Industry News Bits Monday 3-22-21

Feb 2021 Nielsen PPM results start to arrive today. We’ll see Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, and more.

Christian Radio Ratings are sponsored by Dunham+Company. Latest ratings ae HERE.

Remember stations having spring fundraisers this week: WBGL/Champaign, Family Radio, and others. 

RadioU celebrates 25 years of music and ministry this week. RadioU GM Michael Buckingham told HisAir, “God has provided us with an incredible and dedicated team, really talented bands and artists to work with, the best and most supportive radio listeners in the world, and an ownership that has just an unstoppable heart to reach those who don’t yet know Jesus. The almost-daily stories from listeners about how God uses RadioU in their lives are a great motivator for us to stay “focused on the main thing” while the music, technologies, and audience continue to grow and evolve for the next 25 years!”

WLAB/Ft Wayne (STAR 88.3) had their best Partnership Drive in two years highlighted by a record number of first-time donors and the best overall response in at least four years. The 4-day event centered around the theme, “Healing is Happening” and featured stories of how listeners have gotten through the past year with COVID, and social unrest along with how the station was able to address those challenges.

STAR CEO-President-GM Melissa says, “ We have been praying for God to use us in a new way and to unite us with more new STAR family listeners. The support we have seen this time with a record number of new donors and a record number of total listeners tells us that God is making a way for us to do greater outreach. We are rejoicing in what the Lord is doing and are ready to serve in a way that continues to effectively share the hope of Jesus.  We will carry out the message throughout the year that we can depend on God for miracles today because healing is happening!”  STAR 88.3 had a goal of $120,000 and finished their Partnership Drive at $125,865.

Salem Media Group announced today that Shaun Thompson will be taking over the 5-7pm timeslot on WIND/Chicago (AM 560 The Answer) from Steve Cortes effective Monday, March 22, 2021. Thompson has been a weekend and fill-in host on the station since 2016, and most recently, he filled in for Cortes from July through November of 2020 when Cortes took a hiatus to work on the re-election campaign of President Trump. Cortes will be leaving the station to pursue a new national television project.

“It’s rare in radio to have transition as smooth as this one,” said Jeff Reisman, regional vice president and general manager of AM 560 The Answer. “Shaun Thompson has developed such a deep bond with our listeners because he was one of them before becoming a talk show host. He knows this city and this audience and what they care about. His passion and personality make him a unique talent. We’re excited to have him join the line-up as a full-time host.”

The MyBridge Radio/Lincoln, NE morning show will feature a conversation with singer, songwriter, husband, father and, most recently, author Austin French Tuesday morning from 6:30-8:30 CT.

Milestones:
Coppelia celebrates 2 years at WPOZ/Orlando
Keith Stevens 37 years on the air
Taylor Hohulin 5 years at KNWI/Des Moines
Craig Thomas 8 years at WWIL/Wilmington