News Briefs - November 26, 2012

NPR Posts $6 Million FY 2012 Deficit. NPR posts an operating deficit of $6.2 million for fiscal 2012, reports Current.org. That includes being down on corporate sponsorships $8.6 million from the fiscal year goal. The 2012 deficit follows a reported $2.4 million profit in 2011. NPR lost one of its biggest underwriters in 2012, Ally Bank. Current.org's report says that high turnover, or churn, of 45% among corporate clients hurt its underwriting revenue. NPR does report better results in other areas, including that its development staff beat its goal by 5%, for a total of $31.2 million. Gifts from individuals rose 18% to $10.3 million. But those "ups" couldn't overcome the "downs" when the net result for the fiscal year was finalized. The full report is here.

Peter van de Graaff Upped to PD at Chicago's WFMT-FM. Peter van de Graaff is promoted to Program Director of Classical WFMT-FM, Chicago, effective December 3. A 25-year veteran of the station, de Graaff succeeds Peter Whorf, who resigned last July to become Station Manager of pubcaster WKAR-AM-FM at Michigan State University in East Lansing. In addition to a program host at WFMT-FM, van de Graaff has been Program Director and the sole voice of the Beethoven Satellite Network, WFMT Radio Network’s overnight classical format service, which airs on 150 stations nationwide. “Given Peter’s long association with the station, the high regard his colleagues have for him, and his deep and intimate knowledge of all aspects of classical music, I'm delighted he has accepted the position,” Says WFMT-FM General Manager Steve Robinson in a memo to staffers. “I’m eager to begin working with him in this new capacity, and I know we’ll all give him the support he'll need as he begins his new duties.”

Longtime Tulsa Morning Host Phil Stone Dies at 57. Phil Stone, whose real name is Phillip Wayne Riddle, has died at the age of 57. He'd been half of "Phil and Brent" on Rock KMOD-FM, Tulsa, with a show that ran for 27 years until just last month. Stone and Brent Douglas were unable to reach a new contract agreement with Clear Channel, and their show ended in October. The cause of death has not been made public. Stone's family says they are considering a memorial service to "celebrate his life with his fans, family and friends." KMOD-FM Program Director Don Cristi says Phil Stone "had to be the greatest radio personality in this market."

Dothan's 'Farm' Flips to Classic Country 'Dixie 700'. "700 The Farm" WCNF-AM, Dothan, Alabama, flips to Classic Country as "Dixie 700". For the past year WCNF-AM had aired a mix of conservative Talk, Sports, News, and agricultural information as "The Farm." The station cites a lack of advertiser support for the abandoned format. "Dixie 700" returns the Classic Country format to the Dothan area for the first time in several years since "Country Legends 105.3" WDBT-FM flipped to "News Talk 105.3". Station management says it hopes "Dixie 700" will be more successful in gaining local advertising support

Bangor Maine's 'The Pulse' Ends FM Simulcast. Stephen King's The Zone Corporation ends its Liberal Talk "The Pulse" simulcast on WZON-AM, Bangor, and WZON-FM, Dover-Foxcroft, Maine. The FM, with new call letters WZLO-FM, flips to All Christmas music, promising a new format "after the holidays." Speculation in the market is a return to the FM's former Triple-A format. The AM programming, which also includes high school and professional play-by-play, continues unchanged. "The two stations have simulcast since January 2010, when 103.1 dropped its AAA format to simulcast what was then an All-Sports format on 620," reports RadioInsight.com. "The pair flipped to Liberal Talk in November 2010, while retaining play-by-play of local high schools and all four of Boston’s professional teams." Author Stephen King also owns Classic Rock WKIT-FM, licensed to Brewer, Maine, with studios and offices in Bangor.

The Ins and Outs of Radio
Detroit market Alternative "89X" CIMX-FM, Windsor, Ontario, Program Director and morning co-host Dave Hunter has exited the station. Also gone are morning co-hosts Chuch "The Freak" Urguhart and Lisa Reid. They have all accepted an offer from another as yet unnamed station in the market where they will start after sitting out a six month noncompete agreement ... CHR-Top40 "Wild 104" WWYL-FM, Binghampton, NY, Program Director/Brand Manager Matt "Matty J" Johnson will exit the station and the radio industry, November 30, to relocate with his wife to the New York City area where she's accepted a TV reporter job ... Doug Groff is in as morning co-host at "98 Country" WWJO-FM, St. Cloud, Minnesota, starting December 3. He will join Cindy Wear and Producer Katie for the new "Cindy and Doug Morning Show" filling the gap created by the previous exit of Chris Chapman and Ricky Woods ... The "Wink 103" brand is out at Hot AC WARM-FM, York, Pennsylvania, as the station returns to its former “Warm 103.3” identity.