Industry News Bits Tue 5-18-21
Nielsen April PPM numbers arrive today for day two markets including Wash DC, Minneapolis, St Louis, and more. Christian Radio Ratings on HisAir are sponsored by Dunham+Company.
Congratulations to the staff at KSBJ/Houston, as the station ranked #1 AQH for the very first time in its 38 year history. In the Nielsen April PPM KSBJ trended 6.1-5.9-6.8 AQH Share Persons 6+ Mon-Sun 6am-mid.
KSBJ PD Troy West told HisAir, “I am very proud of my on air team who continue to work so hard to connect people more deeply to God. KSBJ Programming is not the only reason we are seeing success. We have such a tight team of many departments that contribute in so many important ways. We have not seen this type of close knit team work since I have been PD here. We celebrate this moment, but all Glory to God.”
KCBI/Dallas air personality Lauree “LO” Austin announced she will exit the station after this week to relocate with her husband. Currently Austin is teamed with Doug Hannah in afternoons. Lauree Austin joined KCBI in 2017 as midday host and moved to afternoons in 2019.
KCBI is searching for a new on air talent. The listing is HERE.
WNPQ/Canton (The Light 95.9) Program/Music Director and afternoon Drive Host Jan Markowitz checks in with HisAir. Jan says, “WNPQ recently teamed up with the Bible League to send Bibles to the people of Africa in their own language. Thanks to our faithful listeners we went way over our goal to 145%. Praising God for His great work!”
WVCY-FM/Milwaukee (VCY) celebrates 60 years of radio broadcasting. VCY America was originally Youth for Christ Milwaukee, a ministry that was organized by Theo McCully. Theo’s son, Ed McCully, would join Jim Elliot and 3 other missionaries to the Auca Indians of Ecuador, and all five men would be martyred in 1956. In 1959, Vic Eliason replaced Russ Johnson as director of Youth for Christ Milwaukee, and was approached by three teenagers who desired to start a Christian radio program. When the small group was turned down by every radio station in Milwaukee, they bowed their heads and prayed to God, giving their request to Him. Three days later a man stepped into the little YFC office and asked, “Anyone here want some free air time?”
The prayers were answered, and on May 15th, 1961, Sacred Stylings aired over WBON 107.7 FM. As time went on and the response increased, the station was purchased and became WVCY, Wisconsin Voice of Christian Youth. As radio became a stronger focus of the ministry, the name was changed from Youth for Christ Milwaukee to Wisconsin Voice of Christian Youth, and then in 1995 to VCY America.
Today over 16 million people are able to listen over the air to VCY radio programming on 54 owned & operated stations, and another 80 affiliated stations. In addition southeast Wisconsin is able to tune into WVCY-TV30, now streamed online and on-demand at VCY.tv. Over the years ministries have included three Christian day schools, a 385 acre camp in Hillsboro, Wisconsin, regular rallies at the Waukesha Expo Center, singspirations, and more. On December 5th, 2015, Vic Eliason was promoted to his eternal home, and the board of directors unanimously appointed Jim Schneider to succeed Vic as executive director of the ministry. Over the last 60 years, the ministry has been called, “God’s Continuing Miracle” as the reason for the series of humanly inexplicable events that led to the 24/7 Christian radio, television, and internet ministries of VCY America today.
For the anniversary month, several billboards have been placed throughout the Milwaukee metropolitan area inviting new listeners to tune in to hear the same message that has been broadcast for 60 years – the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Salem Media Group, Inc. has hired broadcast veteran Grant Stinchfield as a new co-host to team with Jennifer Horn on The Morning Answer on KRLA/Los Angeles and KTIE/Riverside (AM 590). Grant Stinchfield will continue to host his daily television program Stinchfield on Newsmax.
“Good things come to those that wait,” according to Chuck Tyler, Director of Programming for KRLA and KTIE. “We put Jennifer Horn through the ringer, as we tried out numerous co-hosts for this plumb assignment, having a number of world-class talk-radio candidates. It took us five months. The good news is Jennifer survived, and we found an amazing new partner for her!”
KRLA VP/General Manager Terry Fahy remarked, “Grant Stinchfield is an ideal fit for The Morning Answer here in Southern California. The chemistry is already spectacular. We look forward to covering the news, commenting on the news…and making news from our home base in Los Angeles.”
Former KCBI/Dallas PD Joel Burke has landed at KBEY/Marble Falls, TX where he will be Operations Manager.
Each year, millions of Americans deal with the reality of mental illness and this year with the ongoing pandemic, focusing on mental health is needed now more than ever. Provident Entertainment is leaning into Mental Health Awareness Month by partnering with Vibrant Emotional Health for a “Band Together” special virtual event to raise awareness around the struggles of mental health and the help that is available for everyone. The online concert will premiere on May 20th at 7:30 PM Central on YouTube, simultaneously streaming across the artists and label channels. Artists involved in “Band Together” include Provident Entertainment’s CAIN, Casting Crowns, DOE, I AM THEY, Koryn Hawthorne, Lydia Laird, Matt Maher, Matthew West and Zach Williams, as well as Adarga Entertainment Group artist Twice Música and RECORDS artist Lathan Warlick.
“During a ‘normal year’ mental health awareness is a critical need. Not surprisingly, over the past year, with our world experiencing sickness and isolation this need has been eminently more important and, in many ways impacts us all. We are honored as a company to join forces with our artists, writers and Vibrant Emotional Health to raise awareness and support for this issue during Mental Health Awareness Month,” shares Terry Hemmings, Provident Entertainment’s CEO/President. “The program our team has put together will be an inspiring evening to band together in a time when togetherness is so vital.”
The 52nd Annual GMA Dove Awards Professional Member Submission Round will close TODAY – Tuesday, May 18 at 11:59pm CT.
Prayer List:
Jessica Arrendell
Kim Pennington
Richard Cummins
