Seattle Radio: Justin Riley New PD AT iHM's KPWK, KBKS

Justin Riley

iHeartMedia /eattle has announced that Justin Riley is the new Program Director for CHR KPWK Power 93.3 FM and HotAC KBKS 106.1 Kiss FM.

Riley will work closely with on-air personalities and sales to oversee on-air content, digital footprints and music programming for both brands and their local events.

Riley most recently worked as the PD for KKRZ Z100  FM and KXJM Jam'n 107.5 FM in Portland, OR. He has also previously served as the Program Director for KKOB-FM and KMGA-FM/Albuquerque and at KSII-FM/El Paso, as well as the Assistant Program Director and Music Director at KQMB-FM/Salt Lake City.

"I am beyond thrilled that iHeartMedia has asked me to take on the responsibility of leading these two exciting new brands in Seattle," said Riley. "As a northwest native, it has always been a dream of mine to program in the Emerald City. And as a lifelong Seahawks fan, I'm excited to add my talents to that of the insane 12th Man! Many thanks to Andrew Jeffries, Robert Dove, Kent Haehl and Rich Moore for this incredible opportunity."

"With our brand realignment in Seattle earlier this year, isolating the right programmer to lead Power 93.3 and 106.1 KISS-FM into this bright new future is critical -- Justin Riley was an obvious choice to move these two brands forward here in Seattle and we couldn't be more excited to welcome him to the team," added Senior VP/Programming Rich Moore. "His knowledge, experience, leadership and connections for these formats will have a big impact."

Cincy Radio: Steve Mann Returns To WGRR For Evenings

Steve Mann

Cumulus Media has announced that popular Cincinnati on-air personality Steve Mann returns to his former broadcast home of WGRR 103.5 FM, Cincinnati’s Greatest Hits, to host the station’s 7PM-12 Midnight show.

Mann has also been named Assistant Program Director for 103.5 WGRR.

This marks a homecoming for Mann, who was on-air at WGRR from 2006 to 2009. He has hosted the Afternoon Drive show on WREW in Cincinnati for the past seven years. Mann’s new show debuts on 103.5 WGRR on Monday, July 25, 2016.

Keith Mitchell, Cumulus Media-Cincinnati Operations Manager, 103.5 WGRR Program Director and Corporate Program Director/Classic Hits said: “We are very excited to welcome Steve back to 103.5 WGRR. Not only are we getting a top flight talent who is entrenched in Cincinnati, but Steve returns to knock the rust off his programming tool belt and adds duties as WGRR’s Assistant Program Director.”

WGRR 103.5 FM (11 Kw_ Red=Local Coverage Area

  Mann said: "I started my career at WGRR and I'm thrilled to be returning to the station, playing music that I love and working with a group of people that I consider not only co-workers, but friends. I couldn't be happier to be back."

Milwaukee Radio. MLB Brewers, WTMJ Extend Broadcast Deal

The Milwaukee Brewers and WTMJ 620 AM have agreed to extend their radio rights agreement and continue their longstanding partnership.

The announcement was made Wednesday by Brewers Chief Operating Officer Rick Schlesinger and Steve Wexler, Vice President/Radio, E.W. Scripps Company, which owns and operates WTMJ.

“The Milwaukee Brewers and WTMJ have one of the longest-standing partnerships in Major League Baseball, and today’s announcement continues a great tradition of bringing Milwaukee Brewers games and programming on radio to fans throughout Wisconsin,” Schlesinger said. “WTMJ is a heritage brand in Milwaukee, and they are committed to activating all of their resources to make this a terrific partnership with our organization.”

WTMJ 620 AM (50KwD, 10KwN DA2)

WTMJ-AM has served as the radio flagship of the Brewers for all but two seasons since the team moved to Milwaukee in 1970. The prior agreement carried through the 2016 season. No other terms of the new contract were disclosed.

"We're big believers in localism at Scripps, and there are few things more local than Brewers baseball on WTMJ,” said Wexler. “We're thrilled to continue this strong, mutually beneficial partnership with the Brewers".

Tom Langmyer, Vice-President and General Manager of WTMJ said “in addition to WTMJ's incredible footprint, we're proud to continue operating the Brewers Radio Network so that Brewers baseball is available to fans in several states.”



WTMJ’s history as flagship radio station for the Brewers dates to 1970, when the team relocated from Seattle. This season, Hall-of-Famer Bob Uecker is in his 46th year as voice of the Brewers. He is joined in the booth by Jeff Levering (second year) and Lane Grindle (first season).

NYC Radio: Cumulus Unveils 'One Night Only' Concert Series

Cumulus Media, in association with Big Machine Label Group and The Madison Square Garden Company, announced today that superstar duo Florida Georgia Line will perform at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Thursday, August 25, 2016 at 8:00PM as a part of the Anheuser-Busch One Night Only concert series.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday, July 22, 2016, at 10:00AM EST.

Beginning with Florida Georgia Line in August, each show throughout the concert series will be entitled by either Budweiser or Bud Light and feature renowned artists across multiple genres of music performing at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. More information about upcoming concerts in the series will be announced in the coming weeks.

Florida Georgia Line will kick off the concert series with a special intimate performance for fans in support of their forthcoming album Dig Your Roots, featuring smash single “H.O.L.Y.,” which has held the number one spot on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for the last eleven weeks. Ticket prices include a digital download of the album, out August 26, 2016.

Suzanne Grimes, Executive Vice President, Corporate Marketing, Cumulus Media, and President, Westwood One, said: “Cumulus Media is #1 for Country and is proud to join with Big Machine Label Group, MSG Live and Anheuser-Busch to present and promote the Budweiser One Night Only Concert Series across our unmatched country radio platform in markets across the U.S., including the NASH flagship station, New York’s country radio station, NASH FM 94.7. Country superstars Florida Georgia Line are the perfect artists to launch this concert series, as our country fans are counting down the days for their new album to be released. Our listeners now have the chance to attend these concerts through a national promotional sweep and contesting. It’s a natural fit that the world’s most iconic venue joins forces with America’s #1 provider of country music radio content to create exclusive, up close and personal experiences with today’s most exciting artists and their fans.”

Tickets for Florida Georgia Line go on sale on Friday, July 22, 2016, at 10:00AM EST and will be available via www.ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster Charge By Phone (1-866-858-0008) and all Ticketmaster Outlets.

Peoria Radio: WXCL Seeks Seats For Soldiers

Chris Michael

Alpha Media, Peoria announced that WXCL 104.9 FM The Wolf Program Director, Dr. Chris Michaels and Afternoon Host, Joe Greenwood will be saving “Seats for Soldiers” at Dozer Park July 21-22. They will be trying to save EVERY seat in the baseball park for a soldier, while raising money for Hope For The Warriors.

Starting bright and early at 6:00 AM Thursday, July 21st Dr. Chris and Joe will take their seats in section 104 and move seats with every donation made to Hope For The Warriors. They will sit for 36 hours straight and end at 6:00 PM on Friday, July 22nd. The community is invited to come down to Dozer Park Friday at 4:00 PM to sit and show support for the armed services during the last two hours.

Joe Greenwood

Michaels commented on the announcement, “Unfortunately, when a large number of our Armed Forces return home from serving our country they find themselves jobless, sometimes feeling hopeless or struggle with issues such as PTSD.  Thirty-six hours is nothing compared to the sacrifice of our men and women in the military.  We are eager to team up with Presley’s Outdoors and Renewal by Anderson to help raise money for Hope For The Warriors.”

“As we continue our yearlong celebration of our 10th anniversary, we’re excited to work with 104.9 The Wolf to support the veterans, service members, and military families in our communities. Their commitment to honor our service members reflects their dedication to improving the lives of military families and we are very grateful for their involvement in our mission,” remarked Robin Kelleher, Co-Founder and President of Hope For The Warriors.

Founded in 2006, Hope For The Warriors is a national nonprofit dedicated to restoring a sense of self, family and hope for post 9/11 veterans, service members and military families.

Fargo Radio: Dan Hammer To Exit KFGO-AM

Dan Hammer

A well-known radio voice and longtime sportscaster in the Red River Valley will be hanging up the headphones and heading in a different direction — west.

Tallh host Dan Hammer, 58, will be signing off from his 2 to 5 p.m. time slot at KFGO 790 AM early next week, the radio station's operations manager Joel Heitkamp confirmed Wednesday, July 20.

According to inforum.com, Hammer also made the announcement on his show Wednesday, saying, "It's an opportunity for me to realize something that is very personal to me. It is for the most personal reason I am making this decision." His last day will be Tuesday, July 26.

Hammer will be moving to Minot and out of the broadcasting business, Heitkamp said.

"We're disappointed and yet happy," Heitkamp said of Hammer's decision. "He's moving a different direction in his life, away from broadcast, and in a place that he's incredibly happy. What better can you get than see a friend be happy?"

Hammer was hired last December for the radio slot, leaving Midco Sports Network and his position calling University of North Dakota men's hockey games. He filled the position at KFGO held by Mike McFeely, who left to become a columnist for The Forum and radio host for WDAY-AM 970.

It wasn't Hammer's first stint at KFGO. He previously spent four years there and at its sister station 740 The Fan.

"Dan came back to work with us when we asked him to and he did a fabulous job," said Heitkamp, who is also well-known to radio listeners with his "News & Views" program from 8:30 to 11 a.m. weekdays.

FL Radio: WXJZ WOW-FM Nominated As "Best"

JVC Media of Florida has announced Classic Hits WXJZ WOW 100.9 FM in Gainesville-Ocala, FL has been formally nominated for “Best Local Radio Station” in the Gainesville Sun’s 2016 Reader’s Choice Poll.

JJ Kincaid

In addition, WOW 100.9’s legendary afternoon host and Gainesville native JoJo ‘Cookin’ Kincaid has been nominated for “Best Local Radio Host”.  Vote for WOW 100.9 and JoJo Kincaid HERE!

“It’s exhilarating to have the community supporting our radio station like this,” says WOW 100.9’s JoJo Kincaid.  “For me personally, it is an incredible honor to be nominated next to Gainesville’s elite radio broadcasters in the Gainesville Sun’s Reader’s Choice poll.  Now that I’ve said all the right things… go vote for WOW and me in the Reader’s Choice poll so we can win!”

WXJZ 100.9 FM (6 Kw)

WOW 100.9 Program Director Chris Chaos adds, “As a company and radio station, we are proud to be a part of the Gainesville community and are thrilled with the positive response from both listeners and clients of WOW 100.9.  With our recent move to the more powerful 100.9 in June, we will be even MORE involved in community events, promotions, and concerts!”

JVC Gainesville-Ocala General Manager Sam Gerace says, “JVC Media is and always will be dedicated to giving all of our clients, both advertisers and listeners, the best product possible.  We are grateful to this community and the Gainesville Sun for embracing all of our radio stations as well as nominating WOW 100.9 and JoJo Kincaid in the Reader’s Choice Poll.  JVC will continue to support local community events, residents, and leaders with top notch service.”

July 21 Radio History

Himan Brown

In 1910...radio’s most prolific producer Himan Brown was born in New York City.  Over a span of 65 years Brown produced more than 30,000 radio programs, including The Adventures of the Thin Man, The Affairs of Peter Salem, Bulldog Drummond, Dick Tracy, Flash Gordon, The General Mills Radio Adventure Theater, Grand Central Station, The Gumps, Inner Sanctum Mysteries, Joyce Jordan, M.D., Marie, the Little French Princess, The NBC Radio Theater,  Terry and the Pirates, numerous daytime soap operas, and many lesser known programs.  After the end of most network radio programming in the early 60’s Brown persisted with such series as the CBS Radio Mystery Theater, thereby keeping the art of radio drama alive for another generation. He died June 4 2010 at age 99.






In 1969...Six hours after first landing on the moon, American astronaut, Neil Armstrong, stepped on the Moon at 2:56:15 AM and the world watched and listened, all made possible by the transmission of radio waves.


In 1980...WMCA 570 AM, New York, hosted a reunion featuring Joe O'Brien, Harry Harrison, Dan Daniels, Jack Spector and B. Mitchel Reed.

In 1960, WMCA began promoting itself by stressing its on-air personalities, who were collectively known as the Good Guys. Led by program director Ruth Meyer, the first woman to hold the position in New York City radio,  this was the era of the high-profile Top 40 disc jockey with an exuberant personality aimed at a certain audience segment. With the advent of the Good Guys format, WMCA became more "on top" of new music and started to become known for "playing the hits."

In the early 1960s, the top 40 format was still young, and the field was crowded in New York City. Two major 50,000-watt stations, WMGM (now WEPN) and WINS, had battled each other, playing pop music for years. Then in 1960, WABC joined the fray and started featuring top 40 music. Ultimately, it was WMCA's earnest competition with rival WABC that forced WMGM (in early 1962) and then WINS (in spring 1965) to abandon the top-40 format. There was so much attention on the high-profile WMCA-WABC battle that WMGM and WINS were each summarily forced to find a new niche.


In 2011...WRXP 101.9 FM NYC changes call letters to WEMP


 In 

2013…Cabaret singer Page Morton Black, who sang the Chock Full o' Nuts coffee jingle in radio and TV commercials during a two-decade run in the middle of the 20th century, died at age 97.

Spotify Rolls Out Programmatic Ad Buying

Swedish music-streaming company Spotify AB on Wednesday launched programmatic ad buying for all its markets, allowing advertisers to target its 70 million nonpaying users by age, gender, genres and playlists in real time.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Spotify said it is joining with online-advertising technology companies AppNexus, Rubicon Project and The Trade Desk to offer ad buyers an online bidding environment with access to Spotify’s data on its users’ listening habits and demographics, including age, gender, location and language.

Through the platform, advertisers in Spotify’s 59 markets can automatically tailor ads for certain audiences in real time, such as listeners who are commuting, working out, dining, dating, partying or relaxing.

Spotify’s move comes as it is attempting to raise its advertising revenue, facing increasing competition from Apple Inc.’s streaming service, Apple Music, which launched little over a year ago but already boasts 15 million paying subscribers, compared with Spotify’s 30 million.

While Apple offers only a paid subscription, Spotify has a free service with 70 million users who sit through 15- to 30-second ads between songs. Both Apple and Spotify charge around $10 a month for a paid subscription.

Read More Now (Paywall)

A-B-E Radio: Jerry Padden Adds WLEV PD To His Plate

Jerry Padden

Cumulus Media announces that it has appointed broadcasting professional and Cumulus Media-Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton Operations Manager Jerry Padden to Program Director of AC WLEV 100.7 FM.

Padden will continue to program sister station CAT Country WCTO 96.1 FM and will retain his Operations Manager duties for Cumulus Media’s Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton station group.

Cumulus concurrently announces a new weekday programming line-up for WLEV-FM. Beginning immediately, on-air personality Josh Guers returns to 100.7 LEV as host of Afternoon Drive, while Scott Evans continues as host of Mornings, followed by Kelly K, who fills the Midday shift. A search will be underway shortly to find an AM Drive co-host.

Mike McVay, Senior Vice President, Content and Programming, Cumulus Media said: "It is a rare opportunity when a programmer of Jerry Padden's skill level is available, let alone in-house. We consider ourselves blessed to be able to use Jerry on both WCTO and WLEV."

Elizabeth Pembleton, Vice President/Market Manager of Cumulus Media-Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, said: “Jerry has demonstrated a strong commitment to our Cumulus FORCE Values. Over the last decade, I’ve had the opportunity to work side by side with him in Allentown and witnessed his commitment to both brand strategy and client support. He is a veteran, with a history of fostering talent, delivering exceptional product and generating revenue opportunities. “

WLEV 100.7 FM (11 Kw) Red=Local Coverage Area

Padden said: "I'd like to thank Elizabeth Pembleton, Ron Giovanniello, Gary Pizzati and Mike McVay for their confidence to lead the programming efforts in Allentown. Our goal is to keep our brands a strong FORCE in the Lehigh Valley!"

Miami Radio: NHL Panthers Extend Contract With WQAM

The NHL Florida Panthers announced today that they have reached a multi-year contract extension with CBS RADIO’s WQAM 560 AM to continue to broadcast all Panthers regular season and playoffs games.

Play-by-play announcer Doug Plagens and analyst Bill Lindsay will return to call all the action for the team’s flagship radio partner.

“Sports Radio 560 WQAM and CBS RADIO Miami have been excellent partners,” Panthers Executive Chairman Peter Luukko said. “We are glad that we could expand our relationship beyond game action to even more exclusive interviews throughout the week with coaches, players and front office staff as well as more digital content coverage. CBS RADIO Miami has already been a strong supporter of Panthers hockey and we look forward to continuing to build on our mutually beneficial partnership.”

As part of their partnership with CBS RADIO Miami, the Panthers will air a 30-minute pregame show on 560 WQAM (prior to all weekday games that begin at 7:30 p.m.), as well as a 15-minute postgame show.

New this season is “Panthers Wednesday” which will feature Panthers interviews throughout the day on 560 WQAM including segments with head coach Gerard Gallant on The Joe Rose Show (5:30-10:00 a.m.), front office personnel on the Big O Show (10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.) and player guests with Hochman, Crowder & Krantz in the afternoon (2:00 – 6:00 p.m.).  Fans can listen to 560 WQAM over-the-air, online at www.wqam.com and through the Radio.com app for mobile devices.

WQAM 560 AM (5 Kw-D, 1 Kw-N)

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the Florida Panthers on this multi-year deal,” WQAM Program Director Ryan Maguire said. “Panthers fans across South Florida will have coverage that is second-to-none not just on game nights, but throughout the week on WQAM. It's an exciting time to be a Panthers fan right now and to be affiliated with this great young team that is on the rise!”

A 60-minute “Panthers Insider” program hosted by Doug Plagens will be broadcast on 560 WQAM on Saturday mornings. The station will also host at least a dozen remote broadcasts at the BB&T Center throughout the season, broadcast a one-hour pre-season special and promote Panthers community outreach events throughout the year. The Panthers will also receive comprehensive promotion and be featured on CBS RADIO’s WKIS 99.9 FM and WPOW 96.5 FM in Miami.

Fox News Negotiating Roger Ailes' Exit

(Reuters) - Roger Ailes, who built Fox News into a profitable ratings powerhouse, and Twenty-First Century Fox Inc are in negotiations over his departure from the cable news channel following allegations of sexual harassment, a person briefed on the discussions said Tuesday.

A Fox statement said a legal review into the accusations was ongoing and that Ailes was working. Ailes' attorney, Susan Estrich, told CNN that there was no deal yet and any announcement on an agreement would be made by Twenty-First Century Fox.

An exit would represent an unexpected turn of events for the 76-year-old media executive who advised several U.S. Republican presidents, including George H.W. Bush, and built Fox News into the most-watched U.S. cable news channel.

Conflicting reports of an imminent departure for Ailes played out at the sidelines of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, including tweets from conservative political commentator Matt Drudge saying the Fox executive had in hand a $40 million exit package.

Former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson sued Ailes earlier this month, claiming sexual harassment. Ailes has denied the charges. Fox hired the law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison to conduct an internal investigation.  

New York magazine followed up with reports of other women who said they had been harassed by Ailes as far back as the 1960s. On Tuesday, the magazine said that star Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly had told investigators hired by Fox that Ailes "made unwanted sexual advances toward her" about 10 years ago.

According to the report, which cited anonymous sources, lawyers for 21st Century Fox Inc, gave Ailes a deadline of August 1 to resign or face being fired for cause.

Ailes had long been a confidant of 21st Century Fox Executive Co-Chairman Rupert Murdoch, who named Ailes founding chief executive of Fox News Channel in 1996.

But as scrutiny over Ailes increased in recent days, Murdoch and his sons, James and Lachlan, came to agree that he should leave the company, according to New York magazine.

Roger Ailes Timeline | PrettyFamous

Drudge on Tuesday tweeted an image of a page from a document purporting to be Ailes’ separation agreement with Fox that was later taken down.  

The document was replaced with an unattributed statement that said, "Roger Ailes has never sexually harassed Megyn Kelly. In fact, he has spent much of the last decade promoting and helping her to achieve the stardom she earned, for which she has repeatedly and publicly thanked him.”

Ailes' lawyer could not immediately be reached for comment.

Ailes departure with no apparent successor will raise questions about the future of Fox News, known for a lineup of politically conservative commentators. The network was the most-watched basic cable television channel with an average of 2.2 million prime-time viewers for the year through June, according to Nielsen data.

Drudge Report Evolved As Ailes Story Unfolded

The NY Times calls it the tweet heard round the media world.

Shortly after 4 p.m., Matt Drudge of The Drudge Report website, wrote on Twitter that Roger Ailes was leaving as chairman of Fox News with a $40 million financial package, after an investigation into allegations that he had sexually harassed Gretchen Carlson, a former Fox anchor. Accompanying the tweet was what appeared to be a separation agreement between Mr. Ailes and the network, which he founded 20 years ago.

The news also appeared as a banner headline on The Drudge Report in bold block letters under an image of a siren that typically signifies big, breaking news.

It appeared to be an enormous scoop for Drudge, one that sent media organizations scrambling to confirm the news. The Daily Beast published a brief article saying Fox News had confirmed that Mr. Ailes would leave the network. Variety also posted an article on its website, saying an anonymous source had confirmed that Mr. Ailes was out.

Then Drudge deleted his tweet. The banner headline on The Drudge Report was changed from the dramatic “Exclusive” wording to the milder “Ailes FoxNews Drama.” An unattributed quotation saying, in part, “Roger Ailes has never sexually harassed Megyn Kelly” also appeared above the siren. Soon, The Daily Beast amended its article to say that Fox News had “walked back” its earlier confirmation that Mr. Ailes was leaving the network.

The Drudge Report, which has become known more for its aggregation and flashy headlines than for breaking big stories, had thrown the media into full-on pandemonium. Many news outlets had been working since Monday to confirm a report in New York magazine that Mr. Ailes was on his way out.

Will Fox News Talent Walk?

At least one top talent inside Fox News has confirmed to Breitbart News that a major talent meeting among various different hosts is scheduled, and they are considering leaving with Roger Ailes to form a new network to compete with Fox.

“Everyone here hates Gretchen and Megyn,” the talent said in a brief phone interview, adding that hosts from Fox and Friends and throughout the primetime lineup from the co-hosts of The Five to Special Report’s Bret Baier to Greta Van Susteren to Bill O’Reilly, Shepard Smith and Sean Hannity are planning to band together and potentially execute contract clauses that allow them to leave if Ailes is driven out.

 That being said, if this group—Baier, Hannity, Van Susteren, Smith and O’Reilly—can stick together and effectively negotiate as a bloc with whatever other resources and talent they have, they could strap together enough leverage to block Kelly. But, according to Breitbart News, that shows how powerful Kelly has become inside a network where most of her colleagues despise her.

The Financial Times confirmed the possibility of a mass Fox News exodus in its reporting.

“Three of Fox News’ biggest stars — Bill O’Reilly, Sean Hannity and Greta Van Susteren — have clauses in their contracts that would allow them to depart if Mr Ailes were to leave the network, the two people briefed on the dispute said,” the Financial Times wrote. “This means a core team of on-air talent could follow Mr Ailes out of the door.”

This talent added that there is a lot expected to come out about how much Kelly’s colleagues despise her. “The entire building hates her,” the source said. “Nobody cares that she’s upset about a frickin’ hug.”

Specifically, Kelly’s supposed sexual harassment allegation against Ailes was due to a hug in 2006 she didn’t like, according to The Drudge Report.

Police Help Alex Jones Escape Protestors

Associated Press photo

Police had to rescue talk host Alex Jones after two protesters started a scuffle outside the Republican National Convention.

Jones was walking around near the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland on Tuesday with a bullhorn when two members of the 'Communist Party' allegedly attacked him.

According to the Daily Mail, it happened during a demonstration against police shootings of African-Americans that devolved into mayhem and violent brawls.

The pair of activists were shouting 'Nazi scum' as they walked towards the journalist and pushed him, according to reports.

The demonstrators on Tuesday - including anti-Muslim protesters, religious conservatives and marchers decrying racism and 'murder by police' - appeared outnumbered by law officers and members of the media.

Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams waded into crowds of demonstrators during the day, warning one group, 'It's an unlawful gathering. You're blocking a city street.' They eventually moved along.

L-A Radio: KWKW To Be Spanish Flagship For Rams

The Los Angeles Rams have reached an exclusive rights agreement selecting KWKW 1330 AM ESPN Deportes as their official Spanish language flagship radio station, the team announced today. The agreement includes the broadcasts of all preseason, regular season, and postseason games.

“We are pleased to partner with KWKW ESPN Deportes to bring Rams football to our Hispanic fans across California and beyond,” said Los Angeles Rams’ Chief Operating Officer Kevin Demoff. “Through high-quality production and exclusive programming, KWKW Deportes will help make our games accessible to all Rams fans for our exciting return back home to Los Angeles.”

The Rams Spanish gameday broadcasts will feature six hours of programming, which includes a two-hour pregame show, play-by-play commentary and analysis, and a one hour postgame show. In addition, ESPN Deportes will air a variety of ancillary Rams content including regularly scheduled “Rams Reports” and “Lets Talk Rams” call-in talk segments.

In announcing the new agreement, KWKW’s President Jim Kalmenson stated, “This is obviously a monumental addition to our sports lineup. Our Rams broadcast promises to be a huge attraction to both our listening audience as well as our sponsors. We are excited by the Rams’ genuine commitment to be involved with, and to serve, the Hispanic community.”

KWKW 1330 AM (5 Kw, DA-N)

As part of the Spanish radio agreement, KWKW also will produce and distribute the broadcasts across the Rams Spanish Radio Network. In addition to the Los Angeles flagship KWKW, the Rams Radio Network will stretch across California and beyond. The 2016 broadcasts will be heard on Spanish radio affiliates KOXR Oxnard/Ventura, KCAL Riverside/San Bernardino, KWKU Pomona, KWAC Bakersfield, KGST Fresno, KMJE Sacramento, and KENO Las Vegas.

In expressing his excitement to be part of the Rams Radio Network, Alfredo Plascencia, owner of Radio Lazer, stated, "Hispanics love professional football and we are very excited to bring one of the most dynamic sports franchises in history to our listeners in Oxnard and Riverside/San Bernardino.”

The LA Rams organization announced last month that it had signed a five-year deal to air its English-language play-by-play on ESPN Radio’s “710 ESPN” KSPN and Entercom classic rocker “The Sound” KSWD in a rare joint deal between two different radio groups.

B'Ham Radio: Joe & Jon Replacing Matt & Scot At WJOX

Sports-talk station WJOX 94.5 FM will debut a new radio show Wednesday hosted by Joe Hunk and Jon Lunceford.

Their show, "Jox PrimeTime," will air weekdays from 6 to 8 p.m., following Paul Finebaum's show, and it replaces the "Matt & Scot" show, which was hosted by Matt McClearin and Scot Harrison. WJOX canceled that show, which ran for 3½ years, last week.

"It's going to continue to be live and local," David Walls, vice president/market manager for WJOX parent company Cumulus Birmingham, said of the new "Jox PrimeTime" show. "It's going to be a lot of energy."

According to al.com, Lunceford, who played on two state high school championship football teams and later at Birmingham Southern-College, has worked in newspaper and radio for about a decade. He produces on-air high school sports coverage for WJOX, and earlier this year, he started the JoxPreps podcast.

WJOX 94.5 FM (100 Kw) Red=Local Coverage Area

Hunk, who played college baseball at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, is an 11-year radio veteran who previously worked at WUMP 730 AM (SportsRadio 730 The UMP) before joining WJOX in 2013. He has hosted the Saturday morning show "Jox Gameday" on WJOX for the past 3½ years.

WI Radio: Charlie Thomas Joins Heartland Ashland Stations

Charlie Thomas

Heartland Communications announced Monday that Charlie Thomas has joined their Ashland, Wisconsin cluster as market General Manager.

Thomas joins the Heartland Communication's team from Duluth /Superior, where he most recently served as an Account Executive for Townsquare Media. He begins his duties with Heartland Communications team on July 25, 2016.

Thomas succeeds Scott Jaeger, who served Heartland for 11 years.

Thomas will be responsible for sales team leadership, driving revenue, contributing to product and promotion development, as well as general management responsibilities.

Thomas comes to Heartland Communications with 30-plus years of experience in broadcast radio and marketing. He has held several management positions in the broadcast industry as a music director, program director, operations manager, sales manager and general manager.

Thomas has extensive general manager experience, having spent two years as general manager of a four-station cluster in the Stevens Point/Wausau area and eight years as general manager of a six-station cluster in Shreveport, La. for Clear Channel and later Townsquare Media.

Before that, Thomas was Market Manager of the Clear Channel cluster in Mason City, Iowa, for four years. He also spent nine years as program director/operations manager/air talent of the Clear Channel cluster in Lincoln, Neb., which at that time included KZKX, KKNB, KIBX and KTGL, and as operations manager/air talent for WUSW and WNAM in the Appleton/Oshkosh market where he and Coursolle first met and competed against each other, Jim as an owner and Charlie as a program director.

"I am thrilled to be joining Heartland Communications,” Thomas said. ‘First, I fulfill a dream of returning to the area and purchasing the family farm I grew up on and that has been part of our family for 111 years and then returning to a management position with a amazing company that shares the same philosophies of creating great local radio for the communities they serve. It's rare when you get to have your cake and eat it too."

“We are very excited to welcome Charlie to our team at Heartland Communications,” Coursolle said. “He will not only bring a focus to customer relationships and the quality to our sales team, but he will also improve our product by working with our already quality programming and on-air staff. Charlie understands great radio and he shares our commitment to the communities we serve.”