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Citadel Sell I-100, WKRT to Saga

A

audio4tv

From All Access:

Saga Buys Two In Ithaca From Citadel, Will Spin Off AM

CITADEL is selling Talk WKRT-A and Classic Rock WIII (I-100)/CORTLAND, NY to SAGA COMMUNICATIONS for $4 million. SAGA will comply with ownership limits in the ITHACA market by spinning off WKRT to BIBLE BROADCASTING NETWORK, which will leave SAGA with three FMs and two AMs in the market.
 
Having worked at OK 100 in the 80's, I was said to see WKRT tossed off like this. WKRT was a good adult standards station during my tenure there.
 
That's too bad, it really should be a good local station. I know some people locally with the clout and or $$$ that would have loved the shot at taking the station over. Citadel never really programmed it right, IMHO.

And hello "Mr. Tony Bonzini". ;-)
 
How in the heck did you know the Bonzini name? I have long forgotten that. :)
 
In the Burbach days, they gave jocks names based on a jingle they had. Bonzini was used in at least two different markets, if not more.

Trying to think how many people I remember from OK 100. Rob Pondesio, Doug Nevell, Greg Hunter, Scott Reynolds. Where are all those folks Pickle? Since your all knowing??
 
Since youz guys is takin' a walk down memory lane, do you remember when the FM was Nose 99-9 when Dave Girard (rest his soul) owned the stations? Pretty interesting moniker, "The Nose." Wasn't it also a "Q" at one time, too? After all these years, it's a blur. But you're right, WKRT-AM was a radio station, which at one time served the Cortland area quite well. Also, WKRT are great sounding call letters, crisp, worthy of great articulation, like some of the classic CHR call signs (WCFL, WGRQ and KCBQ, for example.)[/Mike]
 
Yes, the station was nicknamed 99 Nose. The Q was used I believe at Q104 in Ithaca.

But out of all of this, I will never forget the A.W. Root Beer restaurant in Cortland, and the speed trap in Dryden.
 
lash said:
Trying to think how many people I remember from OK 100. Rob Pondesio, Doug Nevell, Greg Hunter, Scott Reynolds. Where are all those folks Pickle? Since your all knowing??
Click to expand...

Ok, I admit you stumped me. ???

I seemed to remember that Doug Nevel was out of radio and living in WV, but that was some time ago.
 
Radknowski said:
Since youz guys is takin' a walk down memory lane, do you remember when the FM was Nose 99-9 when Dave Girard (rest his soul) owned the stations? Pretty interesting moniker, "The Nose." Wasn't it also a "Q" at one time, too? After all these years, it's a blur.[/Mike]
Click to expand...

David Gerard bought the station from Burbach and it was still OK-100 (WOKW) during his tenure there.
The "Noz" (WNOZ) was owned by the late Don Kelly.

It was never a "Q" as far as I know. It was WKRT-FM for many years, WNOZ, then WOKW, then WNYP (Power 99.9), WYYS (YES-FM), and now WIII.
 
I can't remember Don telling me that he owned WOKW at one point. He hired me away from there, as I returned to Erie. Three years ago, Don Kelly found me, called me, apologized to me, and we were friendly right up until he passed away. I certainly learned a ton from the man, even though I disagreed with his tactics. I wouldn't own today if not for what he taught me.

Regarding OK 100, at one point under the Bill Shannon empire, the Burbach stations could do no wrong.

"Its 10 O'Clock at WOKW, Cortland, Ithaca.....We're OK 100"
 
lash said:
Regarding OK 100, at one point under the Bill Shannon empire, the Burbach stations could do no wrong.

"Its 10 O'Clock at WOKW, Cortland, Ithaca.....We're OK 100"
Click to expand...

Love the jingles too: "Stereo.......OK-100".
 
ThePickleReport said:
Radknowski said:
Since youz guys is takin' a walk down memory lane, do you remember when the FM was Nose 99-9 when Dave Girard (rest his soul) owned the stations? Pretty interesting moniker, "The Nose." Wasn't it also a "Q" at one time, too? After all these years, it's a blur.[/Mike]
Click to expand...
David Gerard bought the station from Burbach and it was still OK-100 (WOKW) during his tenure there. The "Noz" (WNOZ) was owned by the late Don Kelly. It was never a "Q" as far as I know. It was WKRT-FM for many years, WNOZ, then WOKW, then WNYP (Power 99.9), WYYS (YES-FM), and now WIII.
Click to expand...
A fine analysis. You (plural) clarified the "Q" being on 104. As I look at the call letters, it seems the weakest set is the present assignment. The Nose and OK-100 I clearly remember, WNYP and WYYS jostled my memory stick. Thanks for the history lesson.[/Mike]
 
As Promotion Director, as I privey to management meetings. There were things they he made me do or say to people, that I just thought were wrong at the time. As I look back, I was just young and stupid. Don't want to highlight anything specific, out of respect for the man.

Learned a ton from that him. Best broadcaster I was ever around. There's not a day that goes by that I don't think of Don. Our conversations three years ago were highlights of my career. I was certainly glad that we made up before he passed away. And the fact that he came looking for me, found me, and we worked things out.

OK 100 announcer jingles always followed the first song of an hour. "Tony Bonzini....OK 100.
 
From All Access:

The previously disclosed spinoff by SAGA of its newly-acquired Talk WKRT-A/CORTLAND, NY to BIBLE BROADCASTING NETWORK has a price, according to an FCC filing, and it's... zero.

SAGA is donating the station, being acquired from CITADEL in a two-station, $4 million deal, to CHARLOTTE-based BIBLE, in order to comply with ownership limits in the ITHACA market. SAGA is keeping its other acquisition from CITADEL, Classic Rock WIII (I-100).
 
Right place, right time. Heck, I would have taken WKRT for free too.

Shoot, missed out again ::)
 
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