Report: Merlin Media Hires Former WYNY Programmer

Accomplished radio programmer Pete Salant has joined Merlin Media in an unspecified programming role at 101.9 FM WRXP NYC, sources with knowledge of the information tell Jerry Barmash at FishbowlNY.

Salant made a name for himself as the program director and operations manager of WYNY from 1980 to 1983.

Salant reteams with his former NBC boss–then-FM radio division executive VP Walter Sabo, now the Merlin Media chief operating officer.  While at 30 Rock, Salant led the team that pioneered the Adult Contemporary music format at WYNY, which climbed from number 22 to number one in Adults during Salant’s first six months. The station remained the highest rated music station among all FM and AM stations in New York City during his tenure.

After his successful WYNY stint, Salant spent 25 years as a freelance radio programming and operations consultant.

Bringing the famed ‘YNY programmer on board comes after word that Merlin may resurrect the WYNY call letters, securing the website www.1019wyny.com.

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TomZTake: So why is Merlin hiring a music programmer (AC & country), if the station  is going All-News? Or News/Talk? Well, Randy Michaels likes to play and stunt.  Look, Randy is Merlin The Magician. However, there are no real 'magicians'. They're really illusionists who like to focus your attention in one area, while really something else is going on.  Let the speculation continue.