320, is now focusing on music from the
1960s and 70s using the iHearts Real Oldies network.

The new format creates a flanker to co-owned Classic Hits 107.9 WSRZ and
competitor to LECOMs SRQ-FM 1220 WSRQ/106.9 W295BH Sarasota, W240DP Venice
and 106.9 WSRQ-FM Zolfo Springs.


The post WDDV Flips To Oldies appeared first on RadioInsight.


///////////////////////////////////////////
Fresh Listen: Triple-J Australia

Posted: 05 May 2020 09:30 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/ross/186578...e-j-australia/




Here’s what’s happening on Australia’s beloved non-comm Alternative
network, Triple-J:
Tame Impala, Amy Shark, and six other artists have uploaded samples and
loops for listeners to make their own songs as part of the station’s
“Triple-J Unearthed DIY Supergroup� promotion, tied to the station’s
on-line new music side channel. You can already hear the best of the first
week’s contenders.
In the absence of live music, something that is a trademark of the station
(“we know, it sucks,� says a promo), the station’s archives have been
tapped for the network’s “Live at the Wireless� playlist on Spotify or
Apple Music.
When I heard Lucy Smith in middays (or, as they were described on the
station, “mornings,� to differentiate them from “breakfast�), she was
playing Peking Duk’s “High� and soliciting listener comments about the
early 2010s indie/dance anthem, reminiscent of MGMT’s “Electric Feel.� “It
was the song that got me in to Triple-J,� said one listener. Another
remembered crowd-surfing to it at a festival. “High� is Triple-J’s No. 32
song of the decade. These weren’t just texts being solicited for a bit.
They were being collected for an episode of the station’s “Inspired�
podcast series.
It felt like there was a lot happening on Triple-J. Looking at the
station’s homepage, it seemed as if Smith had talked about everything there
over the course of an hour, and that was a lot to talk about. There was a
set of four Australian songs in a row as a crossplug for the local music
show “Home And Hosed.� There was also news from the parent Australian
Broadcasting Corporation. (New Zealand was already reopening from the
COVID-19 pandemic; Australia was close to doing the same.)
I was asked by an Australian reader to take a Fresh Listen to Triple-J
nearly a year ago. Like Christian AC KLTY Dallas, it seemed like one of
those stations that had already been covered plenty. It says something
about Triple-J’s longtime prominence among the world’s broadcast brands
that when The Guardian did its own “virtual world tour� of international
streaming choices for shut-in listeners; they went to Australian community
radio in search of a deeper level of exotica.
I also wasn’t sure what I had to tell an Australian radio listener about
Triple-J. Or if I needed to tell an Australian reader anything about the
station. In Australia’s just-released second survey of the year, they have
a 5.5 in Sydney, a 7.2 in Melbourne, and an 8.1 in Brisbane. (And in Sydney
and Brisbane, they’re actually off slightly in this book.)
But Triple-J is still a great listen, and it’s still exotic if commercial
broadcast radio is the benchmark. It parallels Alternative radio as it
exists today in the U.S. in that the bulk of what it plays is quirky pop,
not guitar rock. But if you hear an artist nameÂ* that is recognizable to a
North American listener, other than Tame Impala, it’s likely to be an
artist that Alternative here wouldn’t play—Kendrick Lamar, Rosalia & Ozuna,
Stormzy, Miguel. The one artist I heard shared with Alt radio here is Post
Malone.
Here’s Triple-J at 10:30 a.m. on April 28:

Peking Duk, “High�
DMas, “The Glow� – ‘80s-flavored; recalls “Space Age Love Song�
Arlo Parks, “Eugene�
Stormzy f/Headie One, “Audacity�
Kali Uchis, “I Want War (BUT I NEED PEACE)� – sort of like Sade-gone-indie;
part of a homemade EP cut since the pandemic began
Woodes, “How Long I Wait�
Allday, “OTT� (the beginning of the four song Australian set)
Bec Sandridge, “High Tide� (the only thing that sounded like guitar rock
over the course of the hour; sort of Fleetwood Mac-ish, but also ethereal)
Kite String Tangle, “North�
Lil Spacely, “No Excuses�
Meg Mac, “Let It Happen� (from the station’s now-paused “Like A Version�
feature of in-studio covers)
Kevin Abstract, “Georgia�
Reo Cragun, “Grown Men Don’t Cry�

Even in good times, most American broadcasters aren’t looking to the rest
of the world for inspiration, particularly its successful public radio. “Be
a big, well-funded non-commercial radio station� isn’t helpful advice, even
for those inclined to take any examples from beyond our boundaries.
But the first applicable lesson reinforces something written about in this
column several times in recent weeks. If there is any incentive for U.S.
broadcasters to start thinking in terms of well-funded national brands as a
replacement for strapped and heavily automated local outlets, it’s hearing
Triple-J. It’s probably also not an accident that it was a national
Alternative station, SiriusXM’s Alt Nation, that has done the most to
reinvent the format domestically in the last 15 years.
Another is that it helps to have something to talk about on your radio
station. Despite the difference in format, Triple-J reminded me of stations
like KFRC San Francisco or WXKS (Kiss 108) Boston in the ‘80s, legendary
for having multiple promotions and events simultaneously. And when I say
that you will hear Triple-J talk about a half-dozen items on the station
Website, I don’t mean teasers-only of the “here’s an interesting topic,
read more about it on our site and tough luck if you can’t do that right
now� variety.
Then there’s music advocacy. It’s a constant presence on this station. In
an hour where I was familiar with perhaps two songs, I felt like I came
away knowing something about most of them. (The station sold me four songs
in the course of an hour, if you’re wondering.) It’s a reminder that many
stations don’t talk enough about the music, even though it’s the thing they
have that’s free (and often topical now). At some point, Triple-J did a
“new music� hook promo with three new titles; it’s the only thing that
sounded false on the station. Everything, really, was a new music promo.


The post Fresh Listen: Triple-J Australia appeared first on RadioInsight.


///////////////////////////////////////////
El Patrn 97.3 Is Boss In Jacksonville

Posted: 05 May 2020 09:12 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/1...-jacksonville/



iHeartMedia has flipped 97.3 W247CF Orange Park/WKSL-HD2 Neptune Beach FL
from a simulcast of Sports The Game 930 WFXJ Jacksonville to Regional
Mexican El Patrón 97.3.

The new format creates a competitor to Norsan Medias La Raza 92.9 970
WNNR/92.9 W225BI and Spanish language combo with Spanish CHR Rumba 106.9
W295AZ/WQIK-HD2.

The Sports format will continue on 930 WFXJ following the loss of its
translator. WFXJ had a 1.2 share in the March 2020 Nielsen Audio ratings.

iHeartMedia Jacksonville announced today the debut of the new El Patrón
97.3, Pura Musica Perrona, effective immediately.

El Patron 97.3 will broadcast the latest Regional Mexican hits including
songs from artists such as Calibre 50, Christian Nodal, Banda MS, and
Arrolladora Banda el Limón. The station will also feature top on-air
personalities including Rico Hernandez, El Capi, Luis Trevino and Celina
Martinez, and lifestyle and entertainment topics.

“I am grateful to be part of a company that sees Hispanic growth in
Jacksonville, by adding another radio station and Hispanic brand to our
market,� said Jorge Lopez, General Sales Manager for Jacksonville
iHeartLatino. “With this launch, we confirm our commitment to the community
and our solid growth in the communications industry in North Florida,
covering 100% of the Hispanic market with our ‘Rumba’ brand and now with
‘El Patrón.’�

“With the launch of El Patrón 97.3, we are proud to continue being the
leader of Jacksonville’s Hispanic media landscape,� said PJ González,
Senior Vice President of iHeartLatino.“This move puts us in a position to
super-serve our listeners and the community with a unique mix of Banda,
Norteño and other genres that are core to the Regional Mexican format.�

Full Programming Lineup:

Rico Hernandez 6 a.m. – 10 a.m.

Luis Trevino 10a.m. – 3 p.m.

Celina Martinez 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.

El Capi 7 p.m. –12 p.m.

As part of the station debut, 97.3 The Game will broadcast on 930 am and
will continue to be the home of the Gators.



The post El Patrón 97.3 Is Boss In Jacksonville appeared first on
RadioInsight.


///////////////////////////////////////////
NAB Merges Communications & Public Affairs Departments As Dennis Wharton
Announces Upcoming Retirement

Posted: 05 May 2020 08:24 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/1...ng-retirement/



The National Association of Broadcasters has announced that Dennis Wharton
will retire as Executive Vice President of Communications on July 1.

Wharton, who has been with the organization since 1996, will remain as a
senior advisor to the organization. Before joining the NAB, Wharton was
Washington DC bureau chief for Variety and a reporter in Ohio.

With Whartons retirement, the NABs Communications and Marketing Departments
will be merged into its Public Affairs Department under Michelle Lehman.
Lehman has served as EVP/Marketing for the NAB since 2006.

Senior VP/Communications Ann Marie Cumming will succeed Wharton as the
primary spokesperson for the NAB with VP/Media Relations Zamir Ahmed
assisting. Cumming, who has been with the NAB since 1994, will oversee
media relations and the Research Division led by VP/Research Dan McDonald.

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) announced today that Dennis
Wharton, executive vice president of Communications, is retiring effective
July 1. Wharton, a 24-year veteran of NAB and the longest-serving spokesman
in the organization’s history, will continue to serve as a senior adviser
to NAB, according to President and CEO Gordon Smith.

“Dennis is a fervent advocate for local broadcasting and his dedication to
NAB and the broadcast industry cannot be overstated,� said Smith.
“Journalists, broadcasters and colleagues alike value his extensive insight
on industry-related issues and appreciate the enthusiasm and good humor he
brings to his work. We wish Dennis all the best and are fortunate to have
him stay on as an adviser to NAB.�

Wharton joined NAB in 1996 as vice president, Media Relations and
subsequently was promoted to senior vice president in 1997 and executive
vice president in 2006. He has overseen NAB departments that include Media
Relations, Research and Public Service. Wharton joined NAB after a 16-year
journalism career in Ohio and as Washington bureau chief for Variety, where
he covered legislative and regulatory issues related to broadcasting, cable
and Hollywood movie studios.

In an e-mail to the NAB Board of Directors last night, Wharton called his
retirement a “bittersweet moment� and described his tenure at NAB as “the
privilege of my professional life.� Wharton wrote that he has been in the
catbird seat for countless moments in broadcast history over 24 years,
including the launch of HDTV, radio performance royalty fights, wardrobe
malfunctions, and media consolidation battles. He said he is most proud of
the unparalleled public service of local broadcast stations, which has been
on prominent display during the COVID-19 crisis.

Wharton praised the NAB Board, his co-workers, local broadcasters, state
broadcast association executives and reporters who covered NAB through the
years. He reserved special gratitude for colleagues on the NAB
Communications team, which he has overseen for more than two decades.

NAB also announced today it will merge the association’s Communications and
Marketing Departments into a new Public Affairs Department that will be led
by NAB’s Michelle Lehman. The Public Affairs department will serve to
positively position NAB and the broadcast industry through strategic
communications, media and digital outreach, marketing and research to
support NABs advocacy efforts, events and member-focused initiatives.

Lehman has served as executive vice president of Marketing since joining
NAB in 2006. In this role, she advances the association’s brand before key
audiences and implements marketing, advertising and grassroots campaigns to
address specific legislative and business challenges facing the broadcast
industry.

She also spearheads the long running We Are Broadcasters campaign to remind
policymakers and audiences of broadcasters’ unique role in local
communities and the media landscape. In addition, Lehman directs marketing
campaigns to promote NAB events and activities, overseeing the
association’s brand, messaging and digital strategy. In her new role,
Lehman will also be responsible for NAB’s Media Relations, Public Service
and Research divisions.

Lehman began her career in Washington, D.C., on Capitol Hill serving as
press secretary for former Rep. Bob Goodlatte (VA-06) and then for the U.S.
Senate Homeland Security Committee, under the leadership of former Ranking
Member Sen. Fred Thompson (TN). She also served as associate director of
technology policy for a boutique public relations firm, as well as vice
president of public affairs and chief spokesperson for the National Beer
Wholesalers Association before joining NAB. She resides in Alexandria, Va.,
with her husband David and three young daughters.

Lehman has tapped Ann Marie Cumming, senior vice president of
Communications, to serve as the primary spokesperson of the organization.
In this role, she will be assisted by Zamir Ahmed, vice president of Media
Relations, who has been with NAB since 2011. Cumming, who first joined NAB
in 1994, will oversee media relations and the Research division led by Vice
President of Research Dan McDonald.

Jen Jose, who has been with NAB since 2007, will serve as senior vice
president of Public Affairs, overseeing all messaging, digital and public
service activities of the organization. She will be assisted by NAB’s vice
president of digital, Gagan Nirula, another long-time association veteran,
who oversees the digital and social media strategy for the association.
Jose also serves as chief speechwriter for President and CEO Gordon Smith.

Shermaze Ingram, senior vice president of Marketing and Creative Services,
will continue to oversee association marketing and event campaigns, as well
as the creative services team. Ingram has been with the association since
2006, when she joined to serve as chief spokesperson for NAB’s digital
television transition campaign.

“We have assembled a talented team of professionals to carry our NAB
mission and message to the public, whether that is our membership, press or
policymakers,� said Smith. “We see public affairs as critical to advancing
our advocacy agenda and positioning the association and our events for
success.�



The post NAB Merges Communications Public Affairs Departments As Dennis
Wharton Announces Upcoming Retirement appeared first on RadioInsight.


///////////////////////////////////////////
Z106.3 Albuquerque Flips To Regional Mexican

Posted: 05 May 2020 06:15 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/1...-de-mayo-flip/



KDLW flipped to Regional Mexican Zeta 106.3 this morning.

Original Report 5/4: Vanguard Media has dropped the CHR format on Z106.3
KDLW Los Lunas/Albuquerque and is currently stunting with Spanish language
movie and television clips.

Interspliced within the clips are messages from new Program Director Pamela
Vargas promoting the relaunch of the station on Tuesday, May 5 at 7:00am as
Regional Mexican Zeta 106.3.

The CHR format that had been on 106.3 has bounced around multiple owners,
frequencies and brands since launching as Rhythmmic CHR Wild 97.7 in 2007.
It would become OMG Radio in 2009, move to 106.7 in 2011 then to 106.3 in
2013 under the now former Z106.3 identity. The flip leaves Cumulus Medias
93.3 The Q KOBQ as the only Mainstream CHR in Albuquerque.

Vanguard removed the websites and social media accounts for all of its
stations a few months ago, but it continues to stream here.


The post Z106.3 Albuquerque Flips To Regional Mexican appeared first on
RadioInsight.


///////////////////////////////////////////
Radio One Seeks To Make WTLC Indianapolis First AM Running HD Multicasts

Posted: 05 May 2020 06:00 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/1...hd-multicasts/



Radio One Gospel 1310 The Light WTLC Indianapolis has applied for
Experimental Authority with the FCC to become the first AM station to test
continuous multicast operation in all-digital MA3 mode.

If approved, WTLC would join Hubbards 820 WWFD Frederick MD with authority
to operate in all-digital mode, however it would be the first to have the
ability to operate multiple programming feeds. The station would utilize a
new Nautel NX5 transmitter with the NX HD

upgrade premium and Exgine and HDMC+ exciters to make the HD2 transmission
possible.

WTLC operates with 5kW day/1kW night and feeds a pair of translators both
currently running its Gospel programming. Radio One states that 92.7 W224DI
Indianapolis provides 60 dBµ service to 77.9% of the population of the
city, while 95.1 W236CR Indianapolis does to 68.5%. The filing does not
state if one of the translators will rebroadcast the second audio
programming feed from WTLC as opposed to the primary.

WTLC seeks to begin operating in digital on or around June 1. The full
filing can be read here.


The post Radio One Seeks To Make WTLC Indianapolis First AM Running HD
Multicasts appeared first on RadioInsight.


///////////////////////////////////////////
WTGZ & WQSI Swap Spots

Posted: 05 May 2020 05:40 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/1...si-swap-spots/



Tiger Communications has swapped the locations of two of its stations in
the Auburn AL area.

Alternative Tiger 93.9 WTGZ Union Springs has moved to 95.9, while
Conservative Talk FM Talk 95.9 WQSI Tuskeegee moves in reverse to 93.9. The
swap brings both call letters back to where they were prior to previously
swapping places in July 2010. WTGZs Alternative format originated on 95.9
in 1996 before the 2010 move to 93.9, while the WQSI calls lived on 93.9
from 2003-2010.

With the move to 93.9, WQSI has added a new local show in the 12-3pm slot
hosted by former News Talk 93.1 WACV Montgomery host Baron Coleman. Coleman
departed WACV last summer after making threats against a local conservative
activist. He briefly hosted a show last fall at Classic Hits 1250 WRBZ/95.5
W238BZ. The 93.9 signal rimshots into Montgomery, perhaps explaining why
the signal swap took place now.


The post WTGZ WQSI Swap Spots appeared first on RadioInsight.