WFAN-AM New York morning host Craig Carton will be the keynote speaker at WJPZ's 23rd annual "Birthday Bash" in March 1, according to the SU student-run station's Alumni Association. The first induction class into the newly-created "WJPZ Hall of Fame" will also take place at the banquet.
From the "better late than never" file, AllAccess.com reports that WIBX has signed a deal to carry live coverage of Utica College sports. Former Clear Channel "Sports Stars Network" personalities Dave Peroni and Fred Miller will serve as commentators.
After nearly 3 years off the air, we're excited to be back! CNYRadio.com is now under new management who missed the old site. After getting the blessing from founder Scott Jameson to stage a revival, we spent 3 months on design and testing... and here we are! As always, it won't be a success without your help... send in your tips about events, format changes, comings-and-goings and job postings to cnyradio {at} gmail <dot> com. Confidentiality requests are always honored... for more details on our news submission policy, click the "About" link.
Reliable sources tell CNYRadio.com that Newsradio 570 WSYR anchor Jason Smith is moving to the WRVO Stations in Oswego. Smith joined WSYR a little over two years ago, working his way from overnights to assignment editor and morning drive anchor. We're told Smith's last day at WSYR is today, but no word on when he'll begin at WRVO.
Mike McConnell is gone from the weekday lineup at Newsradio 570 WSYR. But if you were a fan, don't blame local management. Tom Taylor at Radio-Info.com says syndicator Premiere Radio Networks made the decision, but all is not lost for McConnell's fans.
Galaxy Communications tells the Utica Observer-Dispatch it's had remarkable ratings improvements with WOUR and Mix 102.5, two of the stations it acquired from Clear Channel in 2007. The company also announced plans to bring its Gomez & Dave simulcast back to the Utica-Rome market.
A hiring freeze is among the measures demanded by Clear Channel radio leader John Hogan, in a memo issued to radio GMs and business managers last Friday. Citing higher expenses and lower revenue projections for 2008 Q1, Hogan is also ordering GMs to cut advertising, promotions and music research as of February 1.
AllAccess.com is reporting Lance "Lancer" Hale has been hired as the new PD at WOTT Rock 100.7 in Watertown. He comes from WAVF/Charleston, which recently changed from a rock format to a Jack-like adult hits format called CHUCK-FM. Hale will begin at WOTT on January 31st.
According to AllAccess.com, an attempt by Cram Communications to extend the construction permit for WVOA-AM in DeWitt has been denied. The article says a local building moratorium and a zoning-related lawsuit forced Cram to delay construction. The ruling doesn't take away Cram's CP. They can still build, but the clock continues ticking toward the deadline.
Z89 (WJPZ) unveils a slightly new format today. After playing Michael Jackson's "Beat It" for 24 hours non-stop on Monday, the Syracuse University student-run station played a heart-beat most of the day Tuesday. At 8:09pm, they launched their new format, "The Beat of Syracuse." It's similar to the old Top 40 format, but leans more rythmic. The station also boasts a new request line and a new website at www.z89online.com.