What’s News? 

May 2005 


Froggy 99.9 Leaves Daytona       5-3-05
Country station WGNE-FM 99.9, "Froggy 99.9" made its long-awaited jump into Jacksonville by relaunching as "Jacksonville's New Country Station, 99.9 Froggy-FM."  WGNE recently moved its transmitter to the Jacksonville market from a location near Palm Coast.  WGNE is offering listeners 9,999 commercial-and jock-free songs in a row.  With the move WGNE can no longer be heard in Daytona; the slogan "Florida's Station For Good Times & Great Country Music" is no more.  WGNE's PD and afternoon host Jeff Davis and Michele Chase are the only two staffers making the move.  Jesyca Dean, morning co host is leaving "Froggy" to get married.  Jen Jones has chosen not to move to Jacksonville.


WMGF Ratings Winner, Again     5-6-05
The 12+ Orlando market Winter ratings are in and WMGF lands the #1 spot again. Note: Number in ( ) represents Fall '05 position.
1.(1) WMGF-FM   2.(2) WCFB-FM   3.(5) WJHM-FM    4.(3) WDBO-AM  5.(6) WPYO-FM   6.(6) WTKS-FM   7.(14) WMMO-FM  8.(8) WNUE-FM   9.(4) WWKA-FM   10.(12) WXXL-FM   11.(10) WLOQ-FM   12.(11 as WEBG) WRUM-FM   13.(16) WJRR-FM  14.(9) WOCL-FM   15.(11) WOMX-FM   16.(17) WHTQ-FM    17.(15)  WFLF-AM   18.(19) WQTM-AM   19.(21) WPCV-FM  20.(24) WRLZ-AM   21.(20)  WOKB-AM   22. WPOI-FM (Tampa)   23. WQOL-FM  24.(25) WTLN-AM   25. WSJT-FM


More Ratings Talk     5-9-05
The top morning show among all listeners in the latest Arbitron's show WCFB-FM's Tom Joyner. WDBO's Jim Turner came in second. The La Buya Show on "La Nueva Mega", WNUE-FM-98.1 third, WMGF-FM 107.7's, Dave Collins and Leslye Gale  take fourth place and WTKS-FM 104.1's "The Monsters in the Morning" take 5th place beating out Howard Stern.  
WXXL-FM 106.7's Doc and Johnny, came in sixth.
In the coveted demographic; men ages 25-54-Russ Rollins and the "Monsters" took the top spot.  WDBO-AM's Jim Turner and Officer Jim fell from third to ninth place. 
Jim Philips and the Philips Phile on WTKS-FM 104.1, took the number one spot among all listeners In the afternoons. 
WRUM-FM 100.3 after switching formats from Oldies as WEBG-FM "Big 100" to Spanish, "Rumba 100.3" moved up from 11th to 12th place in the overall ratings.


Steven Delay Passes   5-12-05
Rama Communications Chief Engineer Steven Delay passed away Wednesday, May 11th in Richmond, Virginia. He was 52 years old. Mr. Delay was in Richmond helping rebuild an AM station in the market. He suffered a heart attack after finishing up and loading a truck. He is survived by his wife, Eve and 4 children. He's also survived by several grandchildren and step children. Steve was a great engineer and an even better human being. He treated you with the respect you deserved. Everyone at Rama Communications extends their deepest condolences to The Delay Family. Rama Communications is the licensee of WOKB-AM 1600 and WLAA-AM 1680 Winter Garden,  WKIQ-AM 1240 Eustis,  WQBQ-AM 1410 Leesburg, WNTF-AM 1580 Bithlo,  WTIR-AM 1300 Cocoa Beach,  WFVR Wellborn, GA and  WOKB-LP (TV) Orlando.


Rick Stacy and WNEW Part Company    5-13-05
Former WHLY-FM 106.7 personality Rick Stacy has left WNEW-FM 102.7, New York. Rick was hosting mornings with Michelle Visage. Stacy was at the station for over two years. Rick was brought in by former WNEW-FM PD Steve Kingston. Stacy previously programmed former CHR WAPW-FM 99.7 in Atlanta as well as KKFR-FM 92.3 in Phoenix. He also did afternoon drive at KYSR-FM 98.7 in Los Angeles.


Bo Mathews Moves On    5-13-05
WWKA-FM 92.3's Bo Mathews is leaving Orlando to return to St. Louis' "Country 92.3", WIL-FM.  He'll take over the afternoon drive slot,  which he filled previously at station WIL until his departure from St. Louis in 2002.


Rumors   5-17-05
The rumor mill has it that Walker Information & Educational Institute's WWKO-FM 91.3 in Belleview is up for sale.


Station Tidbits  5-21-05
Thanks to Paul Walker, station manager of WTIR-AM 1300 for these "tidbits".
--Although they aren't simulcasting and are not leased to the same operator, WKIQ-AM 1240 Eustis and WQBQ-AM 1410  Leesburg are both running leased Spanish programming. WNTF-AM 1580, Bithlo is now simulcasting WOKB-AM 1600's Black Gospel format. Speaking of WOKB, Steve January is still at WOKB, as the Program Director/Operations Manager


Black Crow and Flagler County Join Forces 5-24-05
Flagler County officials have spent $17,000 to buy broadcast equipment, and are setting up a broadcast booth inside their Emergency Operations Center for this years hurricane season. The county has also signed a contract with Black Crow Broadcasting enabling reporters to broadcast from the EOC. Eventually, the county and the School Board will obtain a non-commercial FM license to handle emergency broadcasts "in house". The county expects to spend $75,000 and would be on the air in about five years. After lat years hurricanes Deltona put their own station on the air (WQBE-AM 1610) to dispense emergency information.


Paul in the Peoples Court   5-25-05
WTIR-AM 1300 station manager Paul Walker defends himself on "The People's Court" against charges that he lost a former associates air checks. Walker is being sued for $550. The episode was taped 3 months ago in New York City before Paul moved from Connecticut to Florida.  The People's Court airs locally on WOFL-TV 35, weekdays at 4 PM.

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