Industry News

95.5 WSB and Clark’s Christmas Kids Raises $1.4 million

Clark Howard and Cox Media Group Atlanta’s news/talk WSB-AM/WSBB-FM helped to fulfill the Christmas lists of 8,137 children in foster care in Georgia through the “Clark’s Christmas Kids” program. Now in its 33rd year, the partnership between 95.5 WSB, Clark.com, Georgia Department of Humanim Services, Division of Family & Children Services, The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Georgia, and Walmart, has undertaken the mission of ensuring that every child in the Georgia foster care system has at least one gift on Christmas day. This year the program raised over $1,440,000 which will provide over 24,400 gifts to children in Georgia. 95.5 WSB program director Ken Charles says, “The 95.5 WSB audience is just amazing! For the 33rd year they’ve shown up with an incredible spirit of generosity to make sure the kids have a very merry Christmas. Our entire team supports Clark’s mission to make sure every foster child has at least one toy for Christmas and I’m so thankful our listeners come through every year!”

Industry News

AJC: Research Behind Changes at CMG’s 95.5 WSB in Atlanta

In an interview with the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Rodney Ho, program director Ken Charles reveals the reasons for the programming changes that have taken place at Cox Media Group’s news/talk WSB-AM/WSBB-FM over the past year. Charles says that when longtime morning host Scott Slade announced heim was stepping back from his duties, that allowed the station to use internal research to consider the best options to tweak its programming. That resulted in the station naming longtime station reporter and anchor Chris Chandler the new morning host, swapping late morning and afternoon hosts Mark Arum and Eric Von Haessler, and making Shelley Wynter solo host in evenings and giving his former co-host MalaniKai Massey her own Saturday night program. Charles says, “I feel very comfortable that we’ve got the right people in the right slots. We are set to grow our success.” Read the AJC story here.

Industry News

“95.5 WSB” Names Morning Host; Shuffles Afternoon and Late Morning Talent

Cox Media Group’s news/talk WSB-AM/WSBB-FM, Atlanta “95.5 WSB” announces that Chris Chandler (left) is named the host of “Atlanta’s Morning News,” airing daily from 5:00 am to 9:00 am. Chandler, a longtime afternoon drive anchor, takes over for Scott Slade, who announced he would step away from the program earlier this year. At the same time, the station moves host Mark Arum (center) from afternoon drive to the 9:00 am to 12:00 noon daypart and “The Von Haessler Doctrine” hosted by Eric Von Haessler (right) shifts to the 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm slot. Station director of branding and programming Ken Charles comments, “‘95.5 WSB’ has such a deep roster of talent, and I’m excited to promote Chris to this new role. As part of the process, we took the time to examine the entire station lineup. Additionally, we asked our audience what they expected from WSB. These changes reflect those expectations and leverage our local stars to position the station for the future.” About his new role, Chander says, “It is the honor of a career to step into one of the great heritage radio news programs in the country. Scott Slade can’t be replaced, but I’m committed to maintaining the integrity, consistency, and fairness he brought ‘Atlanta’s Morning News’ over his legendary run.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Salem Media Group, Inc announces it is issuing an irrevocable notice of redemption to the trustee of its outstanding 6.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2024. The Notice calls for the redemption – set for March 27, 2023 – in full of the remaining $36.5 million in outstanding aggregate principal amount of 2024 Notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2024 Notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. Salem expects to pay the redemption price for the 2024 Notes by issuing an additional $44.685 million in aggregate principal amount of its 7.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 to certain holders of its 2028 Notes pursuant to a purchase agreement entered into with such holders in connection with the initial issuance of the 2028 Notes.

Major League Soccer’s D.C. United announce that it and iHeartMedia Washington D.C. are extending their partnership for iHM to handle local radio broadcasts for the team’s regular season matches on WTSD-AM, WWDC-HD2, and W284CQ and the iHeartRadio App. Dave Johnson, who has called matches for D.C. United since the club’s inception in 1996, will lead the production as the play-by-play commentator. Bruce Murray, former United States National Team player and DMV native, will accompany Johnson to begin the season.

Bloomberg Radio – syndicated nationally by Key Networks – announces that it welcomes new affiliate Cox Media Group’s WSB-AM/WSBB-FM, Atlanta. “95.5 WSB” says it will broadcast Bloomberg business content that is geared towards the burgeoning Atlanta market.

Industry News

Erick Erickson Inks Extension with CMG’s “95.5 WSB”

Talk radio host Erick Erickson and Cox Media Group announce that Erickson will continue hosting his popular show for three more years from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm on WSB-AM/WSBB-FM, Atlanta “95.5 WSB.” His program is also heard on CMG news/talk stations WDBO, Orlando; WGAU, Athens, Georgia; KRMG-FM, Tulsa; WOKV-FM, Jacksonville, and WHIO-AM/FM, Dayton. WSB director of branding and programming Ken Charles says, “For more than a decade, Erick has done a great job of entertaining and informing the WSB audience about the biggest news stories of the day. I’m proud we’ll continue our partnership for another three years, and I’m excited about what new things we can create moving forward. The best is yet to come!” Erickson says, “‘95.5 WSB’ is not just home, it’s the gold standard of talk radio, with incredible leadership from Ken Charles and Jaleigh Long. I fell into the role by accident 12 years ago. It’s not just the longest job I’ve had, it’s three hours of joy every day working with the best people in radio. I simply cannot imagine doing anything else anywhere else with any team other than the hard-working talent at ‘95.5 WSB.’”

Industry News

Scott Slade to Step Back from WSB, Atlanta Morning Show

Cox Media Group Atlanta announces that air personality Scott Slade will temporarily step away from the 4:30 am -9:00 am shift. Slade plans to create something new for WSB-AM/WSBB-FM that reflects his passion for listeners and the community. Slade says, “After 32 years hosting ‘Atlanta’s Morning News,’ I’m looking forward to my next chapter with 95.5 WSB. This has been my radio home for nearly 40 years, so stay tuned – after a break to recharge my batteries, I’m excited about the freedom of exploring some new horizons here. In the meantime, I’m looking forward to spending more time with family, friends and colleagues without being preoccupied with the next time the alarm will go off!” CMG Atlanta VP and market manager Jaleigh Long comments, “There is no one else like Scott Slade. His credibility, professionalism, and passion for delivering the best for listeners is unmatched. I’m excited for what the future holds as we take these next steps with Scott, our audience and our clients.” Slade joined WSB in 1984 as the overnight music host. He was one of the “founding fathers” of “Atlanta’s Morning News” in 1991. Slade initiated the “WSB Radio Care-a-Thon” in 2000, benefiting the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The annual event has raised more than $30 million to fight children’s cancer and blood disorders. WSB director of branding and programming Ken Charles says, “The ‘S’ in WSB stands for Scott. His dedication to the show and station, and his commitment to excellence, are unparalleled. He is truly the GOAT of morning radio!”

Front Page News Industry News

Friday, August 19, 2022

NOW POSTED: This Weekend’s Installment of “The Michael Harrison Wrap: An Overview of the National Conversation.” The latest installment of the one-hour weekend special, “The Michael Harrison Wrap,” that looks back each week at the hottest topics discussed in American talk media per the research of TALKERS, is now posted. This new episode titled, “Crazy, Crazy, Crazy!” looks back at this past week of 8/15 to 8/19. The program features guests (in order of appearance): Kevin Casey, executive editor, TALKERS; Todd Feinburg, talk show host, WTIC, Hartford; Pat Fant, commentator, The Otis Advisory; Chris X, talk show host, KSEV, Houston; Dr. Daliah Wachs, physician/talk show host, Genesis Communications Network; Claire Carter, founder/host, Good For You Radio.  The show airs weekends (Friday evenings to Sunday nights) on almost 100 broadcast signals and networks across the U.S. and U.K as well as having developed a significant international following as a podcast. To listen to this week’s episode, please click here. To view the latest TALKERS topic research, please click here. “The Michael Harrison Wrap” is available in syndication via Talk Media Network to stations across America on a market exclusive basis. For affiliation information, please click here or call 616-884-8616.

Ken Charles to Lead Programming at CMG’s WSB-AM/WSBB-FM, Atlanta. News and talk programming pro Ken Charles is named the new director of branding and programming at Cox Media Group’s Atlanta news/talk giant WSB-AM/WSBB-FM “95.5 WSB,” effective September 12. Charles, who most recently was programming Audacy’s all-news KNX-AM/FM, Los Angeles, takes over the role at WSB that opened when Drew Anderssen left to take the brand manager role at Audacy’s all-news KRLD-AM, Dallas/Fort Worth and the Texas State Networks. This is a return to Atlanta for Charles who programmed iHeartMedia’s news/talk WGST-AM from 1998 – 2000. CMG Atlanta VP and market manager Jaleigh Long says, “Ken has an impressive track record for growing top talent and exceptional content. It’s exciting to add Ken’s experience and passion to the WSB legacy and top performance in Atlanta.” Charles comments, “I’m excited to join the amazingly talented team at 95.5 WSB. Thanks to Jaleigh Long, Rob Babin and Chris Eagan for giving me the chance to be a part of one of America’s top brands. I can’t wait to get back to Atlanta and build on WSB’s 100-year commitment to local news and community service.”

RI Talk Host John DePetro Attacked by Man with Lawnmower. According to a report by WLNE-TV, Providence, WNRI, Woonsocket talk host John DePetro was assaulted on Wednesday night (8/17) by a man outside the same home in Warwick, Rhode Island where DePetro was arrested for willful trespassing the night before. For the second night in a row, DePetro was doing a Facebook Live stream outside the house that authorities investigating the disappearance of Charlotte Lester say she frequented. This time, DePetro was allegedly assaulted by Mark Perkins with a lawnmower. In the video that you can see here, Perkins charges DePetro with the mower before the video cuts out. Police charged him with assault with a deadly weapon, first degree robbery, malicious damage to property and disorderly conduct. DePetro tells WLNE-TV, “Tonight while doing a follow up on the Charlotte Lester missing person case, I was violently attacked by Mark Perkins with a lawn mower and punched and kicked me to the ground on Staples Avenue. He smashed my equipment and threatened to kill me. I am cooperating fully with Warwick police.” DePetro has a September 1 court date for the willful trespassing charge.

WWJ-AM, Detroit News Anchor Roberta Jasina Victim of Audacy Cuts. According to a report in the Detroit Free Press, Roberta Jasina, morning drive news anchor at Audacy’s all-news WWJ-AM, Detroit was let go on Tuesday (8/16) as part of the company’s ongoing staff reduction at its radio stations. The 68-year-old Jasina had been with WWJ for the past 34 years and told the paper she’s sad about losing her job. In an audio message she posted on Facebook, Jasina says she was told this was about budget cuts and not about her performance but adds, “My heart was broken. I loved WWJ. I had the best job in the world.” Jasina also said that the day after she was let go, she learned that her husband Alan has been diagnosed with cancer and asked for prayers for her family. She tells the Free Press that she’s been heartened by the well-wishes she’s received from listeners and the community.

Mike Max Cut from Audacy’s WCCO-AM, Minneapolis. A report from BringMeTheNews indicates that evening sports talk personality Mike Max is out at Audacy’s news/talk WCCO-AM, Minneapolis as part of the company’s staff reductions. Max hosted “Sports to the Max” weeknights from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm. He also serves as sports director at CBS Broadcasting’s WCCO-TV. The report says WCCO-AM will move Henry Lake from late nights to the 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm slot and will fill the late night daypart with CBS Audio’s “Eye on the World with John Batchelor.” Also exiting WCCO-AM with the departure of Max is his show’s producer Craig “Hammer” Schroepfer.

Audacy Eliminates Bob Salter’s New York Public Affairs Position. Twenty-eight-year Audacy on-air staffer Bob Salter is exiting the company after his final show on Sunday, August 21 as his public affairs position is being eliminated. Salter’s work was heard on Audacy’s New York stations that include WFAN-AM/FM, WCBS-FM, WNEW-FM, and WNYL-FM. Salter says, “It was nice to put some life into Sunday morning radio in NYC.”

Salem to Launch New Podcast Starring Sekulow Brothers. The latest podcast to debut on Salem Media Group’s Salem Podcast Network is the “Sekulow Brothers Podcast with Jordan and Logan Sekulow,” set to start on September 12. Jordan and Logan Sekulow are sons of Jay Sekulow, chief counsel for the American Center for Law & Justice and a member of the Donald Trump legal team during the first impeachment trial. Salem Media SVP spoken word format Phil Boyce says, “Salem is so excited to launch this podcast with the Sekulow Brothers. Logan and Jordan are at the tip of the spear in this culture war we are fighting, and they know the issues better than anybody. This is going to be a ‘must-listen’ podcast.” Jordan Sekulow (left) is the executive director of the ACLJ and Logan Sekulow (right) is the director of media for the organization. Jordan Sekulow says, “Our family is known for our intensity. Through the work of the ACLJ, we always showcase hard-hitting analysis and legal work. But with this new podcast, you’ll see us in a casual environment three times a week. You’ll learn about our lives, our unique perspectives, where we agree and where we differ. And we will break down our views on news, politics, family, and culture.”

TALKERS News Notes. Sports talk program that emanates from Good Karma Brands’ Madison and Milwaukee stations are being added to the company’s Beaver Dam, Wisconsin station WBEV-AM “1430 ESPN.” The company says “Wilde and Tausch” – starring Jason Wilde and Mark Tauscher – and “Scalzo and Brust” – featuring Greg Scalzo and Ben Brust – will be heard on “1430 ESPN” beginning Monday (8/22). Good Karma Beaver Dam general manager Ryan Gabel says, “We are excited to integrate ESPN Wisconsin programming into our lineup with the launch of ‘1430 ESPN.’ Every morning, fans in Dodge County will hear from Packers Hall-of-Famer Mark Tauscher and award-winning Packers reporter Jason Wilde. In the afternoon, they can tune into former Wisconsin Badger basketball star Ben Brust and longtime ESPN Radio host Greg Scalzo. The versatility and analysis from each of the shows will make ‘1430 ESPN’ a one-stop sports station for our listeners.”…..Voiceover artist Cayman Kelly is celebrating his third year on ESPN as he renews his contract before the start of the 2022 fall sports season. Kelly says, “Working with ESPN has been a dream come true and I remain just as excited now as I was three years ago when I first became the national voice of ESPN Audio.”

Liz Cheney’s Loss, Partisan Politics and Elections Tie for Top News/Talk Story This Week. U.S. Rep Liz Cheney’s loss in the Wyoming primary, the partisan politics, and the primaries leading up to the November midterms combined as the most-talked-about story on news/talk radio for the week of August 15-19 and landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the tie between FBI raid on Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump’s legal issues, and Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani being investigated, followed by the state of the U.S. economy and the electric car incentive at #3. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed on news/talk radio during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here.

 

 

WSVA Radio Has A Rare Opportunity For You To Join Our News Staff. Live and work in Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley. WSVA has been covering Virginia news since 1935 and in these days of cutbacks and consolidation in the radio industry, WSVA continues its commitment to local news. We’re looking for a full-time news reporter/anchor who can be a storyteller with a news mindset. If you’re charismatic and have a sense of humor; if you’re active in your community; if you’re interesting; if you’re an elite communicator, we’re looking for you. We want someone who understands how to reach the local listeners and make a story interesting. We want an individual who loves to connect with listeners and community leaders. Duties include gathering and reporting news for our news/talk station, delivering updates on our music stations and keeping our digital site up-to-date. If you enjoy doing play by play sports, there’s opportunities to help our sports department too. Local radio news is alive and well on WSVA! To apply, send your resume, on air demo and references to Frank Wilt at fwilt@hrgradio.com. Saga Communications is an equal opportunity employer and a long-term radio only company dedicated to the principles of excellence in radio.

Salem Media Group Seeks Producers. Attention producers! Salem Media Group is looking for producers. Salem has great radio stations, the Salem Radio Network, the Salem Podcast Network, and the Salem News Channel, and we always need producers to help us create our great products. If you have experience producing radio or TV shows, please send your resume and keep ‘em coming to: Phil Boyce, Senior VP of Spoken Word Formats, Salem Media Group Philip.boyce@salemmedia.com. Salem is an Equal Opportunity Employer.