January 2003

Big Frog 104 (WFRG) celebrated 15 years on the air Friday morning with a surprise anniversary party during Matt Herkimer’s morning drive show. Herkimer, who is the only original air personality left at the station, welcomed several local dignitaries including State Senator Ray Meier, Utica Mayor Tim Julian, and Rome Mayor Joe Griffo.

While 570 WSYR and WIXT TV 9 may not be under the same roof, the two Clear Channel broadcast facilities continue integrating their news resources. Leila Walsh recently joined NewsChannel 9 as a reporter; she’ll remain a morning co-anchor at WSYR.

Syracuse was front and center in the debate over media ownership on Capitol Hill on Thursday. Robert Short Jr, former owner of WRDS 102.1 FM, testified before congress that Clear Channel and Citadel forced him out of the Syracuse radio market. Charging that he had to sell WRDS to Galaxy Communications because Clear Channel owned

It was another great ratings period for Froggy 97 (WFRY) in Watertown. In Arbitron numbers released today for fall 2002, with a 26.6, the Regent Communications country formatted station’s 12+ numbers were more than double those of second place Border 102.7. Real Rock 100.7 saw a nice 3 point jump while Z93 (WCIZ) and Magic

How does a Louisiana girl end up in 30 inches of Syracuse snow programming the market’s newest radio station? AllAccess.com has the scoop as Erin Bristol, program director of New Rock 105, The Dog, answers “10 Questions” from Alternative editor Shawn Alexander.

UTICA-ROME — It’s been a year and a half since the Utica-Rome radio market has had a sole station at the top of the 12+ ratings. For the past two books, Lite 98.7 (WLZW) and Big Frog 104 (WFRG) have been in a dead heat. For the fall 2002 ratings period, Lite 98.7 has pulled

The nationally syndicated husband and wife team of Ken and Daria Dolan will be in Syracuse on Thursday. The Dolans, whose WOR network radio show is heard locally on TalkRadio 1050 (WFBL), will broadcast their financial advice show live from WFBL’s studios on Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m. and appear at a signing for

It’s been a year and a half since the Utica-Rome radio market has had a sole station at the top of the 12+ ratings. For the past two books, Lite 98.7 (WLZW) and Big Frog 104 (WFRG) have been in a dead heat. For the fall 2002 ratings period, Lite 98.7 has pulled ahead of

WHEN’s program director, Jim Lerch, has picked up the same title over at sister station 570 WSYR. Lerch takes over from Bill Carey who remains new director and afternoon anchor at WSYR, positions he move from WIXT TV 18 months ago.

There was good news and bad news for Clear Channel in the latest ratings for the Syracuse market released today by Arbitron. In 12+ numbers, 570 WSYR moved up from fifth to second place in the rankings with a 1.7 ratings point increase. Power 106.9 also took a jump adding 1.6 ratings points to bring