Utica-Rome Radio

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.

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.

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. 

OSWEGO — Dave Bullard is back on the airwaves as the new Senior News Reporter/Producer at the WRVO Stations.  He posted the news on his Facebook page last week, he started at the NPR affiliate on Monday and his first story aired today.

SYRACUSE and UTICA-ROME — Arbitron continues to embargo the public release of ratings information for these two markets, but the competing Eastlan Ratings service is now sharing its version of the station performance story with the general public.

UTICA — Lots of people in the Mohawk Valley are familiar with “Heart Weekend” but did you know it all started with a radiothon on WIBX almost four decades ago?  The news/talker is getting ready to go live for its 39th year of raising money for the American Heart Association this Friday and Saturday.

CINCINNATI — Regent Communications, the parent company of four radio stations in the Utica-Rome market, has filed for a “prearranged” Chapter 11 bankruptcy in order to eliminate $87 million in debt.

OSWEGO — National Public Radio affiliate WRVO announced plans to launch a new locally-produced show co-hosted by Morning Edition host Jason Smith and reporter Jasmyn Belcher. Weekly Edition is set to debut on March 19.

SYRACUSE — Regular fans of Gomez & Dave in the Morning on Syracuse’s TK99/105 (WTKW/WTKV) and Utica’s WOUR may recall recently hearing co-host Dave Coombs had thyroid surgery.  If you haven’t seen, here’s Dave in post-op recovery:

UTICA-ROME — A recent “human billboard” stunt during Bill Keeler’s morning show on 92.7 The Drive (WXUR) was quickly brought to a halt after a National Grid employee witnessed the gag and called the police.  It’s a story that could serve as a good lesson to any other stations considering similar stunts.