SYRACUSE -- Rick Buckley of Buckley Radio, the former owner of WSEN AM/FM and WFBL (AM) in Syracuse, has died. According to national trade sites AllAccess and Radio-Info, Buckley died this morning after suffering a brain embolism on Saturday. Buckley, who served as his namesake company's president for nearly 40 years, sold the three Syracuse stations in late 2009 to Leatherstocking Media Group for $2.1 Million.
UTICA/ROME -- It's one of the many ways local broadcast radio gives back to the community. The 11th annual Children's Miracle Network radiothon on Lite 98.7 (WLZW) raised $29,000 over a two-day period this week. Every single dollar raised will directly benefit pediatric and maternity services at Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare in Utica.
SYRACUSE -- Rome native Kevin Torres is doing very well at his current job in Denver. But you don't have to take his word for it -- Torres was recently nominated for three Emmy Awards, and took one home when the Heartland Chapter of NATAS announced winners this past Saturday.
SYRACUSE -- Four years ago, WCNY announced plans to build brand new television and radio studios in Syracuse's Near Westside neighborhood. Complications with grant funding derailed the project, but now the public broadcaster says the project is back on track, with construction set to begin within a few weeks.
SYRACUSE -- When local news media outlets submit entries for the Syracuse Press Club's annual Professional Recognition Awards in 2012, there won't be any paperwork involved. Nor will there be any CDs, DVDs, story printouts or printed photographs.
UTICA/ROME -- Just a day after we shared and reviewed the Spring 2011 numbers from Eastlan, we now have a partial look at the numbers from Arbitron. Just like the Fall 2010 book, Arbitron has limited public ratings to "subscriber only" status, meaning the media and the public only get to see the results for stations which subscribe to the book.
SYRACUSE -- A quick glance at the latest audience estimates released by Eastlan Ratings would lead one to believe that Oswego-based NPR affiliate WRVO has bragging rights as the #1 station in Syracuse. But look a little deeper and it appears Clear Channel's WSYR has maintained its spot at the top of the market, when you add the ratings for 570AM and 106.9FM together.
UTICA/ROME -- Townsquare Media's country Big Frog 104 (WFRG) retained its reputation as the ratings leader in the latest audience estimates released by Eastlan Ratings. Townsquare's other three stations followed right behind, creating a bit of a shakeup in the market, compared to the Fall 2010 book.
SYRACUSE -- Fans of the Mars Hill Network's religious programming have at least two chances in the near future to gather and enjoy some family-friendly entertainment. The stations are also preparing for some weekend program lineup changes in August.
ITHACA -- A little over two months since "Hits Girl Katie" left Saga's Hits 103.3 (W277BS) to pursue a new opportunity in New York City, the station has completed a contest to find her replacement. The new Hits Girl was announced today via an email blast to listeners.