Thursday's Radio & Media News - March 28, 2013

Alternative Returns to Atlanta with Launch of 'Radio 105.7' Alternative Rock officially returns to Atlanta as Clear Channel launches "Radio 105.7" -- replacing Rhythmic CHR "Wild 105.7" on WWVA-FM. That station is also simulcast on WWLG-FM at 96.7 FM. Former "Project 96.1" WKLS-FM host Aly, who recently returned to Clear Channel at Classic Rock "101.3 The Brew" in Grand Rapids, was one of the first voices heard on the new "Radio 105.7" as it launched today at Noon. "With imaging/presentation similar in vein to sister 'Radio 104.5' WRFF Philadelphia, the station is taking a broader approach to the format than recent attempts in the market," reports Lance Venta at RadioInsight.com. The launch of the new Alternative station followed an hour of stunting with a loop of REM's "Radio Song" and "What's The Frequency Kenneth" leading to REM's "End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" as the first "Radio 105.7" song aired. "Our goal is to offer Atlanta listeners a different genre of music while providing the best programming and listening experience available," says Clear Channel Atlanta Market President Matt Scarano. "The area is home to Talk, Hip-Hop, Country, Top 40 and Classic Hits formats, but Radio 105.7 will bring fresh alternative music back to Atlanta – which is something our listeners are currently missing." Venta previously reported, "No market has undergone more upheaval over the past 12 months than Atlanta. As the fallout from the first batch of flips last Labor Day Weekend becomes clearer, one more change is on the horizon." Today that change took effect. "The current based Rock audience was most affected by last year’s shifts as the market lost Active Rock 'Project 96.1' WKLS, Alternative '99X' 98.9 W255CJ, and AAA '92.9 Dave-FM' WZGC in a matter of weeks," wrote Venta. "While Cumulus’ 'Rock 100.5' WNNX shifted from Classic to Mainstream Rock, there has still been a void for Alternative as the format has been on an up cycle." The new "Radio 105.7" is online at www.Radio1057.com. According to Clear Channel Atlanta, "Radio 105.7 will offer listeners a new place for music discovery and artists including the Foo Fighters, Muse, Mumford & Sons, Green Day, Dave Matthews, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Black Keys, Linkin Park, The Lumineers, Coldplay, Weezer and more. The station will also feature highly interactive hosts who are passionate about Atlanta, the music and who will engage with listeners both on-air and via social media, connecting fans with the artists they love through unique VIP experiences, music premieres, intimate specialty shows and other exclusive events across the country." The station's weekday host lineup includes: 5-10am, Aly Young; 10am-1pm, Roche; 1-4pm, Jordin Silver; 4-9pm, Mike Jones; and, 9pm-1am, Kevin. Cleveland Browns to Have Three New Flagship Stations The Cleveland Browns announce a long-term partnership with two Cleveland local Sports Talk stations -- CBS Radio's "92.3 The Fan" WKRK-FM and Good Karma Broadcasting's "ESPN 850" WKNR-AM, to broadcast all Browns games. CBS Radio's Classic Rock WNCX-FM will also carry live game action beginning in 2013, giving the team a triplecast of games in their home market. We're told that the unusual partnership involving competitors "is designed to benefit Browns fans, with a significant enhancement of quality team programming as well as more access to the organization." Additionally, says the announcement, the partnership "will increase the community outreach and further connect these stations and the Browns to the community through joint philanthropic endeavors, including an annual Radiothon." In addition to the broadcast of Browns games, "92.3 The Fan" and "ESPN 850" will also air extensive pre- and post-game programming -- including a four-hour pre-game show on WKNR-AM, and a two-hour post-game show on "92.3 The Fan." Both stations will provide extensive coverage of the 2013 NFL Draft, which will be held April 25-27. Long-time voices of the Browns, Jim Donovan (play-by-play) and Doug Dieken (analyst) will continue to serve in their current roles. In addition, Jamir Howerton will once again file reports from the Browns sideline. The three stations replace Clear Channel's combo of News Talk WTAM-AM and Rock WMMS-FM which have served as the Browns flagships since the team's 1999 relaunch. "We are truly excited to partner with two companies that are so dedicated to Cleveland sports," says Browns CEO Joe Banner. "This setup ensures that our fans will continue to have easy and frequent access to our game broadcasts as well as extensive shoulder programming. Both ESPN 850 WKNR and 92.3 The Fan are committed to all-sports formats, and we are thrilled that the Browns will be a major part of their lineups on a year-round basis." Browns President Alec Scheiner adds, "This model is one of the most expansive and innovative radio rights deals in the NFL and our fans will benefit the most. Not only do we want to greatly enhance the gameday experience for our fans at the stadium, but we also want to give everyone who tunes in to our game broadcasts as many options as possible. We have heard from our fans how much they enjoy listening to Jim and Doug bring them all of the game action each week, and we are ecstatic that they will continue to be the 'voices' of the Browns." CBS Radio Cleveland SVP and Market Manager Tom Herschel tells us, "We couldn't be happier that 92.3 The Fan and 98.5 WNCX will help bring the excitement of Cleveland Browns football to fans across Northeast Ohio for many years to come. 92.3 The Fan is committed to delivering the highest quality programming and putting fans in the center of the action both on and off the field. Our stations are looking forward to carrying on that tradition with the Cleveland Browns." Good Karma Broadcasting Founder and CEO Craig Karmazin says, "The Cleveland Browns are at the core of the passion of the Cleveland sports fan, so this partnership will provide official Browns programming and live play by play that our fans crave. We are elated to partner with the Browns and CBS Radio to give fans unparalleled access, entertainment and information at a time when interest in the NFL and the Cleveland Browns has never been higher." Vanessa Hale Named Boston '103.3 Amp Radio' Midday Host CBS Radio CHR-Top40 "103.3 Amp Radio" WODS-FM, Boston, names Vanessa Hale as midday host, completing its lineup. Hale comes to WODS-FM from "Hot 101.7" KHTH-FM, Santa Rosa, California where she hosted afternoons for the past year and a half. Before that, she worked for six years as weekend host on "98.7 LA’s Rock Alternative" KYSR-FM. She began her career at "104.3 MyFM" KBIG-FM, Los Angeles -- first as a promotions assistant and later being promoted to producer. Says "103.3 Amp Radio" Program Director Dan Mason, "As we assembled the 103.3 AMP Radio staff, we were looking for fresh talent who will sound great on the air, but also possess the drive and work ethic to win in a market as competitive as Boston. Vanessa is all of the above. She is the final piece of the puzzle and we are excited to move forward with a full on-air staff." Hale tells us, "I am so thrilled to bring my passion for radio to the East Coast. I’m excited to work with the talented and cutting-edge staff at 103.3 Amp Radio to make the station #1 for hit music in Boston." Hale's new midday show begins April 3. Report: Senate Democrats Back Jessica Rosenworcel for FCC Chair Senate Democrats are urging President Obama to consider choosing Jessica Rosenworcel to be the next Chair -- the first Chairwoman -- of the FCC, to replace Julius Genachowski, reports The Hill. Genachowski, of course, has announced that he will step down in the coming weeks. Rosenworcel has been an FCC Commissioner since last May. Before that, she served as an adviser to Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WVA), the Chairman of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, which has jurisdiction over the FCC. She's also served as an aide at the FCC and worked in private practice. But, writes The Hill, "choosing Rosenworcel would skip over Mignon Clyburn, the more senior Democratic commissioner and daughter of Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC), and could be seen as a snub of Clyburn and anger her supporters." In a letter obtained by The Hill, 37 Democrats urged Obama to "give serious consideration" to choosing Rosenworcel. They touted her decades of experience in communications policy and said she is "equally respected by industry, the public safety community, and public interest groups," according to the published report. As a current FCC Commissioner, Rosenworcel would not need Senate confirmation to ascend to the chairmanship. The Democrats, in their letter, say that by choosing Rosenworcel, the administration could avoid delaying critical FCC rule-makings. iHeartRadio Music Festival Returns to Las Vegas in September Clear Channel Media and Entertainment announces the return of its two-day iHeartRadio Music Festival for 2013 set for September 20 and 21. For a third year, the iHeartRadio Music Festival will be at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Clear Channel also today announced its continued partnership with Macy's to bring back Macy’s iHeartRadio Rising Star, a campaign designed to spotlight America's emerging musicians and find one lucky artist or group to perform at the iconic iHeartRadio Music Festival. The Macy’s iHeartRadio Rising Star campaign, back for its second year, will again conduct a nationwide search for new music. Clear Channel's industry experts and Macy's have selected 25 up-and-coming musicians to present to fans across America, who will then vote for an emerging artist who will be given a chance to perform at the iHeartRadio Music Festival 2013 and at Macy's Glamorama events this summer. Clear Channel listeners, iHeartRadio fans and Macy’s shoppers will select their favorite emerging talent and vote online at iheartradio.com/RisingStar or at iheartradio.com/Macys. The artist with the most votes will perform at the iHeartRadio Music Festival. Voting begins April 1 and will run through May 12. "We are excited to once again partner with Clear Channel for the Macy's iHeartRadio Rising Star campaign," says Macy’s Chief Marketing Officer Martine Reardon. "From up-and-coming fashion trendsetters to rising music talent, Macy's has a long history of providing major platforms for the next generation of stars to shine. Macy’s iHeartRadio Rising Star is a fantastic way to engage our fans in that star-making process, adding an exciting layer of entertainment for customers to enjoy." Last year’s winners of the Macy’s iHeartRadio Rising Star, Megan & Liz, received nearly 3 million votes from Clear Channel radio listeners, iHeartRadio fans and Macy’s shoppers across the country. The winning duo performed at the 2012 Festival, which included No Doubt, Bon Jovi, Jason Aldean, Lil Wayne, Swedish House Mafia, Usher, Green Day, Rihanna, P!nk, Brad Paisley, Calvin Harris, Enrique Iglesias, Mary J. Blige, Taylor Swift, Linkin Park, deadmau5, Aerosmith and Pitbull. More than 17 million people tuned into the 2012 iHeartRadio Music Festival, which also received more than 1 billion social impressions and more than 50 million text-to-win contest entries. The 2013 iHeartRadio Music Festival lineup will be announced this summer. "Creating pop culture events, bringing music to our fans and offering once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to listeners across the country is the heart of what we do," says CCME National Programming Platforms President Tom Poleman. "The iHeartRadio Music Festival has become a marquee event in the music industry, showcasing exactly what iHeartRadio offers – the hottest artists and biggest names in music, all in one place." "The return of Macy’s iHeartRadio Rising Star campaign is a testament to Clear Channel's ability to resonate with our listeners, introducing them to new music from across the country and showcasing emerging talent in their local communities," says Tim Castelli, President of National Sales, Marketing and Partnerships for Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. "We are thrilled with our partnership with Macy’s and through the power of our multimedia platforms and national reach, we will yet again provide emerging artists with nationwide exposure and the ability to rally their hometowns to support them in their drive to stardom." Fans nationwide will again have the opportunity to attend the two-day music event through a summer-long on-air and online "Road to Vegas" promotion across CCME's 850 radio stations and websites, through iHeartRadio.com and via stations' Facebook pages, including facebook.com/iHeartRadio. Further details including ticket information, show line-up and exclusive "Road to Vegas" content will be available this summer. L.A. KIIS-FM's 'Wango Tango 2013' Set for May 11 Clear Channel CHR-Top40 KIIS-FM, Los Angeles, morning host Ryan Seacrest today unveiled the lineup for the 2013 "Wango Tango" -- the station’s annual festival concert event. This year's edition will take place at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Caliornia, on Saturday, May 11. Presented by "G by Guess," this year’s lineup includes Bruno Mars, who will open the show; as well as Maroon 5, Flo Rida, will.i.am, Demi Lovato, Fall Out Boy, Miguel, Afrojack, Icona Pop, Jason Derulo, Krewella, Emeli Sandé and Ariana Grande. Seacrest will host the show, along with the rest of the KIIS-FM airstaff, with a special guest host appearance by Britney Spears. Tickets for Wango Tango will go on sale to "KIIS Club VIP Members" April 5. "This is an Internet only pre-sale and the link and password will be provided to KIIS Club VIP members only," says the station. If tickets are still available after the pre-sale, the remaining tickets will go on sale to the public on Saturday, April 6, at www.kiisfm.com. Cincinnati Gets One-Month 'Cincy Rock 94.5' Clear Channel is launching a one-month Rock station -- billed as "Cincy Rock 94.5" on FM translator W233BG starting April l. Why so short a life for the new ofering? Do they expect it to fail so greatly? No. It's actually a place-holder until the May 1 launch of a simulcast of Cincinnati's News Talk WLW-AM. There's been speculation for some time that Clear Channel wanted WLW-AM to have a prescence on FM, but much of that speculation centered on a possible full power FM signal. Back in January, though, John Kiesewetter reported on Cincinnati.com that he had heard Jim Scott’s WLW-AM morning show simulcast on 94.5 FM, which had previously carried an HD radio subchannel of "Kiss 107.1" WKFS-FM. "Northern Kentucky University’s WNKU-FM put the 94.5 FM signal on the air in 2007 as a low-power repeater in West Chester Township to beam NKU’s signal into southern Butler County suburbs. WNKU-FM sold it to Clear Channel after the NKU station bought Middletown’s powerful WPFB-FM (105.9), now WNKN-FM," wrote media reporter Kiesewetter, who added that over the past year, Clear Channel has strengthed the 94.5 signal and moved the city of license from Port Union to Cincinnati. The translator will begin its temporary life as "Cincy Rock 94.5" Monday after the Cincinnati Reds opening game. WLW-AM held a contest and winner Josh Fields will become the only on-air personality on the station that promises to air “the best undiscovered music of Cincinnati.” The FM will also air Reds games. Hip Hop 'The Box' Is Back in Charleston As expected, Hip Hop "The Box" is back in Charleston, SC -- this time as "99.3 The Box" on FM translator W257BQ and the HD2 multicast channel of WMXZ-FM at 95.9 FM. The new incarnation of the Hip Hop station, formerly airing in the market on 92.5, replaces a Spanish Tropical format on the translator. The "new" station is airing the syndicated "Big Boy’s Neighborhood" in mornings, and has a local afternoon show hosted by "Flu Season." Last week, we reported that "Apex Broadcasting is preparing to relaunch Hip Hop 'The Box' in Charleston, SC, on several frequencies -- WSPO-AM at 1390, along with the HD2 multicast channel of 'Mix 95.9' WMXZ-FM, and FM translator W257BQ at 99.3 FM. The format and brand previously aired on 92.5 FM, when that frequency was WIHB-FM, from March 2010 until May 2011, when the station flipped to Country 'Kickin 92.5' WCKN-FM. The format will soon reappear on the three frequencies replacing Spanish Tropical 'Ritmo Caliente'." The new "99.3 The Box" debuted Wednesday night (March 27). It's online at 993TheBox.com. Conclave Announces Learning Conference 38 Agenda The Conclave announces its preliminary agenda for the July 17-19 “Conclave 38: The Learning Conference” at the Minneapolis/Park Place Doubletree Hotel. Says Executive Director Bob Shannon, “The very words ‘The Learning Conference’ implies that Conclave 38 will focus on teaching ideas our attendees can actually use. Focusing on what works today and the tools we’ll need for tomorrow, our faculty includes thinkers, visionaries and practitioners in a wide variety of disciplines including digital, marketing, mobile, programming, social media, and talent creation and training,” says Shannon. According to a news release, "These industry luminaires will be part of Conclave 38’s Faculty (in alphabetical order) : Ivan Braiker/HipCricket, Tim Bronsil/Point to Point Marketing, Jon Chelesnik/Sportcasters Talent Agency of America, Drake Donovan/Splice Video, Joel Folger/Folger Media, Les Garland/Afterplay Entertainment, John Gehron/AccuRadio, Bruce Gilbert/Clear Channel, Phil Hall/Audience Bakery, Michael Harrison/Talkers-Radioinfo.com, Dan Hill/Sensory Logic, Fred Jacobs/Jacob Media, Randy Lane/The Randy Lane Company, Lori Lewis/Jacobs Media, Kipper McGee/Kipper McGee LLC, Kevin Metheny/Cumulus Media, Chris Miller/Chris Miller Digital, Tim Moore/Audience Development Group, Mark Shannon O’Neill/ROI Media Solutions, Bill Richards/Clear Channel, Larry Rosin/Edison Research, Walter Sabo/Sabo Media." The Conclave begins on Wednesday, July 17 with the fourth annual Jacobs Media Summer School, and ends July 19 with Conclave GameDay, a day devoted entirely to sports that ends with a reception at KTWN-FM’s studio just before the Minnesota Twins/Cleveland Indians game at Target Field, home of the 2014 All Star Game. For more information on the Learning Conference and Conclave educational programs, visit www.theconclave.com. Also found on the Conclave website is hotel room reservation information for the Doubletree Park Place Hotel. Premiere Syndicates 'Weekends with The Breakfast Club' Premiere Networks begins syndicating "Weekends with The Breakfast Club" effective immediately. The new three-hour, weekly radio program originating from "Power 105.1" WWPR-FM, New York, will feature the 20 hottest songs on the charts alongside DJ Envy, Angela Yee and Charlamagne Tha god's interviews. Currently, "The Breakfast Club" is one of the top-rated Urban morning radio programs in New York. Premiere says the program is available to Urban stations for airing Saturdays or Sundays between 6am and midnight. The show launched on "Power 105.1" in February, and has already added more than 30 affiliates, including WGCI-FM, Chicago; WUSL-FM, Philadelphia; WJLB-FM, Detroit; WBTP-FM, Tampa; and WKKV-FM, Milwaukee. The show is also heard on iHeartRadio.com and the iHeartRadio mobile app. "DJ Envy, Angela Yee and Charlamagne Tha god are some of the most influential voices in urban radio and we couldn't be happier to expand their unique and compelling brand of conversation to a wider audience," says Premiere Networks EVP of Music Programming Jennifer Leimgruber. Dave Hull Returns to Radio on CRN Digital Talk Radio Veteran radio host Dave Hull is returning to the air with "Dave Hull and Mandy," launching Saturday, March 30 on CRN Digital Talk Radio. The show, which will air from 2-4pm each Saturday, will feature Hull teamed with radio personality Mandy Armstrong, formerly of KWXY-FM, Palm Springs. Also featured will be former child actor-turned author and radio personality, J.J. Solari. "I took some time off a few years ago to write a book and do some other things, but now I'm excited about coming back to radio and working with CRN," says Hull, who aired on KRLA-AM in Los Angeles in the 1960s. "We're going to have a humorous look at today's news topics in a way that you've never heard on talk radio before. It's going to be a lot of fun." Known for his close relationship with the Beatles' during their rise to stardom while at KRLA, Hull helped push the growth of rock music by helping plan the Beatles' 1966 Hollywood Bowl concert as well as promoting clubs, other concerts and his own nightclub. Hull even appeared in a 1966 episode of "The Monkees," as a music promoter. Over the years, Hull has worked at a number of stations nationwide -- including WONE-AM, Dayton; WFLA-AM, Tampa; WQTE-AM, Detroit; and KHJ-AM, Los Angeles, among others. CRN Founder/CEO Michael Horn tells us, "Dave is a legend in radio and we're ecstatic to have him with us. With his close relationship with the Beatles, maybe he'll have a new Beatles song up his sleeve!" Behind the Microphone: The Ins and Outs of Radio Country "K 95.5" WHOK-FM, Columbus, Ohio, will move its programming to sister Country "Wink 107.1" WNKK-FM, April 1, to make room for CBS Sports Radio progrmming to take over 95.5 FM. Just days ago, we first told you that "K 95.5" Program Director and morning host Mike "Jocephus" Austin was out. Now we know why! ... "Hot 100.5" WVHT-FM, Virginia Beach, reaches a social media milestone by achieving 60,000 "likes" on its Facebook fan page. To celebrate, "Hot 100.5 is selecting one Facebook fan at random and is awarding a pink guitar autographed by singer Justin Bieber. "Hot 100.5" launched its Facebook page in April 2009, immediately following the debut of the station ... Talk KKGM-AM, Dallas, flips to Southern Gospel but will still carry TRN's "America's Morning News" and Dial Global's Herman Cain, plus some sports programming. Also added are Christian Talk and Teaching shows in addition to the Southern Gospel music.