CBS Radio’s new “All News 99.1” WNEW-FM, Washington DC, announces more hires ahead of the station’s January 19 launch. Jill Schlesinger, Editor-at-Large of CBS MoneyWatch, joins the morning team to provide business news every thirty minutes at :15 and :45 and traffic reporter Lisa Baden will handle traffic reports for the new station’s morning show. The morning team is anchored by the previously announced team of Bill Rehkopf and Amy Morris. WNEW-FM Program Director Rob Sanchez says Schlesinger “has a refreshing, lively, no nonsense approach to reporting business news” and
Baden’s “knowledge and passion are unparalleled in DC traffic reporting.” CBS Radio Washington DC SVP and Market Manager Steve Swenson tells us, “We’ve assembled an impeccable roster of anchors, reporters and production personnel to create all-news 99.1 WNEW, with Lisa and Jill adding strength to an already deep group. From the moment we launch, listeners will hold our talented staff in the same high regard we do, and concur that their background, expertise and delivery is as good, if not better, than any else who broadcasts this format.”
Tias Schuster is named Operations Manager and Program Director of Entercom CHR-Top40 “B 93.7″ WFBC-FM and AC “Magic 98.9″ WSPA-FM, Greenville, SC. Schuster was previously at Entercom Norfolk as Digital Content Director and PD of Rhythmic CHR “Z104 – The 757 Party Station” WNVZ-FM. It is a return to WFBC for Schuster, who was previously afternoon drive host there. He will host an on-air shift to be announced. Schuster started at Entercom Greenville in 1997 as WFBC’s station mascot and an intern. Says Schuster, “This is an incredible story to tell any intern. I started my radio career as WFBC’s Buzzy the Bee and to return home as PD for such great group of stations is a tremendous opportunity. I look forward to taking Entercom Greenville to the next level of domination in the market I call home. I will miss the 757 Party crew at WNVZ. They taught me a lot and I look forward to watching the continued growth and success of that legendary brand.” Entercom Greenville GM Randy Cable tells us, “Today the strongest cluster in the market got even stronger. Entercom Greenville delivers the biggest and the best audience in the market and Tias Schuster brings with him the experience, strong local knowledge and tremendous passion to help us deliver even better results.”
Former KGO-AM, San Francisco, talk host Dr. Bill Wattenburg will begin a weekly syndicated show via TRN, starting
January 22. “The Bill Wattenburg Show” will be available for three hours on Sunday nights. “We are ecstatic to have a person of Dr. Bill Wattenburg’s caliber to join our network,” says TRN Entertainment CEO Mark Masters. “His vast knowledge of Science and Physics will enlighten all of his listeners. We believe he will quickly develop legions of dedicated fans that want to improve their personal knowledge and way of life.” Wattenburg was among the casualties of KGO-AM’s recent programming changes as a number of talk shows were eliminated after Cumulus acquired the former Citadel station.
The NAB is now accepting entries for the 2012 Crystal Radio Awards, recognizing outstanding community service. The newly streamlined entry process is now available online, and entries are due by January 31. To qualify, a station must submit an entry describing their community service efforts for the past calendar year. “NAB is proud to recognize the hard work and commitment to community that is demonstrated by local stations,” says NAB EVP of Radio John David. Crystal Radio Awards finalists and winners are chosen by judges with broadcast and community service backgrounds. Entry information is available on NAB’s website.
Research In Motion announces that two models of their BlackBerry phones will offer the ability to listen to FM radio. BlackBerry parent company RIM announced its new 7.1 OS at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas Monday (Jan. 9). The upgrade includes the launch of FM radio capabilities on two of its BlackBerry Curve models, 9360 and 9380. Users who update their OS to 7.1 will now have access to FM radio circuitry, which was already built in to their smartphones. The new software simply activates the FM chip, and includes a new app allowing users to receive local FM stations. RIM says that “listening to the FM radio does not require a data plan or use data services.”
Entercom Norfolk welcomes Timothy Robisch as cluster Director of Sales. He transfers from Entercom Kansas City, where he was Director of National Sales and GSM of “106.5 The Wolf” WDAF-FM. The Norfolk cluster includes WPTE-FM, WWDE-FM, WNVZ-FM and WVKL-FM. “I’m excited to have Tim lead Norfolk’s sales’ effort,” says Entercom Norfolk VP and Market Manager Bennett Zier. “Tim’s track record is very impressive and I’m certain that his depth of experience will be a great asset as we look forward to a year of growth in 2012. Tim is an outstanding addition to the Entercom Norfolk team.”
The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF) has extended the entry submission deadline for the 37th Annual Gracie Awards to January 13. The Gracies recognize the realistic and faceted portrayal of women in entertainment, news, commercials and other programs. Category and entry information can be found online. Women working in television, radio, or digital media are encouraged to submit their entries or nominate the work of their colleagues. AWMF introduced a new entry site, complete with increased functionality, a smoother design, and new options to make the submission process easier than ever. The Gracie Awards, established in 1975, recognize exemplary programming across a wide spectrum of media, national and local markets, and content areas. More information is available from the AWMF website.
Cool Broadcasting is launching a new two hour weekly acoustic Country program. “Cool Country Live From Ocean Way Nashville” begins March 3. A celebrity host for the show will be named soon. Each week’s show will feature Country music stars in an acoustic setting recorded live at Ocean Way Nashville in the heart of Music Row with a live audience. The new show will also include a “Songwriters Corner,” spotlighting hit songwriters and songs that have risen to the top of the charts and a segment dedicated to “Cool New Faces,” a new act that is charting. “Cool Country Live from Ocean Way Nashville” will be available on a market exclusive, barter basis.
A former XM employee has been convicted of embezzling almost $1 million from the satcaster before it merged with Sirius. According to the Washington Examiner, 46-year-old Brenda Jones pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in the theft of more than $900,000. Prosecutors say Jones was an administrator in XM’s accounts payable office in 2005 and 2006, and embezzled “large payments” that were supposed to go to XM vendors, but instead went into her personal bank account. Jones had an accomplice, a co-worker who received a portion of the stolen funds. The scheme was discovered in 2010 when vendors called complaining they had not been paid. Jones will have to pay back the money and spend about two years in prison.
Former FCC Chairman Michael Powell regrets his 2004 vote in favor of changing agency policy to fine radio and TV stations for fleeting expletives. “If I were voting again, I would have dissented,” says Powell, who is now President of the National Cable and Telecommunications Association. In an interview with Bloomberg, in advance of the U.S. Supreme Court case on broadcast indecency, Powell says, “I’ve always been deeply troubled by the way the First Amendment changes when you change channels.” His current position puts him on the side of Fox Networks Group as well as cable operators. Fox is one of the broadcast companies fighting the fleeting expletives policy before the Supreme Court which is set to hear arguments Tuesday (Jan. 10).
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