Two Buffalo, NY area stations flip to liberal talk

As expected, WHLD (1270 AM) in Niagara Falls/Buffalo will pick up Air America and local talk programming. Interesting to note that the owner of the station is Citadel, which just announced a merger with Disney's ABC radio group.

A group called Niagara Independent Media has struck a Local Market Agreement (LMA) with Citadel to program WHLD-AM and to flip the format from gospel to a blend of local talk and Air America fare. Local reports say the new format will debut on Monday, Feb. 13.

Business First of Buffalo reported this morning that Niagara Independent Media comprises nine individual investors, including Ray Marks, whom the paper described as “a veteran broadcaster who will co-host a morning program with Alex Blair.” The Buffalo News reports that Marks is a former news director at Entercom’s news/talk WBEN and sports WGR.


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And in a similar move, it's being reported that Entercom's WWKB (1520 AM) in Buffalo is also making a move to the left. WWKB will not be airing AAR programming, but will have some popular syndicated hosts.

Air America still alive and well in Chattanooga

Putting newspaper rumors to rest, WDOD-AM is making some changes. But the liberal talk format is here to stay.

WDOD AM Radio is canceling the local morning show which airs from 8-9 a.m. Monday-Friday effective today.

However, WDOD officials said they plan to continue with the new Air America format.

Danny Howard, general manager, said, "That is the only programming change that will be made. WDOD-AM WILL continue to air all other programming from its current Air America, and Jones Radio Network personalities. (Including Stephanie Miller, Al Franken, Randi Rhodes and others) The Bill Press show which airs from 6-8 a.m. will now run from 6-9 a.m. to cover the hole left by the cancellation of the local show.