Industry trade FMQB reports Citadel Broadcasting is looking to divest itself of various properties, as a condition for its recent acquisition of ABC Radio Networks.  Citadel hasn’t yet named specific markets up for sale, but the article mentions Syracuse as a possibility.  Citadel owns four stations in Syracuse: WNTQ (93Q), WAQX (95X), WLTI (Lite Rock 105.9) and WNSS-AM (ESPN Radio 1260).

SYRACUSE – More than a dozen local bands have signed on to perform live on stage and on the radio during “Ted & Amy’s Christmas Spectacular,” marking it’s 16th year on Christmas Eve morning.  In addition to the tunes, visitors can enjoy breakfast for $1.93, and the kids can meet Santa Claus. [More »]

CANTON, OH — Less than two months into his new gig in Canton, Ohio, former 95X (WAQX) jock and program director Bob O’Dell is off to “pursue another opportunity.”   O’Dell, who exited 95X in August amid controversy regarding his support of local music, made the move to WRQK in early October. No word yet on where he might be heading.  (Source: All Access)

SYRACUSE — Both Y94FM (WYYY) and Lite 105.9 (WLTI) are billing themselves as the area’s “official holiday station” as each bumps up seasonal music into heavy rotation.  Y94FM flipped to all holiday music on Tuesday, while Lite 105.9 is playing about a 25% mix in with their regular playlist.  This is the third year in a row that Y94FM has gone all-out for the holidays.

Matt Drudge is reporting that executives at CBS have Howard Stern’s name at the top of a short list of possible replacements if David Letterman decides to move to ABC. The talks are being described as “serious”, with Stern’s agent Don Buchwald said to be on the phone nearly “non-stop” with the network. Stern’s syndicated morning show is heard locally on 95X.

In numbers released yesterday by Arbitron for the first monthly trends of the winter ratings period, at 9.7, B104.7 gained a full ratings point keeping the station at the top of the rankings. [More »]

Citadel Syracuse operations manager Tom Mitchell has added consulting duties for Binghamton’s WYOS (soon to be WWYL) as it switches from Oldies to Top 40. WPXY Rochester’s ‘Norm on the Barstool’ (known now as K.J. Bryant) takes over as program director of the newly-branded ‘New Hit Music Station, Wild 104′.

In what has become an annual tradition, Lite 105.9 last week raised $41,135 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital during the station’s Lite Loves Kids radiothon held at Shoppingtown Mall. [More »]