Radio Facts

Today, we got many copies of the letter that Radio One sent employees about layoffs. While we didn't get many names, we do know it affected sales and promotions the most across the board and some jocks. Included in the letter was ...

 Today is an extremely difficult day for all of us at Radio One and Reach. 

As you are aware, we are faced with a time of uncertainty and it is not business as usual.  Our businesses have been dramatically affected by the effect of the Coronavirus on our advertisers.  We have experienced significant cancellations for second quarter and new business is coming in at a trickling rate. The decline in revenues forces us to react soundly and appropriately to ensure that we are able to operate our businesses going forward. 

Unfortunately, this meant having to make very difficult decisions to furlough or layoff many employees, across all divisions of the company today.  While we hope to bring many of them back, unfortunately at this time we do not know when this crisis will end.  

We will keep you posted on any further news.

Three-and-a-half-hour live telethon featured all-star team of celebrities and performers

Radio Facts: The call for help went out all through the land and Northeast Ohio responded by contributing more than $150,000 to two local non-profits.

After the pandemic and orders from Ohio’s Governor shut down schools, businesses and more, families in the Cleveland area are relying more on services provided by the United Way of Greater Cleveland and the Greater Cleveland Food Bank.

19 News, the Cleveland Cavaliers and iHeartRadio joined forces for "All For The Land: COVID-19 Relief Live” on April 4.

The three-and-a-half-hour live telethon aired simultaneously on WOIO CBS 19, CW 43 WUAB, and radio partners WTAM 1100 and 100.7 WMMS.

The telethon raised over $153,251.60 as of Monday morning. Online donations are still being accepted until 11:59 p.m. April 7. A link to contribute is on cleveland19.com.

"This may have been the absolute worst time ever to ask people for money,” said WOIO/WUAB Vice President and General Manager Erik Schrader. "Unemployment is soaring, and people are scared for their families. And yet the phones rang off the hook. We had nearly 2,000 different donors. To put this together in roughly nine days is a credit to having partners like the Cleveland Cavaliers, iHeartRadio, Live Nation, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I'm also really proud of the employees at our station, who tackled one of the most challenging live broadcasts anyone could imagine in this new reality of social distancing."

The telethon featured live and taped interviews and performances via FaceTime and Zoom, to minimize live camera shots and personnel to safely distance.

Guests included Cleveland comedy legend Drew Carey, Cleveland Cavaliers stars Kevin Love, Larry Nance Jr., and Matthew Dellavedova, Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, renowned Iron Chef Michael Symon, chart-topping country music star Chris Janson, Geraldo Rivera, Cleveland Indians Baseball Hall Of Famer Jim Thome, Browns legend Bernie Kosar, singer/songwriter Jim Brickman, musical acts from Cleveland International Records, CBS Network stars, Cleveland Cavaliers broadcast announcers, iHeartRadio and 19 News personalities.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine also sent a pre-taped message.

The show also paid tribute to our heroes -- local doctors, nurses, first responders and other essential employees who are working on the front lines of the epidemic.

"In terrible times like this pandemic, this was an example of a city and region at its best,” Schrader said. "I received a text from one of our charities when I asked them about the results. They said it best. "It was the generosity of those who had little to give because they have little themselves. That's Cleveland."

107.5 WGCI, Chicago’s #1 for Hip-Hop & R&B, announced today that Zach Boog has been named Night Host for Zach Boog Radio, effective immediately. Boog will broadcast weekdays from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m.

As Night Host, Boog will broadcast the latest hits from top artists including DaBaby, Chris Brown, Megan Thee Stallion, Polo G and popular show features, including

“Are you Smarter than a C Student?” “Shoot Your Shot Single Spotlight,” “Other People’s Problem Entertainment Report,” “Let Go and Let God,” “DJ Mile High Mix” and “Zach Pack.”

“It is an honor to promote Zach to nights on 107.5 WGCI,” said Johnnie D. Glover, Program Director for 107.5 WGCI. “He is extremely entertaining, works hard to produce compelling content and has a very organic way of connecting with Chicago listeners. Zach has a bright future and I look forward to working with him to create many exciting memories with 107.5 WGCI’s audience.”

“I grew up listening to 107.5 WGCI,” said Boog. “It is a dream and an absolute honor to take over nights at this legendary station. I couldn’t be more excited for what the future holds.”

A native of Gary, Indiana, Boog most recently served as a weekend and fill-in host on 107.5 WGCI. He also previously hosted nights at 101.1 The Beat in Nashville. He is also a stand-up comedian and a graduate of Tennessee State University.

iHeartMedia is the leading media outlet in the Chicago market with multiple platforms, including its broadcast stations; live events; data; and its digital businesses and platforms, including mobile, social and its own iHeartRadio, iHeartMedia’s free all-in-one digital music, podcasting and live streaming radio service – with more than 2 billion app downloads and more than 135 million registered users.