Industry News

Seasoned Radio Journalist Veronica Carter is the New Co-Host of San Diego’s Morning News on KOGO-AM

Industry News

Reggie Adetula Joins KILT-AM, Houston in Middays

Audacy names Reginald “Reggie” Adetula midday co-host of the “In The Loop” midday show alongside coim-host John Lopez and producer Edward “Figgy Fig” Gilliard on KILT-AM “SportsRadio 610,” beginning August 19. KILT brand manager Parker Hillis comments, “We’re thrilled to have Reggie join ‘In The Loop’ as the newest host. He’s a natural talent whose on-air enthusiasm and innate ability to connect with an audience will make him the perfect fit here in Houston.” Adetula is a native Houstonian who returns home after nine years as the evening host and producer on Audacy’s KRLD-FM, Dallas “105.3 The Fan.”

Industry News

Bill Doyle Exits “New Jersey 101.5”

TALKERS has learned that talk radio host Bill Doyle is no longer co-host of the afternoon drive showim alongside Jeff Deminski on Townsquare Media’s news/talk WKXW-FM, Trenton “New Jersey 101.5.” It’s unclear whether this move was budget related or precipitated by something else, but Doyle’s info has been scrubbed from the “New Jersey 101.5” website and Deminski is listed as solo host in afternoons. Deminski and Doyle had been on-air partners since 1994, serving two stints with NJ101.5 from 1994 – 1999 and from 2011 to the present. TALKERS’ attempts to contact management at the Townsquare Trenton offices were unsuccessful.

Industry News

Bonneville Pairs St. James and Gaydos; Adds New Midday Show on KTAR-FM

Bonneville Phoenix makes changes to its daily programming on news/talk KTAR-FM “News 92.3 FM,” effective February 5. The station moves Chad Benson from his afternoon drive co-host role to evenings and brings Phoenix market pro Bruce St. James and former KTAR personality aboard to co-host the PM drive show with Larry Gaydos. At the same time, the station adds a new midday program hosted by talkim radio pros Chris Merrill and Joe Huizenga. Bonneville Phoenix SVP and market manager Ryan Hatch says, “We are thrilled to add new shows that will keep our community informed and connected at such an important time. In addition to being one of the most dynamic and fastest growing cities in the country, Phoenix is also the epicenter of the 2024 election with Arizona being a key battleground state.” St. James served with KTAR-FM from 2010-2020. Merrill hosted a local show on the station from 2014-2017. Huizenga is currently the assistant program director and is a familiar voice as a fill-in host. Station PD Martha Maurer adds, “I am excited to welcome back Bruce and introduce Chris and Joe to our already impressive news and talk teams. This new lineup will bring exciting new energy and depth to our live and local coverage, both on-air and on our growing digital platforms.”

Industry News

Spike Eskin to Return to Philly as WIP PM Drive Co-Host

Audacy announces that Spike Eskin will return to sports talk WIP-FM, Philadelphia “SportsRadio 94WIP” as afternoon drive co-host alongside Ike Reese and on-air producer Jack Fritz. Eskin will leave his current position as vice president of programming for WFAN, New York and CBS Sports Radio andim re-join WIP once a successor is named. Audacy says a nationwide search is currently underway. The WIP co-host position opened after Jon Marks announced his exit from the station for personal reasons in December. Audacy Philadelphia SVP and market manager David Yadgaroff says, “We’re very excited to bring Spike home to Philadelphia and SportsRadio 94WIP. This is a unique opportunity to add a great talent with a long history in our marketplace to one of our most popular dayparts, and we’re looking forward to having Spike reunite with his longtime friend and colleague Ike Reese and Jack Fritz to shape the future of afternoon drive at WIP.” Eskin comments, “I am thrilled to be able to work with Ike and Jack in afternoons at 94WIP. It’s now the third job of a lifetime I’ve had the opportunity to do. Leaving WFAN and CBS Sports Radio is an incredibly difficult decision. I’m surrounded by talented, great people, and it’s been an amazing experience. I’d like to thank David Yadgaroff, Jeff Sottolano and Rod Lakin for this opportunity, and Chris Oliviero for my time in New York.”

Industry News

Joe Dubin Joins “The Game” in Nashville to Co-Host Late Mornings

Longtime Nashville sports media personality Joe Dubin (right) is returning to Cromwell Media’s WPRT-FM “The Game” to co-host the 9:00 am to 11:00 am program “The Chase & Big Joe Show” alongsideim director of operations and sports programming Chase McCabe (left). Middle Tennessee State alum Dubin was an original host on “The Game” when the station flipped to sports talk in 2012. He has also hosted programs on WNSR-AM, WKRN-TV, and WSMV-TV. McCabe says, “This is a surreal moment for me. After being able to watch Joe on TV, intern with him and then produce his shows on “The Game,” I am thrilled to be able to finally co-host with him. Joe is one of my mentors who always taught me to laugh and we will be doing a lot of that each weekday. I’m so glad to have him back on the team.” Read the Tennessean story here.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

iHeartMedia and P&G are again joining forces during Pride Month for the return of “Can’t Cancel Pride 2023 – The Future Starts Now,” an evening recognizing the LGBTQ+ community and celebrating organizations creating a more inclusive and equal world. The special event will feature performances from some of today’s hottest artists and appearances from influential voices in the LGBTQ+ community June 15 at the iHeartRadio Theater Los Angeles and remote locations across the country.

Award-winning public media journalist Tonya Mosley is been named co-host of “Fresh Air with Terry Gross,” the interview program produced by WHYY, Philadelphia and distributed by NPR. Terry Gross continues as executive producer and host. Mosley is a correspondent and former host of “Here & Now,” the midday radio show from NPR and WBUR, Boston, and the creator and host of the podcast “Truth Be Told.” She has been a regular contributing interviewer for Fresh Air since 2021.

Today, WNYC and Gothamist announced the new, thrice-daily podcast “NYC NOW.” The programs will present breaking news, top headlines, and in-depth coverage in three audio updates throughout the day. Each episode features WNYC and Gothamist reporters, editors, producers and hosts around New York City and across the region. “NYC NOW” is updated throughout the day in three, three-to-10 minute segments – morning headlines: WNYC newscasts available on-demand and on the go, midday news: expanded coverage of developing news stories, and evening roundup: a full collection of the day’s local news.

Industry News

Darlene Hill Named Afternoon Co-Host at WVON, Chicago

Midway Broadcasting announces that Chicago journalist and former WFLD-TV “FOX 32 Chicago” anchor Darlene Hill is named permanent co-host on news/talk WVON-AM’s “Afternoons with Buchanan & Hill” alongside Atiba Buchanan. Hill takes over for Kimberly Egonmwan who left the show to run for political office. WVON says, “Hill is a 30-year veteran journalist and a fixture in Chicago media. Her knowledge of local stakeholders, politics, and social issues makes her an asset to WVON’s news/talk format.” Hill adds, “WVON has such a rich history of being a force and a voice in Chicago this just seems right. I look forward to being part of the next generation of storytellers.”

Industry News

Meg Dowdy is 2023 Elevating Women in Audio Mentee

Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc announces that Meg Dowdy is the recipient of the 2023 Elevating Women in Audio Mentorship program. The ‘Elevating Women in Audio: MIW & Luminate Mentorship’ program is a year-long experience that provides greater opportunities for women interested in management positions in audio, and involves personalized conversations with a vast network of high-level radio executives and experts to help advance a career within the radio/audio industry. Dowdy is a regional content director who works with nine Townsquare Media markets in the Southeastern United States. During her career she’s also been a morning show co-host, award-winning news reporter, brand manager, promotions director, and midday host. MIW board president Ruth Presslaff says, “This year we had more applicants and more high-quality applicants than ever before. Meg’s dedication to her future, to the business and to paying her success forward was very impressive. We can’t wait to start working with her.”

Job Opportunity

WIOD, Miami Seeks Midday Co-Host

iHeartMedia’s “NewsRadio 610” WIOD, Miami is searching for a talk show co-host for their midday show to complement Manny Munoz. The ideal candidate will be well-rounded and well-informed. They must be passionate about South Florida, news savvy, and have a strong interest in current events, politics, and lifestyle issues affecting their target audience. A strong digital platform and social media skills are vital for this role. In addition, all candidates must be proactive and work well in a team environment.

Work experience:

  • 3-plus years of on-air radio experience required
  • Audio demo of on-air interviews, commentary, announcements, etc.

Education

  • 4-year college degree, preferably in Communications or Broadcast Journalism

You can find out more about this position and apply here.

Industry News

Stan Norfleet Joins Sports Talk KBME-AM, Houston

iHeartMedia Houston announces that Stan Norfleet is joining KBME-AM, Houston “Sportstalk 790” as co-host of the 10:00 am to 12:00 noon program “Next Up with Stan Norfleet & Chris Gordy” beginning February 13. He takes over for ND Kalu who is leaving broadcasting to focus on his growing real estate business. Norfleet was an NFL prospect who played football at the University of Virginia and Texas Southern University. Norfleet worked for the Houston Texans and the Houston Rockets before transitioning into broadcasting as a host, analyst, and sideline reporter. iHeartMedia Houston director of AM programming Bryan Erickson says, “Stan brings amazing passion to everything he does. He has strong local ties and we’re thrilled to add him to the team.” Norfleet comments, “It is a tremendous blessing and honor to join the renowned iHeartMedia Houston family. I have long been a fan and avid listener of ‘Sportstalk 790’ and respect the history and contributions of its personalities. My affinity for Space City spans nearly two decades and I look forward to connecting with old friends and new listeners in the market.”

Front Page News Industry News

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

WGR, Buffalo Morning Host Howard Simon Pares Back Work Schedule. As reported in the Buffalo News, WGR-AM morning drive sports talk personality Howard Simon is cutting his work schedule back from five to three mornings per week. Simon – who’s co-hosted the morning show with Jeremy White for the past 18 years – tells the paper there are a couple reasons for the change: “He turned 60 in June, has been in sports radio for 30 years and the job isn’t as easy as many listeners believe it is to talk about sports for four hours daily.” Simon adds, “I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. It has been difficult to live up to the demands of the job. It’s a lot of work, a lot of preparation.” The News reports that WGR personality Joe DiBiase is expected to co-host with White on Wednesday and Thursday, with Simon on the air on Monday, Tuesday and Friday. As far as his future plans, Simon says he and the station will address the situation after the football season.

 

Brian Kelly Exits Audacy St. Louis. According to a report from KSDK-TV, St. Louis, the staff cuts taking place across the country at Audacy-owned radio stations have hit the company’s St. Louis cluster and among those let go is Brian Kelly, a reporter and weekend host of “Total Information AM” for news/talk KMOX-AM. The report notes that Kelly first served with KMOX from 1997 to 2002. He returned to the station in 2009.

FOX News Digital Leads News Brands in July Tally of Multiplatform Minutes and Views. According to data from Comscore’s July 2022 ratings, FOX News Digital wrapped the month as the top-performing news organization in the competitive set in multiplatform minutes and views. FOX News Digital says it closed out the month reaching over 2.8 billion total multiplatform minutes (topping CNN’s 2.2 billion total platform minutes), 1.4 billion total multiplatform views (beating CNN’s 1.25 billion total platform views) but was far behind CNN’s 113 million multiplatform unique visitors with its 81 million multiplatform unique visitors. FOX News Digital also says it topped The NewYorkTimes.com with multiplatform unique visitors for the first time since January 2022.

 

Diversion Audio Partners with Gemini XIII for Talk and Fiction Podcasts. This partnership between podcast creator Diversion Audio and Gemini XIII brings new shows in the talk and fiction genres to podcast platforms. New programs being readied for this fall include: “The Shows We Watched,” hosted by TV/film critic and author James King and lifestyle influencer Emily Johnston; “War Queens,” featuring “Game of Thrones” and “Fast & Furious” actress Nathalie Emmanuel; “The Ali Rogin Show,” hosted by the PBS “NewsHour” correspondent and author; and the romantic fiction podcast, “The Royals of Malibu” based on the popular romance book series, The Royals by Erin Watt.

FBI Raid/Documents Investigation, Primaries/2024 Presidential Race, Migrant Busing, Russia-Ukraine War, The Economy, Extreme Weather, and Tony Fauci to Leave NIAID Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (8/22). The aftermath of the FBI raid on former President Donald Trump’s residence at Mar-a-Lago and documents investigation; the primary races for the November midterm elections and speculation about the nominees for the 2024 presidential race; the immigration troubles at the U.S.-Mexico border and Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s busing migrants to Washington, DC; Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine and the assassination of Darya Dugina, the daughter of Alexander Dugin, the “spiritual guide” to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; the inflation making food and consumer goods expensive and activity on the world’s financial markets; the drought affecting much of the U.S., Europe & China and the flooding in Texas; and Dr. Tony Fauci’s December exit from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.