Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Audacy Greenville is honored by the South Carolina Broadcasters Association with 11 2023 State Television and Radio Awards. Two of those awards went to talk personalities as Charlie James of news/talk WYRD-FM “989 WORD” won for Best News Talk Show and Rob Brown of WORD-AM/WYRD-AM “The Fan Upstate” won for Best Sports Show/Sports Talk Show.

FOX News Digital finished July 2023 delivering gains year-over-year with multiplatform views, minutes and unique visitors according to Comscore. July marked 10 consecutive months of FOX News Digital as the top news brand with multiplatform views and 29 straight months as number one with multiplatform minutes. Competitor CNN.com still leads in multiplatform unique visitors with 114.5 million (July 2023) to FOX News Digital’s 83.4 million.

Industry News

Greenville’s News/Talk 98.9 WORD Adds Erick Erickson Show

Audacy announces that WYRD-FM, Greenville, South Carolina “News/Talk 98.9 WORD” adds the WSB, Atlanta-based, syndicated Erick Erickson show to the 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm time slot, effective tomorrow (6/21). Audacy Greenville-Spartanburg SVP and market manager Steve Sinicropi says, “With the arrival ofim Erick Erickson as the new afternoon talk show host on WYRD-FM, an unsurpassed team of talent will serve the Upstate, north Georgia and western North Carolina. Erick’s thought-provoking discussions, unyielding insight and captivating presence will be a welcomed addition to our listeners and partners. Erick will complete News/Talk 98.9 WORD’s incredible lineup, allowing us to provide unmatched content for listeners and the largest and most effective platform for advertisers.” Erickson is syndicated via Compass Media Networks.

Industry News

“98.9 WORD” to Host Immigration Broadcasts from U.S.-Mexico Border

Audacy news/talk WYRD-FM, Greenville, South Carolina “98.9 WORD” is presenting a two-day, live special from Yuma, Arizona at the U.S.-Mexico border in partnership with Americans for Prosperity on May 30 and 31 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm ET. The programs are being moderated by WORD afternoon drive host Charlieim James. The focus on illegal immigration will feature local and national law enforcement officials, along with local community leaders and migrants in answering questions about recent developments, technology advancements, cross-border traffic control systems, border and citizen security, quality of life in the border region, and economic opportunities. James comments, “On this trip, we’re ripping up the talking points and bringing you actual observations and conversations with those directly affected by the crisis at our southern border. I look forward to delivering these real-time moments to the WORD audience.”

Industry News

Bill Frady Named Late Morning Host at 106.3 WORD, Greenville

Audacy’s Greenville, South Carolina news/talk WYRD-FM “106.3 WORD” names Bill Frady host of the 10:00 am to 12:00 noon program. Frady has been with the station hosting the Sunday program “LockNLoad” and serving as a fill-in host. He now expands his role with the station to the new daily program, “Straight Talk with Bill Frady.” Audacy Greenville-Spartanburg SVP and market manager Steve Sinicropi states, “Bill Frady has provided great content doing swing shifts on ‘106.3 WORD’ for years. Bill is a native Greenvillian, a recognized firearms expert, and a tremendous conservative voice that will complement WYRD-FM’s incredible news and talk talent lineup. Adding Bill Frady to our full-time, on-air team will provide great content for listeners and new opportunities for advertisers. I look forward to hearing Bill on the air and on the station’s expanded 100,000-watt signal.” Previously, Audacy announced the plan to move WORD’s talk programming to the 98.9 frequency in which the station will be branded “News/Talk 98.9 WORD.”

Industry News

Audacy Boosts Coverage Area for Greenville’s News/Talk WYRD-FM

A frequency swap between Audacy’s news/talk WYRD-FM and adult contemporary WSPA-FM on March 28 will give the news/talk outlet substantially better coverage in the Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina market. WYRD-FM will rebrand as “News/Talk 98.9 WORD, The Voice of the Carolinas” and enjoy the expanded reach provided by the 100,000-watt Class C signal while WSPA-FM moves to the 25,000-watt Class C3 signal at 106.3 FM. Audacy says the change gives WORD access to a quarter million more adults 35+ from the South Carolina/Georgia border to Asheville, North Carolina, while covering parts of four South Carolina congressional districts and several North Carolina congressional districts. Audacy SVP and market manager for Greenville-Spartanburg Steve Sinicropi comments, “We are committed to delivering quality audio and content with our massive reach to our audiences. There is a tremendous demand for news/talk content in the Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson-Asheville area. The signal flip allows us to maximize our reach even further across the region and more broadly meet the needs of our listeners and advertisers across the Carolinas.”