[RadioInsight] February 2021 (2/4 to 3/3) Nielsen Audio PPM Ratings Day 1: Star Builds
 

RadioInsight

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February 2021 (2/4 to 3/3) Nielsen Audio PPM Ratings Day 1: Star Builds
Over Dallas

Posted: 22 Mar 2021 02:00 PM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...s-over-dallas/



Nielsen begins its monthly release of PPM ratings with todays Day 1 update
including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas/Fort Worth,
Houston/Galveston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Long Island, Riverside/San
Bernardino, San Jose, and Middlesex/Somerset/Union.

All the numbers can be found at RadioInsight.com/Ratings.


The February monthly showed lots of stability in the biggest markets
without a major event like the political boost from January.

iHeartMedia AC 106.7 Lite-FM WLTW New York leads the market with a 6.5 to
6.8 rise. MediaCo Adult RB 107.5 WBLS jumps up to second with a 4.8 5.2
6.4 three month trend. SBS Spanish Tropical Mega 97.9 WSKQ places third up
5.8 to 6.1. Entercom Classic Hits 101.1 WCBS-FM holds in fourth with a 5.1
to 4.8 slide, while iHeartMedia Classic Rock Q104.3 WAXQ and Public
News/Talk 93.9 WNYC-FM tie for fifth at 4.5.

Trending upward in New York is Red Apple Media Conservative Talk 770 WABC
with a 1.4 1.6 1.9 three month trend.

Entercom Classic Hits K-Earth 101 KRTH regains the lead in Los Angeles with
a 5.6 to 5.9 rise. iHeartMedia AC 103.5 KOST slips to second 5.7 to 5.6
followed be sister News/Talk 640 KFI holding steady at a 5.0 share.
Entercom Rhythmic AC 94.7 The Wave KTWV holds fourth with a 4.6 to 4.4
move. Entercom Variety Hits 93.1 Jack-FM KCBS-FM and Univision Spanish AC
Amor 107.5 KLVE tie for fifth at 4.0.

Trending up in Los Angeles are Mount Wilson FM Country Go Country 105
KKGO-FM up 1.5 2.2 2.4 and Meruelo Media Spanish Rhythmic Cali 93.9 KLLI
with a 1.2 to 2.2 jump. Entercom CHR Amp 97.1 KAMP-FM slips down 1.3 to 1.2.

Entercom News 780 WBBM/105.9 WCFS leads Chicago at 7.1. Public News/Talk
91.5 WBEZ rises to second despite dropping 6.7 to 6.4. iHeartMedias duo of
Adult RB V103 WVAZ (6.8 to 6.0) and AC 93.9 Lite-FM WLIT (5.1 to 5.3)
follow. Hubbard Hot AC 101.9 The Mix WTMX placed fifth up 4.4 to 4.5.

Trending upwards in Chicago at Entercom AAA 93.1 WXRT (2.6 3.4 3.8),
Cumulus Alternative 101.1 WKQX (1.6 1.7 2.5) and Hubbard AC 100.3 WSHE
(1.7 2.0 2.4).

Spoken word continues to dominate in San Francisco. Public News/Talk 88.5
KQED-FM leads down 10.9 to 10.6 followed by Entercom News 740 KCBS/106.9
KFRC (8.5 to 7.5). Bonneville AC 96.5 KOIT places third up 4.7 to 5.1
followed by iHeartMedia Soft AC 98.1 The Breeze KISQ up 3.9 to 4.5.
Bonneville CHR 99.7 Now KMVQ is fifth down 4.2 to 4.0.

Cumulus Classic Rock 107.7 The Bone KSAN trends up 2.3 2.9 3.0, while
Entercom Alternative Alt 105.3 KITS slips 1.3 to 1.1.

iHeartMedia AC Star 102.1 KDGE takes the Dallas market lead with a 5.6 to
5.2 drop. Ratings expert Chris Huff notes this is the first time KDGE has
led the market without playing Christmas music. iHeart CHR 106.1 Kiss-FM
KHKS Dallas holds in second with a 4.7 to 4.8 gain, while Salem Christian
AC 94.9 KLTY slides from first down 6.1 to 4.8. Univision Regional Mexican
Que Buena 94.1 KLNO places fourth with a 4.2 to 4.6 rise and iHeartMedia
Hot AC 102.9 Now KDMX jumps up to fifth 3.6 to 4.4.

Also trending upwards in Dallas are Cumulus Sports The Ticket 1310
KTCK/96.7 KTCK-FM (2.6 3.6 4.1), iHeartMedia Rock 97.1 The Eagle KEGL
(2.7 to 3.7), and Entercom News 1080 KRLD (1.6 to 2.1).

iHeartMedia AC Sunny 99.1 KODA takes sole possession of the Houston market
holding steady at a 7.5 share. Co-owned News/Talk 740 KTRH slips to second
down 7.5 to 6.5. Hope Media Christian AC 89.3 KSBJ places third holding at
a 6.1 share. Cox Classic Rock 107.5/106.9 The Eagle KGLK/KHPT falls to
fourth 6.2 to 5.9, while Univision Regional Mexican Que Buena 102.9 KLTN
holds at a 5.8 share in fifth.

Trending upward in Houston are Entercom Hot AC Mix 96.5 KHMX (3.4 to 4.0)
and Cox Country 93Q KKBQ (3.2 to 4.0), while Cumulus CHR 104.1 KRBE slips
3.7 3.3 3.1 for what Huff notes is its lowest share since Holiday 2014.

Cox News/Talk 750 WSB/95.5 WSBB continues to lead Atlanta while slipping
11.8 to 10.5. Cox Classic Rock 97.1 The River WSRV holds in second down 6.3
to 6.1 followed by Entercom Hip Hop/RB V103 WVEE up 4.8 to 5.1. Cox AC
B98.5 WSB-FM is fourth with a 4.5 to 4.9 rise, while Radio One Gospel
Praise 102.5 WPZE rises to fifth at a 4.6 share.

Trending upward in Atlanta is Entercom Rhythmic AC Star 94.1 WSTR (2.5
2.9 3.1), while iHeartMedia CHR Power 96.1 WWPW rebounds (2.9 1.8 2.3).

It was a bad trend for Country in Atlanta with iHeartMedias 94.9 The Bull
WUBL slipping 3.7 3.3 2.5 and Cumulus New Country 101.5 WKHX down 2.6
2.3 1.8. Also trending downward is Radio One Hip Hop Hot 107.9 WHTA (3.1
2.4 2.1).

iHeartMedia Adult RB 105.3 WDAS-FM leads Philadelphia down 8.6 to 8.0.
Beasley Rock 93.3 WMMR surges up 6.3 to 7.6. Entercom News 1060 KYW/103.9
WPHI continues to trend up following the addition of its FM simulcast (5.4
6.4 6.5) to place third. Beasley Classic Rock 102.9 WMGK rises to fourth
5.6 to 5.9, while Entercom AC B101.1 WBEB drops to fifth 5.7 to 5.6.

Entercom Classic Hits 98.1 WOGL rebounds up 2.9 to 3.9, while the two
commercial FMs at the bottom of the rankings continue to slide with
Entercom CHR 96.5 WTDY-FM down 1.6 to 1.4 and Radio One Hip Hop 100.3 WRNB
down 0.9 to 0.8.



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Iowa College Station To Cease Operations With Sale To EMF

Posted: 22 Mar 2021 01:51 PM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...h-sale-to-emf/



Dordt University has announced it will sell 88.5 KDCR Sioux Center IA to
Educational Media Foundation.

Dordt has operated KDCR with Christian programming since 1968. The station
will convert to EMFs K-Love Christian AC network on May 15 coinciding with
the end of the current semester.

The university will continue to stream home basketball, football and womens
volleyball games through their Dordt Media Network.

Dordt University has decided to cease operation of KDCR radio at the end of
the academic year. Since 1968, KDCR has used terrestrial radio to proclaim
God’s Word to generations of listeners. This decision to cease operation is
the result of ongoing costs and limited listener financial support for the
station.

Dordt is committed to engaging the community, both regionally and beyond,
by encouraging and equipping God’s people to accomplish his work. To that
end, Dordt will concentrate on growing livestream access of athletic
events, chapel, fine arts, and other programming. In addition, Dordt will
continue to provide coverage of all home basketball, football, and women’s
volleyball contests through the Dordt Media Network livestream broadcasts
and away games via an audio link.

“We are grateful for the good work of KDCR radio and the legacy of
Christian radio,” says Dr. Erik Hoekstra, president of Dordt. “This was a
difficult decision, and we are committed to honoring the legacy of KDCR
radio as well as the good work of those involved. We will also continue to
focus on the Dordt Media Network to provide an excellent broadcasting
experience for our constituents.”

Dordt has agreed to sell the 88.5 frequency to K-LOVE, which will provide
contemporary Christian music beginning on May 15, 2021.

As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian
perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the
broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of
contemporary life. Dordt, located in Sioux Center, Iowa, is a comprehensive
university named to the best college lists by The Wall Street Journal,
Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.



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Corey Dillon Returns To Houston To Host Middays At 93Q

Posted: 22 Mar 2021 11:21 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...iddays-at-93q/



Cox Media Group Country 93Q 92.9 KKBQ-FM Pasadena/Houston TX has announced
the addition of Corey Dillon as midday host.

The move marks a return to Houston for Dillon as he previously hosted
nights at Entercom Country “100.3 The Bull” KILT-FM. He most recently
hosted afternoons at Hubbard Country 98.9 The Bull KNUC Seattle from 2018
until April 2020 and has previously worked at CHRs “Z90” XHITZ Tijuana/San
Diego, “95 Triple X” WXXX Burlington VT, and “103.3 Amp Radio” WODS Boston.

Dillon fills the midday slot that had been held by Christi Brooks until her
promotion to Director of Branding Programming at Cox Country Y100 KCYY San
Antonio last October.



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Rush Limbaugh Finds New Home In Jacksonville

Posted: 22 Mar 2021 10:30 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...-jacksonville/



After being dropped from Cox Media Groups 104.5 WOKV-FM Jacksonville in
favor of local host Mark Kaye, The Rush Limbaugh Show has found a new home
in the market.

Chesapeake-Portsmouth Broadcastings Conservative Talk 600 WBOB
Jacksonville/101.1 W266CX Fruit Cove added Limbaughs show starting today.
The move sets up a potential affiliate for the eventual successor program
when the time comes.

Chesapeake-Portsmouth Broadcasting Corporation’s WBOB AM 600/FM 101.1
announced today the addition of “The Rush Limbaugh Show,” effective
immediately. The station now airs the program in the live noon to 3 p.m. ET
timeslot.

“Rush Limbaugh is a pioneering force in broadcasting,” said Jonathan
McClellan, General Manager, WBOB AM 600/FM 101.1 “He redefined talk radio
and shaped the conservative political message for our country. WBOB is
excited to add Rush’s program to our lineup. We value the future of his
legacy, and we believe his talented team will drive the momentum of the
movement far into the future. We welcome this monumental voice.”

Rush Limbaugh launched his phenomenally successful radio broadcast into
national syndication on August 1, 1988, with 56 radio stations. More than
30 years later, it’s heard on more than 600 stations by millions of people
each week and is the highest rated national radio talk show in America.




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Josh Brubaker Joins 97.1 Amp Los Angeles

Posted: 22 Mar 2021 10:23 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...p-los-angeles/



Entercom CHR 97.1 Amp KAMP-FM Los Angeles has announced the addition of
Josh Bru Brubaker as afternoon host.

Brubaker joins KAMP-FM from afternoons at Cumulus Country New Country 93.1
WDRQ Detroit where he also served as Creative Services Director. He has
also worked at WQQO Toledo and WLEW Bad Axe MI in his career.

With the addition of Brubaker, Music Director Yesi Ortiz moves from
afternoons back to middays. Midday host Christen Limon exits.

Entercom announced a new weekday programming lineup for 97.1 AMP Radio
(KAMP-FM) in Los Angeles.

As part of the new lineup, the station welcomes Josh Brubaker as afternoon
show co-host. Brubaker will be heard weekdays from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
PT, effective immediately.

Current afternoon show host Yesi Ortiz will move to middays and will now be
heard from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. PT. “The Morning Mess” will continue to
be heard from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. PT and Krystal Bee will continue from
7:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. PT.

“Josh is an upcoming superstar that we’re really excited about adding to
our family,” said Jeff Federman, Regional President. “His energetic
personality and influence on social media will quickly resonate with our
audience.”

“I am so incredibly excited to join AMP and Entercom,” said Brubaker. “The
opportunity to be a part of this amazing brand and do radio in LA is a
dream come true. Huge thanks to Michael Martin, Jeff Federman, my agent
Paul Anderson and Workhouse Media for being instrumental in making this
opportunity a reality.”

Prior to joining Entercom, Brubaker was heard on 93.1 Nash FM and 96.3 WDVD
in Detroit, and also served as Cumulus Detroit’s Creative Services
Director. Other on-air roles include Q105 in Toledo, OH and WLEW in Bad
Axe, MI.



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iHeartMedia Cleveland To Move To New Facility As Company Begins Cloud Based
Tech Rollout

Posted: 22 Mar 2021 07:42 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...-tech-rollout/



iHeartMedia has announced it will be relocating its Cleveland stations to a
new downtown facility.

Located at 668 Euclid Avenue, the new location will house the companys nine
brands in the Cleveland market company’s sales, marketing, digital and
Total Traffic and are set to open by the end of 2021. Designed by Beneville
Studios and AUX1 design, the facility will feature five conference rooms,
eleven studios, and eight service booths for news, traffic, and podcast
creation, and phone audio sound via Sound+. It will also have a street
level marquee studio for broadcasting and podcasting.

iHeartMedia is in the process to relocate many of their markets to newer
facilities this year. The Cleveland mockups share similarities to the
couple year old San Antonio building, with interchangeable studios that can
be used by any station or show and open office models. They will be powered
by the companys forthcoming Sound+ platform that places most functionality
in the cloud. A number of other markets will be making moves to new
locations in the coming months.









iHeartMedia Cleveland announced today plans to move their regional office
to downtown Cleveland. The new location will be at 668 Euclid Avenue and
will include a 10-year agreement lease with K&D Group. The new agreement
will move iHeartMedia Cleveland’s nine radio stations, along with the
company’s sales, marketing, digital and Total Traffic operation to the new
state-of-the-art street level facility. The new offices are scheduled to
open by the end of 2021.

iHeartMedia Cleveland has designed a brand-new state-of-the-art facility to
house their iconic brands and franchises – both broadcast and digital –
including legendary stations like 100.7 WMMS, Newsradio WTAM 1100 AM &
106.9 FM, Majic 105.7, 99.5 WGAR, 106.5 The Lake, 96.5 KISS FM, Real 106.1,
1350 AM The Gambler and Cleveland’s BIN: Black Information Network 99.1 FM.
This move will bring more than 100 employees into the heart of Cleveland’s
downtown business landscape.

“We are thrilled to return our broadcast and digital operations to the
heart of our city,” said Keith Hotchkiss, President of iHeartMedia
Cleveland. “Connecting our influencers, marquee talent and operation staff
with the downtown business district will further drive the passion to serve
the community we all call home.”

iHeartMedia Cleveland’s new vision for the workplace provides leaders and
their teams with the tools they need to adapt to a changing world. New
office features will include five conference rooms, 11 studios featuring
cutting-edge technology, eight service booths for news, traffic, and
podcast creation, and phone audio sound via Sound+. A marquee broadcast
studio and mixed use podcast content creation room both face street level
on Euclid Avenue. Studio designs are by Beneville Studios and AUX1 design.

“We are delighted that iHeartMedia will be locating their regional
headquarters in downtown Cleveland, bringing 100 communication and
technology jobs to the 668 Building and the Euclid Avenue Historic
District, said Joe Marinucci, President and CEO of the Downtown Cleveland
Alliance.

“We are so excited that iHeartMedia has decided to return to downtown
Cleveland after many years, and that they have chosen our 668 Building as
their new home,” said Doug Price, CEO of K&D Group.



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Entercom Places An HD Bet In Chicago

Posted: 22 Mar 2021 07:12 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...et-in-chicago/



On the heels of launching Sports Gambling The Bet on 1430 KEZW
Aurora/Denver CO and 93.1 KCBS-HD3 Los Angeles earlier this year, Entercom
has brought the brand to 105.9 WCFS-HD2 Elmwood Park/Chicago IL.

Airing a mix of programming from their BetQL Audio Network and CBS Sports
Radio, The Bet replaces Dance Energy 105.9 on WCFS-HD2.

Entercom announced the launch of The Bet 105.9 FM-HD2 in Chicago. The
station will be a “BetQL Audio Network” and CBS Sports Radio affiliate and
feature national sports talk and sports betting programming heard across
Entercom’s robust portfolio of sports stations, as well as the “BetQL Audio
Network.”

Programming at launch will include “BetQL Daily” with Joe Ostrowski and
Ross Tucker and “You Better You Bet” with Nick Kostos and Ken Barkley, as
well as CBS Sports Radio Network programming including “Tiki and Tierney,”
“The DA Show” and “Reiter Than You.”

“Since legalization in 2019, sports betting has exploded in the state of
Illinois and we’re delighted to enter the arena of this rapidly growing
landscape to deliver insightful content to our listeners with the launch of
this new station,” said Rachel Williamson, Regional President and Market
Manager, Entercom Chicago. “The station will serve as the home for several
favorites from the BetQL Audio Network and CBS Sports Radio Network, giving
listeners a wide array of expert analysis.”

Weekday programming lineup for The Bet 105.9 FM-HD2 is as follows.

5:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. CT:

“The DA Show” with Damon Amendolara

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. CT:

“BetQL Daily” with Joe Ostrowski and Ross Tucker

12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. CT:

“Reiter Than You”

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. CT:

“Tiki and Tierney”

3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. CT:

“You Better You Bet” Nick Kostos and Ken Barkley

7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. CT:

“The Zach Gelb Show”

9:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. CT:

“JRSportBrief”

1:00 a.m. – 5:00 a.m. CT:

“After Hours with Amy Lawrence”

The Bet 105.9 FM-HD2 is an affiliate station of the recently launched
“BetQL Audio Network.” In partnership with recently acquired affiliate
platform QL Gaming Group, “BetQL Audio Network” features sports betting
programming heard across Entercom’s robust portfolio of sports stations.
“BetQL Audio Network” content is available nationwide via RADIO.COM, the
fastest growing digital audio platform in the U.S., the BetQL mobile
application and desktop platform and on-demand where podcasts are found.



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The Zone Rocks Bozeman

Posted: 22 Mar 2021 06:12 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...rocks-bozeman/



Desert Mountain Broadcasting has launched Rock 104.1 The Zone 1490
KYWL/104.1 K281CX Bozeman MT.

Positioning as Everything That Rocks, the launch clones the brand used at
co-owned 96.3 The Zone KRZN Billings.

Desert Mountain Broadcasting, which owns six stations in the Billings
market, purchased KYWL and the Construction Permit for K281CX last October
for $50,000. The new format positions KYWL musically between Townsquare
Media AAA 94.7 The Moose KMMS and Orion Media Classic Rock The Eagle 104.7
KBZM/105.7 KKQX.