Kane Show Gets Mornings at ’93.3 FLZ’ Tampa. “93.3 FLZ” WFLZ-FM, Tampa, announces a replacement for the MJ Morning Show, when MJ Kelli (Todd Schnitt) exits to concentrate on his nationally syndicated afternoon talk “Schnitt Show,” which originates at WFLZ-FM sister WFLA-AM. The Kane Show will take over “93.3 FLZ” mornings, while continuing on “Hot 99.5″ WIHT-FM, Washington DC, starting February 20. Kane has been on-air at FLZ since 1998, first starting with his evening show, and for the past eight years on WFLZ-FM in afternoons via voicetracking since based in DC. Clear Channel Tampa Operations Manager Doug Hamand says, “It’s a fantastic move for the Kane Show, the audience already knows and loves him. I can’t think of anyone else to fill the big shoes that MJ is leaving.” WFLZ-FM Program Director Tommy Chuck adds, “I am excited to have Kane as the foundation for WFLZ’s next decade of dominance. The Kane Show will make it a lot of fun to wake up in Tampa Bay with a lot of laughs and all of today’s biggest hit music.”
Merlin, NBC Reportedly ‘Testing’ News Sharing in Chicago. Merlin Media “FM News 101.1″ WIQI-FM, Chicago, and NBC’s WMAQ-TV are reportedly “testing” a news partnership arrangement. Chicago media reporter Robert Feder at Time Out Chicago reports “FM News 101.1″ VP of Programming Andy Friedman told staffers “the partnership could entail the use of NBC 5 audio on his station’s newscasts, the appearance of FM News 101.1 personnel on NBC 5 newscasts, and the sharing of assignments and online content between the two stations.” WMAQ-TV officials told Feder that the alliance is “very informal” and “more of a test to see if we can both benefit.” Says WMAQ-TV VP of Research, Programming and Press Toni Falvo, “We’re letting them use some actualities with credit to NBC 5. If it makes sense, our reporters may talk with their anchors about the stories they are covering.” The two stations’ assignment desks also may share tips. Feder starts his report with what may be the bottom line on this: “Nobody knows where it’s headed.”
Michele Tafoya Exiting WCCO-AM Minneapolis Afternoons. Michele Tafoya says this will be the final week for her afternoon talk show on WCCO-AM, Minneapolis, so that she can concentrate on her sports reporting duties for NBC television, including as a sideline reporter for Sunday Night Football.
Tafoya tweets: “Have just loved the past four years on @WCCORadio and will miss PM drive a lot.” CBS Radio Market Manager Mick Anselmo says Tafoya has worked seven days a week for 20 consecutive weeks and “runs out of gas.”
WCCO-AM midday host John Williams will move to afternoons. Evening host John Hines will cover middays, at least temporarily.
Khloe Kardashian Tries Radio at ‘Mix 102.9′ Dallas. Clear Channel’s “Mix 102.9″ KDMX-FM, Dallas, announces that Reality TV star Khloe Kardashian Odom will be the newest member of the on-air staff, starting Monday (Jan. 30). “Mix 102.9″ announces the new show on its website: “We’re proud to announce the latest addition to our staff, Khloe Kardashian Odom! The Mix Up with Khloe takes over DFW noon-1pm starting Monday from our studios in Dallas. This daily, one-hour, commercial-free show will have Khloe talking to you, taking requests and chatting with her celeb friends and more.” Operations Manager Patrick Davis tells us, “Khloe has the perfect mix of personality and sincerity that will fit right in on Mix 102.9.” And yes, that’s the same Khloe Kardashian from “Keeping Up With The Kardashians” and “Khloe Lamar.”
Man with Gun at Tulsa Radio Stations Pleads Guilty. A plea deal results in a guilty plea from a man, who armed with a gun, walked into the offices of Tulsa radio stations KBEZ-FM and KHTT-FM, demanding to speak with a morning radio personality, one year ago. Barry Emery Styles pleads guilty to charges of using a gun to threaten employees at the stations. Styles waived his right to a trial and pleaded guilty to five felony counts of assault with a dangerous weapon. His plea agreement calls for a 15-year sentence. The case had been delayed while mental health issues were evaluated. The Department of Corrections will now prepare a sentencing background report.
Liquid Compass Names New COO. Denver-based Liquid Compass bolsters its management team, adding five new team members including new COO Stephen Guillot, following a months-long, nationwide search to fill the position. Guillot is expected to have an immediate positive impact on Liquid Compass’s reach to new business verticals and overall financial performance. Also joining Liquid Compass as SVP of Sales is Thomas Callahan, who brings extensive experience from CBS Radio, Metro Networks, Standard News Radio Networks and as GM at several radio stations. Also new at Liquid Compass are Jaxon Repp as Director of Development, and two new account managers, Dean Licata and Tyler Brookfield. Liquid Compass provides streaming services for more than one thousand U.S. radio stations.
Triton Digital Signs Hubbard Radio. Triton Digital announces that Hubbard Radio has signed for Triton’s end-to-end streaming services. Under the new contract, Triton will provide streaming, ad injection and measurement for Hubbard’s 17 stations across five major markets. “The simplicity and efficiency of having our streaming services managed by a single source was very appealing to us as we looked to evolve our digital strategy,” says Hubbard Radio VP of Digital Media Mark Preston. “Triton provides top-notch services across the board, and we hope that having all the services we need centralized on one platform will help us better serve our online listeners.”
Pandora Again Tops Triton Digital Rankings. Pandora is again on top of Triton Digital’s Internet audio ranker for December 2011. ,Triton Digital uses Average Active Sessions (AAS) to rank online broadcasters, and Pandora topped the December Domestic Ranker for the work week (M-F, 6a-8p) with 1,143,060 AAS and over 455 million Session Starts. In November, Pandora crossed one million AAS for the first time. In December Pandora’s numbers increased even further. Clear Channel was again ranked second, CBS Radio third, Slacker up to fourth, followed by Cumulus in the fifth position. Rounding out the top ten are ESPN Radio, EMF Corporate, Entercom, Cox Radio and Digitally Imported.
Dave Wingert Joins Omaha’s ‘Big O’. Dave Wingert joins 80s-90s Adult Variety Hits “Big O 101.9″ KOOO-FM, Omaha, Nebraska, as morning host. He previously was the morning host at crosstown Classic Hits “Superhits 99.9″ KGOR-FM. “Dave is an exceptional talent with an uncanny ability to connect with listeners of all generations,” says Market Manager Andy Ruback. “To have him back on the air in Omaha is essential to continue to raise the bar in the radio market and offer listeners throughout the community a mass appeal morning show that will make people wake up and feel good.” Program Directpr Ethan Stone adds, “Dave Wingert is a critical addition to our team to evolve the station overall.” And Wingert tells us, “It is a thrill to return to the airwaves and help take Big O to new heights in the Omaha metro. I love everything about Omaha, especially the listeners. Big O is all about Omaha – the community, its people, its activities and especially the music that fits Omaha. This is a station developed by and for Omahans and I am ecstatic to be part of the Big O team.”
Kade Joins Philadelphia’s ‘Radio 104.5′ for Evenings. Alternative Rock “Radio 104.5″ WRFF-FM, Philadelphia, Program Director John Allers tells TPMedia that Kade is joining the station as the new evening air personality from 6-11pm. Says Allers, “Kade has impressed me as one of the premiere Alt-Rock DJ’s in the country and adds a very fresh new sound to Radio 104.5 evenings where he will also host our nightly feature ‘Majority Rules.’” Kade tells us, “Kade Show is all about connecting with the nerdy and artistic side of the Alternative audience…You know, the rock roll misfits! I’ve been on the air in Las Vegas, Dallas and Los Angeles, now excited to add Philly to the list. Many thanks to John Allers and Wendy Rollins for the opportunity to be on Radio 104.5, a station with great taste and excellent cred in the Indie Music and Alternative world.”
Total Traffic Network Names Marv Nyren Regional Director of Affiliate Development. Clear Channel’s Total Traffic Network names Marv Nyren Regional Director of Affiliate Development for the Midwest, based in Chicago. Nyren joins Total Traffic from many years at Emmis Communications, most recently as SVP and Regional Manager for Phoenix, Indianapolis and Chicago. In his new position, Nyren will work with radio and television affiliates developing new business opportunities, as well as managing and growing existing station distribution. The TTN Midwest region includes Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Minneapolis, Kentucky, Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota.
Dial Global to Syndicate ‘Overnight America’. Dial Global, in partnership with CBS “NewsRadio 1120″ KMOX-AM, St. Louis, is launching “Overnight America with Jon Grayson” into syndication. The show will be available to radio stations January 30. The show started at KMOX-AM a little over three years ago and currently airs 1-6am with simulcasting on CBS Radio’s WCCO-AM, Minneapolis, and KDKA-AM, Pittsburgh. “Programmers across the country know that a solid overnight show is critical to strong morning drive ratings,” says SVP of News Talk Amy Bolton. “Overnight America brings strong audiences to daybreak.”
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