Ravens Super Bowl Champ Femi Ayanbadejo to Host PM Drive Show on “105.7 The Fan”
Audacy’s sports talk WJZ-FM, Baltimore “105.7 The Fan” unveils its newest afternoon drive show, “The Final Drive,” hosted by former Ravens linebacker Femi Ayanbadejo with co-hosts Ken Weinman and Tim Barbalace. “105.7 The Fan” brand manager 
Joe LaCroix says, “Femi’s sports knowledge spans far beyond football, encompassing the entire Charm City sports scene. His fearless opinions and local sports knowledge will complement Ken’s fiery takes and Tim’s sharp insights. We can’t wait for our listeners to experience the next chapter of afternoons with ‘The Final Drive.’” Ayanbadejo’s radio experience began in 2012 with contributions to several programs, including “The Scott Garceau Show,” Ravens game-day radio with Gerry Sandusky, and, most recently, “The Bruce and Femi Show” on “105.7 The Fan.”
talent, operations and branding. LaCroix joined the station in 2017 and has been executive producer of the “Big Bad Morning Show” since 2021. Audacy sports format VP Chris Kinard says, “Joe’s dedication over the past year has been nothing short of exceptional, constantly stepping up to support the team and taking on challenges outside his comfort zone. His tireless work ethic and natural ability to bring people together made him the obvious choice for brand manager.”
help to the entire team throughout the past year, stepping in without hesitation and taking on added responsibility. His work ethic, commitment to the station, and focus on fostering a collaborative environment have not gone unnoticed, making him the ideal candidate for this elevated role.” LaCroix, who’s been with the station since 2017 and has served as executive producer of the morning show since 2021, says, “I’m delighted to accept this role and grateful for the opportunity. I’m excited to continue working with this team and to help drive the continued growth and success of ‘The Fan.’”
January 1. Co-president of the Urban One Audio Division Eddie Harrell says, “For more than three decades, Howard has been a steady, visionary leader for our Baltimore cluster. His commitment to excellence, his instinct 
for developing talent, and his deep understanding of this market have strengthened our stations and helped shape the culture of our entire audio division.” Willner began his career with Urban One and transitioned to account executive before rising to national sales manager, general sales manager and ultimately, director of sales. Harrell adds, “Dave has had the benefit of learning the business under Howard’s guidance for many years, and he embodies the forward-thinking leadership we need for the next chapter. I’m confident he will build on Howard’s strong foundation and continue to advance the success of the Baltimore market.” The company says Mazer will work closely with Willner through the end of the year to ensure a smooth and seamless transition.
Morning Drive with Casey & Elliott” after almost six years co-hosting the program with Sean Casey. WCBM announces that the program is being re-branded as “Casey & Company” and will feature newscaster Maggie Hunter, the “king of all traffic” Chuck Whitaker, sportscaster Gary Stein and executive producer Kristen Haegerich. Elliott originally joined the program as a part-time guest in 2015 before rising to co-host in 2019.
Awards. The winners will be presented on October 21 at The Edison Ballroom, the evening before NAB Show New York. Finalists for Legendary Station of the Year include news/talk WABC, New York. Finalists for News/Talk Station of the Year are: KFI-AM, Los Angeles; WABC-AM, New York; WBAL-AM, Baltimore; WBBM-AM, Chicago; and WENG-AM, Englewood, Florida. 
She brings to the microphone more than two decades of experience in communications and marketing across both commercial and political sectors, with commentary featured on FOX News Channel and Univision, as well as published opinion pieces in The Baltimore Sun. She grew up attending Maryland schools while her father served as an Army officer and returned home after graduating from the University of South Florida.” Aviles comments, “As WBAL celebrates its 100th year on the air, I’m incredibly honored to join this legacy of broadcasting and to bring my voice to Maryland’s afternoon drive. This show will be about real conversations – local, national, cultural – I’m excited to connect with listeners every day.”
heard on WERE, Cleveland; WOLB, Baltimore; WDBZ, Cincinnati; and KDEE-FM Sacramento. The “Tavis Smiley” program is now heard in 40 markets across the United States, including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Tavis Smiley says, “The show’s expansion into four additional high-profile markets underscores our ongoing commitment to enhancing the show’s innovative and unapologetically progressive programming. Following November’s election, the demand for our programming is growing exponentially. We will continue to deliver enlightening and empowering content aimed at African Americans and other people of color.”
The second of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s July 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis. The survey covered June 20 through July 17. Today, TALKERS managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Washington, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WMAL-FM is steady with a 3.6 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) and remains ranked #11, while Hubbard Radio’s all- news WTOP-FM rises 1.2 shares for 10.7 share finish that lifts it to the #1 rank in the market. In Boston, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WRKO adds four-tenths to finish with a 3.3 share and climbs to the #10 rank, while sister all-news WBZ-AM is flat with a 4.7 share but rises one spot to the #6 rank. In Phoenix, iHeartMedia’s news/talk KFYI tacks on three-tenths to finish with a 3.8 share that lifts it to the #6 rank, while Bonneville’s news/talk KTAR-FM adds eight-tenths for a 3.1 share finish good for the #11 rank. 
The second of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s June 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis. The survey period covered May 23 through June 19. Today, TALKERS managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Washington, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WMAL-FM slips two-tenths to a 3.6 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) and remains ranked #11 in the market, while Hubbard Broadcasting’s all-news WTOP-FM rises 1.3 shares to a 9.5 share and stays locked in the #2 rank. In Seattle, Bonneville’s news/talk KIRO-FM adds four-tenths to finish with a 4.9 share that lifts it to the #5 rank, while sister conservative talk KTTH-AM adds a half share to finish with a 2.0 share good for the #22 rank, and Lotus Communications’ conservative talk KVI tacks on three-tenths for a 2.1 share good for the #21 rank. In Phoenix, iHeartMedia’s news/talk KFYI inches up one-tenth for a 3.5 share but falls back to the #9 rank, while Bonneville’s news/talk KTAR-FM is steady with a 2.3 share and rises to the #18 rank. 
The second of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s May 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including: Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis. The survey covered April 25 through May 22. Today, TALKERS managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Washington, DC, Cumulus Media news/talk WMAL-FM declines eight-tenths to finish with a 3.8 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) and is ranked #11 in the market, while Hubbard Broadcasting all-news WTOP-FM rises four-tenths for an 8.2 share that keeps it ranked #2. In Boston, iHeartMedia news/talk slides four-tenths to finish with a 2.9 share and the #14 rank, as sister all-news WBZ-AM dips four-tenths to a 4.5 share but remains ranked #7 in the market. And in Seattle, Bonneville news/talk KIRO-FM gains seven-tenths to finish with a 4.5 share lifting it to the #6 rank, while sister conservative talk KTTH-AM rises one-tenth to a 1.5 share and the #23 rank, and Lotus Communications’ conservative talk KVI-AM adds a half share for a 1.8 share finish good for the #21 rank. 
Generally speaking, Major League Baseball radio flagships enjoyed a solid first at bat in Nielsen Audio’s 2024 rating season (March 28 – April 24).
The second of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s April 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis. The survey covered March 28 through April 24. Today, TALKERS managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Washington, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WMAL-FM dips two-tenths to finish with a 4.6 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) and slides back to the #6 rank, while Hubbard Broadcasting’s all-news WTOP-FM loses one-tenth to finish with a 7.8 share good for the #2 rank. In Boston, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WRKO declines one-tenth for a 3.3 share finish and holds steady at the #12 rank, while sister all-news WBZ-AM rises three-tenths to a 4.9 share, yet it falls one spot to the #7 rank. In Seattle, Bonneville’s news/talk KIRO-FM dips one-tenth to a 3.8 share and slides down to the #10 rank, while Lotus Communications’ all-news KNWN-AM/FM loses one-tenth to finish with a 2.4 share and remains ranked #18. 
The second of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s March 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis. The survey covered February 29 through March 27. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Washington, Cumulus Media news/talk WMAL-FM rises three-tenths to finish the survey with a 4.8 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) that lifts it to the #5 rank, while Hubbard Broadcasting all-news WTOP-FM adds three-tenths for a 7.9 share and remains ranked #2. In Detroit, Cumulus Media news/talk WJR dips two-tenths to finish with a 2.3 share but remains ranked #14, while Audacy’s all-news WWJ is steady with a 5.3 share that keeps it ranked #9 in the market. In Phoenix, iHeartMedia news/talk KFYI falls half a share to a 3.0 share and moves back one spot to the #10 rank, while Bonneville news/talk KTAR-FM also loses a half share, finishing with a 2.2 share good for the #18 rank.