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Deanna Marie Joins WJBR's Morning Show
Posted: 06 Oct 2021 02:33 PM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/213817/deanna-marie-joins-wjbrs-morning-show/
Beasley Media AC Mix 99.5 WJBR-FM Wilmington DE has announced the addition
of Deanna Marie as its new morning co-host.
Deanna joins WJBR-FM after hosting middays and later co-hosting mornings at
Reno Media Group CHR Alice 96.5 KLCA Reno NV from 2018 until the end of
August. Prior to entering radio, the New Jersey native performed in shows
in Atlantic City and Reno.
She takes the morning slot alongside Johnny B that had most recently been
held by Jessie Jordan until this summer.
Beasley Media Group announces Deanna Marie has been named as the new
morning show Co-host of “The Mix Morning Show with Johnny B and Deanna
Marie” on WJBR-FM in Wilmington, Delaware. The show will officially launch
at 5:30am on Monday October 11. 2021.
The New Jersey native most recently worked at 96.5 KLCA in Reno, Nevada,
where she began her radio career.
“We are thrilled to have Deanna joining market veteran Johnny B on “The Mix
Morning Show”, said Program Director Eric Johnson. “We found Deanna so
engaging from our first phone conversation and we think our listeners will
too. Welcome Home Deanna!”
“I am so excited to be a part of the Mix Morning Show on WJBR,” said Deanna
Marie. “It felt like the right decision from the very beginning and that
Ive known everyone forever- that is a great sign!”
A seasoned vocalist and theater graduate of Montclair State University, she
has performed at Atlantic City casinos and other entertainment venues along
the East Coast.
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September 2021 (8/19 - 9/15) Nielsen Audio PPM Ratings Day 3: WBNS Leaps To
The Top In Columbus
Posted: 06 Oct 2021 02:00 PM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/213783/september-2021-8-19-9-15-nielsen-audio-ppm-ratings-day-3-wbns-leaps-to-the-top-in-columbus/
Day 3 of Nielsen Audios PPM releases are now available for Charlotte,
Portland, San Antonio, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, Orlando, Las Vegas,
Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Cleveland and Columbus.
All the numbers can be found at RadioInsight.com/Ratings.
iHeartMedia Classic Rock 99.7 The Fox WRFX takes the Charlotte market lead
this month thanks to a 6.0 to 6.7 gain. Beasley Adult RB V101.9 WBAV (5.2
to 5.7) and AC K104.7 WKQC (5.9 to 5.7) tie for second. Radio One Adult RB
105.3 RB WOSF falls from first to a fourth place tie (6.1 to 5.6) with
Beasley Country 103.7 WSOC (6.1 to 5.6).
Despite longtime morning hosts Ace TJ departing the station mid-way
through the monthly, iHeartMedia CHR Hits 96.1 WHQC rises 3.4 to 3.6.
Beasley Hip Hop Power 98 WPEG jumps up 3.8 4.3 5.5, while Radio One
News/Talk 1110 WBT/99.3 WBT-FM trends up 3.8 4.0 4.7. iHeartMedia Country
96.9 The Kat WKKT trends down 6.6 5.8 5.2.
Public News/Talk 91.5 KOPB holds on top of of Portland at an 8.1 share.
iHeartMedia Classic Hits 106.7 The Eagle KLTH slips 7.6 to 7.2, while AC
K103 KKCW rises 6.0 to 6.4. Alpha Media News/Talk 101.1 KXL rises 5.2 to
5.8. iHeartMedia Classic Rock 105.9 The Brew KFBW trends up 3.9 to 4.9.
iHeartMedia CHR Z100 KKRZ slips 4.0 to 3.1, although Conservative Talk 1190
KEX trends up 2.2 2.5 3.2.
Cox Media Group takes the top three spots in San Antonio. Hot AC Magic
105.3 KSMG takes sole possession of the lead 7.7 to 7.0, Classic Hits 101.1
KONO-FM drops 7.7 to 6.7, and Classic Rock 106.7 The Eagle KTKX rises 5.8
to 6.4. iHeartMedia AC Q101.9 KQXT rises 5.1 to 5.8 for fourth. Univision
Regional Mexican Que Buena 92.9 KROM surges up 4.1 to 5.4.
iHeartMedia News/Talk 1530 KFBK/93.1 KFBK-FM regains the sole Sacramento
lead with an 8.7 to 9.8 gain. Audacy Classic Rock 96.9 The Eagle KSEG dips
8.7 to 8.6. Bonneville AC Mix 96 KYMX rises 6.7 to 7.0. Public News/Talk
90.9 KXJZ trends up 4.9 5.4 6.1. iHeartMedia Soft AC 92.5 The Breeze KBEB
dips 6.4 to 6.0.
Bonneville Country 105.1 KNCI has lost nearly half its audience in two
months as it trends down 8.0 6.2 4.4. Also on the downswing is Audacys
Alt 94.7 KKDO (4.2 3.9 3.5). Bonneville Hot AC Now 100.5 KZZO trends up
3.9 4.0 4.6.
Bonneville News/Talk 1160 KSL/102.7 KSL-FM rises 6.8 to 8.2 to claim the
Salt Lake City lead. iHeartMedia Classic Hits 94.1 KODJ drops 8.8 to 8.0.
Bonneville AC FM 100 KSFI dips 6.7 to 6.8. iHeartMedia Conservative Talk
570 KNRS/105.9 KNRS-FM jumps up 5.0 to 6.3. Capitol Broadcasting AC Now
97.9 slips 7.1 to 6.2.
Bonneville Classic Rock 103.5 The Arrow KRSP falls 6.4 to 4.5 for its
lowest share since February 2018. All three CHRs in Salt Lake City show
growth with Cumulus Power 94.9/101.9 KENZ/KHTB up 3.7 to 4.5, iHeartMedias
97.1 ZHT KZHT up 3.3 to 3.5, and Broadway Medias Mix 105.1 KUDD trending up
2.4 2.7 3.3. Trending down are iHeartMedias duo of Hot AC My 99.5 KJMY
3.6 to 2.6 and Rock 106.7 KAAZ 3.6 3.3 1.9.
A bottleneck is occurring at the top of the Orlando market. iHeartMedia CHR
XL 106.7 WXXL rises 6.9 to 7.6 to tie Audacy Classic Hits 105.9 Sunny-FM
WOCL (7.5 to 7.6). Huff notes that the last time WXXL held a share of the
lead was March 2019. Right behind the two were Cox Adult RB Star 94.5 WCFB
up 7.2 to 7.5. Tying for fourth are iHeartMedia Spanish Tropical Rumba
100.3 WRUM (6.6 to 7.0) and Cox Classic Rock 98.9 WMMO (6.3 to 7.0).
iHeartMedia AC Sunny 106.5 KSNE surges up to lead Las Vegas 5.7 6.0 7.5.
Beasley Classic Hits 96.3 KKLZ dips 7.4 to 7.3. Christian AC 90.5 KSOS
rebounds 6.2 to 6.8. Lotus Regional Mexican La Buena 101.9 KWID falls 6.6
to 6.1. iHeartMedia Country 95.5 The Bull jumps up to fifth 3.6 to 5.1.
Beasley Hot AC Star 107.9 KVGS trends up 2.6 3.3 3.6, while iHeartMedia
Classic Rock 93.1 The Mountain KYMT moves in the opposite direction 3.3
2.8 2.1.
iHeartMedia Rock 102.5 WDVE remains in the lead in Pittsburgh with a 9.6 to
10.4 gain. Audacy Sports 93.7 The Fan KDKA-FM rises 8.2 to 8.8. iHeartMedia
Classic Hits 94.5 3WS moves 8.7 to 8.6. Steel City Media Variety Hits 96.9
Bob-FM WRRK surges 6.6 to 8.2. iHeartMedia CHR 96.1 Kiss-FM WKST-FM jumps
up 4.4 to 5.2.
iHeartMedia News/Talk 700 WLW expands its dominance of Cincinnati with a
14.1 to 14.5 gain which Huff notes is its highest since Summer 1990.
Cumulus Classic Hits 103.5 WGRR dips 11.7 to 10.2 for second. Hubbard
Country B105 WUBE falls 7.3 to 6.1, while co-owned CHR Q102 WKRQ is up 4.6
to 4.8. Cumulus AC Warm 98.5 WRRM places fifth 4.6 to 4.7.
iHeartMedia Rock 102.7 WEBN jumps up 3.6 to 4.6, while Cumulus Classic Rock
92.5 The Fox WOFX slides 5.0 to 4.0.
Cumulus Medias duo of Classic Hits 94.9 KCMO-FM (9.4 to 10.1) and Classic
Rock 101 The Fox KCFX (7.7 to 7.6) lead Kansas City. Public News/Talk 89.3
KCUR rises 5.3 to 5.7. Carter Broadcasting Hip Hop Hot 103 Jamz KPRS-FM is
up 5.2 to 5.3. Audacy News/Talk 98.1 KMBZ-FM trends down 5.8 5.2 4.5.
Audacy Country 106.5 The Wolf WDAF-FM rises 3.2 to 4.2 with the start of
the Chiefs season, while both of Steel City Medias Country outlets trend
down. 94.1 KFKF dips 4.8 4.7 3.8 and Q104 KBEQ slides 4.3 3.5 4.2. Both
Alternatives show gains as Audacys Alt 96.5 KRBZ is up 2.7 3.1 3.3 and
Cumulus 105.1 The X KCJK 1.2 2.0 2.7.
Audacy Classic Rock 98.5 WNCX stays on top of Cleveland down 10.2 to 9.6.
Radio One Adult RB 93.1 WZAK rises 8.6 to 8.9 to move up to second.
iHeartMedia Classic Hits Majic 105.7 WMJI slips 9.3 to 8.7. Audacy AC Star
102.1 WDOK places fourth 8.8 to 8.2. iHeartMedia Variety Hits 106.5 The
Lake WHLK moves 7.6 to 7.2.
TEGNA Sports 97.1 The Fan WBNS-FM surges up 5.6 to 8.1 to take the Columbus
market lead. Huff notes that it is the first time WBNS-FM leads Columbus
since it was Easy Listening in 1987 and its highest share since October
2014. iHeartMedia Country 92.3 WCOL rises up 6.9 to 7.9 to take a share of
second with Public News/Talk 89.7 WOSU (8.1 to 7.9). iHeartMedia News/Talk
610 WTVN places fourth 6.7 to 6.9, while CHR 97.9 WNCI dips 7.0 to 6.7.
Saga AC Sunny 94.7 WSNY trends up 4.5 5.5 5.8. Classical 101.1 WOSA dips
down 2.3 1.9 0.7.
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WEEI To Remain Home Of Boston Red Sox
Posted: 06 Oct 2021 11:26 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/213784/weei-to-remain-home-of-boston-red-sox/
Audacy Sports 93.7 WEEI-FM Lawrence/Boston MA has announced it has signed a
multiyear extension to remain the radio home of the Boston Red Sox.
WEEI-FM (and predecessor 850 WEEI) have carried the Red Sox since 1995. The
station will carry all regular season, postseason, and Spring Training
games as part of the deal. WEEI and its regional network affiliates will
also feature a weekly rotation of interviews with Red Sox executives as
part of the stations Greg Hill morning show including team President/CEO
Sam Kennedy, Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom and General Manager Brian
OHalloran, while manager Alex Cora will appear weekly on the “Merloni and
Fauria” afternoon show.
Audacy and the Boston Red Sox have announced a multiyear radio broadcast
contract extension. WEEI (WEEI-FM) will continue to be the Red Sox flagship
radio station, as it has since 1995, airing all Spring Training, regular
season and Postseason baseball games.
“Few things embody the city of Boston better than the Red Sox, and were
delighted to extend our partnership with the team,” said Tim Clarke, Senior
Vice President and Market Manager, Audacy Boston. “The team has delivered
some of the most memorable moments in baseball over the course of the last
two decades and were proud to continue giving our audience a front row
seat to everything surrounding the team.”
“For the past 26 years, WEEI has been alongside us delivering some of the
most memorable moments in Red Sox history on the radio broadcast,” said Sam
Kennedy, President and Chief Executive Officer, Boston Red Sox. “From epic
wins to devastating losses, there has been a constancy through the
dependable and familiar voice of Joe Castiglione and the entire WEEI
broadcast team. We are excited to extend this enduring relationship into a
new era of Red Sox baseball.”
Also part of the partnership, WEEI will continue to air a weekly front
office report with as part of “The Greg Hill Show,” featuring a rotation of
interviews with Red Sox President and Chief Executive Officer Sam Kennedy,
Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom and General Manager Brian OHalloran.
Additionally, afternoon show “Merloni and Fauria” will welcome manager Alex
Cora every week.
Audacy is the unrivaled leader in sports radio, reaching three times more
people than the leading competitor. Audacy is the #1 sports radio ownership
group, which owns and operates 39 all-sports stations across the U.S. Its
unparalleled broadcast portfolio reaches nearly 30 million sports fans
monthly and boasts the nations leading collection of radio play-by-play
coverage. Audacy also serves as the flagship home of 41 professional teams
and over 50 Division 1 collegiate programs, including the New York Yankees
and Boston Red Sox, Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs, Golden State
Warriors and Chicago Bulls, and University of Michigan and University of
Oregon, among others.
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Domain Insight 10/6: What's Next For 91.7 In Houston?
Posted: 06 Oct 2021 11:00 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/213771/domain-insight-10-6-whats-next-for-91-7-in-houston/
With Hope Media Group planning to move Christian Rhythmic NGen Radio off of
its 91.7 signal in Houston to digital distribution on November 8, we now
have a clear idea of whats next for the FM signal.
Plus an upcoming change in Cape Girardeau MO.
This content is for Premium Annual and Premium Monthly members only. Visit
the site and log in/register to read.
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Angelo Cataldi To Retire From WIP Mornings At End Of 2022
Posted: 06 Oct 2021 09:46 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/213775/angelo-cataldi-to-retire-from-wip-mornings-at-end-of-2022/
Audacy Sports 94.1 WIP Philadelphia morning host Angelo Cataldi told
listeners today that he will retire from the station at the end of 2022.
The 70-year-old Cataldi has been with the station since then 610 WIP
flipped to 24/7 Sports Talk in 1989 after previously working as a
sportswriter for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
In making the announcement this morning, Cataldi stated he originally
intended to retire in May 2021, when he took a few weeks off after
experiencing burnout. As part of his decision to retire at the end of 2022,
Cataldi negotiated a one-year extension of his contract that will allow him
to scale back from five days a week to four starting in January taking
Wednesdays off, a driver to take him to and from the Borgata casino in
Atlantic City and for the station to rehire former Marketing Director Cindy
Webster, who had been laid off by Audacy last yea. Webster is now serving
as a special consultant to the morning show.
Cataldi stated that he believes that the rest of the morning team of Al
Morganti, Rhea Hughes, and Keith Jones will remain once he exits the
station.
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Eltons Comeback and the CHR Comeback
Posted: 06 Oct 2021 08:00 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/ross/213482/eltons-comeback-and-the-chr-comeback/
Some thoughts about Elton John & Dua Lipas “Cold Heart,” a surprise Top 40
contender here and the No. 3 song in the U.K., and about comeback singles
overall:
Im glad “Cold Heart” is charting at this cautiously optimistic time for
Top 40 music. Artist comebacks often take place at a time when Top 40 is
grasping for direction. When I championed Lady Gagas “Shallow” three years
ago, I acknowledged that the format still needed its next Gagasomebody who
could generate the provocative-but-playful hits that Madonna, then Gaga had
provided over the years.
That next act turned out to be Dua Lipa. Fifteen months ago, she had to do
a lot of CHRs heavy lifting. Now, in a format that stretches from Olivia
Rodrigo to Lil Nas X to Ed Sheeran to Walker Hayes, “Cold Heart” adds to
the excitement, instead of showing CHRs problems in relief. “Cold Heart”
isnt tasked with solving anything, but it does contribute to pop musics
energy and depth of available producttwo issues that are improving, but
hardly solved yet.
“Cold Heart” benefits from the place that “Rocket Man,” one of the songs it
interpolates, has earned on the eternal jukebox, and from the reinforcement
provided by “Rocketman” the movie, as well as the general trend towards
repurposing hits. Even before “Bohemian Rhapsody” the movie, I wanted a new
Queen and Adam Lambert album. Now that scenario is under discussion. Brian
May says hes struggling for material, but all they really have to do is
rework “Dont Stop Me Now.”
CHR has, in general, been receptive to hits over the last year from the
hitmakers of the formats 2008-13 dominance: Chris Brown, Nelly &
Florida-Georgia Line, Jason Derulo. We have contenders from Pitbull and
Coldplay, with the help of BTS. Some could be called comebacks; others like
Maroon 5 are artists who never fell out of contention at CHR. Given that
any Top 40 resurgence is likely to start with 25-to-34-year-olds, there
should be a place for those acts who can still deliver.
Many of the stations that have stayed strong through radios travails of
the last year are heritage brands. Theres definitely some symmetry in
hearing “Cold Heart” on WHTZ (Z100) New Yorkwhich was playing Elton the
week it launchedor KIIS Los Angeles, or Pitbulls “I Feel Good” on WKTU
New York. How big a hit “Cold Heart” ultimately becomes here doesnt hinge
in any way on a Canadian chart reporter, but I still want to hear it on
CIDR (Virgin Radio), the effective successor to Detroits CKLW, the
legendary Top 40 and longtime Elton supporter that helped break “Bennie and
the Jets.”
Formats such as Triple-A and Adult R&B have always accommodated veteran
acts. The latter has a chart hit this week from Earth, Wind & Fire, who,
like Elton, flipped one of their ‘70s hits (“Cant Hide Love”), brought in
a contemporary artist (Lucky Daye) and are now on the charts alongside the
Isley Brothers, with whom they had a Verzuz battle in April, even as the
Adult R&B format contemporizes. Robert Plants collaboration with Alison
Krauss continues with a top 15 Triple-A hit this week.
In the U.K., veteran artists are a regular presence on the airplay charts,
which are driven by a songs reach, not its spins. It used to be that
behemoth BBC Radio 2 could put a song in the top 25 with just a handful of
widely heard spins. But “Thank You” by Diana Ross was recently top 15. Rod
Stewarts “One More Time” was top 20 last week. Abbas much publicized
return with “Dont Shut Me Out” managed to be No. 9 overall, not just
airplay.
One of the ironies of “Cold Heart” is that it comes at a time when AC and
Adult Top 40 are taking their cues from Mainstream Top 40. American Authors
are making two appearances on Adult Top 40 this weekone by themselves, one
with Santana and Rob Thomas. Acts outside CHRs consideration, have to
scrap to make it into the top 15 at that format. Elton has had top 20 hits
at AC over the years. Its worth noting that his truest hit at AC and Hot
AC in recent memory will be because he pursued CHR.
Ive compiled the wide range of recent singles from veteran artists this
week into “The Comeback Playlist.” It stretches from Elton to still-in-play
acts like Pitbull and Coldplay to the veterans that you might be surprised
to know have recent music. Some are still radio contenders for a reason.
Some are caught in a place between “as good as their classics” and
“contemporary enough to be on the radio today.”
One of the lessons of “Cold Heart” is that any acts still out there
swinging should make a record that can still be on Mainstream CHR.
Sometimes thats just what it takes to be supported at their stronghold
formats (e.g., Martin Garrix with Bono and the Edge at Triple-A) but the
time/space continuum for artist careers is more warped than ever in the
streaming world. Thats probably more likely to lead to a several weeks
resurgence for “Dreams” than Fleetwood Macs return to contemporary
airplay, but the notion of Elton John back on contemporary radio seemed
unlikely too, until it wasnt.
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Kasper Goes Big In Pittsburgh
Posted: 06 Oct 2021 06:20 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/213768/kasper-goes-big-in-pittsburgh/
iHeartMedia Country Big 104.7 WPGB Pittsburgh has tapped Mike Kasper as its
new Program Director and afternoon host.
Kasper most recently was hosting afternoons at Audacy Country US99 WUSN
Chicago, until exiting in the COVID related cuts of April 2020. Prior to
joining WUSN in April 2016, he spent most of his career in CHR with two
stints at iHeartMedia CHR “96.5 Kiss-FM” WAKS Cleveland including one as
APD. He also held APD roles at WRTS Erie and WRVQ Richmond and Music
Director at WAKS and WXLK Roanoke and on-air at WIOQ Philadelphia and B94
WBZZ Pittsburgh. He has recently been tracking middays at Mid-West Family
Broadcasting Country “95.3 The Bull” WRTB Rockford IL and nights at Alpha
Media Hot AC Mix 94.1 WHBC-FM Canton OH.
Kasper fills the opening created by the exit of JD Greene last July after
seven years at the station.
iHeartMedia announced today that Mike Kasper has been named Program
Director and Afternoon Drive Host for BIG 104.7 (WPGB-FM), Pittsburghs #1
for new Country, effective October 11. Kasper will broadcast weekday
afternoons from 3 – 7 p.m.
iHeartMedia has the leading consumer reach and influence across multiple
platforms and delivers more live programming than any other media company.
As Program Director, Kasper will be responsible for overseeing the
programming, research, talent coaching and promotions strategy for the
station. He will report to David Edgar, Senior Vice President of
Programming for iHeartMedia Pittsburgh. In addition, as Afternoon Host,
Kasper will entertain listeners with local lifestyle news and headlines,
audience interaction, and country musics top hits.
“Mike is the ideal person to lead the BIG 104.7 programming department,”
said Edgar. “He will bring his creative lifestyle and promotional ideas to
the station, as well as host a high energy, fun afternoon show for
Pittsburgh.”
Kasper most recently severed as an afternoon host at WUSN-FM, in Chicago.
He began his radio career in Youngstown, Ohio and has served in several on
air and programming positions in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Philadelphia, and
Richmond.
“Im grateful for the opportunity to serve as Program Director and
Afternoon Drive Host for BIG 104.7,” said Kasper. “To be able to do it in
the city that inspired me to get into radio as a kid makes it even more
special. Huge thanks to iHeartMedia Pittsburgh for making it possible.
Cant wait to help create some fun, compelling radio for Pittsburgh!”
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A Party Is Ongoing In Reno
Posted: 06 Oct 2021 05:20 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/213759/a-party-is-ongoing-in-reno/
A third format change took place last week in Reno as Evans Broadcast
Company flipped Country 94.9 The Wolf K235DC Reno/KRFN-HD2 Sparks to CHR as
94.9 The Party.
Positioned as Todays Top Hits, the move pits K235DC up against Reno Media
Groups Alice 96.5 KLCA. That station currently ranks tenth in the market
with a 2.6 share, while the former Country format was unlisted in Nielsens
publicly facing list. The new brand is currently running jockless.
The move marks the end of the Wolf brand that launched on then 92.1 KWFP in
2010. The format moved to 95.1 in August 2018, with the translator sliding
to 94.9 in February 2020. The flip to CHR comes along with the translator
upgrading to 125w/164m increasing its coverage of greater Reno.
Along with K235DC, last week saw Lotus flip AAA 100.1 The X KTHX to Variety
Hits We 100.1 KWEE and Reno Media Group rebrand Classic Country 96.9 The
Rodeo K245BV/KLCA-HD3 as Willie 96.9.
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Reuters: Spanish Broadcasting System keeps $800k fee win in music copyright
case
Posted: 05 Oct 2021 03:45 PM PDT
https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/spanish-broadcasting-system-keeps-800k-fee-win-music-copyright-case-2021-10-05/
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As Number Of Inappropriate Behavior Allegations Rise WTMX Takes Eric
Ferguson Off Schedule Through October
Posted: 05 Oct 2021 03:12 PM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/213746/as-number-inappropriate-behavior-allegations-rise-wtmx-takes-eric-ferguson-off-schedule-through-october/
With the number of inappropriate behavior allegations against Hubbard Hot
AC 101.9 The Mix WTMX Chicago morning host Eric Ferguson rising to three,
the company has removed him from the stations programming through the month
of October.
In a memo to staff published by RobertFeder.com, Hubbard Chicago VP/Market
Manager Jeff England told employees, We have made the decision that Eric
will not be on the air through October. We take these allegations seriously
and we are confident in the results of multiple investigations we have
initiated. But we also owe it to ourselves and our listeners to have a
deliberate and thoughtful process about our path forward, and candidly we
are not there yet.
Feder reported earlier today that former co-host Melissa McGurren became
the third former WTMX employee to allege misconduct against Ferguson.
McGurren, who served as morning traffic reporter from 1998 until being
promoted to co-host in 2017, departed WTMX last December and has since
joined Audacy Country US99 WUSN in the same role, wrote in a court filing,
I contend that Eric Ferguson is a serial abuser of women and that for many
years, the management of The Mix has protected Ferguson in allowing him to
continue in perpetrating his misconduct that goes far beyond the limits of
decency despite ample notice from me and many of my co-workers that
Fergusons behavior is unlawful. When she departed the station after being
off the air for several months, McGurren posted a video stating that the
truth will come out.
McGurrens filing was submitted as evidence to a defamation lawsuit against
Hubbard by former producer Cynthia DeNicolo. DeNicolo sued Hubbard in May
stating that Ferguson was responsible for her dismissal 16 years after she
stopped providing oral sex and was berated by him in front of other workers
and pressuring her to babysit his children.
Kristen Mori, a former account executive at WTMX, has alleged that Ferguson
groped her at their stations Christmas party in 2003.
Ferguson has hosted mornings at WTMX since 1996. He was paired with Kathy
Hart until Harts departure from the show after multiple months missing in
2017. Co-hosts Violeta Podrumedic, Brian ‘Whip Paruch, and John ‘Swany
Swanson remain in place.
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