As we first reported Monday evening, Cumulus has announced that "Nash" will be a "multi-platform entertainment brand based on the Country music lifestyle that will feature radio stations, a monthly magazine, website, social media, concerts and television programming." This follows the January 21 launch of "Nash FM 94.7" in the New York City market. Cumulus also makes it official that it will change the call letters for the new Country station from WRXP to WNSH. Cumulus already is the largest Country radio broadcaster in the United States with 83 Country stations. "Country is more than just music. It's a lifestyle that is rich with content and marketing opportunities because Country is mass appeal and very much underserved in all forms of media," says Cumulus CEO Lew Dickey. "Cumulus is committed to serving this significant lifestyle segment that stretches from coast-to-coast by creating a full complement of content on the radio, in print, online and on TV." Also, "Nash Magazine," to be published by Modern Luxury, will debut in the second half of 2013 along with what is described as an interactive and innovative "Nash" website. The Nash brand will also include social media content and exclusive concert events. "Nash" radio programming, we're told, will include live shows, some originating from Nashville, and will be available to stations throughout the day through Cumulus Media Networks. All Country stations owned by Cumulus will feature the "Nash" brand and content.
Monday evening we added this update to our report on the launch of "Nash FM 94.7" in the number one radio market: "Cumulus has now confirmed that 'Nash FM 94.7' will soon have the WNSH call letters, and that the new brand will indeed be a national one. Cumulus CEO Lew Dickey says the company plans to build a network of 'Nash' Cumulus stations and to launch a similarly-titled country lifestyle magazine, through Modern Luxury, the magazine company it operates. The company, says Dickey, is also exploring ways to bring the 'Nash' country brand to cable television. Original radio content produced by Cumulus for the brand will also be sold to non-Cumulus stations under the 'Nash' brand."
Paul Finebaum (Finally) Exits Birmingham's WJOX-FM
Sports Talk host Paul Finebaum's contract with Cumulus Media's WJOX-FM expired Monday, and the midday show "The JOX Roundtable" moves into his afternoon slot. According to AL.com, "It remains unclear where Finebaum will go next, and when. He has repeatedly declined to comment on his situation." However, the word that's now circulating is that after sitting out a non-compete agreement, Finebaum will officially join Cox Media Group's crosstown "97.3 The Zone" WZNN-FM. But Finebaum, we learn, may still have other plans under consideration. WJOX-FM, meanwhile, has removed all references to Finebaum and his "The Paul Finebaum Radio Network" from its website. Cox's "97.3 The Zone" has been publicly courting Finebaum since it came on the air in August 2011. "The JOX Roundtable," with Ryan Brown, Jim Dunaway and Lance Taylor, previously aired in middays, and now moves to afternoons to replace Finebaum on WJOX-FM. "Same show as always, we just sleep later," Brown tweeted on Twitter. AL.com notes that Clay Travis reports on his sports blog "Outkick the Coverage" that Finebaum will indeed join "97.3 The Zone" -- but AL.com reports it has learned that Finebaum is still exploring his options. Finebaum would have to serve a three-month non-compete in the Birmingham market. Travis also reported that Ryan Haney, the Program Director at WJOX, will join "97.3 The Zone" to be the PD there. SiriusXM Satellite, which, along with terrestrial affiliates, had carried Finebaum's WJOX show, also has expressed interest in having Finebaum join its satellite network on an exclusive basis, according to several reports. Finebaum, we learn, has also hired a new national agent, Nick Khan, whose clients include political commentator Keith Olbermann, CNN legal analyst Nancy Grace and ESPN sportscasters Hannah Storm and Kirk Herbstreit. "It has been a drama-filled past year and a half for Finebaum, who joined WJOX in January 2007 after 13 years at Birmingham Talk WERC-AM," writes AL.com's Bob Carlton. "Last July, he settled a year-long breach-of-contract lawsuit with Citadel Broadcasting, which had owned WJOX until Citadel was purchased by Cumulus Media. Finebaum's lawsuit against Citadel claimed, among other things, that he was pressured into signing an unfavorable amendment to his contract after Citadel filed for bankruptcy. Terms of the July settlement were kept confidential."
Drew Hayes to Return to L.A.'s KABC-AM as Program Director
We have now confirmed that veteran programmer Drew Hayes is returning to Cumulus Media's News Talk KABC-AM, Los Angeles, as Program Director. Hayes is currently Operations Director at sister News Talk WLS-AM, Chicago. He will not be replaced in Chicago, where WLS-AM Program Director Tracy Slutzkin will continue programming the station. Hayes joined WLS-AM for a second time in January 2010. The PD position at KABC-AM has been vacant since Jack Silver exited last June. Hayes previously programmed KABC-AM under its former Disney ownership. Hayes says, "I'm really excited for the next chapter. I appreciate the confidence that Cumulus has shown in me and in what we've built at WLS. It's in great hands with Tracy." VP and Market Manager Donna Baker adds, "There's very few situations that a market manager and an operations manager have to go through like the one we've been through in such a short period of time. Drew and I have kind of been through the war together. From a professional standpoint, I've learned a lot from him, and have great admiration for his talent. He's very good at what he does." Her reference was to the exit of Don Wade and his wife Roma after Wade was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and more recently the death of midday co-host Jake Hartford (Jim Edwards).
Mark Kassof: Listeners Surprisingly Positive on Contests
A new study from Mark Kassof and Company shows that contests can have a strong net positive impact for some radio stations. While listeners who are unaffected by contests one way or another are in the majority, contests have far more positive than negative impact. Kassof writes in his report on the study, "I’ve never pushed contesting as a panacea for stations. A good contest can't make a bad station successful, long-term. Still, contests are much more in the ballpark of traditional radio than satellite or pure-play online stations, so I'm especially interested… Could contests be another weapon in radio's battle with the upstarts??? To find out, we did an online survey earlier this month with 608 18 to 64 year olds who had cumed an FM or AM station in the past week. We probed a lot of issues around contesting, which we'll explore over the next few weeks." Kassof, getting to the “bottom line," tells us, "Yes, contests can be a real edge for a station, and for traditional radio in general." The study, we're told, finds that 40 percent of 18 to 64 year-old radio listeners said a contest would make a station "more interesting to listen to," while only three percent said it would make it "less interesting." Some 34 percent said a station's contest would make them listen to it more, as opposed to just two percent who responded it would make them "listen to it less." The research findings are based on 608 online surveys of 18 to 64 year-olds in the U.S. who had cumed an FM or AM radio station in the previous week. The survey was conducted January 10-18, 2012. Summarizing, Kassof writes, "So, what this says is: Most listeners won’t be affected by your contest one way or another. But at least a third will, and that bump comes with minimal downside. I'm blown away by these numbers. Even if we toss in the requisite 'grain of salt,' there’s no conclusion other than contesting can be a very good thing!" For more on the latest study, visit this url. Mark Kassof promises "more in the coming weeks" from this research.
Jim Watkins Joins Sun Broadcasting as VP of Programming
Talk Radio Network Director of Affiliate Relations and Executive Producer Jim Watkins is joining syndicator and programming sales/marketing network Sun Broadcasting Group as Vice President of Programming. Watkins will oversee the programming and be charged with attracting new shows and features to the Sun Broadcast Group lineup. He will also work to improve the product offerings, content effectiveness and affiliate relations practices for the company. Says Sun Broadcast Group EVP Steve Gallagher, "Jim is a class act and brings an impressive background to Sun. We are confident our advertisers, content providers and radio affiliates will profit from his vision, creativity and expertise. Jim has a keen sense of what great product sounds like and we're excited to have him at Sun." Watkins spent the past 13 years as Director of Affiliate Relations and Executive Producer for TRN. He had previous programming stops for Meridian Broadcasting in Ft Myers, Florida, and Clear Channel in Santa Barbara. Watkins tells us, "I am extremely honored to be joining the team at Sun Broadcasting. Creative, entertaining programming solutions are at the core of what Sun Broadcast Group is. It's why I joined the company."
DC's 'CBS Sports Radio 1580' to Launch January 28
The new CBS Sports Radio network will air in Washington DC on WNEW-AM as "CBS Sports Radio 1580" starting January 28, replacing "1580 Gov.Biz Radio." With its new format, WNEW-AM will feature the programming of CBS Sports Radio with personalities Tiki Barber, John Feinstein, Jim Rome, Doug Gottlieb and Scott Ferrall, among others. "CBS Sports Radio 1580" will also feature play-by-play coverage of the NFL and NCAA sports. The launch of the station's new format is set to coincide with the Super Bowl, as the new network provides "nearly 75 hours of access, live from New Orleans, in anticipation of the CBS-TV's broadcast of Super Bowl XLVII on Sunday, February 3." The new AM Sports Talk outlet will join CBS Radio's "106.7 The Fan" in the DC market, which continues it local Sports Talk lineup. Says CBS Radio DC SVP and Market Manager Steve Swenson, "We are proud to offer area sports fans an All-Star lineup that caters to their local and national sports interests. 106.7 The Fan knows DC sports like no one else, and CBS Sports is a clear leader when it comes to breaking down the day's headlines and stories breaking across the country. As a result of this impressive combination of stations, there's no argument we will be the dominant sports voice in the city."
Sarah Fraser to Exit 'The Kane Show'
Sarah Fraser is exiting as co-host of Clear Channel's syndicated "Kane Show," based at CHR-Top40 "Hot 99.6" WIHT-FM, Washington DC, to pursue a television career. Fraser has been a part of the "Kane Show" since 2007. Her last day is yet to be determined, but is still several months away. So why announce it now? Clear Channel says they are currently beginning the search for Fraser's replacement as co-host of the show, "looking for someone to play a significant on-air role with the current cast, and participate off air as a creative content contributor." The right candidate, we're told, "is outgoing, a social media maniac, pop culture and information junkie, loves being in front of the public, and on stage." Those interested are also told, "If every part of your life is an open book, you’re a strong storyteller, and you never leave a party until you’ve met everyone, we need to hear from you. Are you strongly opinionated, great at communicating that opinion, but open and respectful to the counter point? Then this could be a great fit for you. Outstanding communications skills and a winning attitude are a must!" Applicants should send their airchecks and resumes to Careers@clearchannel.com or Clear Channel Radio Attn: Human Resources - Kane Show, 1801 Rockville Pike, 5th Floor Rockville, MD 20852."
'Comedy Central Radio' Set for SiriusXM
SiriusXM and Comedy Central announce a multi-year deal for "Comedy Central Radio," launching on the satcaster this Spring. The 24/7 channel will mine stand-up comedy performances from the cable TV network's archives along with behind-the-scenes and backstage broadcasts from events and comedy club. "Comedy Central is the leader in the world of comedy and we are excited to work with them to create Comedy Central Radio for our listeners," says SiriusXM President/Chief Content Officer Scott Greenstein. "By adding Comedy Central Radio to a comedy lineup that includes Blue Collar Radio and Jamie Foxx's The Foxxhole, we are delivering unmatched and exclusive comedy programming to millions of listeners nationwide." Comedy Central's marquee names – including Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert – aren’t part of the new alliance.
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