[RadioInsight] Magic Broadcasting Fined $125,000 For Tower & Contest Violations
 

RadioInsight

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Magic Broadcasting Fined $125,000 For Tower & Contest Violations

Posted: 03 Dec 2020 01:45 PM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...st-violations/



Magic Broadcasting has entered into a consent decree and accepted a
$125,000 penalty from the FCC to resolve inquiries into tower issues in
Tallahassee and contest violations by CHR Island 106 105.9 WILN Panama City
FL.

Magic was found to violate multiple tower violations. The company failed to
conduct the required daily inspection of an antenna structure’s lighting
system, failed to notify the Federal Aviation Administration of a lighting
failure, and failed to notify the FCC that is had acquired the antenna
structure utilized by Conservative Talk Real Talk 99.3 WVFT
Gretna/Tallahassee.

The company was also found in violation by failing to conduct two broadcast
contests in a manner substantially as announced by pre-selecting the
winners in those contests and failing to disclose that programming
broadcast over the Station during a supposedly live call-in contest was
pre-recorded. The FCC received complaints in September and October 2018 for
its “Troll Tracker” and “Alexa Almighty” contests alleging that station
personnel recorded fake telephone calls with individuals posing as contest
participants and aired the previously recorded programming during the
voice-tracked afternoon show.

Following an inquiry into the contest Magic stated that it could not confim
nor deny the veracity of the allegations made in the IHD Complaints and
maintains that it has no information “in its possession, custody, control,
or knowledge” indicating that the Station broadcast the pre-recorded
programming identified in the complaints. The FCC notes that Magic
Broadcasting has not provided any evidence to rebut the accounts given by
the complainant, whose credibility the Bureau has no independent reason to
doubt or question. Significantly, Magic Broadcasting acknowledges that it
is “unable to ascertain” whether the complaints are in any way materially
inaccurate, incomplete, or otherwise erroneous.

The full decree can be read here.



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Dan Le Batard To Exit ESPN; Bart & Hahn Go National On ESPN Radio

Posted: 03 Dec 2020 01:01 PM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...on-espn-radio/



ESPN has announced today that Dan Le Batard will exit the network in early
January.

Le Batard will depart ESPN Radios The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz and
ESPN TVs Highly Questionable on January 4 for new opportunity.

To replace Le Batard on the national ESPN Radio lineup, Mike Greenbergs
Greeny will move from 12-2pm eastern to 10am-12pm. 98.7 WEPN-FM New Yorks
midday show hosted by Bart Scott and Alan Hahn will go national in the
12-2pm slot. Greenberg returned to the ESPN Radio lineup in September after
serving as the longtime host of Mike Mike In The Morning with Mike Golic.

Former NFL linebacker Bart Scott joined WEPN-FM in January after previously
co-hosting CMB with Chris Carlin and Maggie Gray on WFAN New York. Hahn has
hosted middays at WEPN-FM since 2014 after previously covering the NHLs New
York Islanders and NBAs New York Knicks for Newsday.

Le Batard joined the national ESPN Radio lineup in September 2015 replacing
Colin Cowherd in the 10am-1pm slot. A former columnist for the Miami
Herald, Le Batard previously hosted at Entercoms 790 The Ticket WAXY Miami
and continued to do a local hour on the station until August 2019.

ESPN and Dan Le Batard announced today that Le Batard will be leaving ESPN
early next year to pursue a new opportunity. The ESPN Radio finale of The
Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz will be Jan. 4, the same day Le Batard will
host his last episode of Highly Questionable – which will remain on ESPN.

“It was mutually agreed that it was best for both sides to move on to new
opportunities and we worked together closely to make that possible,” said
Norby Williamson, ESPN executive vice president and executive editor. “We
thank Dan for his many years and contributions to ESPN and wish him all the
best going forward.”

Le Batard said, “Gracias to ESPN for unleashing Papi and Stugotz upon an
unsuspecting America, and for lending its substantive credibility to our
careening clown car. Cant believe Stugotz finally achieved his dream of
becoming a high-priced free agent. Im forever indebted to Erik Rydholm,
Matt Kelliher and their vibrant team for providing a creative oasis across
a decade, and for expanding the Le Batard family to include so many
brilliant colleagues who have become forever friends, bonded eternally by
laughter and love. Want to also extend my gratitude to Chuck Salituro,
Jimmy Pitaro, Traug Keller, Marcia Keegan, Connor Schell, Juan Diaz, Mike
Foss, Amanda Gifford, Liam Chapman, Megan Judge, Elizabeth Fierman, the
Hialeah-soaked crew at Imagina and when did this become a droning
acceptance speech instead of a quick goodbye? In short, thank you, Disney
and ESPN, for a quarter century of absurd blessings. To our loyal army of
concerned fans, and to everyone who walked along and played an instrument
in our Marching Band to Nowhere, know that it is a very exciting time for
us, not a sad one. And that youll be hearing our laughter again soon
enough.”

ESPN Radio lineup Highly Questionable

On Jan. 5, Greeny, with Mike Greenberg, will move to the 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
ET timeslot, followed by Bart Hahn which will join the national ESPN Radio
lineup from 12 – 2 p.m. every weekday. The show, which features Bart Scott
and Alan Hahn, has been a fan favorite on 98.7FM ESPN New York since its
debut in January. Both Greeny and Bart Hahn will be simulcast on ESPN+.

ESPN’s weekday commentary show Highly Questionable, will continue to be a
key part of the network’s television lineup featuring a contributing team,
including Elle Duncan, Domonique Foxworth, Israel Gutierrez, Bomani Jones,
Mina Kimes, Katie Nolan, Sarah Spain, Pablo Torre and Clinton Yates. The
show will continue to be produced remotely due to COVID-19, but will be
based long term at ESPN’s New York Seaport Studios. Le Batard and his
father, Gonzalo Papi Le Batard, will host their final episode of Highly
Questionable on Jan. 4.

“Greeny’s move will provide fans with a seamless transition from Get Up to
Mike’s more in-depth takes on radio. Bart Hahn has a great following in
New York and we’re excited to bring that show to a national audience on a
regular basis,” said David Roberts, ESPN senior vice president, production.
“Highly Questionable will also continue to build on its success, engaging
with fans every weekday afternoon, led by a contributing team of signature
personalities.”

ESPN Radio weekday schedule (as of Jan. 5)

Time (ET)

Show/Host(s)

6 a.m.

Keyshawn, JWill Zubin *

Keyshawn Johnson, Jay Williams, Zubin Mehenti

10 a.m.

Greeny**

Mike Greenberg

12 p.m.

Bart Hahn**

Bart Scott, Alan Hahn

2 p.m.

The Max Kellerman Show**

Max Kellerman

4 p.m.

Chiney and Golic Jr.**

Chiney Ogwumike, Mike Golic Jr.

7 p.m.

Spain and Fitz

Sarah Spain, Jason Fitz

9 p.m.

Freddie and Fitzsimmons

Freddie Coleman, Ian Fitzsimmons




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Radio Disney To Cease Operations

Posted: 03 Dec 2020 11:07 AM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...se-operations/



The Walt Disney Company will cease operations of its Radio Disney and Radio
Disney Country brands in early 2021.

The youth and tween targeted brand debuted in November 1996 with the
company utilizing mostly owned AM radio signals to grow in size. As
streaming became more prevalent, the company began selling off most of its
signals in 2014, but made now-expired partnerships to place the brand on HD
Radio subchannels in many markets on stations owned by Beasley and CBS
Radio. It would launch Radio Disney Country as a secondary streaming brand
in the Fall of 2015, but would flip its remaining AM license, 1110 KDIS
Pasadena/Los Angeles to it as KRDC in 2017.

Broadcasting Cable reports that the end of the brands will impact 36
employees. 1110 KRDC will be sold as part of the shutdown.

Radio Disney and Radio Disney Country will cease operations in the first
quarter of 2021. The announcement was made today by Gary Marsh, president
and chief creative officer, Disney Branded Television, who today addressed
the 36 full- and part-time employees who will be impacted by the closure
early next year.

Radio Disney in Latin America is a separate operation and is not impacted
by the announcement today.

The difficult decision to close these two radio networks coincided with
Disney’s recently announced structural changes that call for Disney Branded
Television to sharpen its focus on increasing production of kids’ and
family content for Disney+ and Disney Channels. Division leaders also took
into account the fast evolving media environment that provides more
personalized music choices than ever to a generation of young consumers,
and the ongoing public health crisis that continues to affect in-person
music events.



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Rover Returns To Rochester On Radio 95.1

Posted: 03 Dec 2020 06:13 AM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...on-radio-95-1/



After being dropped from Stephens Media Alternative 94.1 The Zone WZNE last
month in favor of The Jubal Show, Rovers Morning Glory has returned to the
Rochester market on iHeartMedia Hot Talk Radio 95.1 WAIO Honeoye Falls NY.

Rover will air in a delayed timeslot from 6-10pm on WAIO. The show joins
market stalwart Brother Wease in mornings, DiTullio Moran in middays, and
the recently launched afternoon show hosted by Earl David Reed, Megan
Carter and Pat McMahon.

Based at 100.7 WMMS Cleveland, Rochester was Rover’s Morning Glorys longest
running syndication market, with WZNE airing the show beginning in 2006
when it was brought into syndication by CBS Radio as part of its “Free-FM”
launch.




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97.5 The Fanatic Adds John Kincade For Mornings

Posted: 03 Dec 2020 06:07 AM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...-for-mornings/



Following the departure of Mark Farzetta earlier this week, Beasley Media
Sports 97.5 The Fanatic WPEN-FM Burlington NJ/Philadelphia has announced
that John Kincade will take over mornings on Monday, January 4.

Kincade most recently spent over two decades in Atlanta

hosting at “680/93.7 The Fan” WCNN with Buck Belue from 2000 until his exit
in September. He previously worked at 790 The Zone WQXI Atlanta and hosted
national weekend shows for ESPN Radio and CBS Sports Radio. The
Philadelphia area native began his career at 610 WIP.

Beasley Media Group announces John Kincade has been named as the new
Morning Host at 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia. The John Kincade Show
will officially begin on Monday, January 4, 2021.

Kincade spent two decades co-hosting “Buck and Kincade” on 680 The Fan in
Atlanta. In addition, he was host of “The John Kincade Show” on CBS Sports
Radio (previously heard on ESPN Radio) nationally for 15 years. Kincade has
also served as Co-host of “The BIG Podcast with SHAQ” since 2015 on
PodcastOne.

“We have a very clear vision for what we want to accomplish at the station
and adding John Kincade is a giant leap towards accomplishing those goals,”
said station Program Director Chuck Damico. “Our team is thrilled that he
chose 97.5 The Fanatic for his homecoming to Philadelphia. We’re excited
about the future!”

“It is with immense honor and pleasure that I’ve been given the opportunity
to return home to Philadelphia thanks to Beasley Media Group and the
leadership of 97.5 The Fanatic” said Kincade. “From the beginning of my
search for a new radio home, my conversations with Joe Bell and Chuck
Damico were the most enthusiastic and interesting. It became clear to me
that joining the team at The Fanatic was the best place for me to start
this next chapter. With guys I have long respected like Mike Missanelli and
Anthony Gargano already there, I knew it would be an honor to join their
team.”

Native of Broomall, PA, Kincade is a graduate of Cardinal O’Hara High
School in Springfield and Temple University. He is a past National
Chairman’s Award Winner from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for
fundraising efforts totaling more than 2 million dollars.



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Ron Diaz Retires From WDAE Tampa

Posted: 03 Dec 2020 05:50 AM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...om-wdae-tampa/



Longtime Tampa area host Ron Diaz has announced he will retire from
iHeartMedia Sports 620 WDAE St. Petersburg/95.3 W237CW Pinellas Park on
Friday, December 11.

Diaz first came to Tampa in 1979 at Rock 94.9 WYNF where he would rise to
APD/MD, before being teamed in mornings with Ron Bennington in 1987. The
Ron Ron Show would leave WYNF for a statewide syndication deal with Paxson
Communications in 1993, but Diaz would exit the show in 1997 rather than
relocate with it to Miami. Diaz would then join Classic Rock Thunder 103.5
WTBT to host mornings. He would then join WDAE in 2003 as midday host
alongside former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Ian Beckles. Ron Ian would last until
the end of 2015 when Beckles departed in a contract dispute. Diaz was then
paired with JP Peterson until November 2018 when he was reunited with
Beckles and moved to afternoon drive.





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iHeartMedia Acquires Two Dallas Area AMs

Posted: 02 Dec 2020 02:37 PM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...llas-area-ams/



iHeartMedia is acquiring Gospel Heaven 970 KHVN/95.3 K237HD Fort Worth TX
and Southern Gospel 1630 KKGM Fort Worth with a CP for 92.1 K221GV Fort
Worth from Mortensen Broadcasting of Texas for $950,000.

The deal will include an LMA that takes effect on January 2, 2021. The
purchase will allow iHeartMedia to max out its cluster in Dallas by adding
KHVN and KKGM to their current holdings of six stations (1 AM and 5 FMs).

970 KHVN operates with 1kW day/270 watts night. Its translator operates
with 150w/126m 1630 KKGM operates with 10kW day/1kW night, while its
translator CP will only operate with 1/2 watt horizontal/10m. All operate
from the same site in northern Fort Worth.