CNYRADIO.COM -- For many people, a new year represents a clean slate. Here at CNYRadio.com, your editor is trying to make some improvements to the site in the new year. The changes already started: a new Facebook page launched late in 2010, and work is underway (when the news slows down enough) on a new layout design for the website. Concurrently, I'm doing some housecleaning: after much consideration, I've decided to terminate the CNYRadio.com Station Wiki.
SYRACUSE and UTICA-ROME -- Eastlan Ratings just released their Fall 2010 audience estimates today. Those expecting major shakeups may be disappointed -- the top three stations in both Syracuse and Utica/Rome held their respective ground. But in both markets, you won't have to look any further than the top 5 to see changes.
UTICA/ROME -- Since we first reported longtime Utica personality Bill Keeler was fired from 92.7 The Drive (WXUR) on New Year's Eve, fans have been showing their support in many ways. Message boards have been abuzz, and word is spreading on Facebook and other social media sites about a "Bring Back Keeler" rally set to take place this Saturday night.
UTICA/ROME -- Calling hours will take place tomorrow evening for Tom Burke, a former radio personality who owned his own Utica-area advertising agency and DJ business. Burke, known for singing many of his clients' jingles himself, was 45 years old. He leaves behind a wife and two children.
Minor updates 1/3 at 5:00pm. SYRACUSE -- It's been expected for quite some time now, and at 7:00 this evening, it happened: Clear Channel heritage news/talker 570 WSYR is now being simulcast on the FM dial. But you'd almost think it was the other way around -- with new liners and a new logo branding the station "FM Newsradio 106.9 WSYR," with almost no mention of the AM dial.
SYRACUSE -- The new year begins with new developments in the ongoing dispute between Time Warner Cable and Sinclair Broadcast Group. Instead of being pulled off cable lineups nationwide last night, 31 Sinclair stations -- including Syracuse's Fox 68 (WSYT) and My43 (WNYS), will remain available on cable... for at least two more weeks.
UTICA/ROME -- According to a story on Utica Daily News, the online newspaper owned by Bill Keeler, his wakeup show on WXUR has been cancelled. The story says owner Mindy Barstein wants to put the syndicated Bob & Tom Show on mornings. Keeler was offered the chance to move to afternoons, but declined. Updated 5:20pm with official statement from WXUR owner Mindy Barstein.
CENTRAL NEW YORK -- If you checked out "The Year in Review: 2010," posted earlier today, you know there were certainly many big stories this year. But which stories were the biggest? Which stories got the most attention from CNYRadio.com readers? As per our tradition, we just checked our server stats to see which stories had the most hits over the past 365 days, and we present to you now, the top 10 stories of 2010.
CENTRAL NEW YORK -- When you think of all the station sales and format flips we recapped right here exactly one year ago, we wondered how 2010 would compare with 2009. After all, 2009 was a pretty busy year. But, as we once again review all that happened over the past twelve months... 2010 did a pretty good job in carving out an identity all its own.
UTICA -- Time Warner Cable has responded to a letter from four Utica-area lawmakers to the FCC, urging the Commission to push Time Warner Cable into an agreement that would bring Utica NBC affiliate WKTV back to local cable lineups. Meantime, WKTV has its own response -- including support from Nexstar Broadcasting in the form of a petition to the FCC to get Scranton's WBRE removed from Time Warner's Utica-area lineups.