UTICA-ROME — Even though Arbitron didn’t release its Spring 2010 ratings estimates to the general public (the market’s actually been embargoed since the Fall 2008 book), Arbitron’s Fair Use policy says media can report on certain ratings data — as long as the data is provided by subscribers.  That’s just what happened, so for the first time in over a year, we have a snapshot of the radio battle in the Mohawk Valley. [More »]

SYRACUSE — Even though automation systems in place at virtually every radio station in the region allow for easy and accurate documentation of every single song and advertisement that hits the air, many stations are now being watched by at least one “external” observer around the clock. Mediaguide is now monitoring several stations in the Syracuse Metropolitan Service Area (MSA) effective today.  Updated 6/22 with slight corrections. [More »]

UTICA-ROME — Stew Schantz, who once served as Operations Manager of Clear Channel’s former Utica-Rome cluster, has passed away at the age of 53.  He most recently was working as OM and afternoon driver at WUPE in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.  Anonymous sources say Schantz died Friday morning, of complications following a heart attack Thursday night. Updated 6/14 with official obituary/arrangements. [More »]

SYRACUSE — Anytime you head to the supermarket over the next several weeks, check out the magazine racks and chances are good you’ll see Sunny 102 (WZUN) “Big” Mike Fiss smiling at you.  He’s on the cover of the April/May edition of “55 Plus” magazine. [More »]

SYRACUSE — Sunny 102 (WZUN) morning man “Big Mike” Fiss and NPR’s Scott Simon recently shared some of their experiences in broadcasting and journalism with students at F-M’s Eagle Hill Middle School. Specifically, Simon spoke about the way technology — specifically social media — has impacted journalism. [More »]

UTICA-ROME — The Galaxy Communications cluster in Utica (well, technically, the Washington Mills area of New Hartford) is looking for a new local sales manager, according to a job posting we spotted today. [More »]

UTICA-ROME — There are now three stations in the Utica-Rome market playing non-stop Christmas music.  Lite 98.7 (WLZW) made the switch early this morning.  It’s the first time in the Regent Communications AC station’s 20-year history that the all-Christmas switch was flipped before Christmas Eve. [More »]

UTICA-ROME — There are two more places on the FM dial to find wall-to-wall holiday tunes in the Mohawk Valley starting today — the pair of “Bug Country” stations owned by Roser Communications Network.  But WBGK/Newport and WBUG/Fort Plain are remaining in-format…  [More »]

NEW YORK CITY — Our congratulations to longtime Syracuse TV and radio broadcaster Rick Gary — one of several personalities inducted to the New York State Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame last night, during a ceremony at The Paley Center for Media. [More »]

SYRACUSE — There are now two AC stations in the market offering Christmas music around the clock: Clear Channel’s Y94FM (WYYY) flipped the switch today. [More »]