Weekend Update

MHBC Unveils 'TotalsProjectionsMonitor Top 30' For the first time, MHBC publishes its "TotalsProjectionsMonitor Top 30" at TotalPopularMusic.com, and at TotalPopularMusic.Blogspot.com. Mark Harris writes, "Although this listing from Mark Harris Broadcast Consulting is in a sense 'a projection of what the Top 30 on the next week's (April 21) Super Sixy might look like,' it is NOT intended so much as an actual prediction of next week's listings, but more so as a guide to radio music programmers incorporating the Total Popular Music format to program the coming week's rotations." The listing is based on TotalPlaysMonitored from the April 14 Super Sixty Airplay chart, using current trending (which is always subject to change; and, in fact, is likely to change), and compiled utilizing MHBC's exclusive TotalsProjectionsMonitor. A final decision has not yet been made on whether to regularly publish the "TotalsProjectionsMonitor Top 30" but the projected Total Popular Music Top 30 for April 21 is available now! Says Harris, "Programmers do not want to schedule their rotations based on what others did the prior week, but rather to establish the reported airplay for the totals that will be reported at the end of the current week." This is a concept that Harris has successfully used for many years and continues to use in current direct programming of radio stations subscribing to MHBC services. Although this is the first time this listing has been published, it has been in use internally for more than two years. Sports Talk WEEI-FM/Boston Host Pete Sheppard Quits On Air Sports Talk WEEI-FM, Boston, host Pete Sheppard quit on the air at the end of his Saturday afternoon show. Sheppard posted on Twitter at 5:45pm, "Hey all, got something special for you at 6:15 on WEEI…" -- and then at the end of his show announced "he was quitting the station, saying that he couldn’t do it anymore, he couldn’t stand working for the company anymore," reports BostonSportsMedia.com. "He said that he was upset at how things had been going at the station over the last 18 months, and that it wasn't Jason Wolfe's fault, but those above him. ([General Manager] Jeff Brown in particular) He said they would not even take his calls, and that he is going out on his own terms – unlike the last time he left the station." Wolfe is the station's Program Director (or "Director of Programming" as news releases from WEEI often tells us at MHBC). Sheppard, who had previously exited the station and later returned with much fanfare, assured listeners they would be hearing him again elsewhere in the near future. BostonSportsMedia.com says it expects "Sheppard will not be the only person departing (of their own volition or not ) the station in the near future." MHBC News continues to hear of air talent "dissatisfaction" at WEEI-FM (and the WEEI Sports Network), centered on budget/pay issues with owner Entercom Communications, severe enough that Entercom President/CEO David Field visited the station Friday (April 12) to meet with employees in a so-called "town hall" session. UPDATE April 15: Sheppard tells the Boston Herald, "I didn't want this to happen this way. The writing is on the wall. That place is going down the toilet. Everybody can see it. There's no loyalty to the people who have worked there. Money didn't have anything to do with it. I wish it was that simple." Meanwhile, Brown says, "Yes, we are making changes, but the WEEI goal remains the same: Producing the best Sports Talk for the best sports fans in America and delivering top-notch results for our clients. Some take those changes better and more professionally than others. It's just the nature of the business." Sheppard, sometimes known as Pete "The Meat" Sheppard on the radio, began at WEEI as a part-time host in 1994. He was granted his own show with Jon Wallach on the weekends in 1997. From 1999-2010, he contributed to "The Big Show," delivering sporting news updates and filling in when regular host the Glenn "Big O" Ordway was on vacation. Sheppard filled in for several weeks in March 2008 when Ordway took a leave of absence to deal with family health issues. In addition to his "Big Show" duties, Sheppard was a co-host of "The Real Postgame Show," a New England Patriots wrap-up show that follows each game on WEEI. Sheppard has also appeared on Fox Sports New England which is now CSN (Comcast Sports Net) several times, although not in recent years. The "Boston Air Awards" have nominated Sheppard three times for Best Sports Coverage. He was terminated from WEEI on January 19, 2010. WEEI's parent company Entercom cited "challenging economic times" as the reason behind the move. But the popular host later reresurfaced on the web radio feed at Patriots.com, hosting a show from 4-6pm. He then resurfaced on the WEEI Sports Network, only to quit on air Saturday (April 13). That was one day after the day that it was reported that Entercom President/CEO David Field was coming to Boston, reportedly "in response to continued toxic atmosphere at Entercom Boston, including and especially at WEEI." St. Louis Sports Talker Bernie Miklasz Signs New Deal With '101 ESPN' "101 ESPN Sports Radio" WXOS-FM, St. Louis, has finalized a new exclusive on-air radio agreement with host Bernie Miklasz. The Sports Talker, you might remember, had announced he'd be leaving his midday show at the end of April, to concentrate on his other commitments, including as the St. Louis Post-Dispatch lead sports columnist. There's no change in that, but the station now says they have a deal with him that starts May 1 for Miklasz to still be a part of the station -- calling once daily through the week at various times across the station's local shows. "101 ESPN" tells us they've agreed to set times for the call-ins -- Mondays 4:30pm on "The Fast Lane" show; Tuesdays 9:30am on the "Zach and Rammer" show; Wednesdays 5:30pm during "The Fast Lane" program; Thursdays at 10:30am with Zach and Rammer; and Fridays at 12:30pm on the station's new midday show to be announced. Occasional variations from the announced times may occur, says WXOS-FM, if breaking sports news or events warrant, or if there's a conflict with Miklasz's newspaper assignments. Says "101 ESPN" Program Director Chris "Hoss" Neupert, "We are thrilled that Bernie Miklasz will still be a part of the 101 ESPN team. His experienced analysis regarding the local St. Louis and national sports scene is immeasurable, and our listeners really value his comments and opinions."