SYRACUSE -- Big news from the Citadel camp on James Street this afternoon: the station confirms WNSS will remain a sports-talker branded as "The Score 1260" as of March 5th. Even more of a surprise: Lite Rock 105.9 will be flipped to an FM talk format, branded as "105.9 The Big Talker."
Update 2:00pm: These changes are now confirmed by Citadel - see the full story.
SYRACUSE -- Looks like ESPN Radio 1260 (WNSS) will be branded as "The Score 1260" after it loses its ESPN affiliation later next week. The new name was revealed by a website that keeps a close eye out for new radio station website domain registrations. They've also uncovered a possible format flip for another station in the cluster.
SYRACUSE -- About a day after CNY Talk Radio (WFBL/WMCR-A) noontime host Jon Alvarez posted a Facebook tribute to Joe Stack, the social networking site pulled the page down, citing a policy banning "hateful or threatening" pages. Stack was the pilot who took his own life and one other when he crashed a small plane into an IRS office in Texas earlier this week.
Updated 2/22 with response from station owner James Johnson.
SYRACUSE -- Remember The Sandman Serenade from WOLF back in the 1940s and 1950s? You may already know public broadcaster WCNY-FM has had a revival of the show on its HD2 channel for some time now. But starting tonight, they've got "The Sandman" himself back in the air chair. Even if you don't remember the original show, chances are you'll recognize the host by his real name.
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:
SYRACUSE -- Online sports columnist and radio talk show host Brent Axe will be getting some national TV time this coming weekend, covering the historical outdoor AHL game at the State Fairgrounds.
SYRACUSE -- Congratulations once again to Ted Long and Amy Robbins -- the morning show duo at Citadel's 93Q (WNTQ) have another award to add to their display case. Ted and Amy are among eight people in the community named as winners of the 2010 Post-Standard Achievement Awards.
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.
ITHACA -- Fans of Jimmy Fallon are in for a special treat Monday morning... the comedian and late night TV talk show host will be part of the Valentine's Day Special on "Mikey Mike's Monday Morning Madness" this coming Monday on Ithaca College's WICB (91.7 FM).