FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler to Step Down. Since the November election, there's been a lot of speculation about whether
FCC Chairman
Tom Wheeler would remain on the Commission or step down and today he announces he'll do the latter. He says he'll step down on January 20. "Serving as FCC Chairman during this period of historic technological change has been the greatest honor of my professional life. I am deeply grateful to the
president for giving me this opportunity. I am especially thankful to the talented Commission staff for their service and sacrifice during my tenure. Their achievements have contributed to a thriving communications sector, where robust investment and world-leading innovation continue to drive our
economy and meaningful improvements in the lives of the American people. It has been a privilege to work with my fellow Commissioners to help protect consumers, strengthen public safety and cybersecurity, and ensure fast, fair and open networks for all Americans." The radio industry isn't quite as sanguine about Wheeler's tenure. In general, the radio biz believes it was far down on Wheeler's priority list – broadband seemed to be top-of-mind for the chairman – and that was underscored by the decision to leave the broadcast-newspaper cross-ownership ban in place in the most recent Quadrennial Review. There's been no indication from the Trump Administration whom it might like to see as FCC Chair, but there is speculation that Republican Commissioner
Ajit Pai may be at the top of the administration's list.
CBS RADIO Adds Jeffrey Jameson to 'Fresh 102.7' New York Morning Show. Beginning Tuesday,
January 3,
Jeffrey Jameson is partnering with morning personality
Karen Carson for mornings on
CBS RADIO's hot AC WNEW-FM "Fresh 102.7." This move comes as the station moves former
AM drive host
Cane to afternoons. CBS RADIO New York SVP of programming
Jim Ryan states, "Now more than ever, the personalities contribute to the local sound, music and feel of the station. With exciting and talented hosts like Karen and Jeffrey in the morning and Cane in the afternoon, we are thrilled to give our loyal New York listeners and clients more fun and music every day." Jameson says of his new gig, "I'm ecstatic to be working with the powerhouse that is Jim Ryan and incredibly excited to be collaborating with the extraordinary talent of Karen Carson."
Vincent Named WFMB, Springfield, Illinois Program Director. Programming pro
Johnny Vincent joins
Neuhoff Communications to serve as program director and afternoon personality for the company's
country WFMB-FM Springfield, Illinois. Additionally, he'll hold the position of operations manager for sister stations CHR WXAJ "99.7 Kiss FM" and classic rock WCVS "Boss 96.7." He was most recently PD and air personality at
West Virginia Radio's country WKWS, Charleston. Neuhoff Communications VP of programming
Mike Shamus comments, "Johnny is a great programmer and, more importantly, a great teammate and motivator. He will bring experience and a winning attitude with him. We are very excited to have him in the Neuhoff family."
More RadioInfo Career Moves. In the New York market, air personality and voice-over pro Jamie Lee is back on the air doing weekends and fill-in work for iHeartMedia's adult contemporary WLTW "106.7 Lite FM." Lee worked on air for more than 15 years at Cumulus Media's crosstown hot AC WPLJ. She left New York for California to host TVLand's "100 Best Places (You've Never Been)."…..Programmer Miggy Santos exits Alpha Media's CHR KLLY, Bakersfield "Energy 95.3" for a yet-to-be-announced gig. Santos joined KLLY in September of 2015…..Spanish-language broadcaster Lazer Broadcasting names Gerardo Martinez general manager for its operations in the Sacramento, Modesto, and Merced markets. Martinez was most recently serving as vice president of sales and marketing for EMC Advertising.
Legendary New York Radio Personality Jim Lowe Dies at 93. Big Apple radio personality
Jim Lowe was known for his career playing the American songbook on radio stations in the market, as well as for a recording career that included the 1956 #1 hit "The Green Door." Lowe worked on the air at WCBS and WNBC but his longest stint was at WNEW-AM where he worked for more than 20 years. Read his obit in
The New York Times here.
