RadioInsight

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First Listen: AccuRadios FM Programmer Channels

Posted: 19 Aug 2020 09:00 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/ross/195792...mmer-channels/


The loss of U.S. radio jobs had already begun, and the COVID-19 pandemic
had not yet kicked in when AccuRadio announced that it was looking for
displaced broadcast programmers to showcase. The online radio pureplay was
offering those programmers a chance to showcase their best ideas,
especially the ones that werent a fit for broadcast radio.
The stations began rolling out in May. There are currently twelve of them,
ranging from “Beaches, Guitars, and Tiki Bars� (programmed by Brian “Shark�
Fitzpatrick) to “Country Music SHEroes� (Ryan McCall), “Pure Funk� (Joe
Turner), and the anything-can-happen variety of G. Sammons’ “The
Multiverse.�
The infinite dial has not been kind to many of broadcasters attempts to
create pureplays with traditional radio programming values. AccuRadio has
been one of the most enduring; the one that has best split the difference
between the deliberateness of programming and the innovativeness of
playlisting. It’s up to more than 900 channels.
I took a “First Listen� to four of the programmers’ channels, but I could
have as easily chosen four others, or scores of others. Or the three that
they announced yesterdaySound Of Scorcese, Jesus Music (70s Christian
Rock), and Soul Power (R&B songs with a social message). I don’t write
about AccuRadio that often, and not knowing where to start certainly has
something to do with it. The programmer channels were an easy way in. So I
started by sitting comfortably.
The Leopard Print Lounge Chair
Billed as “mellow Classic Rock and laid back Alternative� and programmed by
Donna Reed of Houston (KODA, KLOL) and Raleigh, N.C., radio (WRDU, WQDR).
The description actually made me wish those were two formats—particularly
one specializing in the latter, but they still fit seamlessly together. It
always felt varied; it never felt random.

Young The Giant, “Call Me Back�
Love, “Alone Again Or�
Suede, “She’s In Fashion�
Robert Plant, “Ship Of Fools�
Foo Fighters, “Everlong (Acoustic)�
Toad The Wet Sprocket, “Walk on the Ocean�
Tedeschi Trucks Band, “Calling Out To You�
Ed Sheeran, “Thinking Out Loud�
Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Hard To Concentrate�
Michael Franks, “Eggplant�
Steve Winwood, “Spanish Dancer�
Van Morrison, “Moondance�
Rolling Stones, “Blinded By Love�
Counting Crows, “Time And Time Again�

Hit Parade 2.0
Programmed by Montgomery, Ala.-based Jason Davenport, who also oversees
online Alternative station The Buzz, Hit Parade 2.0 is positioned as “what
true Top 40 should be.� What that means is a lot of those songs from Hot
AC, Country, Triple-A, and even Hip-Hop of the sort that prompt the “why
isn’t Top 40 playing…� discussions. Also, some of the songs that Top 40
eventually played, but grudgingly, like the two that started off this hour:

Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper, “Shallow�
Sam Hunt, “Body Like A Back Road�
Rick Ross f/Ty Dolla $ign, “Rather You Than Me�
Justin Timberlake, “Not A Bad Thing�
Alabama Shakes, “Hold On�
Selena Gomez, “Rare�
Eric Church, “Springsteen�
Jay-Z f/Alicia Keys, “Empire State of Mind�
Ariana Grande f/Nicki Minaj, “Side To Side�
Jake Owens, “Made For You�
Post Malone, “Candy Paint�
Chainsmokers, “Roses�
Shinedown, “Get Up�
Lil Nas X, “Panini�
Miranda Lambert, “Little Red Wagon�
The Weeknd, “In Your Eyes�

Radio X
There’s “Classic Rock That Really Rocks.� This channel is “Alternative
that’s really Alternative.� Curated by Morris Knight, the brief is “’80s
based Alternative/New Wave that goes beyond the pop and fluff and gets to
the stuff we really like.� Even knowing how the modern rock ‘80s moved into
the pop mainstream in 1983 and have endured disproportionately, it’s a
reminder that there was still a tier of music that was too edgy for pop and
too dance-oriented for rock radio.

Cult, “She Sells Sanctuary�
Nitzer Ebb, “Fun To Be Had�
Joy Division, “Transmission�
Cabaret Voltaire, “Sensoria�
Devo, “Girl U Want�
Xmal Deutschland, “Qual�
Dead Or Alive, “Lover Come Back To Me�
Depeche Mode, “Master And Servant�
U2, “New Years Day�
New Order, “Subculture�
Frankie Goes To Hollywood, “Two Tribes�
Ministry, “(Every Day Is) Halloween�

The Crossing
AC KYXY San Diego PD Mark Blackwell left that station in a 2019 round of
budget cuts after 37 years. In May, his was one of the first two channels
announced. The “younger, hipper Christian Contemporary� format was heard
for years on KYXY-HD-2. In recent years, Contemporary Christian has
broadened itself, thanks to the infusion of praise and worship music, which
has its own new channel at AccuRadio, Ben Ditzel’s “Worship Through Song.�
The Crossing spans format mainstays to NF-style Hip-Hop to appropriate
songs from artists outside the Christian AC community.

Avril Lavigne, “Head Above Water�
Ben Rector, “Drive�
Jamie Grace, “Beautiful Day�
Jeremy Camp, “Dead Man Walking:
Phil Wickham, “Your Love Awakens Me�
Blanca, “Real Love�
Social Club Misfits f/Austin French, “Enough�
Parachute, “Something To Believe In�
Lecrae f/Tori Kelly, “I’ll Find You�
Aaron Cole, “One More Day�
Lauren Daigle, “Look Up Child�

What AccuRadio channels do you enjoy? Leave a comment.



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Adswizz Launches Self Serve Audio Advertising Platform AudioGo

Posted: 19 Aug 2020 07:26 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/1...tform-audiogo/



AdsWizz, the SiriusXM owned advertising platform, has announced it is
launching AudioGo from beta as a self-serve audio ad buying platform that
aggregates inventory from Pandora and other premium publishers, and makes
audio ad buying accessible to everyone targeted at small businesses.

Today, AudioGO, the new self-serve audio ad buying service from AdsWizz,
announced new partners that will expand its footprint and empower more
small businesses and agencies to run audio ads. AudioGO currently
aggregates premium audio inventory from leading audio publishers in one
easy-to-use platform to meet the needs of advertisers seeking an affordable
way to expand into digital audio. The platform is specifically designed for
smaller buyers, regardless of business size or budget, and those who may be
new to audio.
Today, AudioEngage, the Audio Advertising Network of Spanish-language media
company Entravision, joins the English-based publishers onÂ* the AudioGO
platform, adding the ability for advertisers to target Spanish speaking
users in the US. Entravision’s digital advertising unit is the No. 1-ranked
online advertising platform in Hispanic reach, according to comScore Media
Metrix®.
We are seeing a lot of pent up demand from advertisers who are eager to get
into digital audio in their local markets, but don’t meet minimum spends,
or simply aren’t sure how to get started, said Gonzalo Alonso, Managing
Director of AudioEngage.Â* AudioGO is an easy, affordable, and scalable way
for AudioEngage to enable these smaller buyers to buy audio ads, added
Federico Gagliardone, VP of Integrated Operations at Entravision.
AdsWizz also announced that Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices will be
promoting its AudioGO product as an audio advertising marketing platform to
the more than 50,000 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network agents and
1,400 franchised locations across the US. AudioGO gives network agents and
brokers the ability to expand their advertising strategies to capitalize on
the growth of digital audio.
“This unique platform enables all of our network brokers and agents to
reach potential buyers and sellers in new moments during the day,� said
Wendy Durand, Vice President, Global Marketing at Berkshire Hathaway
HomeServices. “We have created sample scripts for our 50,000 network agents
and brokerages across the US, who then can edit and customize them for
their local market.Â* AudioGO creates an audio ad, and the network agents
decide when and where their ads run, and track their success. It’s a
win-win for everyone.�
With AudioGO, advertisers can be up and running in five minutes, and target
by location, time of day, age, gender, and music genre. If businesses don’t
have an audio ad, AudioGO can create one in under 48 hours. Advertisers
have successfully created, launched, and tracked thousands of audio ad
campaigns on AudioGO since the service was made available in private beta
last year.
Smaller advertisers typically want to reach specific audiences in targeted,
local areas, and AudioGO enables them to do that for the first time in a
scalable way,� said Alexis van de Wyer, CEO of AdsWizz. “During this
explosive time of audio growth, were making it easy for businesses of any
size to run audio campaigns across premium audio publishers, and we’re
excited about the opportunities these new partnerships offer our users.�
AudioGo is available in public beta today for anyone in the US to sign up
and run audio ad campaigns. For more information visit www.audiogo.com.




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Jules Riley Joins Cox Jacksonville As Operations Director

Posted: 19 Aug 2020 07:12 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/1...ions-director/



Cox Media Group has appointed Jules Riley as Operations Director for their
Jacksonville FL cluster.

Riley most recently served as Senior Vice President of Programming for
iHeartMedia St. Louis until exiting in Januarys cuts. She joined iHeart St.
Louis in in November 2016 as PD of Classic Hits 103.3 KLOU and added the
same duties for Country “93.7 The Bull� KSD in April 2017 before rising to
SVP in April 2018. Riley has also programmed WARH and WMVN St. Louis, KPXK
Phoenix, WBEN-FM Philadelphia, Rock KICT and Classic Rock KFXJ Wichita, and
served as Operations Manager for Scripps Tulsa and Citadel Wilkes-Barre.

She succeeds Todd Shannon, who departed as Operations Director and PD of
CHR 95.1 WAPE and Soft AC “Easy 102.9� WEZI in March after ten years with
the company.

Cox Media Group (CMG) Jacksonville announced today that Jules Riley has
been named Operations Director effective August 24. In this role, Riley
will be responsible for all cluster content for CMG Jacksonville Radio.

Riley, a 20-year radio veteran, possesses a multi-format career spanning
roles as on-air talent, program director and brand manager. She most
recently served as iHeartMedia’s Senior Vice President of Programming, an
integrated position overseeing all aspects of programming and promotions
for iHeartMedia’s seven-brand footprint in St. Louis.

“Jules brings a wealth of experience and talent to CMG Jacksonville,� said
Katie Reid, Vice President General Manager of Cox Media Group
Jacksonville. “We are extremely excited she will be leading and growing our
team, our brands and the future of our programming.�

Riley will provide artistic, creative and professional leadership and
oversight for programming, promotions and production for WAPE (95.1), WJGL
(96.9 The Eagle Jacksonville), WXXJ (X 106.5), WOKV (News 104.5), and WEZI
(Easy 102.9); and all HD radio formats on Power 106.1, HOT 99.5 and ESPN
690. “It is an honor to join Cox Media Group Jacksonville and its stable of
recognizable brands,� said Riley. “A great team is already in place and
their dedication to excellence is legendary. Thank you to Katie Reid and
Tim Clarke for giving me the opportunity.�



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WEZR Relaunches As WIGY Following Return of WOXO

Posted: 19 Aug 2020 06:00 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/1...o-become-wigy/



Bennett Media has relaunched its second property in Lewiston/Auburn ME as
the former Hot AC “Maine’s Big Z� 1240 WEZR/105.5 W288CW Lewiston and 1450
WPNO/96.9 W245CQ South Paris has relaunched as WIGY.

Mark Turcotte, who hosted mornings on WEZR/WPNO until former owner Gleason
Media ceased operations at the end of March, has returned to the station in
the same position.

The WIGY call letters have significance in the region as it was previously
heard on 105.9 Bath ME from 1976 to 1991 and is where Bennett Media owner
Stan Bennett began his radio career in 1987.



Original Report 8/11: Stan Bennetts Bennett Media has begun relaunching the
former Gleason Media properties in Lewiston/Auburn ME.

The first move has been to resurrect “WOXO Country� 92.7 WOXO-FM
Norway/100.7 WRMO-FM Mexico. The stations returned on Monday after being
silent since the end of March when former owner Gleason Media ceased
business operations. WOXO is promoting the return of many of the stations
benchmarks including The Country Corner, NASCAR, and local High School
sports.

The next step will see the former Hot AC “Maine’s Big Z� 1240 WEZR/105.5
W288CW Lewiston and 1450 WPNO/96.9 W245CQ South Paris along with the former
Sports 780 WTME/98.3 W252DS Rumford relaunch as WIGY. Bennett is
resurrecting the brand previously heard on 105.9 Bath ME from 1976 to 1991
where he began his radio career in 1987. Bennett has applied to change the
call letters of WTME to WIGY and 100.7 WRMO-FM to WIGY-FM.

Bennett, the former Vice President of Programming for Binnie Media,
purchased the stations from Gleason Media in late May for $300,000.







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Kirkman Shuffles Formats In Charleston

Posted: 19 Aug 2020 05:32 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/1...in-charleston/



Kirkman Broadcasting shuffled programming at its properties in Charleston
SC on Monday.

The ESPN Charleston simulcast of 98.9 WTMZ-FM McClellanville and 910 WTMZ
Dorchester Terrace/94.7 W234CV Charleston has come to an end. While WTMZ-FM
will remain ESPN Charleston, WTMZ/W234CV have assumed the programming of
Sports The Zone that had been on 1340 WQSC/98.5 W253BW Charleston.

Those moves allow WQSC/W253BW to flip to Classic Country 98.5 WQSC. The new
format is being overseen by WQNT Program Director John Dixon.

Additionally, Classic Hits 92.1/102.1 The City 1450 WQNT/102.1 W271CP
Charleston and 92.1 W221CI Goose Creek is no longer on the 92.1 translator
following its move closer to Charleston. W221CI is currently rebroadcasting
Gospel 106.3 WJNI but willÂ*debut a new format fed by WJNI-HD2 in the coming
weeks.



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Key Networks To Distribute The Billy Madison Show

Posted: 19 Aug 2020 05:14 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/1...-madison-show/



Key Networks has announced it has taken over ad sales and affiliate
relations for The Billy Madison Show.

Based at Cox Media Rock 99.5 KISS San Antonio since 2011 and syndicated in
2014, the show currently airs on 93.7 KCLB Palm Springs, Rock 92.7 KKBA
Corpus Christi, and 93.5 The Beach WZBH Salisbury MD.

Key Networks supplants United Stations as syndicator for the show.

Key Networks, a next generation syndication company serving the radio
industry, announced today that it is now representing Rock morning radio’s
The Billy Madison Show for ad sales and affiliate sales/syndication. The
Billy Madison Show airs live Monday through Friday from 6:00am-10:00am CST
on flagship station 99.5 KISS-FM in San Antonio, TX. The funny, irreverent
show built for guys by guys is currently heard on stations in four U.S.
markets, including: KCLB-FM, Palm Springs, CA (Alpha Media); KKBA-FM,
Corpus Christi, TX (Malkan Broadcasting); and WZBH-FM, Salisbury, MD (Adams
Radio Group).
The Billy Madison Show features host Billy Madison and his band of
passionate, curious and “unique� individuals including co-host, Derek
Allgood and Executive Producer, Jared Dey. Together, they work hard to
deliver fresh content and lifestyle focused entertainment targeted to
active adults along with a very active social media presence and imprint on
Twitter.
The Billy Madison Show began airing on Cox Media Group’s 99.5 KISS-FM in
San Antonio on November 28, 2011. In a newly minted PPM World, The Billy
Madison Show took the morning drive daypart from 16th in the market to
number one and it continues to out-rate and out-bill all other dayparts on
the station.
Jim Higgins, President & COO, Key Networks, said: “Billy Madison and his
team work really hard and deliver a unique brand of passion and humor that
has generated huge ratings and revenue for KISS-FM in San Antonio and
Billy’s other affiliates. Key Networks is proud to now market his program
and get it the recognition and additional stations and listeners that it
deserves.�
Dennis Green, Chief Revenue Officer, Key Networks, said: “When you have a
chance to work with a show that is a proven winner, you jump at the
chance.Â*The Billy Madison Show has a track record of success and we look
forward to shaking up the Rock format in AM Drive.Â*Attention, Rock
stations: it’s time to have some fun and win It’s time for The Billy
Madison Show!�
Billy Madison added: “Making the listener the ‘star’ is our formula to
success!�
To hear The Billy Madison Show, visit:
https://www.kissrocks.com/entertainm...LVIs4nXwgtO3J/.
To hear The Billy Madison Show’s “Crap Clip Of The Day� (The best segment
of the day), visit:
https://www.kissrocks.com/entertainm...snXwdAI0xgmLP/.
Check out The Billy Madison Show’s Facebook page and Twitter feeds at:
https://www.facebook.com/TheBillyMadisonShow/,
https://twitter.com/BMS_Billy , and
https://twitter.com/BMS_Derek.
For more information and to get The Billy Madison Show for your station,
contact Dennis Green, Chief Revenue Officer, Key Networks, at 844.KEY.NETS
or .
For advertisers and sponsors, contact Rich Baum, EVP, Advertising Sales,
Key Networks, at 847.502.8329 or .




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Cris Winter Exits Mornings At Wish 99.7 Pittsburgh

Posted: 18 Aug 2020 02:59 PM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/1...-7-pittsburgh/



Renda Broadcasting AC Wish 99.7 WSHH Pittsburgh has parted ways with
morning host Cris Winter.

Winter has been a staple in the Pittsburgh market since the mid 1980s. She
worked on-air at Alternative 100.7 WXXP, Was MD at Rock 102.5 WDVE, PD of
106.7 The X WXDX, and morning co-host at Oldies 94.5 3WS WWSW before
joining WSHH for mornings in 2007. Winter also served as the voice of
Thundergirl on the Nickelodeon show Action League Now! in the late 90s.

Replacing Winter in mornings will be Melanie Heinkel. Heinkel will remain
as morning co-host and midday host at Renda Country Gator Country 101.9
WWGR Fort Myers FL.