Posted on 08/04/2014 5:36:02 PM PDT by raccoonradio
8:20 pm Update 8/4: Frank Iorio Jr. has closed on his purchase of 1320 WJAS from Renda. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports the station will flip to Talk at some point in the future, but it is “a little bit yet” before doing so. Is the flip perhaps related to the possible move of Clear Channel’s 104.7 WPGB from Talk to Country? Original Report 5/29: Renda Broadcasting has announced the sale of Adult Standards 1320 WJAS Pittsburgh to Frank Iorio Jr.’s Pittsburgh Radio Partners for $1 million.
WJAS sale finalized; format expected to change
Monday - Aug. 4, 2014
Talk is expected to replace nostalgia on one of Pittsburgh's oldest radio stations, said an executive of its former owner. Renda Broadcasting vice president of operations Alan C. Serena said Monday that his company had closed on the $1 million sale of WJAS-1320 to Radio Partners LLC, owned by former Beaver County station owner Frank Iorio.
“Shortly, (Iorio) will move WJAS into his own facilities, where he is expected to flip the format to talk,” Serena said. “We wish Mr. Iorio much success.”
The new owner said it might be “a little bit yet” before a format change can occur.
“I'm absolutely swamped in stuff,” Iorio said.
A flip to talk would bring an end to a music format dating back nearly three decades. Serena said it also would mean the end of an era for morning host Jack Bogut, who previously had worked at KDKA-1020 and old WTAE-1250, and midday host Bill Cardille, a former WIIC and WPXI-11 personality.
Iorio formerly owned WBVP-1230 and WMBA-1460 in Beaver County. He has other broadcast properties in Warren and Cambria counties.
Ping!
Yup I saw. Been watching company emails all day. Target date to move the station is still the 6th. Also Bogut and Chilly are done unless something was worked out late today.
I’m really wondering about 970 picking up premiere. Local rumors seem to say they will stay ESPN and there may be another station about to change hands. An FM. It could be WJAS will stay canned music until Labor Day.
Hope so. We need Quinn & Rose now more than ever ASAP!
I listened to Quinn & Rose daily here in Johnstown on 104.7 WPGB. Not much chance of picking up an AM station out here. I guess I’ll just have to hope for internet simulcasts/podcasts from the WarRoom.
http://www.fybush.com/nerw-update-clear-channel-goes-big-in-pittsburgh/
Breaking 104.7 to country as Big
WJAS to talk I think
No, you don’t really need Quinn and Rose! You only need the God who created you. They are uneducated windbags full of conspiracy theories and hateful speech. NO TO QUINN AND ROSE!!
Goodbye.
From North East Radio Watch *by subscription*
>>In Pittsburgh, PBRTV.com reports WJAS (1320) has added the Premiere-syndicated Clay Travis/Buck Sexton show at noon, giving the Rush Limbaugh replacement a clearance at the expense of what had been a local three-hour shift hosted by Rose Somma Tennent, the longtime sidekick to veteran Pittsburgh talker Jim Quinn. Coupled with the exit a few weeks ago of 9 AM host Wendy Bell, this marks a dramatic shift away from local at the talk station owned by the St. Barnabas nursing home chain; the only local-ish show left on the WJAS schedule is now the Bloomdaddy morning show, simulcast from iHeart’s WWVA in nearby Wheeling, West Virginia.
Oops—Fybush’s column said Sexton and Travis will be on WJAS but PBRTV.com says it’s Dan Bongino and the WJAS
website seems to say the same.
I’m visiting PA at the moment but am in the NE corner...going to Pitt. later in the week
Morning! Lots of changes. I still listen to Quinn every day, but it’s still (mostly) internet based and costs $4.99 a month. Worth every penny, but he needs to be back on the radio. I love Wendy Bell. She was fired, from what I understand. People can’t stand the truth that she puts out there. I like Rose, but have to admit I prefer Bongino though she should be given a slot. In any case, their voices are needed now more than ever.
Yes..I sent a private message to the industry column guy (Scott Fybush) and he corrected his column to say Bongino is on WJAS, not Sexton and Travis. Bell was fired, yes, and the new owners of WJAS started out with an image of being local but replaced Bell with Beck and now Rose with
Bongino.
I was in Pitt a couple weeks back and heard a bit of Rose. Going back there later in the week.
Some talk hosts actually pay stations for the time.
I know a voice impressionist/comedian who does a show on WMEX in Boston Sun mornings—he usually avoids politics but is right leaning...and he pays for the time then
sells ads to make his money back. I don’t know if that’s what the situation was with Rose, but now she’s
gone and national show in her place.
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