Media Frenzy

By Rob Holbert Managing Editor

It looks like rumors of a big format change at Hot 104 FM are coming to pass, as most of the staff was apparently given their walking papers last week. Rumors that the station, WYOK, was going to change to change to a country/classic rock format have been swirling for some time, and Cumulus, which owns 104, finally dropped the axe.

Some radio insiders believe the move is designed primarily to try to shave a few ratings points off of Clear Channel’s WKSJ, the area’s biggest country music station. WKSJ and Cumulus’ WBLX and WDLT routinely vie for the market’s top spots.

“If Cumulus does a country station, and takes just a few teeny tiny ratings points away from KSJ, DLT and BLX can own the top two spots in the local ratings,” a local radio insider noted.

Among the on-air personalities given their walking papers in the change were members of “The Sid Morning Show” with Sid, Emily and Q-Tip; interim PD/afternoon host AJ, Rob Sparks and part-time players Philly, Jimmy and Coot’r.

We’ll keep an ear out for the final outcome here.

Station wrangling

The ongoing battle for WAVH and WZEW apparently had another chapter as we go to print. A federal bankruptcy court, along with the FCC, is holding hearings to determine final ownership of both WAVH and WZEW.

Currently, WZEW is operated by dot.com plus, owned by Ken Johnson Sr., while Cumulus operates WAVH as Oldies 106. Current owner Barry Wood has been in bankruptcy for several years and the courts are trying to sort out ownership. Johnson and Cumulus would like to be awarded outright ownership of the respective stations.

Meanwhile, there are rumored to be several parties interested in one or both stations. One name frequently bandied about is WABB owner Bernie Dittman. My money’s still on Johnson coming out with WZEW. WAVH may be a different story, however, as it’s not clear just how interested Cumulus is in holding onto the station.

Idol chatter

I’ve had more than a few people mention to me that they think WALA FOX-10’s coverage of local musician Taylor Hicks in the “American Idol” competition has drifted into flat-out boosterism for the local boy done good.

I’ve made a habit lately of watching WALA’s post-idol coverage and have to admit the thought has crossed my mind that they’re spending a good bit of time on Hick’s quest to win the talent contest. The station has taken to rebroadcasting most of Hick’s performance on Tuesday nights, and offers extensive coverage of his grandmother and the “Soul Patrol” watching the results on Wednesday nights.

In FOX-10’s defense, though, they do have an hour-long newscast, so they can still cover plenty of ground.

News director Bob Cashen made no apologies for the station’s coverage, saying they’ve received no negative calls from viewers and that most of the calls they’ve received have been from people trying to find out how to vote for Hicks. Cashen also met criticism that the station and news anchors have adopted a pro-Hicks stance.

“Are we supporting someone with links to the Gulf Coast? You bet. I’d say people generally like our coverage. The watch parties seem to be growing as well and people call us and want to know where they are going to be held,” Cashen said.

Cashen says “Idol” has been a ratings boon for the network and, he’s sure, for FOX-10.

Of course, on the flipside of the coin, it appears the other local stations have completely ignored the Hicks story, despite the fact he is competing on one of television’s most popular shows.

FOX leader and winners

Speaking of FOX-10, Cashen said a new general manager has been named. Matt Pumo, director of sales for WALA and WBPG has been elevated to GM. We’ll try to catch up with him soon to see what his plans are.

WALA also took home some hardware recently in the RTNDA Edward R. Murrow Regional Awards. They competed in the Small Market TV for Region 9, which includes Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama.

Winners included: Qwesi “Q” McCray, Reporter and John Pate, Photographer for feature reporting for their story “Katrina Rescue.”

Reporter Erica Fox and photographer Edwin Goode, won for hard news for their story “Did they survive at the Tivoli?”

The station also took home a few awards in the News Alabama AP contest.

Anissa Centers won for “Best News Anchor,” Erica Fox won for “Best Reporter” and Rob Lehocky and Eric Richey won for “Best Sports Program.”

Dogged pursuit of the truth

WPMI anchor/reporter Mike Rush’s now-famous undercover reports on the Hog/Dog rodeos in this area have earned him a bit of notoriety nationwide, but the story also caught the attention of Alabama lawmakers. Last week, the Alabama Legislature passed House Bill 68 outlawing hog-dogging illegal.

Rush was also recently interviewed by Court TV about the hog/dog story for a piece that will air on a new show called “Video Justice.” It is scheduled to air April 29. As they say, check your local listings, especially if you can’t get enough Mike Rush or hog-dogs.

Mayerle in Hotlanta

As we reported last issue, WKRG’s Jennifer Mayerle is leaving the station, now we can reveal where she’s going. Mayerle has taken a position as a reporter with CBS 46 in Atlanta. Her last day on the air in Mobile is April 19, and she starts in Atlanta May 8.

Hound Dog ailing

We hear Dennis Wayne Stacy, a.k.a. Hound Dog, (former WABB

deejay from the 1970s and 1980s) was hospitalized this week after suffered a series of minor strokes. At press time he was in serious condition at Providence Hospital. We wish him a speedy recovery.

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

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