ITHACA -- Good news from the folks at Saga's Q-Country 103.7 (WQNY) to go along with our latest Picture of the Week. Thanks to many generous listeners, the station's weekend-long plans to collect "A Ton of Toys" actually ended early when the goal was met.
When the new year rings in, you'll need cable or satellite television to keep up with broadcasting legend Larry King. Westwood One recently announced they're taking King's show off the radio at the end of this year, ending a 52-year run in national radio syndication.
UTICA-ROME -- The sale of WRUN 1150 from Albany-based Northeast Public Radio to Bud Williamson's Digital Radio Broadcasting is now official. The deal (first reported in July), which included a swap for another station plus some cash, closed last week.
Updated 12/10 at 10pm with WRUN call letters changed to WUTI.
ONEIDA -- Things are sounding a little different at WMCR-FM this morning. The station has rebranded itself as "Mix 106." An anonymous tipster told us about the change late last night. Listening this morning, the changes appear to be minor so far.
FLORIDA -- A former owner of WSGO(AM) and the man who started WGES-FM has died. Robert Gessner was 86 years old when he passed away in Florida. Today, you might know WGES-FM better as WTKV, the Oswego-based repeater of Galaxy classic rocker TK99 (WTKW). Dave Bullard has a complete profile on Gessner's accomplishments at oswegocountytoday.com.
SYRACUSE -- Starting in March, there will be a new home for ESPN Radio. Galaxy Communications is not only taking over the network affiliation from Citadel's WNSS 1260 -- the company will be offering ESPN's programming on the FM band, and it will bring the Spanish-language programming of ESPN Deportes into the market.
Updated at noon with Citadel response. Updated at 8pm to include Utica stations.
SYRACUSE -- There's no more Buckley Radio in Central New York. The Connecticut-based company's sale of its three-station Syracuse cluster to Leatherstocking Media Group has officially closed.
CINCINNATI -- Regent Communications, the owner of four Utica-Rome radio stations, is once again facing the prospect of being dropped from the Nasdaq Stock Market. The company has struggled for more than a year to bring its stock price above Nasdaq's standard minimum of $1.00 per share.
SYRACUSE/UTICA -- It's been 30 years since Dave Frisina started featuring local musicians on his popular show Soundcheck, and this Sunday night, listeners have a rare chance to hear the very first show from 1979.
SYRACUSE -- Believe it or not, it's been 20 years since Sunny 102 (WZUN) morning host "Big Mike" Fiss presented his very first collection of holiday favorites performed by local musicians. So why is this year's "Christmastime in Syracuse" being labeled as Volume 15?