March 2010

OSWEGO — He was the very first voice heard on the air when WRVO signed on more than four decades ago.  Along the way, he served in just about every capacity possible at the station — and this morning, General Manager John Krauss announced he plans to retire at the end of the month. Updated

ITHACA/CORTLAND — There are three more HD Radio offerings in the market now, thanks to the recent addition of multicasting equipment at Saga’s Q-Country 103.7 (WQNY).  The market’s perennial ratings leader is now available in HD, and its subchannels are helping to improve the coverage of its two AM sister stations in the Cayuga Radio

SYRACUSE and UTICA-ROME —  The trio of Modern Rock KRock stations (WKRL North Syracuse/WKRH Minetto/WKLL Frankfort) is giving listeners direct control over the songs played on the stations every Saturday night.  It’s all made possible by an online voting system launched last summer by Triton Media.

UTICA/ROME — The Mars Hill Network, flagshipped by Syracuse’s WMHR, is a big step closer to adding another full-strength FM signal to its collection. The FCC has approved a construction permit (CP) for the new signal in Herkimer County.

BOONVILLE — We’re a bit late with this one: fans of the oldies music format on WBRV (900AM) can now get their classic hits fix on the FM side of the dial.  It’s all thanks to Flack Broadcasting’s planned acquisition of an FM translator signal no longer needed by North Country Public Radio.

SYRACUSE — Even though her old affiliate, Lite Rock 105.9 (WLTI) is now an all-talk station, Delilah’s still on the air in Syracuse.  Listeners who like to “slow down and love someone” with the popular syndicated hostess just need to slide their radios down to Y94FM (WYYY).

UTICA-ROME — Today’s shift of ESPN Radio over to Galaxy Communications stations in Syracuse and Utica-Rome has had another impact on competitors.  Arjuna Broadcasting’s WNRS 1420 shifts to a hybrid format of Fox Sports Radio during the day and Bloomberg Financial Radio in the evening.

ITHACA/CORTLAND — There have been recent some personnel changes at ROI Broadcasting’s Z95.5 (WFIZ).  Former morning host Birdman exits the station, PD “Corey at Night” becomes just “Corey” as he moves to morning drive, and the station hires “Nikii” to co-host mornings.  But that’s not all.

SYRACUSE — A number of changes first announced in December finally took place today.  ESPN Radio has changed its Syracuse affiliation over from Citadel’s WSKO (formerly WNSS) 1260 over to a four-station simulcast including two AMs and two FM translators owned by Galaxy. 

SYRACUSE — CNY Talk Radio (WFBL/WMCR-AM) local midday host Jon Alvarez announced on today’s broadcast that he’s ending his show, effective immediately.   Starting Monday, the stations will fill the time with an extra hour of Laura Ingraham until a permanent replacement is named. (Updated 6:50pm with correction.)