Louisville Radio: Coyote Calhoun Signs-Off At WAMZ

Coyote Calhoun

Legendary WAMZ 97.5 FM personality Coyote Calhoun signed off Wednesday for the last time. And country music stars traveled to Louisville for one heck of a retirement party.

According to wlky.com, thousands packed the Yum! Center for "Coyote's Acoustic Concert" as some of the biggest names in country music bid him farewell. Performers included: Toby Keith, Justin Moore, Little Big Town, Montgomery Gentry, Craig Moore and many others.

All of the proceeds for Wednesday nights show are going to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, along with other children's charities.

His iconic voice has been signing on at WAMZ since 1980, and Wednesday he signed off one last time.

"I wanna leave when things are going good, you are on top, you don't wanna leave all of the sudden when things start going awry," said Calhoun.

And on top he is.  Coyote's made a name for himself not just in Louisville, but across the country.

In 2005 he landed a spot in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Coyote’s next step in life -- traveling.

“This is fun, this is a great day and even if it is my last day, I still get to start the beginning of a new phase of my life, knowing that I left this part of my life behind in good shape,” said Calhoun.

But Coyote says he'll still be around making guest appearances on WAMZ, every now and then.

Report: Roku Top Streaming Media Device

Parks Associates announced updated streaming media device data today showing 10% of U.S. broadband households purchased one of these devices, either a streaming media player or stick, in the first three quarters of 2014, already matching sales from 2013. The research finds Roku is still the leading brand with 29% of sales, but Google Chromecast (20%) has supplanted Apple TV (17%) in second place. New entrant Amazon Fire TV is in fourth place with 10%. Consumer content choices are also increasing, with Showtime and Sony planning to launch their own OTT video services to compete with Netflix and HBO.

"Nearly 50% of video content that U.S. consumers watch on a TV set is non-linear, up from 38% in 2010, and it is already the majority for people 18-44," said Barbara Kraus, Director, Research, Parks Associates. "The market is changing rapidly to account for these new digital media habits. Roku now offers a streaming stick, and Amazon’s Fire TV streaming stick leaves Apple as the only top player without a stick product in the streaming media device category."

CableTV: Fox Tops News Channels During November

During the month of November, FOX News was the dominant cable news leader across the board, ranking as a top three cable network in both primetime and total day, behind only ESPN and ahead of AMC and USA networks, according to TV By The Numbers.

In primetime, FOX News marked its highest-rated month since the presidential election in both total viewers and adults 25-54.

See below for more:

TOTAL DAY
FNC: 1,226,000 total viewers – up 2%; (253,000 in 25-54 –up 2%)
CNN: 449,000 total viewers – up 34%; (155,000 in 25-54 – up 55%)
MSNBC: 350,000 total viewers – down 13%; (104,000 in 25-54 – down 16%)

PRIMETIME: 8-11PM/ET
FNC 2,082,000 total viewers – up 4%; (407,000 in 25-54 – up 20%)
CNN: 653,000 total viewers – up 36%; (263,000 in 25-54 – up 72%)
MSNBC: 605,000 total viewers – down 6%; (174,000 in 25-54 – down 8%)

PRIMETIME: 7-11PM/ET
FNC: 2,022,000 total viewers – up 5%; (384,000 in 25-54 – up 17%)
CNN: 627,000 total viewers – up 38%; (246,000 in 25-54 – up 76%)
MSNBC: 606,000 total viewers – down 10%; (166,000 in 25-54 – down 14%)

CNN Touts Beating MSNBC

During November , CNN finished a strong second in cable news out-rating MSNBC in total day, M-F primetime and M-Su primetime in both total viewers and the demo 25-54 rating.

CNN has now topped MSNBC for five straight months in total day among both demos, and in M-F/M-Su primetime among adults 25-54.

This is the network’s longest winning streak across these dayparts and demos in six years (since 2008). In M-F primetime CNN is up triple digits vs. a year ago, posting its highest adults 25-54 rating in more than 18 months (since April 2013).  CNN’s dayside news programming more than doubled MSNBC’s audience in the key demo 25-54.  CNN Original Series This is Life with Lisa Ling and Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown end their seasons ranking #1.  Somebody’s Gotta Do It with Mike Rowe ranks #2 season to-date.

CNN tops MSNBC across the all dayparts in November:

• Total Day (6a-6a) among total viewers (450k vs. MSNBC’s 351k) and in demo 25-54 rating (156k vs. MSNBC’s 104k).
• M-Su Primetime (8-11p) in total viewers (664k vs. MSNBC’s 610k) and the demo 25-54 (269k vs. MSNBC’s 176k).
• M-F Primetime (8-11p) in total viewers (750k vs. MSNBC’s 705k) and the key demo rating (309k vs. MSNBC’s 175k).
• Dayside (9a-4p) in both total viewers (484k vs. MSNBC’s 258k) and demo 25-54 rating (138k vs. MSNBC’s 61k).

MSNBC fell to fourth place in November in total day among adults 25-54, trailing behind both CNN and HLN. While CNN ranked second in total day demo and topped MSNBC for five straight months, HLN ranked third, topping MSNBC for six consecutive months, the longest winning streak in over nine years.

MSNBC also fell to third place in M-F and M-Su primetime (8-11pm) in both total viewers and the demo, dropping below second place for the first time since July 2013.  Across cable news, MSNBC is the only cable news network to have fewer viewers than they did a year ago in all the key dayparts.

Scott Borchetta Gets Mentor Gig On American Idol

Scott Borchetta

Scott Borchetta, President and CEO of the Big Machine Label Group and one of the most successful forces in the music industry today, has joined American Idol XIV as mentor to help shape the career of the competition’s winner.

Borchetta’s relationship with the next American Idol will extend past the show’s finale; Borchetta’s Big Machine Records will partner with 19 Entertainment and Universal Music Group to oversee the launch of his/her recording career. The winner will join Borchetta’s record label roster of superstar talent, including global pop star Taylor Swift, whom he discovered at the age of 14, as well as Tim McGraw, Reba, Rascal Flatts, Florida Georgia Line and The Band Perry.  

 The Season XIV mentor role was re-imagined and stepped up to provide Borchetta’s unique perspective from early on in the competition – through the live shows, to the final winning moment and beyond. Borchetta joined IDOL during Hollywood Week, when he watched the performances in advance of offering his expertise to the contestants who continue in the competition.

 “There’s only one reason I’m doing this: American Idol has proven again and again that it can launch superstars. I believe that working with these young artists the same way we work with new artists at the Big Machine Label Group will help the next AMERICAN IDOL be as prepared as possible to continue the tradition of creating new superstars,” said Borchetta. “The entire label group will be invested and we look forward to bringing our energy, focus and know-how to help develop this young talent at the highest levels.”

NBC Sports Radio To Launch New Mike Florio Show

Mike Florio

NBC Sports Radio will debut in January a new three-hour football-focused program featuring Mike Florio, creator of ProFootballTalk on NBCSports.com and co-host of Pro Football Talk on NBCSN, it was announced Wednesday by Westwood One and NBC Sports Group.

ProFootballTalk Live with Mike Florio, premiering Monday, January 5, 2015 at Noon ET, will feature Florio’s critically-acclaimed NFL insight, all-encompassing coverage of the league with the most current news and analysis, and thought-provoking debate. In addition, Florio will conduct interviews with a wide variety of NFL insiders, experts, players and coaches.

“Is there enough NFL news to fill a three-hour show every day? Definitely. If I’m wrong, I’ll just talk really slowly,” said Florio.

“We are excited to bring Mike’s unparalleled NFL insight to our NBC Sports Radio team,” said Rob Simmelkjaer, SVP, NBC Sports Ventures. “The fan appetite for smart NFL talk is insatiable, and we are proud to bring them one of the most respected voices in the industry.”

“Adding Mike Florio and ProFootballTalk to the already impressive lineup of NBC Sports Radio brings huge insight, knowledge and credibility to our ever growing family of great radio stations,” said Jack Silver, NBC Sports Radio’s Program Director. “Mike is a strong voice to have on a daily basis breaking down the biggest sport on the planet.”

PA/DE Radio: Beasley Names Matt Smith VP/MM

Matt Smith

Beasley Broadcast Group has announced the promotion of Matt Smith to Vice President/Market Manager overseeing WJBR-FM in Wilmington, Delaware and a cluster of three AM radio stations in the Philadelphia market that include WWDB-AM, WTMR-AM and WTEL-AM (formerly WIP-AM).

This appointment is effective immediately, Smith reports to Beasley Broadcast Group President
Bruce Beasley.

Most recently, and following the retirement of Natalie Conner in June of 2014, Smith served as interim market manager of Beasley’s WXTU-FM and WRDW-FM in Philadelphia.  Prior to that, he served as the director of sales for WXTU and WRDW, a position he attained in 2009.

Smith began his career with Beasley in 2003 as an account executive in the Beasley Broadcast Las Vegas cluster.

President/COO Bruce Beasley says, “As our Philadelphia situation changed, due to the recent asset exchange with CBS Radio, we recognized an opportunity to place our remaining Delaware Valley radio stations under the guidance of one manager.  We were drawn to Matt Smith’s past accomplishments and loyalty to our Company, and to the innate leadership skills he possesses. Add to that his extensive experience in both the Philadelphia and Wilmington markets and we believe Matt to be a perfect candidate for this position.”

Matt Smith comments, “It’s an honor to be asked to serve in this new role. With WJBR, I feel like I’m coming home. Which in fact I am! Not only did I enjoy several years previously at the station as GSM, I was also born in Wilmington. Equally exciting is the opportunity to stay active in the Philadelphia market through the three AM radio stations. I’m very grateful to continue my career with Beasley Broadcast in these two familiar and vibrant markets.”

WV Radio: Crash Poteet Named New PD At Country WKWS

Crash Poteet

West Virginia Radio Corp.'s Country WKWS 96.1 FM/The Wolf has signed Crash Poteet as its new Program Director and afternoon personality.

It becomes effective December 8.

He replaces Brian Egan, who left last month to become Executive Producer for "Nash Nights Live."

Most recently, Poteet served as Brand Manager for Journal Broadcast Group's Country KVOO-FM in Tulsa. Before that, he programmed KSCS-FM in Dallas.

"Crash is one of the great programming minds and strategists in Country radio," stated West Virginia Radio Corp./Charleston OM Jeff Adams. "After talking to him, it was clear he immediately grasped where The Wolf is positioned in the market and where it needs to go. His depth of knowledge of what makes a winning brand is exactly what The Wolf needs to lead it to even greater heights."

WKWS 96.1 FM (45Kw) 54dBu Coverage

"I'm beyond excited to help The Wolf build its brand and howl to new heights," added Poteet. "Thanks to Jeff, VP/GM Joe Parsons,and CEO/President Dale Miller for this opportunity."

Yakima Radio: Bustos Media To Close Soon On KZTA And KDYK

Amador Bustos

The Federal Communications Commission approved the transfer of licenses from Sacramento, Calif.-based Adelante Media Group to Bustos Media Holdings LLC on Monday. CEO and President Amador Bustos said BMH told the Yakima Herald he expects to close on the deal next week.

Bustos Media Holdings has been operating the stations for several months under an LMA with Adelante.

Bustos Media streamlined the Spanish-language stations under one of two popular formats, La Gran D and La Zeta. In Yakima, KZTA 96.9 FM has the La Gran D format, while KDYK 1020 AM is under the La Zeta brand.

Other stations included in the purchase are KZTB 97.9 FM and KMMG 96.7 FM in the Tri-Cities; KZML 95.9 FM in Wenatchee and KMIA 1210 AM  and KDDS 99.3 FM in the Seattle area.

Bustos Media Holdings has also operated — and will soon purchase — two English-language stations in Moses Lake: Country KZUS 92.3 FM and Talk KULE 730 AM.

Bustos Media Holdings emerged in 2011 after its former incarnation, Bustos Media, was forced to merge with Adelante Media Group in 2010 due to financial problems. Adelante was formed by a group of Bustos Media lenders.

Over the last few years, Bustos Media has grown its holdings by purchasing back stations from Adelante.

Columbus GA Radio: Hispanic Unidos 107.7 FM Plans Shut Down

Hispanic residents in Columbus, GA will soon bid farewell to their one and only radio station.

Jim Martin, a managing partner at PMB Broadcasting, which owns UNIDOS 107.7 T-FM, plans to shut down the station by the end of the year, he told the Ledger-Enquirer. 107.7 is W299AX fed via WLTC 103.7 FM HD3.  He said general manager Harold "Lefty" Encarnacion and his staff worked hard to keep the station going, and he thanks them for their service.

Encarnacion, the son of Puerto Rican immigrants, said the station is a significant part of the Latino community but faced many obstacles.

First, he struggled selling advertisements because he couldn't provide businesses with audience information, he said.

Then it was a challenge trying to serve a diverse Latino population comprised of about 21 different nationalities. Encarnacion said there's also the matter of staffing. He said he has one paid disc jockey and a volunteer.

W299AX 107.7 FM (250watts) 60dBu Coverage

"Basically, I didn't have sufficient staff to go out there and touch base with businesses and try and sell adds," he said. "It's just me and with my full schedule it's hard."

A new format for the 107.7 FM has not been disclosed yet. In addition to W299AX, PMB Broadcasting operates five full powered stations and three additional HD fed translators in the Columbus market.

HBO Greenlights '70s Rock Drama

HBO has picked up a 1970s-set scripted drama, still untitled, exploring the drug and sex fueled music business as punk and disco were breaking out.

Created by Oscar winner Martin Scorsese and music legend Mick Jagger and seen through the eyes of a record producer trying to resurrect his label and find the next sound.

Bobby Cannavale (Boardwalk Empire, Nurse Jackie) stars as Richie, the founder and president of American Century Records, who has a great ear for discovering talent and who undergoes a crisis of character when confronted with a life-altering decision. Olivia Wilde stars as Richie's wife, with Parenthood's Ray Romano set as one of Richie's partners.

The cast also includes Juno Temple, Andrew "Dice" Clay, Ato Essandoh, Max Casella, James Jagger, Jack Quaid, Birgitte Sorenson, P.J. Byrne, J.C.MacKenzie, Bo Dietel, Armen Gary, Robert Funaro and Joe Caniano.

This new drama, which has no specific number of initial episodes confirmed, is expected to debut in 2015.

R.I.P.: Former SW-PA Radio Owner Donn Wuycik

Donn Wuycik

Donn Wuycik, the longtime driving force behind Ambridge radio station WMBA 1460 AM in Amridge, PA, has died of natural causes.

He was 60-years-of-age, according to timesonline.com.

"Donn was my boss, mentor, supporter but most of all a friend," state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-16, a former WMBA program director and newsman, said in a Facebook post Tuesday announcing the news. "His big heart and generosity touched many, and he will be missed."

Wuycik bought WMBA in 1986 and turned it into a 24/7 broadcasting outlet after decades of daily 6 a.m. to midnight hours. The news- and talk-oriented station was relocated from an Old Economy area neighborhood to a more visible and community accessible storefront location on Merchant Street.

In the late 1970s, Wuycik invested much of his life savings to buy TV camera equipment, launching a freelance news gathering business. Learning of an upstart sports cable network in Bristol, Conn., he auditioned with a tape he'd made of Beaver County's annual World Championship Snow Shovel Riding Contest. That network, ESPN, hired him to provide its "Sports Center" program with taped highlights of major Pittsburgh sporting events and later for West Coast games.

Wuycik sold WMBA in 2000 to Frank Iorio of competing Beaver Falls station WBVP 1230 AM. The two Beaver County stations have simulcast programs since, with studios in Beaver Falls.

December 4 In Radio HIstory

In 1923...WEAF radio began broadcasting the "Eveready Hour". It was a variety show.



In 1944...In Nashville at the WSM Radio studios, Eddy Arnold recorded four songs, including "Cattle Call," at his first recording session.




In 1944...Beach Boys drummer, keyboardist and songwriter Dennis Wilson was born on this day in 1944. He drowned on Dec. 28, 1983 at 39.  Dennis Wilson interview with Pete Fornatale on WNEW-FM, New York City, November 1976.


In 1954...Billboard magazine reported that the New York Supreme Court had denied radio disc jockey Alan Freed any further use of the nickname "Moondog." Freed had been sued for infringement by New York street musician Louis T. Hardin, who claimed prior ownership of the nickname.


In 1957...Because of the furor created by Elvis Presley's recently released Christmas album, radio station CKWS in Kingston, Ontario plays the album in its entirety, opening the phones to public comment. Most listeners approve of the album.

In 1965..."Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is A Season)" by The Byrds hit number one on the pop singles chart.

In 1967...WCBS 880 AM expands "All News" format to midnight.

By the late 1950s and early 1960s, WCBS had evolved into a Middle of the road (MOR) music and personality format, which included limited talk programming. Personalities included legendary morning host Jack Sterling, Bill Randle and Lee Jordan. Like many MOR stations at the time, WCBS did mix in softer songs by rock-and-roll artists, as its ratings at the time were ordinary compared to the higher ratings at WOR and WNEW, both of which also had MOR formats and more distinct identities. Through it all, the variety show "Arthur Godfrey Time" remained a weekday mid-morning staple.

Eventually, WCBS gained a foothold in local news coverage (WOR and WNEW's strengths) bolstered by its standing as CBS's flagship radio station.

William S. Paley

During the 1960s, CBS chairman William S. Paley was concerned about the station's low ratings, and that concern started a process that would lead to the creation of a news radio format that would become known as "Newsradio 88". This format debuted on August 28, 1967.

Initially, the station ran news in the drive time periods but maintained an MOR format during the midday and overnight hours, and within a couple of years, it ran all-news programming for much of the broadcast day except for overnights. "Newsradio 88" began its transformation into an all-news format in 1970, when the overnight American Airlines-sponsored Music Till Dawn ended in January of that year, and completed the process in 1972, when Godfrey's weekday morning variety show came to an end. The station built a reputation as an all-news powerhouse during the 1970s, and has continued with an all-news format to this day.

In 1989...Howard Hoffman and Stephanie Miller first show at WQHT

L-A Radio: Talker Larry Elder OUT At KABC

Larry Elder

Talk host Larry Elder is out at Cumulus' KABC 790 AM.  All references of him have been scrubbed from the station website.

“I was eating dinner last night when Larry called and said he was fired,” George Green, Elder’s agent told laradio.com. “The KABC general manager and program director called a few minutes later to confirm.”

Elder refers to himself as the "Sage from South Central," and describes his political ideology as "fiscally conservative and socially liberal."

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Larry graduated from Crenshaw High School. He attended Brown University and earned a B.A. in political science. He continued his education and received a law degree from the University of Michigan in 1977. After graduation, he was recruited by the ninth largest law firm in the country and moved to Cleveland to work as a commercial trial lawyer. Three years later, he left to start his own company, an executive search firm specializing in attorneys.

Elder's departure is his second from KABC.  In 1994, Elder relocated from Cleveland to L-A to begin his first stint.  From 2002 until 2007 Elder was syndicated nationally via ABC Radio Networks. After Citadel Broadcasting took over most of ABC's radio operations in 2007, syndication of Elder's show was discontinued in favor of Mark Levin, and the show reverted to a local show in August of that year. On December 11, 2008, Elder announced he was leaving his PM Drive show.

Elder then began a daily live podcast as well as a webcast starting in December 2009.  In late March or early April 2011 Larry started to charge for his podcast.

He returned to KABC September 27, 2010 in the 9am to 12pm slot before returning to afternoon drive the following year.

Elder vows to continue his show online:

Elderados, not to worry. I'll be doing the show LIVE at the usual time 3p to 6p (pacific). Just go to http://t.co/sfQBggKr2L. Talk later!
— Larry Elder (@larryelder) December 3, 2014