Utica

With its impending purchase of the Ackerley Group, which includes WIXT (channel 9), Clear Channel Communications may be forced to sell at least one of its Syracuse radio stations to adhere to federal regulations. Look for a couple of their AM stations in Utica to be sold as well.

Local National Public Radio affiliate WRVO FM 90 begins its eight-day fall fundraiser today.

In an effort to bring its rankings of the top 285 radio markets in the country up-to-date with the latest census figures, Arbitron rating service has released a new list which reflects minor changes for upstate New York markets.

B104.7 (WBBS) midday jock Amber Taylor has added to her duties the midday shift at Utica’s top 40 station WSKS (Kiss-FM). She’ll voice track her show using the name Grace Kruz. She also keeps her Amber Taylor country gig at Utica’s Bob 102.5 (WRBY). All three stations are owned by Clear Channel Communications.

Sid Rosenberg, the recently fired sports anchor for “Imus in the Morning” is back on the air after apologizing for his on-air comments about Venus and Serena Williams. Saying that he didn’t intend to hurt anyone and that “what I said was not appropriate”, Rosenberg expressed his regrets over comments including that the sisters are

Nationally syndicated talk host Jim Bohannon has signed a three-year contract extension with Westwood One. Bohannon’s late-night call-in show airs on more than 300 radio stations nationwide, including WSYR AM 570 here in Syracuse and WIBX AM 950 in Utica.

No doubt about it, Clear Channel Communications is the radio industry’s heaviest hitter. The group owns 1,200 stations in the United States including six in Syracuse.  A recent article in Salon.com characterizes them as “Radio’s Big Bully.”  Galaxy Communications’ Ed Levine is quoted in the piece.  (2008 Update: the article is still live on Salon’s

Local public broadcasting outlet WCNY has named Paul A. Dunn of Clinton, NY as its new station manager. Dunn, who steps up from his role as director of corporate support, will oversee WCNY-TV (channel 24) and public radio station “Classic FM” which is broadcast regionally on 91.3 FM in Syracuse (WCNY-FM), 89.5 FM in Utica