News

It was the eighth annual Christmas Choir Competition for Philadelphia's 101.1 More FM (WBEB) and the station has announced the winners. The winner of this year’s competition in the 9-12 grade division was the North Penn High School - Chamber Singers. The winner in the K-8 grade division was Clearview Regional Middle School – 8th Grade Choir. Each school receives a $5,000 cash prize for its music department.

The stations involved were The New 93Q, Country Legends 97.1, and 106.9 and 107.5 This was the 13th annual Radiothon on Dec. 1-2,  and the final figure for contributions was $655,329.

Charlotte’s 102.9 The Lake and 106.5 The End raised over $16,000 and collected more than 1,000 toys for Kids First of the Carolinas, an organization that provides Charlotte-area families with the services and resources.

Beasley Media Group has hired Karolyn Johnston as General Sales Manager for the company’s Las Vegas cluster. Johnson has held AE and NTR positions in Las Vegas, Seattle, and Atlanta before her returning to Vegas. She said she could not be more delighted to be a part of this team as we move into the New Year."

Nick Figueredo is the new Director of Branding and Programming for News at Cox station 104.5 WOKV, effective immediately. He has worked for CMG Orlando for the past seven years and was most recently the Assistant Director of Branding and Programming for News 96.5 WDBO.

Beginning Tuesday, January 3, Jeffrey Jameson (pictured) joins Karen Carson as co-host of the morning show on Fresh (WNEW-FM), and former morning show host Cane will host afternoon drive solo.

The New York Times has the long write-up about the passing of Jim Lowe at the age of 93. Lowe worked in radio for over 50 years, many at WNEW-AM in New York. He also worked at WCBS and WNBC. The Times says Lowe was nicknamed Mr. Broadway for his encyclopedic knowledge of 20th-century American music and musical-theater trivia. Lowe worked in Springfield, Indianapolis and Chicago before moving to WCBS in New York in the mid-1950s. (Picture courtesy Metromedia Radio Network website).

The 3-year deal between Premiere Networks and Cumulus will keep Rush on 33 Cumulus stations through 2019. Rush recently celebrated 28 years on the air. Back in August, Rush signed a new 4-year deal with Premiere to syndicate his program. Cumulus stations that carry Rush include: WLS-AM in Chicago, WJR-AM in Detroit, WMAL-FM in Washington, D.C., WBAP-AM in Dallas, and KSFO-AM in San Francisco.

The National Association of Broadcasters is expanding its innovation challenges, which will be conducted over the next two years, and focus on uncovering broadcast news projects that serve the needs of local communities. The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is investing $200,000 to support the challenges as part of the NAB's PILOT initiative.

It was held two weeks ago but it's certainly worth watching now. A webinar was hosted by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters and co-sponsored by over 20 other state associations. Broadcast Attorney David Oxenford was the speaker and his presentation focused on the issues broadcasters face when using digital and social media.