Broadcast Buzz 10/16/07

Written by Lance Venta · October 16, 2007

Summer Arbitrons – Detroit, Boston, San Diego, Riverside/San Bernardino, Hartford, Allentown/Bethlehem, Akron

Ratings Thoughts - In Detroit, Urban AC WMXD retains the top spot up.6 to 6.1, followed by News WWJ at 5.1, News/Talk WJR at 5.0, Urban WJLB at 4.9, and Smooth Jazz WVMV at 4.9. AC WNIC has the biggest jump from 3.1 to 4.1, while Rock WRIF tumbles from 5.1 to 4.0. In its final book as FM Talk, WKRK stays steady at 1.9. It’s new simulcast partner WXYT registered a 1.8.

In Boston, the new #1 station is Rhythmic CHR WJMN up .7 to 6.9. AC WMJX is up big 1.1 to 6.2 to tie CHR WXKS for 2nd. WBZ dropped from first to fourth 7.1 to 6.1. Sports WEEI and Talk WRKO tied for fifth at 4.9. The loss of Don Imus hurt Talk WTKK as the station dropped overall from 3.2 to 2.6. See below for more information on the Boston Talk wars.

San Diego also has a new #1 as AC KYXY overtakes Smooth Jazz KIFM. KYXY registered a 5.2, while KIFM dropped 5.4 to 4.5 to tie for 2nd with Country KSON. News/Talk KOGO and Hot AC KMYI rounded out the top 5. Alternative KBZT had the biggest gains from 1.5 to 2.6. Modern AC KSCF debuted at 0.7.

Boston - Howie Carr and Greater Media have lost another court battle attempting to overturn the clause in his contract that gave Entercom the right to match any contract offer. The Boston Herald has much more.

San Diego – Clear Channel has finally let the cat out of the bag announcing that 1360 KLSD will make its long awaited flip to Sports on Sunday, October 28. “Xtra Sports 1360″ will be live and local from 6am to 7pm daily. Dave Palet and Jeff Dotseth, formerly of crosstown ESPN 800 and 103.7 Free-FM will do mornings. Jeff Rosenberg will host “The Sportspage” from 10am to 12pm. Chris Ello shifts from crosstown “XX Sports 1090/105.7” for noon to 3pm. Lee “Hacksaw” Hamilton will hold down the afternoon drive shift. The station is also promoting “strategic partnerships with the San Diego Union-Tribune, Shawne Merriman, Norv Turner, and a number of other prominent San Diego Sports figures.”

Air America programming will be made available on 105.3 KIOZ HD-3. (SignOnSanDiego.com)

Lansing - 94.1 WVIC-FM has flipped from Classic Hits to Soft AC as “Soft Rock 94.1“. Morning host Mary Turner and PD/Afternooner Joe Thomas are out with the changes. Syndicated Bob & Sheri are added for mornings and Delilah for nights. (Michiguide)

San Antonio – Mike Taylor leaves nights at “ESPN 103.3” KESN Dallas for afternoons at “The Ticket” 760 KTKR San Antonio.

Melbourne, FL – B-Rock has left the PD position at CHR “95.1 Kiss-FM” WBVD to relocate back home to Pennsylvania (RadioInsight Florida)

National - Van Dyke To ABC Radio Networks VP/Affiliate Relations
New York – Ratings bring morning glory again to WINS
New York – Z-100 takes top-40 all the way to No. 1
Chicago - Cubs playoff chase boosts WGN
Pittsburgh - WDUQ backlash builds
San Diego – SignOn Radio Launches Live Streaming Radio
Pittsburgh - Shooting Victim Sues WAMO-FM & Nightclub