SAN ANTONIO, TX -- It's an unprecedented deal between two of the biggest companies in radio: Cumulus Media is joining iHeartRadio, the platform owned by Clear Channel which already provides mobile streaming of more than 800 Clear Channel stations. By adding the 570 stations owned by Cumulus, iHeartRadio will offer roughly 1400 stations -- many direct competitors with each other -- through one single application.
SYRACUSE -- "The most famous Syracuse broadcasters that most of Syracuse has never heard of." That's how reporter Hart Seely describes Mars Hill Radio (WMHR) morning co-hosts Mark Hard and Rich McVicar on the front page of today's Syracuse Post-Standard. Seely's referring to the longevity and reach of Mars Hill, a station which measures success differently than the ratings which rule commercial stations.
Updated 12/6 with WSYR press release -- SYRACUSE -- Nearly seven months after Jim Tortora vacated the News Director's office at NewsChannel 9 (WSYR-TV), there's now word of a new leader for the ABC affiliate's news department. Reliable sources tell CNYTVNews.com that the new boss will be Rob Cartwright, who comes to Syracuse after three years as Assistant ND at The CW affiliate in Dallas.
SYRACUSE -- Friends and family of former WSYR radio reporter Bill Leaf will have to wait at least another month before they learn whether the drunk driver who killed Leaf in 2006 will be paroled in February 2012. This is the second time Matthew Benedict's initial parole hearing has been postponed.
SYRACUSE -- When it comes to local television news, the Carrier Dome is usually the domain of sports reporters and sports anchors. But ever since the Bernie Fine story broke about two weeks ago, stations have been changing their usual staffing arrangements to cover the developments.
AUBURN -- On the western fringe of the CNYRadio.com coverage area, tomorrow will be the beginning of a very long 8-day stretch for "The Small Guy" from Geneva-based Hot Country K101.7 (WFLK) / and Canandaigua-based K104.5 (W283BF) and WCGR (1550). He'll be camping out in an RV, at various locations all week, collecting donations for the less-fortunate.
Updated 7:20pm with 3rd job opening -- OSWEGO -- Looking to fill some recent vacancies, WRVO Public Media has posted three job openings, including two within the NPR affiliate's news department. The station is seeking a "Director of Regional Content Development," as well as a technology reporter for the ongoing Innovation Trail program. The third job is a "swing" position involving a combination of duties. There's also word of a new satellite studio to open in downtown Syracuse next year.
SYRACUSE -- Congratulations to Cumulus Media Syracuse Market Manager Shane Bogardus, who was among this year's "40 Under 40" honorees for the Syracuse region. The awards were presented during a special luncheon held today in downtown Syracuse.
SYRACUSE -- The 9th annual "Radiothon for Kids" is underway this hour on Clear Channel stations B104.7 (WBBS) and FM Newsradio 106.9 and 570 WSYR. The radiothon aims to raise money to benefit Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital. This year, broadcasters will be focusing on helping local children who are battling cancer and blood disorders.
Updated 12/1 - SYRACUSE -- While it's not uncommon to see "Syracuse University" mentioned by national networks like ESPN, those mentions had usually been for game highlights and other routine sports coverage typically afforded Division I schools. That all changed nearly two weeks ago, when ESPN and other networks converged on Syracuse to cover developments in the Bernie Fine case. And it's been a two-way street, as local broadcasters have been honoring requests to assist stations in other parts of the country.