RadioInsight

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March 2021 (3/4 - 3/31) Nielsen Audio Ratings Day 1: As COVID Restrictions
Lift, The CUME Comes Back

Posted: 19 Apr 2021 02:00 PM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...me-comes-back/



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.


Texas was one of the first states to drop all of its COVID-19 related
restrictions as of March 10. With the reopening of the state came the rise
of CUME to pre-pandemic levels for stations Dallas and Houston.

iHeartMedia CHR 106.1 Kiss-FM KHKS Dallass CUME rose from 1.08 million in
February to 1.26 million in March, placing it just shy of the 1.35 million
listeners it had in March 2020 according to Ratings Expert Chris Huff. AC
Sunny 99.1 KODA Houston rose from 1.58 million to 1.84 million bringing it
ahead of March 2020s 1.81 million listeners. The month-to-month gains were
significant for additional stations such as Now 102.9 KDMX Dallas was up
from 967,000 to 1.31 million listeners.

Most of the other markets across the country released today also saw gains.
iHeartMedias 106.7 Lite-FM WLTW New York rebounded over the 3 million
listener mark for the first time since the start of the pandemic rising
from 2,961,100 to 3,174,800 listeners. 103.5 Kiss-FM WKSC Chicago has
trended up 923K 1.02 million 1.21 million, while Beasley Classic Rock
102.9 WMGK Philadelphia surged 600K 645K 750K the past three months.


WLTW continues to lead New York as it rises 6.8 to 7.1. Audacy Classic Hits
101.1 WCBS-FM jumps a full share point to second 4.8 to 5.8. SBS Spanish
Tropical Mega 97.9 WSKQ drops to third 6.1 to 5.6. Public News/Talk 93.9
WNYC-FM slips 4.5 to 4.3 to place fourth, while iHeartMedia CHR Z100 WHTZ
rises to fifth 3.8 to 4.1.

Audacy News 1010 WINS trends downwards 4.0 3.6 3.4.

Audacy Classic Hits K-Earth 101.1 KRTH continue to lead Los Angeles with a
5.6 5.9 6.1 trend. iHeartMedia News/Talk 640 KFI jumps 5.0 to 5.7 for
what ratings expert Chris Huff notes is their highest share since 1973.
iHeartMedia AC 103.5 KOST is third down 5.6 to 5.3, while Audacys duo of
Rhythmic AC 94.7 The Wave KTWV (4.4 4.5) and Variety Hits 93.1 Jack-FM
KCBS-FM (steady at 4.0) round out the top five.

In its final monthly prior to last weeks rebranding as 97.1 Now, Audacys
Amp 97.1 KAMP-FM holds steady at a 1.2 share.

Since the death of Rush Limbaugh, iHeartMedia Conservative Talk 1150 The
Patriot KEIB has lost half of its audience share dropping from a 1.2 in
January to 0.6 in March.

iHeartMedia Adult R&B V103 WVAZ rises 6.0 to 6.3 to regain the Chicago
market lead. Audacy News 780 WBBM/105.9 WCFS falls 7.3 7.1 6.2 to fall to
second. iHeartMedia AC 93.9 Lite-FM WLIT trends up 5.1 5.3 5.7 to move up
to third. Public News/Talk 91.5 WBEZ plummets 6.4 to 4.7 to tie for fourth
with Hubbard Classic Rock 97.1 The Drive WDRV, which rises 4.0 to 4.7.

Trending up in Chicago are Weigel Soft Oldies 87.7 MeTV-FM WRME-LP (2.1 to
3.2), iHeartMedia CHR 103.5 Kiss-FM WKSC (2.6 3.0 3.1), Audacy Classic
Hip Hop 104.3 Jams WBMX (2.1 2.5 2.9) and Country US 99 WUSN (2.0 to 2.6).

Public News/Talk 88.5 KQED-FM holds onto the San Francisco market lead down
10.9 10.6 9.8. Audacy News 740 KCBS/106.9 KFRC slides 8.5 7.5 6.8.
Bonneville AC 96.5 KOIT is down 5.1 to 4.6 to hold into third. Three
stations land in a tie for fourth with a 3.8 share. Univision Spanish AC
Amor 100.3 KBRG trends up 3.2 3.5 3.8, iHeartMedia Soft AC 98.1 The
Breeze KISQ slips 4.5 to 3.8, while Bonneville CHR 99.7 Now KMVQ falls 4.0
to 3.8.

iHeartMedia AC Star 102.1 KDGE leads Dallas for the second straight month
with a 5.2 to 5.3 gain. Univision Regional Mexican Que Buena 94.1 KLNO
jumps 4.6 to 5.2 to move into second. Salem Christian AC 94.9 KLTY rebounds
4.8 to 5.0 to place third. Both of Cumulus Country stations round out the
top five. New Country 96.3 KSCS rises 4.3 to 4.9, while 99.5 The Wolf KPLX
is up 4.3 to 4.7. iHeartMedia CHR 106.1 Kiss-FM KHKS falls out of the top
five moving from second to sixth with just a 4.8 to 4.6 drop.

Cumulus News/Talk 820 WBAP drops 4.0 to 3.0. After rising 2.7 to 3.7
following the death of afternoon host Russ Martin, iHeartMedia Rock 97.1
The Eagle KEGL falls back to a 2.7 share. Cumulus Sports 96.7/1310 The
Ticket KTCK/KTCK-FM falls 4.1 to 2.6.

iHeartMedia AC Sunny 99.1 KODA holds onto its significant lead in Houston
with a 7.5 to 7.7 gain. Univision Regional Mexican Que Buena 102.9 KLTN
jumps 5.8 to 6.3. Hope Media Christian AC 89.3 KSBJ places third 6.1 to
5.9. iHeartMedia News/Talk 740 KTRH falls 7.5 6.5 5.8 for fourth, while
Cox Classic Rock 107.5/106.9 The Eagle KGLK/KHPT slips 5.9 to 5.7.

Cox Country 93Q KKBQ-FM trends up 3.2 4.0 4.4, while Audacy Hot AC Mix
96.5 KHMX rises 3.4 4.0 4.3. iHeartMedia Hip Hop 93.7 The Beat KQBT jumps
2.6 3.2 3.4.

Cox Media Group continues to hold four of the top five stations in Atlanta.
News/Talk 750 WSB/95.5 WSBB slips 11.8 10.5 9.2 to hold the market lead.
Classic Rock 97.1 The River WSRV rises to second 6.1 to 6.2. Adult R&B Kiss
104.1 WALR holds at a 6.2, but Audacy Hip Hop/R&B V103 WVEE trends up 4.8
5.1 6.2 to tie for third. Cox AC B98.5 WSB-FM rises 4.9 to 5.3

Both CHRs trend up in Atlanta. Cumulus Medias Q99.7 WWWQ rises 3.1 3.4
4.0, while iHeartMedias Power 96.1 WWPW is up 1.8 2.3 2.4. Trending
downward is Public News/Talk 90.1 WABE-FM (4.3 3.5 3.2).

iHeartMedia Adult R&B 105.3 WDAS-FM continues to lead Philadelphia up 8.0
to 8.1. Beasley Rock 93.3 WMMR slips 7.6 to 7.0 to hold onto second.
Beasley Classic Rock 102.9 WMGK rises 5.9 to 6.0 to tie for third with
Audacy News 1060 KYW/103.9 WPHI (6.5 to 6.0). Audacy Sports 94.1 WIP holds
at a 5.3 to place fifth.

Surging up in Philadelphia is Beasley Country 92.5 WXTU (3.6 4.0 5.0),
while iHeartMedia CHR Q102 WIOQ jumps up 3.6 to 4.4. Public News/Talk 90.9
WHYY-FM slides down (6.3 5.2 4.6), while Audacy Conservative Talk 1210
WPHT trends down 2.2 1.8 1.5.

Cox Classic Rock 102.3 WBAB/95.3 WHFM surges up to the Long Island market
lead 4.3 5.2 6.1. iHeartMedia Classic Rock Q104.3 WAXQ New York falls to
second despite rising 5.6 to 5.7. Audacy Classic Hits 101.1 WCBS-FM rises
4.9 to 5.1. Cox CHR 106.1 WBLI places fourth 4.4 to 4.5. Connoisseur Media
Classic Hits 103.1 Max-FM WBZO jumps up to fifth 3.3 to 4.1.



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American Public Media Combines Classical MPR And National Programming Under
YourClassical Brand

Posted: 19 Apr 2021 01:48 PM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...assical-brand/



Minnesota Public Radio and its American Public Media subsidiary have
combined their Classical music offerings under the YourClassical umbrella.

MPRs statewide Classical network based at 99.5 KSJN Minneapolis is now
branding as YourClassical MPR. The national classical programming offerings
such as Performance Today, Pipedreams, SymphonyCast and Composers Datebook
have been folded into the YourClassical brand with all sharing a new
listener-facing digital portal at YourClassical.org.

MPR states that the brand alignment is part of their efforts to expand
YourClassical’s audience to younger listeners.



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iHeartMedia Los Angeles Promotes John Peake To SVP/Programming

Posted: 19 Apr 2021 09:12 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...p-programming/



iHeartMedia has promoted AC 103.5 KOST and Hot AC 104.3 My-FM KBIG Los
Angles Program Director John Peake to SVP/Programming for the market.

Peake has previously programmed Hot AC Mix 107.5 KWMX Denver, CHR 104.1
KRBE Houston, Dance Energy 92.7 KNGY and Hot AC Alice 97.3 KLLC in San
Francisco, CHR 93.7 KRQQ Tucson and was Mission Director for NRJ Paris.
Peake joined iHeartMedia in 2009 as Show Director for the KZZP Phoenix
based John Jay Rich show. He transferred to Seattle in 2011 as Operations
Manager for the companys cluster and then Regional Senior Vice President of
Programming for Riverside and San Diego from 2014-2017. He moved to Los
Angeles in 2017 to program KBIG and KOST. He will continue to program KBIG
in addition to his new role.

Peake fills the opening created by Andrew Jeffries decision to step down in
February.

iHeartMedia Los Angeles announced today that John Peake will be elevated to
Senior Vice President of Programming, in addition to maintaining his
position as Program Director for 104.3 MYFM, effective immediately.

Prior to joining iHeartMedia in 2009 as the Show Director for the “Johnjay
Rich Show� in Phoenix, Peake had an extensive radio career in San
Francisco, Houston, Tucson, Denver and Birmingham. In 2011, he was the
Operations Manager for iHeartMedia Seattle, and in 2013, he moved to
Southern California to spend the next four years as the Regional Senior
Vice President for iHeartMedia’s Riverside and San Diego stations and the
Program Director for Star 94.1. In 2017, John made the leap to Los Angeles,
where he has served for the last four years as the Program Director for
iHeartMedia’s highly successful station 104.3 MYFM and the legendary KOST
103.5.

“John is one of the most successful programmers there is, with experience
that spans multiple formats and markets,� said Tom Poleman, Chief
Programming Officer for iHeartMedia. “We’ve been programming peers for over
30 years and I’m excited to collaborate with him in Los Angeles. He’s the
perfect person to lead our incredible lineup of stations and personalities.�

“I couldn’t ask for a better programming partner in operating iHeartMedia’s
Los Angeles market than John,� said Kevin LeGrett, President of iHeartMedia
Los Angeles. “Not only is he a sound and thoughtful programmer with great
instincts, as can be seen from the ratings success of the stations under
his supervision, but he also has a very motivating and relatable management
style with a comprehensive understanding of data, digital, social and
events. I am very much looking forward to working with John in this new
role, continuing to advance the performance of these iconic brands.�

“I am thrilled for this opportunity be part of the iHeartMedia LA
leadership team and some of the biggest audio brands in the world,� said
Peake. “The chance to work at a higher level with the imaginative,
innovative and charismatic group of talent and programmers that lead the
industry in the audio space is so exciting. Our LA brands are well
positioned for growth across multiple platforms in the future, and I am
beyond honored to be a part of that. My thanks and gratitude to Greg
Ashlock, Tom Poleman, Brad Hardin, Kevin LeGrett and Andrew Jeffries.�



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Salem Houston Appoints Darren Ryder As GM As Chuck Jewel Retires

Posted: 19 Apr 2021 08:13 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...jewel-retires/



Salem Media Group has appointed Darren Ryder as General Manager of its
Houston TX properties.

Ryder joins Salem from Townsquare Media Lake Charles LA, where he had
served as Market President since June 2019. He previously served as General
Manager for Salem in Orlando for eight months in 2006. He has also worked
in sales management positions for KATC-TV Lafayette LA and Charter and Time
Warner Cable.

Ryder will succeed Chuck Jewel, who will retire on April 30 following a 48
year career. Jewel has led Salem Houston since September 2004 and
previously spent sixteen years as GM of WHO/KLYF Des Moines.

Salem Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: SALM) announced today that Chuck Jewel is
retiring from Salem Media Group’s Houston cluster of stations (100.7 KKHT
FM, and 1070 KNTH AM) effective April 30, 2021. Chuck joined Salem in
September of 2004. Prior to joining Salem, Chuck’s 48-year career included
a long run at WHO/KLYF in Des Moines, Iowa where he rose through the ranks
into sales management followed by becoming a General Manager in 1988.

About his time at Salem, Chuck said, “The 16 ½ years with Salem have been
the most fulfilling of my career.�

Darren Ryder will replace Chuck as General Manager. Darren has over 20
years of experience leading teams with Time Warner Cable, Spectrum, and
most recently Townsquare Media. He was also the General Manager for Salem’s
Orlando operation a number of years ago. Salem Senior VP, Linnae Young
said, “We are delighted to have Darren re-join Salem. Darren is an
innovative leader, who has developed sales and marketing strategies
resulting in impressive growth for his clients and his teams. He has worked
on local, regional, and national levels in both audio and digital.�



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Radio One Opens A Classic Hip Hop Box In Richmond

Posted: 19 Apr 2021 07:49 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...x-in-richmond/



After the delayed merger of Sports ESPN Richmond with SummitMedia’s “Sports
106.1� W291CL/WURV-HD3 Richmond took place last night, Radio One launched
Classic Hip Hop The Box on 950 WXGI/99.5 W258DC Richmond and 1240
WTPS/102.7 W274BX Petersburg VA.

Positioning as RVAs Home For Classic Hip Hop, the station is currently
running jockless. The launch creates a competitor to SummitMedias G104.3
W282CA/WKHK-HD2 Richmond, which had a 1.0 share in the February 2021
Nielsen Audio ratings.



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WFOM Becomes Atlanta's Most Conservative News & Talk

Posted: 19 Apr 2021 06:11 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...ive-news-talk/



After eliminating all of its local hosts last fall and flipping to a
simulcast of sister Sports 680 The Fan WCNN North Atlanta, Dickey
Broadcasting has relaunched Xtra 106.3 1230 WFOM/106.3 W292EV Marietta as
Atlantas Most Conservative News & Talk Station.

The newly revamped Xtra 106.3 will carry a lineup of programming from
Premiere Networks and Fox News Radio including Fox Across America with
Jimmy Failla in mornings, Glenn Beck from 9am-12pm, Rush Limbaugh from
12-3pm (and 9pm-12am), Guy Benson from 3-6pm, Buck Sexton 6-9pm, and Coast
to Coast AM with George Noory from 12-5am.

Most of these show have been absent from the Atlanta market since
iHeartMedia flipped 640 WGST to the Black Information Network last June.
The Best of Limbaugh shows were dropped by Cox Media Groups 750 WSB/95.5
WSBB last month.


Dickey Broadcasting Company announced today the debut of the new XTRA
106.3FM Atlanta’s Most Conservative News & Talk Station, effective
immediately.

XTRA 106.3FM will broadcast an industry-leading lineup of talk radio
programs including “The Rush Limbaugh Show,� “The Glenn Beck Program,� “Guy
Benson,� “The Buck Sexton Show,� and “Coast to Coast AM with George Noory.�



“We are excited to announce the return of Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck and Fox
News, among many other great names, to the Atlanta market,� said David
Dickey, President, Dickey Broadcasting Company. “These voices have
entertained and informed generations of Atlantans, and will now continue to
do so on XTRA 106.3FM and streaming on the XTRA app. Atlantans deserve
great options for their news and information. We are proud that we can
deliver this popular content to millions of listeners who feel they’ve been
disenfranchised by recent programming shifts.�

Full Weekday Programming Lineup:
Morning XTRA 6 a.m. – 9a.m. ET (Monday)
Fox Across America with Jimmy Failla 6 a.m. – 9a.m. ET (Tuesday through
Friday)
The Glenn Beck Program 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
The Rush Limbaugh Show 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. ET
Guy Benson 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. ET
The Buck Sexton Show 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. ET
Rush Replay 9 p.m. – 12 a.m. ET
Coast to Coast AM with George Noory 12 a.m. – 5 a.m. ET








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WKHF Stunting With Christmas Music

Posted: 19 Apr 2021 05:30 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...ahead-of-sale/




With Chuck and Rebecca Marshs Lynchburg Media Partners beginning their LMA
of WVJT LLCs Hot AC 93.7 WKHF Lynchburg VA ahead of their planned
purchase, the station is currently stunting with Christmas music.

No known timetable yet on when the station will debut its new permanent
identity, but it can be streamed here.

Original Report 4/14: Todd Robinsons WVJT LLC has agreed to sell Hot AC
93.7 WKHF Lynchburg VA to Chuck and Rebecca Marshs Lynchburg Media Partners
for $500,000.

Chuck Marsh, who previously hosted mornings at Country 93.1 The Wolf WPAW
Greensboro and 99.9 Kiss Country WKSF Asheville before owning stations in
Marion VA and Ahoskie NC, also is majority owner and morning host on
Alamance Media Partners Country Maverick Radio 1200 WSML Graham/94.3 W232DT
Mebane/95.1 W236BO Burlington NC. He will pay $10,000 upfront and $490,000
in a promissory note for the station.

A new format will debut on WKHF on Thursday, April 15 as Marsh begins a
$2000 per month Time Brokerage Agreement. Mike McKendree, who has hosted
mornings at WKHF since its launch in 2011, will move to Oldies 103.9/106.9
103.9 WHTU Big Island/106.9 WZZI Bedford/101.9 W270CU Roanoke in the same
daypart.