"What's
News?"
Tidbits about Central Florida Radio
Do you have news about Central Florida Radio
stations and/or personalities? Send it along to bob@cflradio.net
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Lookin' For Classic Country?
10-21-17 John Elliot, CEO of Suncoast Radio's WLQH-AM 940/ 93.3FM and WZCC-AM 1240 lets us know that Classic Country has come to his stations. The format will be simulcast across all three stations, WLQH-AM 940 Chiefland and its translator currently on 93.3 and WZCC AM 1240 in Cross City. for more on the "flip" read here. |
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“On the Air: The History of Black Radio in Orlando” 10-14-17A DeLand native, JoJo O’Neal studied radio and television broadcasting at the University of Central Florida and has been a full-time radio personality since 1984. JoJo can be heard weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Star 94.5, (WCFB-FM 94.5) Orlando’s No. 1 radio station for “Today’s R&B and Throwbacks.” Since April 2016. On October 18, 2017 she will host "On The Air: The History Of Black Radio in Orlando. A panel will include; Monica May (Star 94.5), Chris Hill (Aquarius One Broadcasting), and Shanti Persaud (the owner of WOKB). This new series of programs from the Orange County Regional History Center is named in honor of the late Joseph L. Brechner, an award-winning journalist, community leader, and freedom-of-information advocate. The series focuses on the media in Florida’s history. Programs take place from 6PM to 7:30PM at the Orlando Public Library (Albertson Room, 3rd Floor) and are free. |
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Former CIA Director Appearing With Marc Bernier 10-13-17 The next event in the ERAU Speaker Series in Daytona Beach will be October 23rd featuring the former CIA Director James Woolsey. Series Moderator and 93.5/1150 WNDB talk host Marc Bernier interviews Woolsey about US foreign policy involvement, his support for President Donald Trump, and a Q&A session with audience participants is included. Doors open at 6PM, with the program starting at 7PM. The program is free and open to the public. |
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Happy Birthday! 10-13-17 Happy Birthday on Sunday to Kipper McGee former WDBO-AM 580 Program Director, you can wish Orlando radio veteran Alan Spector a Happy Birthday on Monday. |
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Kris Earl Phillips Passes 10-10-17 It's with great shock and sadness I must report Kris Earl Phillips passed away on Tuesday, October 3. Kris was the kind of guy who was never afraid to offer a helping hand. He was 66 years old. You can read tributes on his Facebook page. |
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Happy Birthday! 10-9-17 Rad Messick former Program Director at WDIZ-FM 100.9 celebrates today. WNDB-AM 1150/93.5 FM 's Phil Kincaid, producer of the "Marc Bernier Show" celebrates on Thursday. Happy birthday to you both. |
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WIPC-AM Changes Hands 10-5-17 Robert Cubero has taken full control of WIPC-AM 1280, “Radio Esperanza 1280”, from Carl Czuchaj and Bonnie Karp his partners in the Super W Media Group. The deal includes the right for Cubero to sell WIPC’s studios and antenna site. |
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Jim Philips To Stay 10-5-17 WTKS-FM 104.1 afternoon host, Jim Philips announced in June that he would retire in January of 2018. On yesterday's show he announced he has signed a new contract that will allow him to work 4 days a week through next year. Here's Jim's Announcement 
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Latest PPM Ratings 10-3-17 The September PPM ratings are in. Read them here. |
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WPUL Requests Additional Time 9-30-17 WPUL-AM 1590 owner Glenn Cherry says his station has “sustained damage and is still off the air”-because the equipment is “fried.” |
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More Irma Trouble 9-28-17 Florida Broadcasters owned WONQ-AM 1030 has asked the FCC for post-hurricane Special Temporary Authority as they report “severe damage to transmitter facility”. |
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Shuffling Stations 9-27-17 WXCZ-FM 102.7 has been authorized to move to 103.3 and increase power from a C3 (25,000 watts) to a C2 (50,000 watts) which will enable them to have a better signal in Crystal River. WFJV-FM 103.3 in Crystal River will then move to 107.5 this should happen by the end of this week. |
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WMFE Purchasing WKSG 9-27-17 WMFE-FM 90.7 is in the process of buying WKSG-FM 89.5 from Daystar Public Radio Inc. The purchase will include the broadcast tower, the station’s antenna, and the Silver Springs 14.45 acres on which the tower stands. WKSG broadcasts originate from a studio in downtown Ocala. Eventually, the station will have new call letters and a new format. The sale price is $900,000. The FCC accepted the application for transfer of license on Sept. 25. |
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“Towers in the Sand: The History of Florida Broadcasting” 9-27-17 Hal Bodecker of the Orlando Sentinel writes about the upcoming Donn R. Colee Jr. presentation Wednesday, October 4, 6 p.m. at the Orlando Public Library. Read the article here. |
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On The Move 9-27-17 Lance Venta at Radio Insight is reporting that Genesis Communications’ “Sports Talk Florida” 1080 WHOO (WHOO-AM 1080) Kissimmee is amending its plans to move to the site of Star Over Orlando’s 810 WRSO (WRSO-AM 810) Orlovista and will now diplex with sister 1190 WAMT (WAMT-AM 1190) Pine Castle/Sky Lake. As part of the move WHOO will change city-of-license to Winter Park and drop from 19kW day/190W night to 6kW day/55w night. WHOO has been operating from the WAMT site under an STA with 1.5kW day/11w night since the land of its former five tower array was sold in 2015. |
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Sulome Anderson Joins Marc Bernier At Embry-Riddle 9-24-17 On Monday evening, September 25th is the second of the Fall SpeakER Series at Embry-Riddle. Join Marc Bernier for a discussion and audience question and answer session with Sulome Anderson, daughter of former captured war correspondent Terry Anderson. Sulome through her own journey as a war correspondent, explains all in her book, “A Hostage’s Daughter”. A book signing follows the discussion. Doors open at 6PM, and the conversation with WNDB-AM 1150/93.5 FM's Marc Bernier begins at 7PM. The event is free and open to the public. It will take place in the Gale Lemerand Auditorium in the Capt. Willie Miller Building on the campus of Embry-Riddle in Daytona Beach. Students and veterans are encouraged to attend. For more information contact Marc Bernier (386) 226-7285. |
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Happy Birthday! 9-22-17 Paco Lopez former mid-day personality at WOCL-FM 105.9 celebrates tomorrow. |
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Rush Replaced On WNDB 9-22-17 Dennis Prager has joined Southern Stone Communications' line up on WNDB-AM 1150/93.5 FM, replacing Rush Limbaugh. |
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Chris Lash Returns 9-22-17 Veteran programmer Chris Lash has signed on to program and operate Radio Gainesville Adult Hits WGVR-FM 103.3. WGVR will feature Cloudcast Radio's Sunny Radio "Where Its Always in the 80's" format. The new station is highlighted by the "John and Heidi Show" weekday mornings, as well as industry vets Caleb James, Kent Jones, John Rivers and more on weekends. |
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New Morning Co-host At WPCV 9-19-17 "Julie K" (Julie Kansy) will join WPCV-FM 97.5's "97.5 Breakfast Club" in Lakeland in early October. Julie is a former Cumulus Operations Manager. |
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Towers Down 9-19-17 Rama Communication's two towers have been damaged by Hurricane Irma. Regional Mexican “La Gigante 1240” WKIQ, Eustis. The tower site is adjacent to Lake Eustis. Rama has requested a 90-day Special Temporary Authorization for WKIQ to be silent. Loss of power silenced WLAA-AM 1600 and WOKB-AM 1680 Unity Broadcasting is also asking for silent STAs for its two AM stations in Winter Garden, WLAA-AM 1600 and WOKB-AM 1680. In Bithlo, WNTF-AM 1580 could be off the air several months as it assesses the damage and begins the cleanup and repairs. |
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Irma's Wrath 9-17-17 WLAA-AM 1600 and WOKB-AM 1680 and WNTF-AM 1580 are all off the air while they repair damage from hurricane Irma. WPRK -FM 91.5 is also off the air due to a bent antenna. |
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SOLD: 9-13-17 WIGW-FM 90.3 has been sold to On This Rock Communications by Penfold Communications, Inc. for $150,000. |
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Stations Knocked Off By Irma 9-12-17 Hurricane Irma knocked a good number of stations off the air. In Orlando WRUM-FM 100.3, WOTW-FM 103.1, W227CP at 93.3 FM “G-Praise” gospel format. In Melbourne, Titusville/Cocoa, WAOA-FM 107.1, WHKR-FM 102.7 and WLZR-AM 1560. In the Gainesville/Ocala area: WMFQ-FM 92.9, WXUS-FM 102.3 and WYCG-FM 104.9. In the Lakeland/Winter Haven, the translator at 107.9-FM which relays WPOZ-FM 88.3. |
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Birthdays This Week 9-10-17 WUCF-FM 89.9's Bob Kelley celebrates number 64 today, Sep 10. The brothers Harper at WMEL-AM 1060, John and Vernon blow out the candles on Monday. Rick Morton, of WRKT-AM 1300 fame, will hear the happy birthday song on Wednesday. The love of my life, my partner in life as well as this website, my wife Wilma will celebrate on Friday. Happy birthday to all of you! |
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Another Award For WDBO 9-10-17 WDBO-FM 96.5 Orlando, FL was named News/Talk Station of the Year at the 2017 National Association of Broadcasters' Marconi Radio Awards. The prestigious awards recognize radio's outstanding personalities and stations. |
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More Irma Radio Coverage 9-9-17 "News 96.5" WDBO-FM 96.5 is offering continuous coverage which bean last night. WMGF-FM 107.7 will be simulcasting Irma coverage from WESH-TV 2. |
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Congratulations To WPOZ 9-8-17 WPOZ-FM 88.3 was the large market winner at the annual Christian Music Broadcasters Awards. |
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August PPM Ratings 9-8-17 August 2017 PPM ratings are in. Read them here. |
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Genesis Communications Strikes Deal With Bay News 9 For Irma Coverage 9-8-17 Genesis Communications and Charter Communications have teamed up to bring radio listeners coverage of Hurricane Irma as it travels across the state of Florida. AM 820 News in Tampa and WIXC-AM 1060 "AM 1060 News on the Space Coast" will carry the popular all news cable channel as supplemental programming to its local coverage over the weekend and through early next week. The simulcast will also be heard on Genesis owned web publication News Talk Florida. |
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WNDB Daytona Beach Coverage Of Irma 9-8-17 WNDB-AM 1150/93.5 FM will begin "Irma" coverage tomorrow morning at 7AM. News will be updated throughout the weekend, until the danger passes. |
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WFLF Irma Coverage This Afternoon 9-8-17 Mark Logas will be anchoring live team coverage of “Operation Storm Watch: Hurricane Irma” on WFLF-102.5-FM/AM540 this afternoon between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. The WFLF-102.5-FM news team will be providing important information for listeners including any mandatory evacuations, interviews with people from emergency management, meteorologists from AccuWeather, FOX News Radio, and WOFL-FOX 35, and up-to-the-minute news with Alan McBride throughout the afternoon. Listeners are welcome to call in and share information where supplies are available or where supplies have run out. |
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Hurricane Coverage 9-6-17 Genesis Communications, which owns and operates WWBA-AM 820 Tampa and WIXC-AM 1060 will provide continuous coverage of the Hurricane Irma event expected to impact the state of Florida beginning this weekend. The company will provide extensive coverage with its on air talent and news team. It also will continue to update consumers through its digital web publication, News Talk Florida. Articles and Videos will be available and updated with the most current information. Steve Kyler, Director of Content, stated, “This is a very dangerous situation. Our obligation is to keep residents and visitors updated with the latest news and information as this weather related issue unfolds. Genesis has two very powerful radio stations covering both coasts that enable us to bring most Floridians outlets that will keep them informed of the circumstances. We also provide local and state programming with talent that is located here in the state.” |
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Movin' On Up 9-6-17 Cox Media Group Orlando has named Paul Curran Market Vice President, effective immediately. Paul has been serving as Vice President/General Manager of WFTV and WRDQ-TV; he is adding oversight of Country WWKA-FM 92.3, News-Talk WDBO-FM 96.5, Classic Hits WMMO-FM 98.9, Urban AC WCFB-FM 94.5, Top 40/Rhythmic WPYO-FM 95.3, Spanish Adult Hits WCFB-HD2, Sports WDBO-AM 580 , CMG Local Solutions and Cox Events Group. |