UTICA-ROME -- No big surprises in the latest Utica-Rome radio audience estimates released by Nielsen. As usual, Townsquare Media's entire cluster enjoys a solid lock over the rest of the market -- at least among those stations Nielsen includes in the publicly-available numbers.
UTICA-ROME - Townsquare's 950 WIBX has borrowed a page from the playbook of many other news/talk stations on the AM dial, by adding an FM simulcast. Translator W295DI was officially licensed by the FCC as of December 27, allowing listeners to hear WIBX at 106.9 FM.
UTICA/ROME -- After 43 years in radio -- the last 15 of them on mornings at Big Frog 104 (WFRG) -- Bill McAdams (a/k/a "Tadpole"), is getting ready to hang up his headphones. And the station that often tops the Utica-Rome ratings charts already has a replacement lined up.
UTICA-ROME -- Townsquare Media is taking applications for a new Brand Manager and morning co-host for news/talker 950 WIBX. We're told Jeff Monaski is moving onto something new after 20 years with WIBX and its sister stations. The job posting says candidates must have at least 5 years of full-time on-air experience.
UTICA/ROME -- Townsquare Media's 5-station cluster takes the top 5 spots in the publicly-available Spring 2021 ratings released this week by The Nielsen Company. As usual, country Big Frog 104 (WFRG) leads the way, with more than double the Persons 12+ audience of #2-ranked Lite 98.7 (WLZW).
UTICA-ROME -- Last month's unexpected removal of longtime Big Frog 104 (WFRG) morning host Matt Herkimer has had a ripple effect throughout the market. It looks like the dust is finally settling, after a round of "musical chairs" between WFRG and sister Oldiez 96.1 (WODZ).
UTICA-ROME -- Former WIBX 950 news anchor Jeanette Lenoir is reportedly suing WIBX parent Townsquare Media, after obtaining a "Notice of Right to Sue" from the U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Lenoir alleges she was paid less than white colleagues, overlooked for promotional opportunities and was fired without explanation in 2012.
Updated 8:20pm -- UTICA-ROME -- For the first time in its 25-year history, perennial market leader Big Frog 104 (WFRG) is playing "the best and most country" without its longtime morning host. Matt Herkimer's bio and photo disappeared from the station website over the weekend, and he's not on the air this morning.
SYRACUSE and UTICA-ROME -- The mystery is over as to when Clear Channel's Y94 (WYYY Syracuse) and Townsquare Media's Lite 98.7 (WLZW Utica) would trade-in their usual adult contemporary formats to go all-Christmas. Both stations made the switch on Friday afternoon.
UTICA/ROME -- The newsroom at Townsquare Media's 950 WIBX is a bit shorthanded this week, following the departure of Gino Geruntino. He has accepted a new position with Oswego NPR affiliate WRVO, leaving WIBX on the search for a replacement.