Broadcast Buzz 10/22/07

Written by Lance Venta · October 22, 2007

Today’s RadioInsight Headlines

Summer Arbitrons – Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Indianapolis, Louisville, New Orleans, Dayton, Tucson, Honolulu, Omaha.

Top 25 Ratings Thoughts:

Phoenix - The big story is the News/Talk surge at Clear Channel’s 550 WFYI up 3.9-6.0 to take the top spot and Emmis 92.3 KTAR-FM 3.1-3.8 good for 6th. KTAR split its programming to News/Talk on FM and Sports on 620 AM in January. The Sports half registered a 2.1, which gives the pair a 5.9 up from the 4.2 the station got in its final book before the split. The launch of Rhythmic CHR “101.5 Jamz” in June has had an instant effect on its competition. While KZON’s new format only debuted at a 2.0 12+, its competitors took big hits. Rhythmic CHR “Power 98.3″ KKFR was down .8, while Mainstream CHR “Kiss 104.7″ KZZP dropped .9 to 3.4. Spanish Urban KVIB also took a .5 hit.

Portland - At first glance, the 2.5 share drop at Clear Channel AC KKCW “K103″ would look devastating. The wound in this case was self-inflicted as the company shifted the broad AC into a more current/recurrent direction with the launch of Oldies on “Kool 105.9″ KQOL, which debuted at 1.5. The big winner was CBS Country 98.7 KUPL, which rose 4.8-5.9 to take the top spot.

National - NAB Asks FCC to Lift Ban, Ease Ownership Restrictions
Traverse City - WSRT-FM Fires Two for Filling Out Arbitron Diaries
Boston - Carr Appeals Ruling, Wants to Work for ”His Choice”
Philadelphia - Radio Bcast of Phillies/Rockies Playoff Game Draws TV-Sized Numbers
National - New members named to country DJ and Radio Halls of Fame
National - Syndication One Adds Yolanda Adams, Ricky Smiley Shows
National - Rick Boucher Op-Ed on Sirius-XM merger, goes unchallenged
Atlanta - 94.9 The Bull can�t kick Kicks
Orlando - Marks Upped To WLOQ Orlando VP/GM
Detroit - Home improvement radio show may be unplugged
Milwaukee - After morning show shuffle, WKTI-FM’s ratings sag dramatically
Hartford - Gois Broadcasting Adds to Hartford AMs for $2.6 Million
Atlanta - Urban stations, talk radio remain tops
St. Louis – Big League to Return KRFT-AM/St. Louis to Sports
Cincinnati - Five stations see major growth in summer ratings
San Francisco – Radio Waves
National - Local native becomes King of radio consultants
New York – Both sports radio stations vote straight Torre
Long Island – Morey Launches New Latin Music Radio Station
Northeast Radio Watch - More AM Uncertainty in NYC, Boston