ROI Broadcasting

OHIO — Sean Cowley, a former Utica-Rome radio sales director, who later had a brief stint as the GM of an Ithaca radio station, has died. This, according to multiple social media posts from friends here in Central New York and in his hometown near Cleveland, Ohio.

ITHACA — Two CHR competitors are one step closer to becoming part of the same family, raising questions as to their future.  In today’s edition of its Daily Digest, the FCC announced it has approved the sale of Z95.5 (WFIZ) to Saga Communications, the owner of rival Hits 103.3 (W277BS, simulcasting WYXL-HD2).

Updated 11:20am — ITHACA — The parent company of the Cayuga Radio Group, the dominant radio cluster in Ithaca, is looking to grow bigger.  According to documents filed with the FCC last week, Saga Communications wants to buy ROI Broadcasting CHR station Z95.5 (WFIZ) and three translators.  The $715,000 deal is being spurred by a […]

ITHACA/CORTLAND — Frank Lischak is back for his second tour of duty as General Manager of Z95.5 (WFIZ). Lischak was GM when the station launched in 2008, ending a stretch of 15+ years during which the Ithaca market had no CHR-formatted radio stations.

Updated 6/30 — ITHACA — ROI Broadcasting’s Z95.5 (WFIZ) is looking for a new morning co-host and Program Director, according to a job announcement posted earlier this week.  According to station management, current PD/morning co-host Corey is getting ready to move onto his next opportunity.

ITHACA/CORTLAND — It’s been awhile since we’ve had a Picture of the Week from Ithaca; we haven’t seen any broadcast-related images from the Finger Lakes since November.  After 8 weeks in a row back and forth on the Thruway between Syracuse and Utica/Rome, we’re overdue to aim our Picture of the Week spotlight back towards […]

ITHACA/CORTLAND — There are some new voices coming to the radio dial in Ithaca. The recently-under-new-ownership ESPN Radio 1160 (WPIE) has hired the host for its first local talk show and CHR station Z95.5 (WFIZ) has a new night jock.

ITHACA/CORTLAND — Bittersweet news today from Ithaca top 40 station Z95-5 (WFIZ)… night jock Mikey V. is making a significant market size leap, to take over nights at a top 40 station in Indianapolis.  His gain could also be someone else’s, as Z95.5 PD Corey says he’s on the hunt for a replacement.

ITHACA/CORTLAND — ROI Broadcasting’s top 40 Z95.5 (WFIZ) is looking for a morning co-host.  Didn’t they just hire one?  Yep, about two months after the station announced the arrival of Nikii, PD and morning co-host Corey tells us Nikii had “family/personal problems and had to move back to her hometown in Ohio.”

ITHACA/CORTLAND — There have been recent some personnel changes at ROI Broadcasting’s Z95.5 (WFIZ).  Former morning host Birdman exits the station, PD “Corey at Night” becomes just “Corey” as he moves to morning drive, and the station hires “Nikii” to co-host mornings.  But that’s not all.