Media Frenzy

By Rob Holbert Managing Editor

Numbers hit the streets

Well, after holding out for quite some time, Arbitron’s 12+ numbers have finally been made available on RadioandRecords.com and, as usual, two Cumulus-owned stations are dominating the market.

In the Summer 2008 numbers, WBLX-FM pulled a 12.5 ratings share, up from an 11.9 in spring and a 10.0 from the same time last year. WDLT-FM ranked second in the market in ratings with a 12.0 share, up from 10.3 in spring and an 11.7 from Summer ‘07.

WBLX plays an urban format, while WDLT has an urban adult contemporary format. Coming in third in the ratings and up strongly from the same time last year is WMXC-FM, or “Lite Mix 99.9.” The Clear Channel station pulled a 7.2 rating, up from 6.3 in the spring and a 4.3 in summer of last year. Country powerhouse WKSJ filled out the fourth slot with a 7.0 share, down from a 10.3 in spring ‘08 and its lowest rating over the past year.

Gospel station WGOK-FM landed in fifth place with a 5.0 rating, down considerably from its 6.7 share in summer ‘07. “The Rocket’s” classic rock format netted it a 5.0 share, up slightly from the 4.8 it pulled in spring and the same as last summer. In seventh place was the highest rated AM station, WNTM, Clear Channel’s “talker.” The home of “Uncle Henry” and other politically oriented shows did well in the election season, drawing a 3.5 share, up from 2.5 in spring and a 3.1 last year.

The Pirate weighed anchor at eighth place with a 3.4 share, up from 2.5 in spring and around the 3.3 the Bigler Broadcasting station drew last summer. Rounding out the top 10 were TK101 with a 2.6 share and WYOK-FM with a 2.6 share.

WZEW finished in 11th place among the 12+, drawing a 2.5 share.

WEAR chief dies

Carl Leahy, WEAR general manager, died Nov. 11 while playing golf in Escambia County, Fla. The 63-year-old Leahy had led the ABC affiliate for several years and had reportedly suffered a previous heart attack, according to published reports.

Leahy was reportedly found unresponsive by another golfer on the green of the eighth hole at the Scenic Hills Golf Club around 4:10 p.m.

GCABJ forms

The first chapter of the Gulf Coast Association of Black Journalists has formed in Mobile and will be hosting it’s first meeting Nov. 22, 2008 at noon in the Moorer/Springhill Branch of the Mobile Public Library located at 4 McGregor Avenue South.

GCABJ was formed to provide a professional organization that will strive to unite black journalists along the Gulf Coast who are dedicated to excellence and diversity in news coverage and equality in the industry. In addition, special efforts will be made to encourage black students who are interested in pursuing careers in the media.

Kym Thurman, of NBC 15 was elected president of the chapter. Other officers include Keisha Peyton of WKRG – vice president; Latoya Veal of the City of Prichard – secretary; Sonia Halmon of NBC 15 – treasurer; and Marcus Powe of Fox 10 – parliamentarian.

“As members of the Gulf Coast Association of Black Journalists we believe it is our duty to promote an accurate portrayal of African Americans in the media,” Thurman said in a press release. “As journalists we are passionate about the written and spoken word. GCABJ will work to encourage journalists to use those tools accurately and fairly to help promote unbiased coverage of community issues.”

GCABJ is opened to working journalists, including reporters, editors, photographers, newsroom managers, etc., who produce, gather, and disseminate news for newspaper, television, radio stations, magazines, wire services, etc. This also includes freelance journalists, public relations, journalism teachers, and other media-related professionals.

Anyone interested in joining GCABJ is encouraged to e-mail gcabj_mobile@yahoo.com.

Riales to PNJ

Former WKRG morning news anchor Bill Riales has landed at the Pensacola News Journal, selling advertising for the newspaper’s Web site, pnj.com.

“About fifty new ‘digital natives’ were hired by Gannett’s top 25 market newspapers to begin selling exclusively for the web. All of us endured what could be described as a boot camp at Gannett headquarters in McLean, Va, a fashionably all-glass building that is the home of USA Today, as we began our journey into digital advertising sales,” Riales explained.

Riales and co-host Jennifer Abney both had their contracts non-renewed by WKRG this fall after several years hosting the station’s morning show, and were replaced by former evening anchor Devon Walsh who returned to the market from Birmingham.

Abney quickly landed a new gig at WPXI in Pittsburgh, but Riales said he wasn’t interested in moving out of the area for another TV job. So far he says the move to the Internet has been rewarding and challenging. It also fits with his early tinkering as a techie in the ‘80s.

Bernstein nationwide

Former NBC 15 reporter Josh Bernstein recently made a national splash with a report that aired on CNN’s show hosted by Lou Dobbs. It seems Bernstein, now a reporter at KNXV in Phoenix, had filed a report detailing how AIG executives spent nearly $500,000 on a management retreat at the same time the company is receiving a $150 billion bailout from taxpayers.

Bernstein’s original report was picked up and ran Nov. 11 on CNN, and Bernstein appeared on Dobbs’ show.

Nice to see his career continuing onward and upward.

Rob Holbert is Lagniappe managing editor. Contact him at rholbert@lagniappemobile.com.

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