News Briefs - Nov. 21, 2012

Los Angeles Radio Host Critical After Motorcycle-Car Collision. Salem Christian "99.5 The Spirit of Los Angeles" KKLA-FM, Los Angeles, 4-7pm host Frank Pastore is in critical condition with injuries suffered when his motorcycle and a car collided on the 210 Freeway in Duarte, California. Pastore, 56, a former Cincinnati Reds pitcher, was thrown from the motorcycle and found unconscious on the freeway. Police say that a car suddenly drifted from the number 2 lane towards the center divider, hitting Pastore's motorcycle as he rode in the car pool lane. He was taken by helicopter to Los Angeles County USC Medical Center. Pastore has been a host on KKLA-FM, licensed to Glendale, California, since 2004. The station Tuesday (Nov. 20) posted on its website, "Dear Listeners: Last night Frank Pastore was in a motorcycle accident. We do not know how extensive his injuries are, but we know they are serious. Please keep him and his family in your prayers." Later in the day it was reported that the host was in critical condition. The driver of the car was wasn't injured.

Kelly Mac Moving from Philadelphia to Chicago. Clear Channel Chicago names Kelley Mac Assistant Program Director for Urban WGCI-FM and midday host for Urban AC "V103" WVAZ-FM, effective December 3. Mac will join Clear Channel Chicago from Clear Channel's Philadelphia cluster where she's been Assistant PD and Music Director for Urban "Power 99" WUSL-FM and Urban AC WDAS-FM. "Kelly Mac is an innovative and creative talent – her passion and energy creates a natural connection with listeners," says CCME Chicago Director of Urban Programming Derrick Brown. "Kelly's extensive programming expertise will help strengthen our brands. I am thrilled to have Kelly join the Clear Channel Chicago team."

Clear Channel Toledo GM Resigns. Another change at Clear Channel Toledo, as General Manager Andy Stuart resigns. This comes following the recent exit of the cluster's Talk WSPD-AM afternoon host Brian Wilson. Stuart says he's leaving to head a new technology company, but doesn't provide any specifics other than to say the new venture should be up and running in early 2013. Otherwise, he says only, "I can confirm that I resigned from Clear Channel." Stuart has also overseen 30 stations in northern Ohio including stations in Toledo, Akron, Canton and Youngstown as Midwest Regional Market Manager. Prior to joining Clear Channel in 1996, Stuart managed Noble Broadcast Group's Toledo cluster from 1989-1996.

CBS Sports Radio 'Wooing ESPN Radio's John Kincade'? CBS Sports Radio is "wooing ESPN Radio's John Kincade," according to Rich Lieberman at his 415 Media. "Various industry sources are buzzing me about a possible defection from ESPN Radio Network to the new CBS Sports Radio Network," writes Liberman. He says his sources "indicate CBS Sports Radio Network has targeted the services of John Kincade, currently the host of 'The John Kincade Show' on ESPN Radio heard nationally Sundays from 7-10am ET." The 415 Media report adds that the "logical link is that Kincade has been the co-host of 'Buck and Kincade' in Atlanta since 2000. The station is operated by Dickey Broadcasting, the same Dickey family that operates Cumulus Broadcasting. Cumulus is the business partner of CBS Sports Radio in their new sports talk radio network so it would make sense for them to want to add one of their own." Read Rich Lieberman's full report here.

Salem to Launch 'Conservative Talk 94.5' in Greenville SC. Salem will launch a new Conservative Talk format on WMUU-FM, Greenville, SC, December 3. Salem is acquiring the station from Bob Jones University as first announced in August. The sale price as listed with the FCC was $3 million. In announcing its plans for WMUU-FM, Salem says it will be "Conservative Talk 94.5" when the new owner takes over operating the station in early December. Salem's familiar syndicated conservative talkers will air on "Conservative Talk 94.5“ including Salem Radio Network's Mike Gallagher, whose show has already been pulled from Entercom's crosstown News Talk "News Radio 106.3" WORD-FM.

ESPN Signs New College Football Playoff Deal. ESPN and the group that will administer the new college football playoff have reached an agreement to present the playoff games and selected other games for 12 years on an exclusive basis across ESPN's platforms including ESPN Radio. The agreement will begin after the 2014 regular season (including January 2015), and continue through after the 2025 regular season. The new agreement includes the national championship game and semifinals, as well as other bowl games that will be part of the rotation to host the semifinals. Combined with previous deals for the Rose, Sugar and Orange Bowls, the arrangement provide ESPN with rights to all games that are involved in the new post-season arrangement to determine a college football national champion.