WBBS

The ‘spring book’ is out and Syracuse’s Top 40 formatted stations are big gainers in 12+ numbers.

Blair Garner, creator and host of the nationally syndicated country music show After MidNite has signed a multiyear, multimillion-dollar contract renewal with Premiere Radio Networks. The show which began in 1997 and is currently broadcast on over 200 stations across the country is heard locally weeknights from midnight until 6 a.m. on B104.7.

B104.7 (WBBS) midday jock Amber Taylor has added to her duties the midday shift at Utica’s top 40 station WSKS (Kiss-FM). She’ll voice track her show using the name Grace Kruz. She also keeps her Amber Taylor country gig at Utica’s Bob 102.5 (WRBY). All three stations are owned by Clear Channel Communications.

Former religious-formatted WVOQ at 105.1 FM in DeRuyter has changed their call letters to WXBB. The station, which was recently acquired by Clear Channel Communications, has be simulcasting B104.7’s (WBBS) signal since mid-June.

Talk on the CNYMusic.com broadcast discussion board the past few days has centered around the fate of WVOQ in DeRuyter once Clear Channel takes ownership. Word has it that the religious formatted station will begin simulcasting B104.7’s programming sometime Friday June 15. Rumors are that the B104.7 simulcast is only temporary as Clear Channel prepares

Arbitron has released its latest quarterly numbers. B104.7 (WBBS) remains a strong leader in the Syracuse market, Y94FM (WYYY) moves from third to seventh overall, while AM 1260 WNSS (formerly Comedy World) slips off the ratings radar screen altogether. Related Link: http://syracuse.com/entertainment/stories/20010504_farbs.html