News

(By Eric Rhoads) By now you’ve likely read coverage in Radio Ink regarding the sensational accusations from Bubba The Love Sponge (Todd Clem) that suggested Nielsen “concocted a plan to conduct a sting operation designed to entrap” him into engaging in ratings distortion activities.

Jesus Lara has been named GM of Digital, Content, and Entertainment for radio at Univision. He moves to Univision from SBS where he was working on digital initiatives. Lara will be based in Miami and reporting to Chief Local Media Officer John Eck.

On the air yesterday, Finebaum was in the middle of a conversation with a caller when it appeared he lost his place, the caller even saying Finebaum was “not very talkative.” The caller continued, “Stay with me, Paul, I’m trying to work with you.”

The station is basically playing the same music; the change is a rebrand from 103.7 KVIL-FM to AMP -- Dallas-Fort Worth’s new hit music station. Market Manager Brian Purdy says, “AMP 103.7 is more than a new name, it’s a new brand that represents today’s true identity of the station and its listeners."

In the GMR/RMLC battle, things have been quiet for the past week. After firing off what appeared to be daily nasty e-mails at each other, it seems both organizations are in a quiet period for now. It's important to note, you have until January 31st to decide if you want to accept an interim license to air GMR's recordings or face massive fines that could cripple your business.

Brian Mayfield has been promoted to Senior VP for Ramsey Media. He's been with the Ramsey organization since 2009, and has served as VP of Ramsey Media since 2012. Mayfield will continue to lead the media department while taking on additional company-wide responsibilities as part of the Ramsey Solutions Senior Leadership Team.

SB Nation Radio will kick off over 80 hours of Super Bowl coverage with the debut of The Sean Salisbury Show January 30. The show will feature co-hosts Robin Carlin, Brian Barrett, and producer Adam Sager. It will run from 9:00 to noon while on Super Bowl radio row, then move to 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on February 6.

The Hill reports that President-elect Donald Trump met with Republican FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai over the weekend. Pai is expected to take over as chairman of the FCC -- at least in the interim -- once the current chairman, Tom Wheeler, steps down at the end of the week.

A longtime voice on the airwaves of North Carolina’s Triangle, Patterson died following a long period of declining health. He was 81. Patterson worked in radio for six decades, mostly at Triangle stations, including WQDR, WDNC, and WKIX-AM.

That's Fort Myers sports talker David Mouton's side of the story anyway. Beasley Media had no comment about the Moulton firing from 99.3 ESPN. Mouton's release came one day after a story ran in the Fort Myers News Press where he was very critical of Beasley's firing of his long-time partner Mark Miller earlier in the year.