Geter Named Digital Media Director for CMG Atlanta
Cox Media Group names Cherish Geter digital media director for the company’s Atlanta stations, including news/talk 95.5 WSB 
(WSB-AM/WSBB-FM). Geter most recently served with Sinclair Broadcast Group as station manager for WCTI-TV and ECTI-TV in Greenville, North Carolina. CMG Atlanta director of sales Kris Hackett Lucas says, “Cherish brings the digital expertise and collaborative approach we were looking for as we continue building on our top Atlanta sales organization. We’re excited to welcome her to the team and look forward to the impact her leadership will have for our clients and our people. She brings a passion for digital marketing that we are all excited about.”
this role. Her leadership, infectious enthusiasm and ability to make things happen have made her a go-to for our teams, talent and sales partners. I’m incredibly proud of the leader she has become over the past 10 years. Danielle has earned this opportunity, and we’re thrilled to have her leading marketing and promotions for our legendary New York brands and talent.” The cluster includes news/talk WOR and The Black Information Network WWRL in addition to five music brands.
addresses listening by radio format and again this quarter news/talk remains the number one format, with a 10.2% share of total radio listening among P18+. “It is even stronger with older listeners, at 11.5% among P35+. Sports captured 4.5% of total radio listening among P18+ and 4.6% among P25-54, as football season kicked off and baseball headed into its pennant races. All-news held a 2.7% share among P18+ and 3.0% among P35+.” Spoken word radio stations dominated streaming listening. “News/talk, sports and all-news together account for about 36% of station streaming among P18+, roughly double their 17% share of all radio listening. News/talk takes 22.1% of AM/FM station streaming among P18+, more than twice its share of total radio. That rises to 24.2% among P35+. Sports is the No. 1 streamed format among P25-54, at 13.0%, and takes 10.3% of station streaming among P18+.” 
Talk 2.” KAOX-FM talk host Neal Larson announced the change on his program last Friday (10/30). The station is airing syndicated programming including Premiere Networks shows “The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show,” “The Jesse Kelly Show,” “The Michael Berry Show,” plus FOX News Radio’s “Brian Kilmeade Show.” 
competition, local journalism, editorial independence, and democratic discourse throughout Eastern Missouri.” Shannon also asserted that news/talk KMOX “occupies a ‘unique position in the public trust, and is one of the most influential broadcast institutions in the Midwest, upon which residents rely during natural emergencies, elections, and ‘moments of profound civic importance’ and that ownership concentration reduces the number of independent editorial voices available to the public, ‘increas[ing] the possibility that important community issues will be filtered through a single corporate perspective.’” The Commission did not agree and called Shannon’s concerns about future programming, management and operational decisions “speculative.” The Commission also said Shannon’s “concerns that the stations’ editorial decisions may not remain independent from the owner’s broader commercial, political, real estate, hospitality and financial interests are conjectural.” 
he’s singed a multi-year contract extension to continue his role on the “Hammer and Nigel” afternoon drive show on Urban One’s news/talk WIBC-FM, Indianapolis. Hammer co-hosts the show with Nigel Laskowski. Hammer posts, “I’m really happy with the outcome here. Thanks to the management team at Urban One and the best agent in the game Heather Cohen for making this happen! LFG!”
AM/WSBB-FM “95.5 WSB.” Jones comes to CMG from his most recent post as SVP of sales with iHeartMedia. CMG Altanta director of sales Kris Hackett Lucas says, “We’re excited to welcome Chris to an already exceptional sales team at CMG Atlanta. He brings fresh energy and proven leadership that will help us build on our momentum and raise the bar even higher. I’m confident Chris will make an immediate impact—creating new opportunities for our clients, inspiring our team, and helping drive our sales organization forward.”
station assets. Those companies – Pritchard Broadcasting Corp., Titan Broadcasting, LLC, and Galesburg Broadcasting Company – are turning over 16 radio signals in Iowa and Illinois to Civic Media for a price yet to be announced. The stations include sports talk KBKB-AM, Fort Madison, Iowa; news/talk KBUR-AM, Burlington, Iowa; and news/talk/sports WGIL-AM, Galesburg, Illinois. Civic Media currently operates radio stations in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan.
Midwest Communications news/talk WMBD, Peoria, Illinois dismisses longtime morning drive co-host Dan DiOrio and morning drive news anchor Julia Bradley. DiOrio had served with the station for the past 35 years, most recently co-hosting the “Greg and Dan Show” alongside Greg Bratton, who continues as the station’s morning host solo.
local news, weather and information across radio, television and digital platforms.” KXL program director Grant McHill says, “Partnering with KOIN 6 News allows us to expand our commitment to delivering fast, accurate and essential news to the Pacific Northwest. By combining KXL’s deep roots in local news radio with KOIN-6’s trusted reporting, we are building a stronger, more dynamic news ecosystem for Portland and beyond.”
manager Brian McGhee states, “Jud brings the right mix of programming judgment, operational discipline, and people-first leadership to this role. He knows how to strengthen local brands, support great talent, and build the kind of team that will help our stations connect with audiences, positively impact our communities, and deliver for advertisers.” Heussler takes over for Jules Riley who recently moved to the company’s Atlanta station group as director of operations and programming. 
“Morning Update” program – hosted by Jeff Chidester – brought in AARP New Hampshire state director Christina Fitzpatrick and AARP advocates and volunteers Mary Roberge and Stephanie Schuyler to explore AARP’s “non-partisan voter education efforts, its work with candidates, changes to New Hampshire voting laws, Social Security, prescription drug costs, caregiving, fraud prevention, and the issues voters are raising as Election Day approaches.” Chidester told the audience, “I don’t think New Hampshire is ever out of an election cycle. Governing and elections are our sport. We get it at a very young age, and we are actively involved in it through our entire life.” WFEA program director Michael Czarnecki says, “New Hampshire voters take their responsibility seriously, and our responsibility at WFEA is to give them access to meaningful conversations and useful information. The goal of the ‘Morning Update’ is not to tell listeners what to think or how to vote. It’s to bring the people involved in these issues directly to our audience, ask good questions and give listeners the information they need to make their own decisions. This roundtable is a great example of that.”
KFMW-FM and KOKZ-FM in Cedar, plus KPTY-AM, and FM translators K263BZ, and K297BS in Waterloo. Civic Media is based in Wisconsin and operates stations there as well as in Minnesota and Michigan. Cedar Basin Media says, “Cedar Basin Media is a radio group built on a simple premise: communities deserve stations that are actually of and for them – good information, real conversation, and people on the air who live here, too.” 
Park,” delivered more than 70 free prostate screenings, directly addressing a critical community health gap for men facing financial barriers or a lack of insurance. WRVA morning host Rich Herrera says, “I am deeply grateful to everyone behind the scenes who worked tirelessly to bring this initiative together. Being rooted in the communities we serve is at the heart of what we do. Local radio has the power to save lives, and through this event, we helped a listener discover a cancer he didn’t know he had.”
Cutbacks at Connoisseur Media in Connecticut have canceled Paul Pacelli’s local afternoon drive show on news/talk WICC, Bridgeport, where the station has added “Markley, van Camp and Robbins” in the daypart. The respected talk radio pro is available for his next adventure, including fill-in work from his Comrex-ready home studio. Reach out to 
thrilled to have Tommy join the Salt Lake City team. His winning track record, industry expertise, and commitment to excellence make him a tremendous addition to iHeartMedia. Tommy’s leadership will inspire those around him and help position our team for even greater success in the years ahead.” Castor comments, “I’m honored to join the iHeartMedia team in Salt Lake City and lead such a talented group of professionals. This market has an incredible media landscape and strong community connections. I look forward to building on the SLC team’s success and positioning iHeartMedia as the premier media partner in the marketplace.”
the Class C2 50,000-watt signal. Zoellner Media Group says, “The realignment places each brand on a signal footprint that more closely matches the audience it serves while creating additional opportunities for advertisers throughout the Tulsa market and surrounding communities.” Zoellner president and general manager Steve Hunter adds, “This is a very positive move for our listeners and our advertising partners. The new frequency positions give both stations an opportunity to reach more of the audiences they are built to serve, while also giving our advertisers increased reach and stronger opportunities to connect with consumers across the market.”
Smith and afternoon host Angelette Aviles. Numerous reports, including from the blog DCRTV, indicate that several employees in the news department have been let go, as well. The talk shows are being replaced by Premiere Networks’ “The Glenn Beck Show” from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon and “The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show” from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm. “The Sports Lounge” is now airing in the 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm slot, followed by the “WBAL News Now” from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. 
Zimmer will take over the operation of sports talk KOSP-FM “102.1 The Won” and three music brands. It currently owns news/talk KWTO/K227KO and sports talk KBFL-AM/K245CA. Zimmer Communications president John Zimmer says,
“This is an exciting opportunity to bring together two organizations that share the same values and a deep commitment to local broadcasting. By combining our strengths, we’ll be able to offer advertisers even more effective marketing solutions while continuing to provide the trusted local content our audiences rely on.” Mid-West Family president Mike Paterson adds, “As the local radio and media landscape continues to evolve, bringing these two organizations together creates even greater opportunities for our advertising partners, our communities and especially our employees.” 
announced during a special dinner at the Edison Ballroom in New York City on October 20. While four spoken-word-formatted stations made the cut in the Legendary Station category, it’s interesting to note that just one talk host – news/talk or sports talk – is a finalist across five personality categories. That distinction goes to WCHS-AM, Charleston, West Virginia morning drive host Chris Lawrence who is a finalist in the Small Market Personality of the Year category. Go get, ‘em Chris! We’re pulling for you.
reporting. While this chapter has come to an end, I remain committed to the values that have guided my career: serving the public, pursuing the truth, and treating people with fairness and respect. I want to thank my colleagues, mentors, friends, and family – especially my wife and sons – for their support throughout this journey. I look forward to what comes next and the opportunity to continue contributing meaningful work. I will still be broadcasting games, and I will continue to be a member of the Indiana University Radio Network.” This comes on the heels of the spring firing of late morning talk host Rob Kendall and the subsequent exit of late morning co-host Casey Daniels, who left of her own volition. 
and KCBS, San Francisco – will become available “later this year.” Audacy CEO and president Kelli Turner states, “Audacy’s sports brands are deeply connected to the cities, teams and fan communities they serve, and being able to extend our reach nationally through SiriusXM is a natural fit. We look forward to working together with 
SiriusXM to bring our outstanding talent and content to sports fans and news and talk listeners wherever they are, providing our audiences with more ways to stay connected to the conversations that matter most to them.” SiriusXM president and chief content officer Scott Greenstein adds, “We also recognize the unique role local personalities play in connecting fans with their teams every day. By adding Audacy’s extensive lineup of sports stations, we’re making those trusted hometown voices available to fans wherever they are across North America. Together, we’re delivering an even more complete audio experience – bringing live games, premier national sports talk, and hometown conversations together in one place.”
indicates that St. Louis-based Hoffman Media Group will pay Audacy $20 million for its six-station cluster that includes news/talk stations KMOX-AM/FM, KFTK-FM, and four music outlets. Hoffman Media Group is a subsidiary of Hoffman Family Companies and recently acquired the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.