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The following is a list of events affectingradio broadcasting in2012. Events listed include radio program debuts, finales, cancellations, and station launches, closures and format changes, as well as information about controversies and deaths of radio personalities.
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Red Eye Radio and theMidnight Trucking Radio Network, both syndicated byCumulus Media Networks, "merge" into one show.Midnight Trucking, hosted by Eric Harley and Gary McNamara (fromWBAP—Dallas) is rebranded asRed Eye whileDoug McIntyre, host of the original iteration ofRed Eye, was reassigned toKABC—Los Angeles; a weekend version ofRed Eye hosted byMarc Germain was also dropped. | [1] |
| Rhythmic Top 40KHTC—Edina/Minneapolis–Saint Paul flips toadult Top 40 KTWN. | [2] | |
| Classic rockWZRR—Birmingham, Alabama flips toCHR "99.5 The Vibe". | [3] | |
| Adult Top 40WNNF—Cincinnati flips tocountry as "Great Country". | [4] | |
| Cherry Creek makes a frequency swap inMissoula Top 40KXDR to the stronger signal of 106.7 FM formerly held by clustermate KBQQ, which moves its main signal from 106.7 to 96.9 FM and its translator to KXDR's former signal at 98.7 FM for better coverage in the Missoula metropolitan area. | [citation needed] | |
| 2 | CountryKTWI—Omaha flips toclassic country "93.3 The Wolf". | [5] |
| OldiesWMTI—Picayune, Mississippi/New Orleans flips tosports. | [6] | |
| As part of a frequency swap,95.7 FM in Cedar Rapids officially switches fromcountry (which had moved to96.5 FM on December 27,2011) to simulcastingWMT's AM signal; on January 17, the call letters change to KWMG-FM. | [citation needed] | |
| 3 | TheBuffalo Bills Radio Network ends its relationship withCumulus Media (purchasers of Citadel Broadcasting's assets, including former flagshipWGRF and four other network affiliates) and signs a deal withEntercom Communications; as a result, the network's new flagship becomes Entercom'sWGR (who already has theSabres Hockey Network as well) effective that summer. | [7] |
| 4 | TalkWPLZ—Chattanooga, Tennessee flips tocountry. | [8] |
| Co-ownedoldiesWKAD—Cadillac, Michigan, andadult standardsWMBN—Petoskey, Michigan, flip tosports. | [9] | |
| 5 | The owners ofKMVV—Anchorage, which exited the Rhythmic ACMOViN' format in November 2011 before signing off December 31, 2011, announced it plans to return to the air with a Smooth Jazz format as "104.9 The Oasis". | [10] |
| 6 | CountryKTFW—Fort Worth rebrands to "Hank FM". | [11] |
| TalkWXTL—Syracuse, New York, switches toclassic rock "105.9 The Rebel". | [12] | |
| Rhythmic Top 40WHTI—Lakeside/Richmond, Virginia, shifts toCHR but retains the "Hot 100.9" name. | [13] | |
| CHRCKHZ—Halifax, Nova Scotia overhauls the format and airstaff, by returning to itsdance roots as "Energy 103.5". | [14] | |
| Family Radio files papers with theFCC to change the licensing status ofWFME—Newark/New York City from non-commercial to commercial, preparing it for a possible sale. | [15] | |
| 9 | Adult contemporaryWDOK—Cleveland rebrands as "The New 102", dropping both longtime midday host Nancy Alden andDelilah. | [16] |
| iHeartRadio announces a deal to bringGreater Media's 22 outlets to its streaming platform, starting in April. | [17] | |
| 12 | Alternative rockKEXX—Phoenix flips toclassic rock "My 103.9". | [18] |
| Classic rockCKQK-FM—Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island flips toCHR "Hot 105.5." | [19] | |
| Veteran voiceover artist Bill St. James announces his departure fromCumulus Media Networks' syndicatedclassic rock seriesFlashback.Matt Pinfield, host ofMTV/MTV2's120 Minutes, takes over as host. | [20] | |
| 13 | Clear Channel Communications changes the name of its radio division to Clear Channel Media & Entertainment. | [21] |
| 15 | Classic hits/brokeredWOLT—Greenville adds dance-oriented hits and remixes via Jamtraxx's Spin-FM service. | [22] |
| 19 | The bandwagon of FM sports talk stops inMissoula, Montana as Cherry Creek installs a simulcast of AM KGRZ at 92.7 fm the former home of CHR top 40KXDR which displaced KBQQ's 106.7 signal. | [citation needed] |
| 20 | Adult Top 40KLZR—Lawrence/Topeka, Kansas flips toCHR "105.9 Kiss-FM". | [23] |
| 90s-centricclassic hitsWMHX—Harrisburg flips tocountry "The New Z 106.7". | [24] | |
| Adult Top 40KFLX—Flagstaff, Arizona flips to 80s-centricclassic hits "Rewind 92.5 & 104.1". | [25] | |
| 23 | TheCanadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has ruled that College-run radio stations in Canada can no longer use students as on-air DJs. This move will mean thatCKIC—Winnipeg will be the first station to be forced off the air due to this decision. | [26] |
| 24 | Sirius XM Radio offers a free three-month subscription to anyone who buys a used vehicle that was equipped with a satellite radio feature that was made by theChrysler Group LLC. | [27] |
| 27 | Country WPKX—Enfield, Connecticut/Springfield, Massachusetts is relaunched asESPN Radio affiliateWUCS—Windsor Locks/Hartford. | [28] |
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Adult hitsKSZR—Tucson switches toCHR "i97.5". | [29] |
| 5 | CHRKCKS—Chico, California flips tosports with theFox Sports Radio lineup. | [30] |
| 8 | The Spanish Top 40 format ofXHGTS-FM—Nuevo Laredo, Mexico moves over toKQUR—Laredo, Texas, displacing KQUR's Active Rock format, which moves over to the internet. | [31] |
| 10 | Christian contemporaryWFGZ—Nashville flips toclassic hits WHPY-FM "Hippy Radio 94.5". | [32] |
| 14 | Adult contemporaryCJGV-FM—Winnipeg flips toadult Top 40 "99.1 Fresh FM". | [33] |
| CountryKOAZ—Isleta/Albuquerque flips tosmooth jazz "103.7 The Oasis." | [34] | |
| 15 | WWPW—Charlestown, Indiana/Louisville returns to the air as 80s-centricclassic hits WLUE. | [35] |
| 17 | Nearly six years after the death of longtime ownerBernie Dittman, the family sells heritageCHRWABB-FM—Mobile toEducational Media Foundation, whileWABB—Mobile is retained for the time being. It is regarded as the "end of an era" as WABB and WABB-FM held aTop 40/CHR format continuously in some capacity dating back to Bernie Dittman's purchase of WABB in 1959. | [36] |
| Fort Walton Beach, Florida outletsWFFY andWMXZ adjusts formats, with WFFY shifting from Rhythmic Top 40 toCHR as "Q92." WMXZ flipped from Adult Top 40 to Rock on March 2 and adopting the moniker "103.1 The Blaze." | [37] | |
| 20 | TheQuad Cities picks up anotherCHR, asKUUL drops its oldies format (which had been in place since 1989) to become "101.3 KISS-FM." Several of KUUL's former syndicated programs are shuffled to sister-stationKMXG to create a "retro/oldies" weekend programming block at that station. In response to the format switch, another FM station in the Quad Cities' market,WYEC (93.9 FM), expands its oldies programming by rebranding itself "Rewind 93.9" and adding a block of 50s and 60s music on Fridays. | [38] |
| 22 | WFNL—Raleigh returns to the air with programming from24/7 Comedy Radio. The station, formerlyclassic country WQDR, had been silent for ten months after its tower was destroyed by a tornado in April2011. | [39] |
| 24 | Cumulus Media expands the "Great Country" branding to current Country outletWSJR—Wilkes-Barre, and formerCHRWKOS—Kingsport. | [40] |
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Concurrent withCHRWABB-FM—Mobile joining theK-Love network as WLVM,Cumulus Media flipsadult hits "Jack FM"WYOK—Saraland/Mobile to CHR "104.1 WABD", hiring several WABB-FM personalities and their morning show. | [41] |
| Soft ACKVWE—Missoula, Montana flips to a simulcast oftalkKGVO. | [citation needed] | |
| 2 | Adult contemporaryKJMK—Joplin switches toclassic hits as "Classic Hits 93.9". | [42] |
| 3 | Adult contemporaryWIOP—Isle of Palms/Charleston, South Carolina segues toadult Top 40 WMXZ "Mix 95.9". | [43] |
| 4 | A series of advertisers includingLegalZoom,Citrix,Sleep Number,The Sleep Train,ProFlowers,Quicken Loans andCarbonite, drop or suspend their sponsorship ofThe Rush Limbaugh Show after hostRush Limbaugh made derogatory remarks toward activistSandra Fluke, who testified in favor of a rule requiring religious institutions to pay for birth control as part of their health insurance plans. The Sleep Train asked to resume advertising four days later, but Limbaugh refused. | [44] |
| 5 | ClassicalKUDL—Kansas City switches to business programming; the classical format originated as KXTR on96.5 FM in the 1950s but had been on AM since 2000. | [45] |
| 8 | Cumulus Media announced that they are droppingBilly Bush's nighttime program from theirCHR outlets. Cumulus, which had an agreement withWestwood One to carry the show (and several other of the network's offerings), acquired the formerABC Radio Networks in fall 2011 and began phasing out programs from Westwood One (which merged withDial Global at the same time) on its stations. | [46] |
| 9 | Entercom purchasesKBLX—San Francisco from Inner City Broadcasting for 25 million. The deal comes in the wake of Inner City's bankruptcy and to prevent an attempt by Cumulus Media to acquire the Urban AC outlet. | [47] |
| 80s-centricadult hitsKBJX—Idaho Falls flips toeasy listening "Easy Rock 106". | [citation needed] | |
| Hot ACKRMX—Waco, Texas flips tocountry "Shooter FM" | [citation needed] | |
| Adult hitsKRXX—Kodiak, Alaska flips toCHR "Hot FM". | [citation needed] | |
| 13 | Curtis Media Group shuffles its talk programming in thePiedmont Triad andResearch Triangle, dropping the format fromWZTK—Burlington, North Carolina. Some of WZTK's programming moves toWSJS—Winston-Salem andWPTK—Raleigh, ending theoldies format of WKIX; WPTK also inherits most ofWPTF's talk programming as that station moves to an emphasis onnews programming. | [48] |
| 15 | Federated Media announces that it will simulcastFort Wayne talk stationWOWO on the FM dial starting April 1, displacing classic rockWFWI. The simulcast actually starts on March 28. | [49] |
| 16 | Montreal-basedAstral Media announces an agreement to merge its assets withBell Media for $3.38 billion; among the assets included in the sale are 85 Astral-owned radio stations in the Canadian provinces ofAlberta,British Columbia,Manitoba,New Brunswick,Nova Scotia,Ontario,Quebec andSaskatchewan. | [50] |
| CHRWXKR-HD2/W246AK—Port Clinton/Toledo flips toalternative rock as "The Zone". | [51] | |
| Classic rockKRWK—Fargo, North Dakota flips to syndicatedconservative talk as a complement to co-owned talkKFGO—Fargo. | [52] | |
| 19 | Adult contemporaryWWWM-FM—Sylvania/Toledo flips toCHR, retaining the "Star 105.5" name. | [51] |
| 22 | Cumulus Media expands the AC formatted "Warm" brand to two markets:alternative rockKYNF—Fayetteville, Arkansas, andJack FM formattedKBIU—Lake Charles, Louisiana. | [53] |
| 23 | GospelWFJO—Jacksonville Beach/Jacksonville, Florida, flips tosports WJXL-FM, simulcastingWJXL. | [54] |
| WLOV-FMDaytona Beach Shores/Daytona Beach, Florida signs on with asoft AC format. | ||
| 24 | CountryKIXZ—Opportunity/Spokane, Washington flips toCHR "Hits 96.1". | [55] |
| 26 | KLIF—Dallas begins a transition from talk to an all-news format, debuting news-intensive blocks in both morning and afternoon drive as "News/Information 570.". | [56] |
| 29 | Modern ACKSCF—San Diego flips toCHR "Energy 103.7." A few days later, the call letters changed to KEGY. | [57] |
| 30 | KDHT-FM—Denver flips fromCHR to Dance. | [58] |
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | WARG—Summit, Illinois a student and volunteer-run radio outlet operated byArgo Community High School and whose signal covers the southwestern portions ofChicago and Cook County, dropped thealternative rock format after 36 years in favor of Dance, with most of the music provided by internet broadcaster Fusion Radio. The station's staff and volunteers were retained, as well as their programming lineup when Dance music is not aired. | [59] |
| WCMQ-FM—Miami flips from Spanish Oldies toSalsa and adopts the "Zeta" moniker that was once used atWINZ and WZTA. | [60] | |
| 2 | Bloomington, Illinois becomes the latest radio market to see two stations flip formats within 72 hours of each other, with WVMG dropping AC forCHR as "Hits 100.7"WWHX,[61] andWZIM droppingclassic hits for Sports Talk on April 5. | [62] |
| 4 | Clear Channel expand its Top 40 roster, and adds a three-way race in two markets:WVMA—Norfolk,[63] andKVJM—Bryan/College Station, Texas. | [64] |
| 9 | Another Clear Channel outlet flips toCHR, asWMRV—Binghamton, New York returns to the format after spending time as an Adult Top 40 but continues to bill itself as "Star 105.7." | [65] |
| 10 | CBS Radio sells theirWest Palm Beach cluster of Rhythmic Top 40WMBX, Adult Top 40WPBZ, ACWEAT, CountryWIRK and Adult R&BWHFS to locally based Palm Beach Broadcasting LLC (the owners ofWRMF; and headed byGoodRadio.TV chairman Dean Goodman) for $50 Million, pending FCC approval. WEAT and WHFS will be resold to a third party along with plans to move WEAT's format and call letters to WPBZ and a possible frequency relocation for WEAT's 104.3 signal into the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area; the WHFS call letters will remain with CBS. | [66] |
| As a result of Canada's Conservative Government's announced plan to make a $115 million (CDN) reduction in funding over the next three years,The CBC announces that it will eliminate 650 jobs and for the first time since 1975 will begin airing commercials on their stations, but limiting it to their music outlets only. | [67] | |
| 11 | Double O Radio sells theirPanama City, Florida cluster of Rhythmic Top 40WPFM,classic rockWRBA,Bob FM formattedWASJ and CountryWAKT to Powell Broadcasting for $950,000. No changes will be made under the turnover. | [68] |
| 13 | Adult Top 40KQHN—Waskom, Texas/Shreveport, Louisiana flips toCHR "i97.3". | [69] |
| TheMinneapolis–St. Paul "Love 105"oldies trimulcast ofWGVX-—Lakeville/WGVY—Cambridge/WGVZ—Eden Prairie shifts toadult contemporary. | [70] | |
| 16 | After 43 years, WKDN—Philadelphia ceases its broadcast ofFamily Radio following its sale to Merlin Media. The station launched a news talk format on May 7 under the new call lettersWWIQ. | [71] |
| 17 | Howard Stern loses his lawsuit againstSirius XM Radio in which Stern sought $300 million in stock from the company for meeting benchmarks. The ruling determined Stern did not meet those benchmarks and resulted in the case being dismissedwith prejudice. | [72] |
| WQTL—Tallahassee goes from Oldies "Q106.1" to a hybridclassic rock/AAA format as "106.1 The Path." | [73] | |
| 18 | WJGH—Jacksonville tradesclassic hits "Magic 107.3" foradult hits "Jack FM". | [74] |
| 23 | Keeping "The Bone" name intact,WHPT—Tampa makes the shift fromclassic rock to Hot Talk. | [75] |
| After less than eight months on the air, Cumulus Media drops the 80s/90s "Journey" format fromWJLQ—Pensacola in favor of a simulcast of news/talkWCOA. | [76] | |
| 24 | Merlin Media assumes operational control ofWLFM-LP channel 6 (the audio carrier of whichfunctions as a radio station at87.7FM) via alocal marketing agreement (LMA). WLFM flips fromsmooth jazz toalternative rock as "Q87.7" WKQX-LP on May 7, but is unrelated toQ101 Chicago, an internet station launched after theintellectual property of "Q101" was divested prior toWKQX—Chicago's flip to all-news WIQI. Broadcast Barter Radio Networks, owners of "Q101 Chicago", start carrying that stream's programming overWJJG—Elmhurst as "Q101 on 1530" hours before "Q87.7" launches. | [77] |
| 26 | ESPN Radio announces that it will be taking overEmmis' New York urban ACWRKS starting April 30 via aLMA. ESPN's flagship station,WEPN, will simulcast, and eventually move to, the 98.7 frequency (retitled WEPN-FM on May 14). Emmis then announced that they would be selling off the intellectual property of "98.7 Kiss" to YMF Media, slated to take over WRKS's main competitorWBLS, along withWLIB, fromInner City Broadcasting. | [78] |
| 30 | Townsquare Media andCumulus Media swap 65 stations in 13 US radio markets in a deal worth $116 million. With this deal, Cumulus entersPeoria andBloomington, Illinois while Townsquare enters 11 small markets as part of the trade. | [79] |
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | FM 107.3 inSouth Bristol, New York resumes independent operations, ending its simulcast ofWHTK—Rochester and adopting an oldies format asWODX. | [80] |
| 16 | The Boston Phoenix announces on their blog that their co-ownedalternative rock outletWFNX—Boston will be sold toClear Channel Communications for $11 Million. The station flipped toadult hits two months later and adopted new call letters asWHBA. | [81] |
| Albuquerque, New Mexico adds yet anotherCHR, asKLQT drops AC to become "Channel 95.1". | [82] | |
| The Larry H. Miller Group acquiresKZNS-AM& FM from the SLC Divestiture Trust, which was set up to spin off stations that was placed on sale from Simmons Broadcasting after it purchased Mill Creek Broadcasting in 2010. The Sports Talk combo will become the new broadcast home for theUtah Jazz, which is owned by Miller. | [83] | |
| 17 | WNUE—Orlando flips from Spanish adult hits to Salsa as "Salsa 98.1". | [84] |
| 18 | Hot ACKDMX—Dallas switches toadult Top 40 "102.9 NOW". | [85] |
| 23 | Alternative rockWMMS-HD2—Cleveland rebrands as "99X" after adding a relay overlow-power translator W256BT. | [86] |
| WSGX—St. Louis flips from "Gen-X" Hot AC to 80s-focusedclassic rock as "100.3 The Brew." | [87] | |
| 24 | "She 103.5" returns toMiami asWMIB moves toadult hits, leaving behind Spanish AC "Super X." The "She" name was used at the station previously until 1995. | [88] |
| 25 | WXKT—Athens drops Talk forclassic hits as "103.7 Chuck FM". | [89] |
| 29 | Cumulus Media flipsWYAY—Atlanta's format fromclassic hits toall-news, marking the third attempt at the format in the market's recent history. FormerKDKA—Pittsburgh program director Marshall Adams was tabbed by Cumulus for like duties at the new station. | [90] |
| 30 | Adult Top 40WLER—Butler, Pennsylvania flips toactive rock. | [91] |
| UrbanWGBZ—Anniston, Alabama flips toclassic rock. | [92] |
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Palm Beach Radio makes a series of changes in South Florida, all triggered by the sale ofCBS Radio'sWest Palm Beach, Florida cluster to Palm Beach Broadcasting, LLC.Country-formattedWIRK moves from its 107.9 frequency to 103.1, replacingAdult Top 40 WPBZ.Adult contemporary stationWEAT moves from its longtime home at 104.3 to the 107.9 frequency. The 104.3 signal officially changed its COL from West Palm Beach toMiramar, targeting Miami with a Smooth AC format under the new call lettersWMSF. It is expected to be a temporary placement until Palm Beach Broadcasting finds a buyer for the station. | [93] |
| 4 | Federated Media flips its four Indiana stationsWFGA,WLEG,WAOR andWNIL to Sports. | [94] |
| 6 | KXLI—Las Vegas is sold to Radio Activo Broadcasting. A format change to Spanish CHR occurred on July 1. | [95] |
| 7 | KEXX—Phoenix makes the transition fromadult hits toAdult Top 40. | [96] |
| 11 | TheGlenn Beck Program is renewed for another five years onPremiere Networks as Premiere and hostGlenn Beck reach a contract extension that runs through 2017. | [97] |
| 12 | KOGM—Lafayette, Louisiana dropsclassic hits for Adult Top 40 as "Mix 107.1". | [98] |
| 13 | Bernard Radio soldWRBP—Youngstown, Ohio toEducational Media Foundation for $500,000. The station will flip fromurban contemporary to Christian Music. On Jan 24 2013, call letters were changed to WYLR. | [99] |
| 14 | WTDA andWMNI—Columbus flip their formats to all-news, branded as "NewsRadio 103.9 and 920". The flip also reduces the number of Oldies/classic hits outlets in Columbus from five stations to three. | [100] |
| WOBE—Iron Mountain, Michigan flips fromclassic hits toCHR, branded "100.7 Radio Now". | [101] | |
| 18 | Urban ACKRMP—Oklahoma City adds an FM translator at 92.1 and rebrands its moniker from "1140 The Touch" to "Heart & Soul 92.1 & 1140," thus allowing the AM daytimer to broadcast around the clock. | [102] |
| 25 | Spanish ACWRMA—Miami flips to bilingualDance Top 40 as "DJ 106.7," with former crosstown Rhythmic Top 40WPOW morning host DJ Laz adding similar duties via voicetracking from sister stationKXOL—Los Angeles starting July 4. | [103] |
| Boston.com, the website ofThe Boston Globe, announces the launching of an internetalternative rock radio station, employing the former air staff of WFNX, which was sold to Clear Channel in May. | [104] | |
| WLFN—La Crosse, Wisconsin flips from Adult Standards to All Talk as "Today's Talk 1190". | [105] | |
| 26 | iHeartRadio announces thatCox Radio andEmmis Communications will join the platform. Two days later, the same two companies, along withEntercom, also signed a similar deal withTuneIn to add their stations to the platform. | [106] |
| 28 | Classic hitsWODS—Boston flips toCHR "103.3 AMP Radio"; the prior format is moved to WODS-HD2. | [107] |
| Rhythmic oldiesKOKO—Fresno shifts toclassic hits. | [108] | |
| Univision makes format changes in the Dallas-Ft. Worth radio market.KESS drops Spanish Oldies for Bilingual Top 40/CHR, billing itself as "Radio H2O" with most of the presentation in English. At the same time, sister stationKDXX goes from Spanish Oldies to Regional Mexican andKFZO goes from Regional Mexican to Spanish AC. | [108] | |
| 29 | WWNU—Columbia, South Carolina flips from soft AC to Triple-A as "92.1 The Palm". | [109] |
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | WBOW-FM—Terre Haute, Indiana drops AC for Country as "Q102.7" and changes call letters to WDWQ. | [110] |
| 2 | WLYT—Charlotte departs the AC format and becomesadult hits as "102.9 The Lake". | [111] |
| Rhythmic oldiesKJHM—Denver switches torhythmic AC. | [112] | |
| 3 | 90s-centricclassic hitsKTGX—Tulsa switches tocountry "106.1 The Twister." | [113] |
| Just a year after making a return to morning drive,Rick Dees parts ways withKHHT—Los Angeles. | [114] | |
| 10 | Cumulus Media spins offclassic hitsWRQQ—Nashville toEducational Media Foundation, giving Nashville its first K-LOVE outlet. The station flipped on July 15. | [115] |
| 15 | As part of a station trade between Cumulus andEducational Media Foundation that included WRQQ, Cumulus acquires the license forK-Love outletWLVM—Mobile, Alabama in exchange for the license ofurban ACWDLT—Chickasaw/Mobile. Cumulus flips WLVM toCHR as WABD (restoring the format on the97.5FM frequency) and flips CHRWABDSaraland/Mobile to urban AC WDLT (restoring the format on the104.1FM frequency), while EMF changes WDLT to K-Love WLVM. | [116] |
| 16 | CHLQ-FM Magic 93Charlottetown flips to classic rock Q93 filling a void left in the market afterNewcap'sK-Rock 105.5 became CHR Hot 105.5 earlier this year | |
| 17 | Plagued by low ratings and uneven programming methods, Merlin Media ends the all-news formats of bothWEMP—New York andWIQI—Chicago after less than a year, flipping them back to music-based formats. With the move, WEMP reverts to alternative rock as "New Rock 101.9" (exactly one year and two days after predecessor WRXP signed off) and WIQI takes an adult hits format as "i101." The format changes were sudden, and a vast majority of personnel for both stations were dismissed as a result. | [117] |
| Alternative rockKHJK—Houston flips toAir1 upon its change of ownership from Cumulus to EMF via a LMA. | [118] | |
| 21 | Randy Owen, lead singer ofAlabama, takes overCountry Gold, the long-running Saturday night classic country request program currently heard onDial Global. In doing so, the new program mostly abandons its request format dating to its launch onWestwood One in the early 1990s. | [119] |
| 27 | WUTQ-AM and WRCK, a pair of daytime-only AM radio stations in theMohawk Valley, are sold to new ownership. The two stations, the former of which is to change call signs to WUSP, will adopt asports radio format with elements of the predecessor'sfull service trappings; the stations' previous adult contemporary format will continue onWUTQ-FM, which is not included in the sale. |
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The HD2 and translator of UrbanWQUE—New Orleans drops its Old School Hip-Hop format forCHR as "96.3 KISS FM." This marks the second time in this market that Clear Channel has used the Top 40 "KISS-FM" brand, which was last used atKSTE. | [120] |
| 2 | CBS Radio flipsWSJT—Tampa from Hot AC "Play 98.7" to Sports Talk as "98.7 The Fan". | [111] |
| 8 | TheMontreal Canadiens file a request of intervention with the CRTC to opposeBell Globemedia's plan to change the language of Sports TalkCKGM—Montreal from anglophone to Francophone. TheNHL team are worried that the move will displace their English-language listeners and is asking that the station broadcast the games in both languages | [121] |
| 13 | WXKS-AM drops the Talk format for Comedy as "Matty's Comedy 1200." Some of WXKS' existing programming, includingThe Rush Limbaugh Show andCoast to Coast AM were picked up byWRKO. | [122] |
| TalkWOR—New York City (as well as itsassociated syndication network) is sold byBuckley Broadcasting toClear Channel for $30 million. | [123] | |
| WQJK—Knoxville flipped fromJack FM toCHR as "95.7 Power FM." | [124] | |
| 16 | Radio One announced that it has acquired Spanish Sports TalkWZZQ-AM (including its translator) and its Regional Mexican sister stationWNOW-FM—Charlotte from Gaffney Broadcasting for $7.75 Million, but will hold on to the FM and will start programming the station via a LMA on September 4, 2012, endingDavidson Media Group's involvement with the station. The AM and translator will be spun off to a third party. WNOW flipped to aRhythmic Oldies format on August 27. | [125] |
| 17 | CIQM—London, Ontario drops Hot AC and theEZ Rock format forCHR, adopting parent companyAstral Media's "Virgin Radio" branding. | [126] |
| 21 | CHAM—Hamilton, Ontario abandons itscountry music format and joinsCumulus Media Networks's24/7 Comedy Radio network. CHAM joinsCKSL—London, Ontario, a corporate sister station, in programming the American network. (Because the network is entirely spoken word, it is not subject toCanadian content requirements.) | [citation needed] |
| 24 | Lincoln Financial Media announced that they will purchaseWMSF—Miami from Palm Beach Radio for $13 Million and will flip the Smooth AC outlet to Sports, simulcasting sister AMWAXY under a LMA deal until the deal is approved by the FCC. | [127] |
| 25 | Salem Communications purchasesWMUU-FM—Greenville from Gospel Fellowship Association, affiliated withBob Jones University. The Christian/Beautiful Music outlet will move to online as the station flips to Conservative Talk programming fromSalem Radio Network | [128] |
| 27 | WDXX—Montgomery flips from Country to broad-basedadult hits, branded as "Fuzion 100.1." | [129] |
| 28 | Talk Radio Network files an antitrust lawsuit againstDial Global. | [130] |
| 29 | Springfield, Missouri picks up a Rhythmic Top 40 outlet, asKOSP exitsclassic hits to become "92.9 The Beat." | [131] |
| Mainstream rockWKLS—Atlanta flips toCHR WWPW "Power 96.1" whileWWWQ-HD2 flips toactive rock a few days later. | [132] | |
| 31 | CHRCKMM—Winnipeg is the latest station inCanada to adopt parent companyAstral Media'sVirgin Radio branding. | [133] |
| Cumulus and EMF swap stations, with EMF exchanging K-LOVE outletKXPC—Eugene, Oregon for Cumulus' Adult Top 40KRUZ—Santa Barbara, California. Cumulus will hang onto the KRUZ call letters. | [134] | |
| WJSE—Cape May, New Jersey dropsclassic hits in favor ofalternative rock. | [135] | |
| KMRJ—Palm Springs dropsclassic rock for Rhythmic Hot AC as "Jammin' 99.5." | [136] |
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | MOViN' returned toAnchorage, asKNLT exits AC to pick the Rhythmic AC format that was dropped byKMVV back in November 2011. KMVV, which flipped to Christmas music after dropping the MOViN' brand, has been silent since February 2012 and has yet to return to the air. | [137] |
| Adult contemporaryKOLL—Lonoke/Little Rock flipsregional Mexican, bringing its first Spanish formatted outlet to the market. | [138] | |
| 2 | Classic rockKQBW—Omaha flips toCHR "95.7 Kiss FM". | [139] |
| 4 | Country WZKT—Lewes, Delaware flips totalk radioWXDE "Delaware 105.9". | [140] |
| Adult hitsWCHY—Madison changes toadult Top 40 "Mix 105.1". | [141] | |
| NBC Sports Radio launches, competing withESPN Radio andFox Sports Radio as asports radio network. | [142] | |
| 7 | For the first time sinceWLUM flipped toalternative rock in 1994, the Rhythmic Top 40 format returned toMilwaukee, as WZBK-FM dropped Classic Country to become "Energy 106.9" and changes call letters toWNRG-FM. | [143] |
| 90s-centricclassic hitsWQSH—Albany flips toadult Top 40 "PopCrush 105.7". | [144] | |
| Adult hitsKJAC—Fort Collins, Colorado, the first station to adopt theJack FM format in the United States in 2004, flips to a simulcast ofKDSP—Denver. | [145] | |
| 10 | WOSW—Fulton, Oswego County, New York ends its simulcast ofRadio Disney (which will remain heard onWOLF/WWLF) and adopts aclassic country format, which has not been heard in Central New York sinceWSCP abandoned the format in 2007. | [146] |
| Florence, South Carolina picks up a R&B/Hip-Hop simulcast, as ACWRZE and Gospel comboWWRK & W290CD become "Swagga 94.1 & 105.9." | [147] | |
| 11 | Abilene, Texas sees two sister stations owned by Doud Media Group switch signals and format flips, withCHRKORQ moving from 95.1 to 96.1, replacingFox News Radio affiliateKFNA due to lackluster ratings. The 95.1 signal will be replaced with Country, as it brings back "The Wolf" moniker that was last heard at the 96.1 signal in 2010. | [148] |
| 12 | WROO—Greenville drops its hybrid Christian/AC format forclassic rock, branded as "96.7 The Road". | [149] |
| 13 | Mainestream Media takes control ofWBQW—Kennebunkport, Maine (serving thePortland area), and drops its simulcast ofWBACH for a stunt of Christmas music. The station adopted a CHR format the following day. | [150] |
| Urban ACWQNC—Harrisburg/Charlotte, North Carolina, flips to a simulcast ofgospelWPZS—Indian Trail. | [151] | |
| 14 | 90s-centricclassic hitsWIGX—Smithtown, New York flips tomainstream rock "94.3 The Shark". | [152] |
| 17 | Hot ACKYYY—Bismarck, North Dakota is the latest Clear Channel outlet to make a return to its formerCHR format. | [153] |
| 19 | KRPT—San Antonio drops Conservative Talk for Rhythmic Top 40 as "WiLD 92.5 & 105.7," the latter being the former FM translator simulcast of AM News sisterWOAI due to KRPT being signal challenged in San Antonio proper. | [154] |
| 26 | TalkWGST—Atlanta switches toESPN Deportes Radio, dismissing the station's entire airstaff including afternoon hostRusty Humphries. Two syndicated WGST programs,The Rush Limbaugh Show andTheGlenn Beck Program were picked up byWSB—Atlanta/WSBB—Doraville andWCFO—East Point, respectively. | [155] |
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adult Top 40KDMX—Dallas (which competed directly against co-ownedCHRKHKS—Denton/Dallas) reverts tohot AC while retaining the "102.9 Now" brand. | [citation needed] |
| 4 | Adult Top 40WERZ—Portsmouth, New Hampshire reverts toCHR "Z107", while co-owned CHRWSKX—York Center, Maine flips toadult contemporary "95.3 The Coast" moniker on October 10. | [156] |
| Talk simulcastWOLH—Florence, South Carolina andWHYM/W255BD—Lake City, South Carolina flip torhythmic oldies "Jammin' 98.9." | [157] | |
| 8 | CBS Radio purchasesalternative WRXP—New York City from Merlin Media for $75 million, relaunching the signal assportsWFAN-FM (a round-the-clock simulcast ofWFAN New York City) on November 2. | [158] |
| 11 | Clear Channel expands the iHeartRadio platform toAustralia andNew Zealand, with a customized version being launched through part-ownedAustralian Radio Network. | [159] |
| 15 | KRML—Monterey, California, the station made famous in the 1971 film "Play Misty for Me," drops its longtime Jazz format forCHR as "Radio Yummi." Their slogan is "All the hits, over and over again." However, this is later revealed to be a stunt as KRML unveiled a Triple-A format that includes Jazz and Blues programming on October 29. | [160] |
| 16 | Family Radio sellsWFME—Newark/New York City toCumulus Media. | [161] |
| 18 | TheCRTC has deniedBell Media's proposed plan to merge withAstral Media, citing that the deal was "not in the public interest," and added that the merger would not provide "significant and unequivocal benefits to the Canadian broadcasting system and to Canadians sufficient to outweigh its concerns." In addition, the proposed plan that was tied to that deal, the conversion ofCKGM—Montreal from anglophone to francophone, was also turned down due to lack of support. | [162] |
| 19 | KCAR—Joplin, Missouri drops All-Comedy for Adult Top 40 as "Star 104.3". | [163] |
| 23 | Radio One sellsadult hits "Jack FM"WJKR—Upper Arlington/Columbus toSalem Communications, which flips the station toconservative talk "98.9 The Answer". | [164] |
| Mel Karmazin announces that he stepping down as CEO ofSirius XM Radio effective February 1, 2013. The decision comes asLiberty Media prepares to acquire the remaining 50.5% ownership of the satellite radio broadcaster. | [165] | |
| 24 | Adult album alternativeWZGC—Atlanta flips tosports "92.9 The Game", utilizing an entirely local airstaff and no syndicated programming. | [166] |
| 25 | SportsWBNS-FM—Columbus fires morning host Scott Torgerson after an October 13, 2012,tweet written by him — wishingESPN personality (andMichigan Wolverines alum)Desmond Howard could "get fired or die" so he can watchCollege GameDay again — went viral. | [167] |
| 25 | Urban ACWEOA—Evansville adds an FM translator at 98.5 and rebrands to "Magic 98.5." | [168] |
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adult hitsWCHK—Seymour/Appleton, Wisconsin begins stunting withChristmas music, flipping toHot AC WKZG after the holidays. | [169] |
| TalkWLRS—Shepherdsville/Louisville also begins stunting withChristmas music, ultimately flipping tosoft AC "Easy 105.1." | [170] | |
| 2 | Rhythmic hot ACWMOV—Norfolk also stunts with Christmas music, but returns to the same "Movin'" format on December 26. | [171] |
| Killer Radio andFlashback In 60 Minutes are pulled fromWKCB-FM, and the station is met with overwhelming backlash from fans of both shows. | [citation needed] | |
| 7 | Urban ACKTLK-FM—Columbia, Illinois/St. Louis flips toRhythmic Top 40 "WiLD 104.9", whileclassic rockKBWX—Bridgeton, Missouri/St. Louis assumes the KMJM call sign and urban AC format. | [172] |
| Urban ACWFUN-FM—St. Louis flips torhythmic oldies "Old School 95.5." | [173] | |
| 8 | After 27 years, CBS Radio retires the call letters ofCHR WXRK/New York City, replaces them withWNOW-FM to match the 92.3 NOW moniker | [174] |
| 9 | SportsCFAC—Calgary suspends morning host Dean "Boomer" Molberg after he made comments that he hoped theSaskatchewan Roughriders' plane to Calgary for the November 11CFL playoff against theCalgary Stampeders would crash and four players would die, a reference to a 1956 plane crash that took the lives of four Stampeders and a member of theWinnipeg Blue Bombers, whose grandson happens to be a current player with the Stampeders. Molberg later apologized for the comments. CFAC also announced that it would make a donation to a charity of the Roughriders' choice and that Molberg's suspension will be lifted after the CFL season ends. | [175] |
| Progressive talkKPOJ—Portland switches tosports, while similarly formattedKPTK—Seattle announces they will do the same five days later. | [176] | |
| 10 | GospelWPRF—Reserve/New Orleans switches toclassic country WGUO "Gumbo 94.9" | [177] |
| 15 | CHRCFWD—Saskatoon, Saskatchewan releases their airstaff and begins stunting with Christmas music, flipping toclassic hits "96.3 Cruz FM" after the holidays. | [178] |
| Dial Global announces it has extendedits exclusive agreement with theNational Football League through the 2017 NFL season. The agreement was originally scheduled to expire in 2014. | [179] | |
| 21 | TalkWTDY-AM/FM—Madison, Wisconsin terminates their airstaff and begins stunting Christmas music. | [180] |
| 22 | Spanish contemporaryKXOS—Los Angeles flips to bilingualrhythmic Top 40 featuring English-language music and Spanish-speaking DJs; this is patterned afterXHFAJ—Mexico City, whose ownerGrupo Radio Centro has a partial ownership stake in KXOS. | [181] |
| CHRWDCG—Raleigh-Durham issues an apology to the city ofRaleigh, its mayorNancy McFarlane, the Greater Raleigh Merchants Association and CBS affiliateWRAL after a float featuring an African-American man dressed as an angel hanging from a Christmas tree sponsored by WDCG was featured in WRAL's telecast of their annual Christmas Parade on November 17. The float, which also featured WDCG morning starsBob and the Showgram, was blasted by officials and parade goers as a depiction of a lynching, and as a result of this incident the show's producer, who did not approve of the float's concept, was terminated. | [182] | |
| 30 | DanceKDHT—Bennett/Denver begins stunting as "Pot 107.1" playing songs with drug references, flipping toadult hits "Jack FM" on December 2. | [183] |
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suburban Los Angeles area rimshot AC trimulcastsKLST/KLSN/KLSI (servingOrange,Ventura andSan Bernardino counties respectively) all flip to the satellite feed ofAir1 under a leasing agreement between owner Amaturo Group andEducational Media Foundation. | [184] |
| 2 | KRUZ—Santa Barbara drops Modern AC to begin carrying Air1 from Educational Media Foundation, who acquired the station in a trade deal with Cumulus Media in exchange for EMF's KXPC—Eugene. | [185] |
| 4 | Australian radio presentersMel Greig andMike Christian, impersonating the Queen and Prince of Wales, make aprank call toKing Edward VII's Hospital in London which is providing prenatal care toCatherine, Duchess of Cambridge. The following day, their conversations with two nurses are broadcast without consent on theirHot30 Countdown show on2Day FM inSydney. On 7 December follows thesuicide of Jacintha Saldanha, one of the nurses involved. | [186] |
| 14 | Progressive talkWVKO—Columbus reverts togospel music after thelocal marketing agreement by station operator Gary Richards ends, citing a lack of support from advertisers and theOhio Democratic Party itself. | [187] |
| 18 | TheA.C. Nielsen Co. announces that they will acquireArbitron, bringing together two of America's largest rating services. The deal, which has been approved by the boards of both companies, is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory review. | [188] |
| 20 | Adult hitsWHBA—Lynn/Boston switches toEDM "Evolution 101.7". | [189] |
| 21 | KOSY-FM—Salt Lake City drops AC for Active Rock, which had previously been used on its FM translator. | [190] |
| 26 | FormertalkKOGO simulcastKOGO-FM—San Diego flips torhythmic oldies KSSX "95.7 Kiss FM" after stunting with Christmas music for one month. | [191] |
| Adult Top 40WARM—York, Pennsylvania reverts toadult contemporary. | [192] | |
| Adult Top 40WRIK-FMMetropolis, Illinois/Paducah, Kentucky flips toCHR using the "Jelli" branding. | [193] | |
| 28 | CHRKGKS—Scott City/Cape Girardeau, Missouri assumes theclassic hits format ofKLSC—Malden, Missouri, which flips to a simulcast ofsportsKGIR—Cape Girardeau/KMAL—Maiden. | [194] |
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| January 3 | Chris Plante, late-morning host atWMAL AM/FM—Washington, D.C., begins a temporary run in limited syndication viaCumulus Media Networks. The run ends in April, but Chris's WMAL show is eventually simulcast onWCOA-FM—Pensacola, Florida via a separate arrangement. | [76] |
| January 3 | Fox News Channel personalityGeraldo Rivera debuts a late-morning show atWABC (AM)—New York City, and then launches another late-morning show specifically forKABC (AM)—Los Angeles on January 30. The series is expected to go national in August. | [97] |
| January 12 | National Latino Broadcasting teams up withChristina Saralegui to launch a new Spanish channel, Christina Radio, onSirius XM 146, targeting multi-generational Hispanics | [195] |
| February 27 | WJJF—Montauk, New York–New London, Connecticut signed on with anews/talk format. | [citation needed] |
| March 5 | After intermittently operating for a number of years as a translator ofWDMO, a station targeted at the largerEau Claire-Menomonie market,WRDN relaunches as a locally programmed station based inDurand, Wisconsin. | [citation needed] |
| April 1 | NBC News andDial Global extendNBC News Radio into a 24-hour radio news operation. Established in 2003 by preceding syndicatorWestwood One and NBC, the network features a mix of reports from NBC News anchors and correspondents, along with simulcasts of breaking news coverage from NBC andMSNBC. It is NBC's first entry in a full-time radio news operation since then-majority ownerGeneral Electric sold off the originalNBC Radio Network to Westwood One in 1987. The lone program from the original "NBC Radio" still in active production,First Light with Dirk Van, also concurrently resurrects the long-ago silenced "NBC" branding (it was primarily branded as either a Westwood One or Dial Global program throughout the 2000s). | [196] |
| April 2 | Talk Radio Network begins producing its own in-house hourly newscasts under theAmerica's Radio News banner. | [197] |
| April 3 | WZFT—Baltimore, Maryland addsThe Kane Show in morning drive, replacing Jackson Blue, who left forWXKS—Boston. | [198] |
| April 4 | KWXS—Bend, Oregon debuts with aRhythmic contemporary format. | [199] |
| April 5 | WDMO, formerly licensed toDurand, Wisconsin but operating from studios inMenomonie, relaunches as a country format station licensed toBaldwin, Wisconsin. | [citation needed] |
| April 9 | Mike Huckabee begins in national syndication via Cumulus Media Networks, airing in the noon to 3 p.m. time slot, directly opposite market leaderThe Rush Limbaugh Show. | [200] |
| May 21 | Perez Hilton begins a nightly program in national syndication via Cumulus Media Networks, airing in the 7 to 11 p.m. time slot. The program will air on Cumulus' Top 40 and Adult Top 40 outlets as the replacement forBilly Bush's syndicated program, which Cumulus dropped in February. | [201] |
| June 7 | After seven days of testing out a Polka format,KJQY—Pueblo debuts with a Rhythmic/Dance Top 40 format, billed as "Power 103.3" | [202] |
| June 24 | Premiere Networks soft-launches a satellite talk radio program hosted by convicted ex-lobbyistJack Abramoff. | [203] |
| August 17 | WDDE—Dover, Delaware, apublic radio formatted joint venture ofDelaware State University and theUniversity of Delaware, begins broadcasting. | [citation needed] |
| August 27 | Premiere Networks launchesGround Zero with Clyde Lewis into national syndication. | [citation needed] |
| September 4 | Two competing sports radio networks,NBC Sports Radio andCBS Sports Radio, launch limited programming at the same time; CBS is distributed throughCumulus Media Networks while NBC is distributed byDial Global. The moves effectively sever CBS's sports ties to Dial Global, the new owner of former CBS subsidiaryWestwood One's assets. | [204] |
| October 10 | KYXE—Yakima, Washington signs on, carrying a stunt ofChristmas music. | [205] |
| November 16 | WEHP—Erie, Pennsylvania debuts with aCHR format, billing themselves as "Happi 92.7" | [206] |
| December 20 | Andrea Tantaros andJason Mattera launch a daily program onTalk Radio Network. | [citation needed] |
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| January 24 | After 46 years of servingMilwaukee's African-American community,WNOV and its FM translator W273AT both went off the air. Although a filing have yet to be made with the FCC, both stations have gone silent for the time being. | [207] |
| February 1 | Martz Communications Group shuts down the operations of their Detroit HD/FM translator outlets W284BQ and W232CA (WGPR-HD3) due to financial issues. | [208] |
| February 16 | Nick Cannon departs the morning show onCHRWXRK—New York City, due to ongoing health problems. | [209] |
| February 17 | The MJ Morning Show onCHRWFLZ-FM—Tampa, Florida, ends after hostTodd Schnitt (aka "MJ Kelli") opts to concentrate on histalk radio show. | [210] |
| February 29 | Lou Dobbs ends his radio show. | [211] |
| March 1 | WBFO—Buffalo, New York, theUniversity at Buffalo's radio station, ceases operations and switches to a simulcast ofWNED, following the sale of the station to WNED's ownership. The move marks the end of jazz on Buffalo radio. | [citation needed] |
| April 1 | CNN will shut down its radio news division. Most of CNN Radio's affiliation roster will switch over to carry "NBC News Radio"; coincidentally, CNN Radio replaced most affiliates of theoriginal NBC Radio Network, and that of theMutual Broadcasting System, when both networks were absorbed into Westwood One in the late 1990s. | [212] |
| June 4 | Neal Boortz announces his retirement, with Boortz's regular fill-in, former presidential candidateHerman Cain, slated as his replacement. The change takes effect in January 2013. | [citation needed] |
| June 8 | Car Talk announces it will cease production and enter reruns in September 2012, due to the retirement of hostsTom and Ray Magliozzi. The program continues to be distributed in reruns (repurposing content from prior broadcasts) overNPR stations. | [213] |
| June 22 | After 20 years as a morning host, Jack Murphy has stepped down from that position atCHRWKZL—Greensboro/Winston-Salem. | [214] |
| June 29 | After 22 years as a morning co-host,CHRWKRZ—Wilkes-Barre/Scranton air personality Sue Barre will retire from broadcasting to concentrate on her real estate business. | [215] |
| July 2 | Bates Technical College'sKXOT—Tacoma goes silent after a deal to sell the station to LMA partnerKUOW—Seattle through a loan deal falls through, resulting in the bank taking over the station until new owners are found. KUOW has moved KXOT's programming over to its HD2 channel. | [216] |
| July 4 | CKIC—Winnipeg officially signs off the air and returns its license back to the CRTC after its owners decided not to challenge its decision that college run radio stations in Canada can no longer use students as airstaffers. | [217] |
| July 14 | Fox All Access ends its run after 19 years and 938 episodes in syndication. | [218] |
| July 27 | G. Gordon Liddy ends his nationally syndicated radio show after 20 years, withPeter Schiff designated as his successor. | [219] |
| August 17 | After 25-year run,KLOS—Los Angeles'Mark and Brian Show airs its final broadcast. The decision to end the program came when co-hostMark Thompson announced on June 13 that he was retiring from radio and move toCharlotte with his wife and that co-hostBrian Phelps would continue solo for the time being after Thompson leaves, but on the same day of the final broadcast as a morning team, Phelps surprises listeners by announcing that he was also leaving KLOS on-air because he and KLOS' ownerCumulus Media couldn't come to terms on a new contract deal. | [220] |
| September 27 | The Savage Nation abruptly ends its run after Savage wins a two-year-old lawsuit against syndicatorTalk Radio Network over the terms of his contract. HostMichael Savage also gains control of his entire show archive (as a result TRN cannot air "best of" reruns) but also agrees to anon-compete clause, which will prevent him from doing radio for an undisclosed amount of time. At the time of the show's ending it was thefifth most-listened-to radio program in the United States, with nine million listeners. A new incarnation of the show debuts four weeks later onCumulus Media Networks. | [221] |
| September 30 | Quebec 800 (CHRC), the last AM radio station inQuebec City, ceases operations. | [222] |
| November 27 | The Laura Ingraham Show ends its run after hostLaura Ingraham's contract with Talk Radio Network expires without being renewed, marking the second major defection from the network's lineup this year. Ingraham later revives the show on Courtside Entertainment Group. | [223] |
| November 30 | CJRN—Niagara Falls, Ontario has its licence revoked for failure to follow the terms of its licence. | [224] |
| December 1 | Jim Santella, a longtime radio host associated with various Buffalo rock radio stations since 1969 (most recently as a weekend blues host at WBFO), retires. | [225] |
| December 10 | WEAG—Starke, Florida surrenders its license to the FCC. The license and callsign are deleted on December 17. | [citation needed] |
| December 20 | WGN—Chicago cancelsThe World According to John Williams andExtension 720 with Milt Rosenberg, the latter of which had aired on WGN since 1973. Overnight hostsSteve and Johnnie had been dismissed nine days prior. | [citation needed] |
| Date | Name | Age | Nationality and notability | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 3 | Bill Heywood | 75 | Radio personality in the Phoenix, Arizona market. | [226] |
| January 22 | Jim Irwin | 77 | Former sportscaster forWTMJ—Milwaukee, WI and radio analyst for theGreen Bay Packers,Milwaukee Bucks,Wisconsin Badgers football, andMilwaukee Brewers | [227] |
| February 1 | Don Cornelius | 75 | Radio host onWVON—Chicago, R&B music promoter, founder of the TV seriesSoul Train | [228] |
| February 9 | Dave Maynard | 82 | Radio host onWBZ-AM and television host onWBZ-TV | [229] |
| March 1 | Andrew Breitbart | 43 | American conservative radio, television and Internet pundit | [230] |
| April 7 | Mike Wallace | 93 | Radio actor and journalist, radio career spanned from 1939 to 2008 | [231] |
| April 16 | Dick Clark | 82 | Host of the nationally syndicated radio programsU.S. Music Survey (a top-40 countdown) andRock, Roll and Remember (an oldies program); founder ofUnited Stations Radio Networks; substitute onAmerican Top 40; radio station owner and disc jockey; top-40 music promoter | [232] |
| April 23 | Hal Jackson | 96 | Pioneering urban radio host, involved in several New York City radio stations | |
| May 4 | Bob Stewart | 91 | Radio writer and host atWNEW andWNBC in New York; subsequently became known for his television work | [233] |
| May 8 | Bruce Baker | 69 | Country music radio personality atWKSN,WWSE andWHUG—Jamestown, New York | [234] |
| May 9 | Carl Beane | 59 | Radio host onWBZ-AM and public address announcer for theBoston Red Sox | [235] |
| May 10 | April Kaufmann | 47 | Talk show host onWOND—Atlantic City; shot dead | [236] |
| June 18 | Jim Packard | 70 | Wisconsin Public Radio producer/host and announcer forMichael Feldman's Whad'Ya Know? | [237] |
| July 16 | Kitty Wells | 92 | Frequent guest on theGrand Ole Opry and theLouisiana Hayride, pioneering female country music singer | [238] |
| July 27 | Joe "Butterball" Tamburro | 70 | Air personality in the Philadelphia radio market (DJ/PD/MD atWDAS-AM& FM) | [239] |
| August 20 | Phyllis Diller | 95 | Comedian atKROW andKSFO in San Francisco, later known for her stand-up career and television appearances | [240] |
| August 24 | Dale Sommers | 68 | Pioneering truck-talk radio host known on air as "The Truckin' Bozo" | [241] |
| September 12 | Derek Jameson | 82 | English tabloid newspaper editor and broadcaster (BBC Radio 2) | [242] |
| September 22 | Tedi Thurman | 89 | Model and actress best known for her role as "Miss Monitor" on the NBC Radio programMonitor | [243] |
| October 9 | Budd Lynch | 95 | Play-by-play voice of theDetroit Red Wings | [244] |
| November 16 | Jefferson Kaye | 75 | Radio and television announcer (stations includeWBEN—Buffalo,WKBW—Buffalo,WBZ—Boston,WPVI-TV—Philadelphia) | [245] |
| November 21 | Art Ginsburg | 81 | American chef whose syndicated short-form program,Mr. Food, was broadcast on television and radio outlets throughout the United States | [246] |
| December 8 | Jenni Rivera | 43 | Mexican-American singer-songwriter, actress, reality television personality/producer, and syndicated radio personality. | [247] |
| December 8 | Arnold Dean | 82 | American radio host (credits includeWKRT—Cortland,WAGE—Syracuse,WTIC—Hartford) | [248] |