RadioInsight

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The Land of Heritage Brands

Posted: 10 Feb 2020 11:00 AM PST
https://radioinsight.com/ross/184183...ritage-brands/


A few weeks ago, I retweeted a posting from Radio Rewinder, which
republished the fall 1984 ratings from 10 major markets as they appeared in
Radio & Records, my employer of the time.
In my tweet, I commented on the number of market-leading Easy Listening
outlets, roughly five years before the format’s near-total implosion on
major-market FM. I was also impressed by how fragmented San Francisco was,
even then, with only three stations above a four share.
What my Edison Research president Larry Rosin took notice of was the number
of radio stations in the 1984 ratings still found on the dial in some form
more than 35 years later. So I counted the number of brands with some sort
of continuity.
Determining that continuity was subjective. Most people would count KIIS
Los Angeles and WHTZ (Z100) New York as CHR then and CHR now, with those
mid-‘90s moments when KIIS was almost Hot AC and Z100 was essentially
Alternative long forgotten. WCBS-FM New York was Oldies then, Classic Hits
now — even if the name of the format and the era it covers have evolved.
WJLB Detroit, WGCI Chicago, and WUSL (Power 99) all continue as R&B/Hip-Hop.
I counted those stations that had kept their brands but had evolved along
the common trajectories of certain stations in certain formats — Urban to
Urban AC; Full-Service AC to News/Talk; Album Rock to Classic Rock. For the
same reason, I counted WLS-FM Chicago, now playing the CHR hits of 1984 as
a Classic Hits station (despite many format changes and modifications in
between).
I counted those brands that had been revived in a relatively similar
fashion, even on another dial position; e.g., WKTU New York or KDAY Los
Angeles. I counted those Classical stations that had moved frequencies and
switched to non-commercial operations — WQXR New York and KDFC San
Francisco (even if much of the latters programming emanates from outside
the market).Â*
I wasn’t as sure what to do with WPGC Washington, D.C. In 1984, it had
softened from CHR to AC; in 1987, it relaunched as R&B, but self-reported
as CHR, drawing on its previous heritage. Most Washingtonians do regard
WPGC as having been “hits in some form� for 60 or so years.
What about WEAZ Philadelphia, which segued first from Easy Listening to
Soft AC, then switched its handle to B101, then to More-FM, then back to
B101? Most Philadelphians regard that evolution as having a through line as
well.
In the end, it’s safe to say that there was probably one decision per
market that another radio historian might dispute. But even if your count
differs by a few percentage points in either direction, there’s still a lot
of format continuity:
New York – 46% of those stations above a 1 share in 1984 are still in the
market in some form (WHTZ, WOR, WINS, WCBS, WCBS-FM, WBLS, WLTW, WKTU,
WABC, WSKQ, WMCA, WQXR), and that’s not including the 2019 sale of WPLJ to
religious broadcaster K-Love.
Los Angeles – 40%, including KIIS, KFI, KOST, KLOS, KNX, KRTH (K-Earth
101), KROQ, and KJLH. (I wondered about KBIG, since it was Easy Listening
then and Hot AC now, plus it’s not currently not using the call letters,
but most Angelenos still call it “K-BIG� and regard it as a linear
evolution.)
Nassau/Suffolk – 50%, thanks to all the New York signals, plus WALK, WBAB,
WBLI, WKJY (K-Joy) and others.
San Francisco – 31%, a relatively low number, but still including KGO,
KCBS, KNBR, KOIT, KBLX, and KMEL (which underwent a similar evolution as
WPGC).
Boston – 30%, but still including WBZ, WXKS-FM (Kiss 108), WRKO, WMJX, and
WAAF.
Philadelphia – 38%, with many of the current top brands in the market
WMMR, WMGK, WDAS, WXTU — as holdovers.
Detroit – 43%, including WJR, WJLB, WWJ, WRIF, WNIC, WOMC, and a recently
revived WLLZ.
San Diego – 28%, including KGB, XETRA-FM (91X), XHRM (Magic 92.5), KSON,
and KYXY. I didn’t count KFMB-FM, which hasn’t exactly evolved in a
straight line, although market-watchers are waiting to see what happens
after its sale.
Chicago – 42%, including WGN, WGCI, WBBM, WBBM-FM, WUSN, WXRT, WOJO, and
WVON. WBMX has been revived, although its current ‘90s/’00s-based Throwback
Hip-Hop format doesn’t quite harken back to the R&B station it was in 1984.
Washington, D.C. – 48%, including WMAL, WKYS, WHUR, WWDC (DC101), WMZQ,
WASH, and WTOP, already N/T for years, but a relatively minor force in the
market at the time. Again, that number would have been higher without last
year’s sale of WRQX to K-Love.
Will you view the number of heritage brands as stagnation or stability? In
2019, there were very few major format changes, and most of the biggest
were prompted by K-Love purchases. In part that was because few owners
wanted the financial and marketing pressure of a new launch, when it’s
gotten harder to cut through a field of proliferating media choices. It’s
also significant that some of the highest retention rates are in the
biggest markets, where even being mid-pack can be lucrative for an
established station.
Heritage stations have to contend with the weight of listeners’ memories.
KGO San Francisco’s changes over the years have been so controversial that
I know somebody scoffed at its inclusion on the list seven paragraphs back,
and there are others like it. But most people would view WMMR Philadelphia
as having carried its heritage well. And some stations, like KRTH, are in
considerably better shape than they were at the time.

Heritage stations are a reminder of radios endurance and connection with
the audience. They also represent radios best assets on an infinite dial
that broadcasters have yet to truly exploit. The issue is whether theyve
been joined by enough exciting new brands. Those tabulations are yet to be
done, butÂ* in 2019, major format changes were minimal. Radio still resists
brand extensions as well, but their value to heritage brands is documented
and Ive got Caramel Coconut Oreos in my pantry to prove it.


The post The Land of Heritage Brands appeared first on RadioInsight.


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Entercom Partners With NBC In Philadelphia

Posted: 10 Feb 2020 08:47 AM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/1...-philadelphia/



As News 1060 KYW Philadelphia moves out of its shared studio space with CBS
KYW-TV today and into the new Entercom corporate headquarters, the company
has announced a partnership with NBCs NBC 10 WCAU and Telemundo 62 WWSI to
share content.

While KYW will be the recipient of most of the sharing, which will include
WCAU meteorologist Glenn Hurricane Schwartz providing forecasts on KYW,
content from the partnership will be heard on all of Entercoms Philadelphia
stations.

Entercom, a leading media and entertainment company and one of the two
largest radio broadcasters in the U.S., announced a multiplatform content
distribution partnership with NBC across all broadcast channels, websites
and social media platforms. As part of the agreement, KYW Newsradio
(KYW-AM), Philadelphia’s destination for up-to-the minute breaking news,
traffic, weather, sports, money and lifestyle coverage, NBC10 Philadelphia
(WCAU) and Telemundo62 (WWSI) will work together to better serve the
community via improved access and coverage of live, local breaking news,
general news, weather, sports, politics and entertainment in both English
and Spanish languages.

“We’re thrilled that the region’s most experienced and innovative radio
team is joining forces with the most forward-thinking team in local
television,� said David Yadgaroff, Senior Vice President and Market
Manager, Entercom Philadelphia. “This strategic partnership will provide
the Philadelphia area with the most immediate, accurate, and compelling
news, weather, traffic, and entertainment reports.�

“NBC10 and Telemundo62 are thrilled to partner with Entercom to provide our
audience with the most comprehensive news, weather and sports coverage
across the Greater Philadelphia region,� said Ric Harris, President and
General Manager, NBC10 and Telemundo62. “This powerful, new partnership
guarantees the largest number of reporters, photographers, and news
gathering technology covering more local news than any other broadcast
organization in our area.�

Content from the partnership will also be shared across Entercom
Philadelphia sister stations 96.5 TDY (WTDY-FM), 98.1 WOGL (WOGL-FM), Talk
Radio 1210 WPHT (WPHT-AM), B101.1 (WBEB-FM) and SportsRadio 94WIP (WIP-FM),
as well as station websites and social media channels.


The post Entercom Partners With NBC In Philadelphia appeared first on
RadioInsight.


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John Records Landecker To Be Inducted Into NAB Hall of Fame

Posted: 10 Feb 2020 08:09 AM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/1...-hall-of-fame/



John Records Landecker will be the 2020 radio inductee into the National
Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame at the April NAB Show in Las Vegas.

Best known for his run in evenings at 890 WLS Chicago during its Top 40
heyday from 1972 through 1981 and again from 1986-89, Landecker has also
worked at 94.7 WLS-FM and WZZN, 97.9 WLUP, 104.3 WJMK, 105.9 WCKG and 720
WGN in the Chicago market. He has also spent time in his native Michigan at
WOIA Saline, WTRK Flint, WERX Grand Rapids and WILS Lansing as well as WPHR
Cleveland, WIBG-FM Philadelphia, and CFTR Toronto. He currently hosts a
weekly show on 95.9 WEFM Michigan City IN.

Landecker follows recent inductees including Cathy Hughes, Elvis Duran,
Delilah, Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic, and Kevin Ryder and Gene Bean
Baxter. The full list of previous inductees can be seen here.

Legendary Top 40 disc jockey John Records Landecker will be inducted into
the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Broadcasting Hall of Fame at
the 2020 NAB Show. The induction will occur during the Achievement in
Broadcasting Dinner on Monday, April 20 at the Encore in Las Vegas.

Landecker is best known for his tenure as the evening personality at WLS-AM
Chicago, a 50,000-watt station reaching audiences in some 40 states. His
signature style included incorporating satirical songs and bits based on
current events into the program, as well as his trademark saying, “Records
truly is my middle name.� Landecker is credited for introducing some of the
first interactive phone features on Top 40 radio, a style that is still
prevalent today.

His 50-year broadcast career began as a high school student at WOIA-AM in
Saline, Michigan. He stayed on the air throughout college in Michigan,
working at WTRK-AM Flint, WERX-AM Grand Rapids and WILS-AM Lansing.
Landecker later entertained listeners with stints at WIBG-FM Philadelphia;
CFTR-AM Toronto; WPHR-FM Cleveland, Ohio; WJMK-FM Chicago; and WGN-AM
Chicago.

“John Records Landecker has had a profound impact on radio and has inspired
generations of new talent,� said NAB Executive Vice President of Industry
Affairs Steve Newberry. “His induction into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame
symbolizes the personal connection between DJs and their audiences and how
innovative personalities can influence radio programming.�

Additionally, Landecker has released six albums of his work and written an
autobiography titled “Records Truly Is My Middle Name.� He currently hosts
a weekly program on his hometown station WEFM-FM Michigan City, Ind.

Landecker was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2017 and was
named Billboard Magazine’s Radio Personality of the Year in 1977. His
on-air talent and contributions to the radio industry are memorialized in
the radio exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.


The post John Records Landecker To Be Inducted Into NAB Hall of Fame
appeared first on RadioInsight.


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Salem Sells Louisville Cluster

Posted: 10 Feb 2020 05:00 AM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/1...ville-cluster/



After taking over operations of Salem Medias Louisville cluster via LMA at
the start of 2017, Word Broadcasting Network has exercised its option to
purchase the stations for $4 million.

Word will acquire Conservative Talk 970 The Answer WGTK Louisville with a
CP for 93.5 W228EO Louisville, Christian Preaching 94.7 WFIA-FM New Albany
IN and 900 WFIA/107.3 W297BV Louisville which simulcasts Words Christian AC
88.5 WJIE-FM Okolona KY. Those stations will join Words holdings that also
includes two television stations in Louisville.

A $250,000 credit will be given to Word Broadcasting Network if the sale
closes on or before March 31, 2020. Word will also be credited the monthly
LMA fees for the 4th through 29th months of the LMA and a $2000 per month
credit for every month after that. A $450,000 payment was already made to
Salem as part of the Option Agreement.


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Matt Stockman To Program WAWZ

Posted: 10 Feb 2020 04:30 AM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/1...-program-wawz/



After exiting as Program Director for Educational Media Foundations K-Love
network in December, Matt Stockman has joined Pillar of Fire Christian AC
Star 99.1 WAWZ Zarepath NJ as Director of Programming.

Stockman spent two years at EMF after previously programming Crista Medias
Spirit 105.3 KCMS-FM Seattle. He also spent a decade hosting mornings at
WMIT-FM Asheville NC and has worked in Chattanooga, Nashville and Lynchburg
VA.

Stockman fills the opening created by Rick Halls exit last July to join
Moody Bible Institute as manager of their digital radio properties.


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