Britney Spearheads WBBM-FM "Jingle Bash." The holiday event presented by
CBS Radio Chicago CHR WBBM "B-96" headlined by
Britney Spears takes place (Saturday) December 10 at Rosemont, Illinois'
Allstate Arena. Others – in addition to Spears – scheduled to appear at the "B-96
Pepsi Jingle Bash" are
Shawn Mendes,
Fifth Harmony,
Chainsmokers,
OneRepublic,
G-Eazy,
DNCE, and
Alessia Cara. Assistant program director and music director
Erik Bradley states, "On paper, it feels like this might be one of the best lineups we've ever had – and that bar has been set pretty high over the years. We are so thankful to our label partners, managers, agents, and especially all of the 'Jingle Bash' artists for helping to make this what we hope will be an all-time moment for the fans who will be there to enjoy it." Tickets for the "B-96 Jingle Bash" go on-sale tomorrow (Saturday, 9/24) at 12:00 noon. Among persons 6+ in
Nielsen Audio's August 2016
PPM report for Chicago, "B-96" ranks tenth (3.4, 6+), while format rival –
iHeartMedia's WKSC "Kiss-FM" – is fourth (4.5, 6+); all-news WBBM-
AM is on top with a 6.1 (6+).
Nelson Named VP/MM For Cumulus Huntsville. Former vice president/general manager/cluster director of sales for
Cox Radio Birmingham,
Ray Nelson, is appointed vice president and market manager for
Cumulus Media's cluster in Huntsville (Alabama). Cumulus Media senior vice president
Jeff Brown comments, "Ray's track record of success speaks for itself. Adding him to our team of market managers was an absolute no-brainer. I am excited for Ray
and for our talented team in Huntsville." Nelson notes, "I am thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to lead the Cumulus Huntsville cluster; Huntsville is a fabulous growth market. I appreciate the confidence that Jeff Brown and the entire Cumulus management team have demonstrated in selecting me to champion Cumulus Huntsville." Nelson's previous background includes vice president and market manager for
Clear Channel (now
iHeartMedia) Ann Arbor (Michigan) and general manager/general sales manager/national sales manager for
Fritz Broadcasting Saginaw (also Michigan). Among persons 12+ in
Nielsen Audio's spring 2016 book for Huntsville, Cumulus Media-owned CHR WZYP is #2 (7.7); WHRP "Today's Best Variety of R&B" ranks #3 (4.8); AM-FM talk combo WVNN finishes #5 (3.1); country WWFF "Nash Icon 93.3" is #8 (1.3); and AM-FM sports duo WUMP "The Ump" ranks #10 (.6). Leading the field is iHeartMedia country outlet WDRM (11.1, 12+).
Carter, WSB-FM to Celebrate Atlanta Pride Festival. Atlanta's first openly LGBT morning show host –
Melissa Carter ("The Tad & Melissa Show") of
Cox Media Group adult contemporary WSB-FM "B-98.5 – will be part of next month's (10/9) 46th annual
Atlanta Pride Festival and she will make appearances in the
"B-98.5" booth at the marketplace throughout the weekend. Carter comments, "I remember my first Atlanta Pride right after college, because it was really the first time I realized I wasn't the only gay person in the world. Many do not realize how isolating it is to grow up gay since – unlike other minorities – you are likely the only one in your family dealing with the struggle. That alone is why so many kids and adults stay in the closet, out of fear of rejection in their own home. To see thousands at Atlanta Pride just like you gathered together in support and celebration is truly life-changing." Carter was one of the hosts of "Radio with a Twist," the first syndicated show geared exclusively toward the LGBT community. She currently writes the "That's What She Said" column in
GA Voice. Up or flat for the third successive sweep (4.4 – 4.8 – 4.8 – 4.9, 6+), "B-98.5" is sixth in the August 2016
Nielsen Audio PPM report; co-owned talker WSB-AM (9.4, 6+) is #1.
iHeartMedia Names Personality Lineup for Rhythmic CHR KUBT, Honolulu. The morning show on iHeartMedia Honolulu's new rhythmic CHR KUBT "93.9 The BEAT" comes from Ohana Broadcasting's crosstown CHR KDDB "102.7 The Bomb" as Sam The Man and Hawaiian Ryan return to the signal at which they both began their careers back in the 1990s. The jock lineup is rounded out by former crosstown CHR KPHW "Power 104.3" personality Romeo Valentine in middays (he's also the new digital PD for the company's Honolulu market), Ray Styles in afternoon drive (from iHM's KYLD, San Francisco), and Julian Lee, a.k.a. The Night Ninja for evenings. iHeartMedia Honolulu SVP of programming Jamie Hyatt says, "Talk about a dream team lineup perfect for Honolulu. I've been a fan of Sam & Ryan from afar for years so I'm super-excited to finally get the chance to work with these extremely talented guys. The rest of our team on 'The Beat' is solid, too. At the same time, KUBT's HD2 signal/ K256AS simulcast flips from the EDM format "Evolution" to classic hip hop branded as "99.1 Jamz."
hosted by Tony Zazza and Cheree Carter – is being added to the morning drive daypart at Cumulus Media's CHR outlets WZNS, Fort Walton Beach, Florida "Z96," and WABD, Mobile, Alabama, effective Monday (9/26). Other changes at the two stations include WZNS' Gilligan moving from mornings to middays and Hayden starting the PM drive show at 2:00 pm. At WABD, John Marty move from mornings to PM drive and Sid Kelly slides down to middays. Cumulus regional vice president Pete DeSimone states, "This is true collaboration for our Florida and Alabama markets. It's an example of a talented morning show given the opportunity to grow within the new Cumulus. I worked with Tony and Cheree in Melbourne and I'm very confident they will bring the same successful listener experience to the Gulf Coast markets."
