DC Radio: Santa Makes WASH-FM #1

iHeartMedia's WASH 97.1 FM has the Christmas hits to thank for its terrific showing in the Holiday Book issued Wednesday by Nielsen. Not only did the station AQH surge 8.6—13.6 for a 6+ win, but also took the demos. WASH ended up #1 25-54, 18-34 and 18-49, plus enjoyed a shot of Cume topping 2M.

American University's N/T WAMU 88.5 FM was off 6.8—6.4, but managed to land in the #2 spot.

Many DC stations felt the effects of WASH-FM's Holiday, but WTOP and WIHT appear to have impacted the most.

Hubbard's News WTOP 103.5 FM lost almost a full share 7.0—6.1. It fell to the #3 spot 6+ and to #5 25-54. Howard University's UrbanAC WHUR 96.3 FM dropped 6.2—5.5, but retained it's #4 ranking and iHM's Top 40 WIHT 99.5 FM Hot99-5 chilled 5.5—5.1, landing at #5 6+ and dropping to #4 25-54.

25-54: WASH...WHUR...WWDC...WIHT...WTOP

18-34: WASH...WIHT...WKYS...WPGC...WWDC

18-49: WASH...WIHT...WHUR...WWDC...WAMU tied WKYS

Cume: WASH-FM 2,017,300...WIHT-FM 1,194,800...WTOP-FM 1,020,500...WIAD-FM 839,500...WPGC-FM 798,600

Philly Radio: Tale of Two Christmas Stations

Prennial Holiday Book winner WBEB 101.1 FM is again #1 (6+ AQH) in the Philadephia PPMs released this week by Nielsen.

WEAZ-FM Radio's MoreFM surged 8.5 to 15.1 for the top spot. Meanwhile, CBS Radio's Classic Hits WOGL 98.1 FM, which started airing holiday hits one week after WBEB, came in at #2, following a 5.5—6.1 move.

At #3 is iHeartmedia's UrbanAC WDAS 105.3 FM dropping 6.4—5.9. CBS' Newser KYW 1060 AM was also down 5.3—4.9, but retained its #4 ranking. Coming in at fifth place, is Sports WIP 94.1 FM down 5.1—4.6.

One station especially happy to see “normal” listening patterns is CBS Radio's WXTU 92.5 FM. The Country station had a very good 2014, but as soon as CBS acquired the station from Beasley Broadcasting, PD Shelly Easton has seen the trending going south. October 5.9, 5.5 in Nov., 4.9 in Dec. and 3.6 in the Holiday book.

25-54: WBEB...WMMR tied WDAS...WPHI...WUSL

18-34: WBEB...WUSL...WRFF...WIOQ...WMMR

18-49: WBEB...WUSL...WMMR...WPHI..WRFF

Cume: WBEB-FM 2,270,800...WOGL-FM 1,237,300...WIOQ-FM 1,146,500...WMGK-FM 989,500...WRFF-FM 936,300

Nielsen Releases Second Batch Of Holiday PPM Results

Nielsen Wednesday released the second batch of 'Holiday' PPM data.  

Markets released were:

7  Washington 

          10 Boston 

11 Miami-Ft.Lauderdale-Hollywood

12 Detroit

13 Seattle-Tacoma

14 Phoenix

16 Minneapolis-St. Paul 

17 San Diego

18 Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater 

19  Denver-Boulder 

21  Baltimore

22  St. Louis

To see the Topline results for subscribing Nielsen stations: Click Here 

© 2005-2015 Nielsen Inc. All Rights Reserved. Nielsen radio audience estimates and data are federally copyrighted by and proprietary to Nielsen Inc. All Nielsen data are protected under U.S. copyright law, state misappropriation law, and other state and federal laws. Violations of Nielsen’s rights under U.S. copyright law may result in statutory damages per act of infringement and the recovery of Nielsen’s attorneys’ fees required to enforce Neilsen’s rights, in addition to other rights and remedies under other applicable laws, such as the Lanham Act.

NY Radio: John Sterling Escapes Massive Apt. Fire

John Sterling (NY Daily News composite photo)

As seen from Manhattan

New York Yankees radio announcer John Sterling was among hundreds of residents evacuated Wednesday night after a fire swept through an apartment complex across the Hudson River from New York City.

A local state of emergency was declared after the massive blaze engulfed The Avalon at Edgewater, a four-story apartment building.

"I don't know what to expect," Sterling told the NYDaily News after finding a hotel room. "Now, I have nowhere to go. And I need a toothbrush.''

The blaze broke out around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday and raged late into the night.

Residents were able to get out safely, and there were no reports of injuries.

“I walked to the building and smelled smoke, and I went out to my floor where my apartment is, and the smoke was so bad I couldn’t see, and I thought, ‘Hey, we’d better get out of here,’” he told CBS News.

“I would expect there would be nothing left.".

Sterling said he was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support.

“The good thing is that they got everyone out — that’s a great thing,” he told Newsday. “You can always buy clothes and things. But you never think it will happen to you. I have to start from the beginning.”

Indy Radio: WIBC's Tony Katz Challenging Bob & Tom

Tony Katz (center-right) with Morning News Team

Not only has Tony Katz, who took over mornings last summer on N/T WIBC 93.1 FM in Indianapolis drawn a bigger audience than previous host Steve Simpson, he's also challenging one of the most popular morning shows for the last three decades in the Indianapolis market: "The Bob & Tom Show."

After declining to renew Simpson's contract in June, officials for Indianapolis-based Emmis Communications Corp., which owns WIBC, insisted that bringing on Katz added a voice that better aligned with the station’s other programming, according to Anthony Schoettle at the Indy Business Journal.

Listenership of WIBC during the first six months of Katz’s show is up across several demographic segments. In audience size, it's rivaling powerhouse "The Bob & Tom Show," which also airs from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. weekday mornings on iHM's WFBQ 94.7 FM. Katz's early audience numbers are even surpassing Emmis managers' expectations.

Emmis local market manager Charlie Morgan said he isn’t surprised that Katz was able to capture a larger audience than Simpson, but is surprised “how quickly the audience responded.”

“This is nothing negative about Steve Simpson,” Morgan said. “He did a terrific job and had a top five [for his time slot] show. We just needed a station that was more consistent morning, noon and night, and Tony was a better fit for our audience. In that regard, I’m not surprised at how much the [Katz] show is resonating.”

WIBC 93.1 FM (13.5 Kw) Red=60dBu Coverage Area

In the broadest demographic measured by New York-based Nielsen Audio, which is listeners 6 years of age and older, Katz is earning an 8.5 share in his first six months. That’s up over the 7.6 share that Simpson’s show averaged in its last six months, according to Nielsen Audio.

And Katz’s show appears to be picking up steam. During the last three months in the 6-plus demographic, it earned an 8.8 share in October, 9.8 in November and 9.7 in December, according to Nielsen Audio.

Among men 25-to-54, the first six months of Katz’s show had an average share of 7.4, up from Simpson’s last six months, which scored a 5.9 share, according to Nielsen.

Among men 35-to-64, the sweet spot for news-talk, Katz’s first six months scored a 12.0 share, up from Simpson’s last six months which earned an average share of 9.7.

Read More Now

Dave Ramsey Show Now Carried On 550 Affiliates

“The Dave Ramsey Show” is now available on more than 550 radio affiliates and is heard by more than 8.5 million listeners weekly.

The show began in 1992 and is the largest independently owned, operated and syndicated talk radio show in the country. “The Dave Ramsey Show” is clearly positioned as the third largest talk radio show in the country behind only “The Rush Limbaugh Show” and “The Sean Hannity Show.”

Recently, “The Dave Ramsey Show” experienced upgrades in a few major markets including moving to a live timeslot from noon to 2 p.m. on KTAR 92.3 FM in Phoenix, and expanding the timeslot to 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on KEIB 1150 AM in Los Angeles.

Beginning in February, the show will move to a live timeslot from noon to 3 p.m. on KXNT 100.5 FM in Las Vegas.

“‘The Dave Ramsey Show’ continues to grow and make a difference in the radio world, as well as the lives of our listeners,” said Brian Mayfield, Vice President of Ramsey Media.

Hosted by New York Times best-selling author, Dave Ramsey, the live radio talk show focuses on life and how it happens to revolve around money.

Rdio Expands To 24 Countries

Streaming service Rdio today announces the expansion of its unique mix of free Internet radio and on-demand subscription into 24 new countries and territories to provide more music fans around the world access to over 32 million songs anytime, anywhere.

As part of its expansion across the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific, Rdio is exclusively partnering with mobile phone network provider Digicel in each of the 24 new markets and an additional seven regions to create a unique offering designed to customize the streaming experience for Digicel customers in each country and territory.

Anthony Bay

In the coming weeks, Digicel will offer all prepaid data customers 30 minutes of free Rdio Internet radio listening per day on their mobile phones without accruing data usage charges – all through the exclusive partnership. Digicel will serve as Rdio’s sales and marketing arm in each region while also helping to customize the Rdio streaming experience across Digicel’s territories.

“Launching Rdio in each of these markets is a huge milestone for the company,” said Anthony Bay, CEO, Rdio. “We are excited to bring the vibrant music of these regions onto Rdio for the world to hear while also providing users in each new market access to international artists. Digicel will be instrumental in shaping the streaming experience locally and we look forward to a continued fruitful partnership with them.”

Augusta GA: Beasley Debuts Classic Hip-Hop On 2 Signals

Beasley Media Group Augusta has debuted Throwback Hip-Hop and R & B, on WCHZ 93.1 FM and on W238AU 95.5 FM  in Augusta, GA.

The All New HOT 95.5/93.1 were introduced Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.  LISTEN-LIVE: Click Here

Augusta radio veteran and market Operations Manager Chris O’Kelley has been named the station’s program director. In addition to accessing the station on the radio dial at 95.5 FM and 93.1 FM,

WCHZ 93.1 FM (4.1 Kw) Red=60dBu Coverage

With core artists such as Jay-Z, Notorious B.I.G., Missy Elliott, 2 Pac, Dr, Dre, Snoop Dogg and TLC, The All New HOT 95.5/93.1 programming is a mass appeal format geared toward a diverse group of Generation X listeners, now in their 40’s, who love Classic Hip Hop and R & B. Unlike many of the new classic hip-hop format upstart radio stations sweeping the country, the All New HOT 95.5/93.1 features throwback R&B with a hip-hop edge as an integral part of the formula, artists such as Mary J. Blige, Jodeci, Aayliah, R. Kelly, Jagged Edge and more.

Vice President and Market Manager Mark Haddon says, “We are constantly evaluating programming options in an effort to serve, in the best way possible, the interests of the greater Augusta/CSRA market. By adding ‘Throwback Hip-Hop and R&B’ music and entertainment to our Augusta portfolio, we are now able to offer a unique listening experience to the market. Research tells us that the broad base of lifestyle groups that will seek out this music will be of great interest to our advertising partners.”

95.5 FM (250 w) Red=60dBu Area

Program Director Chris O’Kelley adds, “Although a few local stations may have peppered some of these songs into their playlist a few times a day, The All New HOT 95.5/93.1 is the ONLY station exclusively featuring Throwback Hip-Hop and R&B music from the 1980’s through the 2000’s. It’s a format specifically designed to cater to the Generation X lifestyle 24/7. “

“That’s something we felt was missing for the Augusta market,” says Beasley Broadcast Group Executive Vice President of Operations Brian Beasley. “The All New HOT 95.5/93.1 will take many members of the Augusta community back in time and it’s an on-air journey that will stir up some very fond memories. Kudos to our Beasley programming team of Chris OKelley, John Candelaria, and Justin Chase for their vision in creating the All New HOT format for Augusta and for their efforts in today’s successful launch.”

MI Radio: WLEN-FM To Receive NAB Crystal Award

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) will honor WLEN 103.9 FM in  Adrian, MI with the esteemed NAB Crystal Heritage Award, which will be presented during the NAB Show Radio Luncheon, held Tuesday, April 14 in Las Vegas.

The Heritage Award recognizes radio stations that have won a total of five Crystal Radio Awards for exceptional year-round community service efforts. Only four other stations have received this honor in the history of the NAB Crystal Radio Awards.

“While we don’t do what we do for recognition, it is a real tribute to the entire staff at Lenawee Broadcasting Company for their hard work and dedication,” said WLEN-FM President Julie Koehn.

WLEN 93.1 FM (3 Kw) Red=60dBu Coverage Area

Radio stations can submit entries for a Crystal Radio Award until January 31. At the NAB Show Radio Luncheon, sponsored by ASCAP, NAB will honor this year's 10 Crystal Radio Award winners and 50 finalists.

CBS Radio’s KROQ Los Angeles Kevin Ryder and Gene “Bean” Baxter, hosts of the "Kevin & Bean Morning Show," will be inducted into the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame. Marilu Henner, a five-time Golden Globe nominee, New York Times best-selling author and nationally syndicated radio personality, will be the keynote speaker at the luncheon.

WI Radio: Tony Waitekus New OM In Wausau-Stevens Point

Tony Waitekus

NRG Media has announced Tony Waitekus as the radio group's new Operations Manager in the Wausau-Stevens Point market.

Most recently, Waitekus spent five years as the Brand Manager for Top40 WIFC 95.5 FM, owned by Midwest Communications in Wausau, and a stint at the same company before that as Program Director of Top40 WIXX in Green Bay. Previously, he enjoyed a successful decade as Operations Manager at Top40 WHTS 98.9 FM in the Quad Cities, owned at that time by Clear Channel.

NRG Media General Manager Kurt Luchs said of the hire, "We are very gratified to get Tony on board with our team. His proven experience with Top 40 radio will extend the success we've already enjoyed with Hot 96-7, and he is versed in all of our other formats as well. His connection to the community, and the respect he has earned locally, are huge assets."

For his part, Waitekus stated, "This is a great opportunity, and I'm excited to connect once again with many listeners and clients in Central Wisconsin."

Among the many honors and awards Waitekus has accumulated in his career, he was selected as one of Radio Ink's 40 Best Program Directors in America, and was also named to the FMQB CHR Secondary Market Programmer Hall of Fame.

NRG Media was founded in 2005 and operates 40 radio stations in four Midwestern states: Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Illinois. NRG Media is headquartered in Cedar Rapids Iowa and led by President/CEO Mary Quass.

Orlando Radio: Talker Uncovers 'How To Kill Your Teacher' Video

Shawn Wasson

WTKS 104.1 FM RealRadio show host is credited with alerting Canadian Police about a YouTube video titled, “How to Kill Your Teacher.”

Mynews13.com reports the six-minute video featured two young boys holding toy guns and discussing various ways to kill a teacher.

Real Radio’s Shawn Wasson said he decided to do something about the online posting that some may have brushed off as a childish joke.

Wasson found the video while doing topic research on Monday for his show 'The News Junkies'.

The search was initially intended to find videos related to a creative writing assignment some middle students in Maryland received about how they would kill their teacher. But after a brief video search, Wasson found something that if unchecked would not allow him to sleep at night.

“When somebody does something terrible, whether that’s a school shooting or any other kind of violent crime, you can look back at their history on social media and you can see all of these signs that something was about to happen and you wonder at that point, why didn’t somebody say something?” explained Wasson.

Investigators tracked the boys down Wednesday afternoon to the Castlegar area in British Columbia, which is between Vancouver and Calgary. They spoke to the 11 and 13-year-old boys, who told them the inappropriate video was intended to be a joke.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police said due to the age of the boys, no charges will be filed. However, school officials are working with law enforcement to conduct a violence-risk assessment to determine what sort of action will be taken at the boys’ school.

Most Watched SOTU On Fox News Channel

The State of the Union Address is always a high rated event for CableTV news channels. According to early Nielsen ratings, about 8 million viewers tuned in to watch the address on the big 3 cable news networks, down approximately 10 percent  from last year's 9 million.

FOX News was the most watched cable news network, with 3.47 million total viewers ahead of CNN (2.56 million) and MSNBC (1.99 million).

In the key cable news adults 25-54 demographic, CNN  edged out its rivals with 1.02 million adults 25-54 viewers, ahead of 0.83 million for FNC and 0.47 million for MSNBC

Augusta Radio: WGAC's Austin Rhodes Attends SOTU

Austin Rhodes

Talk personality Austin Rhodes of WGAC 580 AM / 95.1 FM sits way right of the President, but Tuesday night he found himself sitting right in front of him.

"The best seat I could have had," he told WRDW-TV. "I was sitting directly in line with the president."

"95% of anyone that matters in government was there last night and I was there as a guest," he said.

Rhodes was invited by his long time friend Senator Johnny Isakson.

"I couldn't think of anything better for a history buff or someone involved in government as I am on their 50th birthday to go to the State of the Union Address," Rhodes said.

He said being in the same room as the President, the Vice President, most of the supreme court justices and virtually every senator and congressman in the country, it was an experience of a lifetime.

"It is unbelievably humbling and quite the American experience," Rhodes said. "I guarantee you I will never do anything that cool ever again. It beats out James Brown's wedding."

NBC's Nightly News Starts 2015 As Number One

TV By The Numbers

Brian Williams

“NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams” was America’s #1 newscast in total viewers and all key demos for the week of January 12-16, 2015, according to Nielsen Media Research data.

Nightly has now been #1 among viewers A25-54 in 6 of the past 7 weeks and 8 of the last 11 weeks, and is leading ABC’s “World News Tonight” by +12,000 viewers A25-54 season-to-date.

Versus the first two weeks of 1Q’15, Nightly continues to grow its audience across-the-board increasing among total viewers (+4%), A18-49 viewers (+5%), and A25-54 viewers (+6%).

The NBC broadcast is posting +1% growth in total viewers versus the previous year and delivering its best start to a season since 2005. Nightly has now been the #1 evening newscast in total viewers for 278 consecutive weeks.

NYC Radio: Emmis Says Hot97 Deal Reports Are False

A spokesperson got Emmis Communications says reports of Jay Z attempting to buy WQHT 97.1 FM Hot 97 are false.

Several Hip-Hop website have been speculating recently that JayZ has retained lawyers and investment bankers to work on a deal.  One 'investors' is said to be Carmelo Anthony of the NY Knicks.

The claim of Jay Z buying the radio station came after Funkmaster Flex, who has his own radio show at Hot 97, recently ranted accusing JayZ of stealing the idea for his Samsung app.

"Let me be clear, because I read through everything in that email that was sent to me, I don't care about your website," Funkmaster Flex said. "Your website's trash. Y'all can't move with me in this digital space. Maybe if y'all copies everything I was doing with the app, your app wouldn't have crashed the day your album dropped. Don't play with me. I didn't take no sides in that situation. Play me like I'm stupid and you're gonna see a different kind of dude firing off on you. I let you live in this town, don't think I can't ruin you."