Breaking News not related to Paul R. Nelson (John Mainelli in as PD for WFNY)

[mightymalachi]

This just in from FMQB:

John Mainelli named PD of FreeFM in New York (http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=297395)

October 27, 2006

John Mainelli has been named Program Director of WFNY (Free-FM) in New York where he will oversee programming that includes Opie & Anthony, JV & Elvis, Leslie "The Radio Chick" Gold and Penn Jillette, among others.

"After completing an exhaustive search, John was the obvious choice for this very important job," said WFNY VP/GM Tom Chiusano in making the announcement. "He is an innovative programmer, and the station’s diverse lineup of personalities will all benefit from John’s experience and guidance. I’m confident that under his leadership the station will continue to grow from its already strong foundation."


With more than three decades of experience in the radio industry, Mainelli has served in various programming positions at stations across the country, including seven years at WABC-AM (1988-95). During his tenure at the New York station, WABC gained a strong following ranking among the Top 3 stations with the 12+ demographic on numerous occasions. He also was Program Director at KCMO-AM in Kansas City (1986 - 88), and KSDO-AM in San Diego (1980 - 85), as well as served as News Editor at KCBS in San Francisco (1974 - 75). Additionally, Mainelli held key programming and consulting positions at WNEW-FM in New York, KFWB-FM and KABC-AM in Los Angeles.

Mainelli’s experience also extended into roles of critic and consultant. He wrote a radio column for the New York Post from 1998-06 and the trade magazine Talkers from 2001–06. Mainelli has also provided consulting to a number of media outlets during his career, including ABC, ARS, Beasley, Bonneville, Combined Communications, Dow Jones, Fairbanks, Greater Media, Hubbard, and NewsMax.

[nofate301]

This just in from FMQB:

John Mainelli named PD of FreeFM in New York (http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=297395)
:clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap:
:clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap:

YES!

[Cromwell]

Yes - but how does Paul R. Nelson feel about it?

[Arch Stanton]

Good, hope he brings boxes so JV and Elvis can pack up their shit.

Let the games begin

[FAZ8218]

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: Great news.

[mightymalachi]

Yes - but how does Paul R. Nelson feel about it?

As the title said, this is non-Paul R. Nelson rated, so [the rock] It doesn't matter what he thinks. If you smell-lll-ll-ll-ll-ll what the Paul R. Nelson.....is cookin'[/the rock] :action-sm

Sorry, couldn't resist another Paul R. Nelson reference. If you don't like it, I got three words for you...Paul R. Nelson!

[Redding]

This just in from FMQB:

John Mainelli named PD of FreeFM in New York (http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=297395)

This is great news Manelli was the one that set up the NEW lineup with O&A and R&F the bad news is now all the zombies and stern lovers are gonna be saying how manelli was out to get howard and that was a smear campaign...also means pretty soon R&F will probably be coming back to terrestrial

[MrUgly]

i hope this amount to the departure of the jv and elvis radio cancer from ny

[mightymalachi]

This is great news Manelli was the one that set up the NEW lineup with O&A and R&F the bad news is now all the zombies and stern lovers are gonna be saying how manelli was out to get howard and that was a smear campaign...also means pretty soon R&F will probably be coming back to terrestrial

Hopefully though, it will mean R&F may do two shoes a day, like has been rumored, and both can be broadcast/simulcast live on XM203.

Ah, to dream.....

[wes mantooth]

Thank God we have another allie at free FM.:action-sm

[mightymalachi]

Thank God we have another allie at free FM.:action-sm

Wasn't Mark Chernoff an ally??

[thekidslepthere]

"John Mainelli has been named Program Director of WFNY (Free-FM) in New York where he will oversee programming that includes Opie & Anthony, and a bunch of new shows to be named at a future time..."

This is what it should of said.

[UCFGavin]

at least this is someone that the boys are in fairly good with

[stinkbud]

oy, another ron and fez show, while great, would only add to the 8 hours of radio a day I have been compulsively listening to. Not that that is a bad thing but I am going to need to stay awake late or just give up television entirely if I want to keep up.

[Angelfuck]

Originally Posted by FMQB
October 27, 2006

John Mainelli has been named Program Director of WFNY (Free-FM) in New York where he will oversee programming that includes Opie & Anthony, among others TBA..

[LetsDoThisLucas]

atta boy John atta boy

[Chasboots]

This makes up for the "adoption" of Steve Kingston...



... Oops, wrong parent....

[RobeSoup&Tears]

:icon_wink Nice.

[hoo cares]

It's over, Howie.

[BabyHat3R]

Great news, John deserved this.

[Plunkies]

I hope Stern doesn't get him fired from this job too.

[Triple Skeet]

NICE! :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

[DonTheTrucker]

Ron Kind got Mainelli fired from the paper.

[kevtv]

"who saw this coming?"

pretty cool news, glad to see manielli land on his feet in hopefully better spot.

[Captain_Spaulding]

What is Penn Jilette doing in radio? I am a big fan but haven't heard anything about a radio show for him.

[Sinn Fein]

When this was a rumor, before it became official I got a PM about this from a new user named Florida Dave who couldn't post his own thread. I had told him that I'd post it as long as there wasn't a thread about it already. I didn't get a chance to check so it sat. Anyway, for the record, this is from 2 days ago:

Hey there... love the site.

Anyhow i cant post new shit, so I saw this on DCRTV.org, thought it was relevant to the show and didnt see it on wackbag, so I'm passing it on to the powers that be.

Mainelli To Free FM? - 10/25 - Not local but interesting. Radio And Records is reporting rumblings that NYC area radio vet John Mainelli is being considered to program CBS's Free FM talker WFNY in NYC. You'll recall that Mainelli, who once programmed NYC talkers WABC and WOR, got canned a few months ago from his NY Post radio columnist gig when Howard Stern complained about his report that Stern would soon be jumping back to broadcast radio. Sirius Stern used to be heard on WFNY, back when it was WXRK. Stay tooned.....

[mightymalachi]

When this was a rumor, before it became official I got a PM about this from a new user named Florida Dave who couldn't post his own thread. I had told him that I'd post it as long as there wasn't a thread about it already. I didn't get a chance to check so it sat. Anyway, for the record, this is from 2 days ago:

Why'd you have to show I got scooped. I was basking in my fake internet glory for almost two hours, and you've kicked my pedestal right out from beneath me. :action-sm

[sniper]

Why'd you have to show I got scooped. I was basking in my fake internet glory for almost two hours, and you've kicked my pedestal right out from beneath me. :action-sm

It was here yesterday.
http://www.wackbag.com/showthread.php?t=54020
didn't read the rest of that thread but you confirmed it with this thread.

[Arch Stanton]

It was here yesterday.
http://www.wackbag.com/showthread.php?t=54020
didn't read the rest of that thread but you confirmed it with this thread.
and I heard while on line at 31 flavors.............:icon_mrgr

[martianvirus]

Where am I?:icon_eek:

[Sinn Fein]

Why'd you have to show I got scooped. I was basking in my fake internet glory for almost two hours, and you've kicked my pedestal right out from beneath me. :action-sm

I felt bad I didn't have time to look for a thread about it for this dude.

[mightymalachi]

It was here yesterday.
http://www.wackbag.com/showthread.php?t=54020
didn't read the rest of that thread but you confirmed it with this thread.

Dammit. Here I am thinking I'm Woodward and Paul R. Nelson.

[girthymac]

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:
He deserves it! But how much of it was O-n-A's influence? Not that it's a bad thing, just a curiosity......

[tstlkevanilla]

Can't wait to hear what the boys have to say about this.

[Tax Kuntz]

How soon before we can make fun of him. Does he have an E-Lo type haircut and awful tie?

I predict he signs up on wackbag, for some reason or another, before the year is over.

[TheSqueakyWheel]

Hoo-Hoo I said it first (http://www.wackbag.com/showthread.php?t=54020)
I knew it was true because Paul R. Nelson said so.

[thekidslepthere]

Can't wait to hear what the boys have to say about this.

Anthony already did...

http://www.musicradio77.com/wwwboard/messages/298707.html

[MJMANDALAY]

I predict he signs up on wackbag, for some reason or another, before the year is over.


:icon_wink
Maybe he is, maybe he is........
Just Like the O



:icon_mrgr

[TEXAS TRUCKER]

Paul R. Nelson told me about this months ago.

[SeaFoamGreen]

This can only mean that great things are in store for WFNY, O & A and maybe....maybe......possibly......the Buddays??? Free FM needs a little cowbell

O & A and R & F -- Hogging Up The Airwaves!

[SOS]

Does John Mainelli like JV & Elvis?

[GLENN_THE_TOOL]

Does John Mainelli like JV & Elvis?

we can certainly hope not.

[Cysquatch]

for gods sake don't ruin Ron & Fez.

[LilAdamWalsh]

It was only a matter of time before we heard this. Now maybe Free-Fm will get shaken up and O&A wont have to deal with a ratings slide in that 9-10 hour. Doesnt matter to me...I listen on XM.

[pure_waves]

This just in from FMQB:

John Mainelli named PD of FreeFM in New York (http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=297395)

very good news

[Larz]

for gods sake don't ruin Ron & Fez.

Once Mainelli boots JV & Elvis OnA will go to 10 am for sure, then Ron & Fez. ARGH!!! Fuck you FreeFM!


On the bright side my inno will make a snazzy bookend.

[d0uche_n0zzle]

R&F might do an O&A type of XM/FM broadcast and let the dump guy worry about what goes out on FM.

[tstlkevanilla]

On the bright side my inno will make a snazzy bookend.

and an expensive one...

[Hoagie]

Once Mainelli boots JV & Elvis OnA will go to 10 am for sure, then Ron & Fez. ARGH!!! Fuck you FreeFM!Not gonna happen. At least not yet...or until O&A can start doing 6 hours of radio a day. Free FM would love to have O&A on until 10 right now but XM's health won't allow it.

[FloridaDave]

I felt bad I didn't have time to look for a thread about it for this dude.


No worries. All thats important is the show. Its all about the show.

[generoso]

Not gonna happen. At least not yet...or until O&A can start doing 6 hours of radio a day. Free FM would love to have O&A on until 10 right now but XM's health won't allow it.
Or unless Free fm and Xm back up the dump truck full of cash. Only way 6 hours will happen. As for R&F who knows with the chanell change it is possible they move live 3-7. And I heard Ron metion Maniellis name on the show Friday ( no I don't want to start a speculation thread). I still say for Fremm Fm 6-9 live OnA 9-10 OnA best off. 10-3 Star and Buc wild 3-7 Ron And Fez ..7-whatever Jv and Elvis or in case R&F can't make a deal Jv and Elvis to 3-7..

[XMScott]

Star and Buc.............. lol

Damn free fm sucks ass.

"Free FM blows. Go fuck yourselves Infinity Broadcasting . . . . Free means that it sucks" - Opie (10/31/05)

XM should have picked him up. Oh thats right, XM isnt in the business of exclusive talk content. Just Ron and Fezzy, for now.

grrrrrrrrr

[SOS]

NY Daily News
(http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/story/466401p-392448c.html)
New WFNY chief:
FM talk can skyrocket

Radio

By DAVID HINCKLEY
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Anthony & Opie: 'FNY building blocks.
John Mainelli says he's excited about the chance to push another talk radio station to the top - and he thinks WFNY (92.3 FM), which named him program director on Friday, can get there.

But he also says he'll take a much different approach than the one with which he scored at WABC (770 AM) in the '90s.

"The radio world has changed dramatically," he says. "And so has talk. I'm a talk radio junkie, but I can't stand political talk today. 'This party's good, that party's bad.' It's boring, and I think a lot of people agree."

But people still like interesting talk, he says, and that's the hole through which he hopes to steer Free-FM, one of a number of stations CBS Radio has converted to a "hot talk" format aimed primarily at men from 18 into their 50s.

Mainelli sees the Free-FM format, anchored so far at WFNY by morning hosts Opie and Anthony, as "anti-politics. We'll talk about what's interesting in a way that's challenging, intelligent, honest, humorous and not politically correct."

Besides politics, about all he rules out are "slander, libel and things that would get you in trouble with the FCC."

On the flip side, he says he'll encourage talk about other hosts, other stations, satellite radio. He also likes topics from left field, if the talk itself is entertaining.

"A lot of programmers underestimate young guys," says Mainelli. "They don't only think about sex. Mostly, maybe, but not always. They're interested in learning, too, and there are things you can discuss on the radio that they can't talk about with their buddies."

Mainelli clearly faces challenges at Free-FM, which launched after Howard Stern left CBS for Sirius Satellite Radio in January and so far has scored tepid ratings outside of O&A.

One change to expect soon, says Mainelli, is expanding weekday talk to 24 hours, replacing late-night music.

"I think 'stationality' is important," he says. "Any time people feel like hearing talk, they should be able to tune us in." He also suggests that, preferably, they would hear a local host.

The station could also reconsider weekend music at some point, says Mainelli, but not now. At first, he says, he'll focus on assessing a weekday talk lineup that includes JV and Elvis, the Radio Chick and one-hour afternoon shows by money man Jim Cramer and Penn Jillette.

"I have nothing imminent in mind," he says. "I'll listen carefully to each show, see how it fits, make sure it's the best it can be. Then we'll go from there."

If he decides to make changes, he already has a stack of aircheck CDs in addition to the "wish list" he keeps himself in case he ever needs someone.

"There's a lot of good talent out there," he says. "Unfortunately, for various reasons, you don't hear it enough on the air."

Since he left WABC in 1995, Mainelli has done consulting work and written about radio for the Post. When the Post recently told him the latter job was a conflict of interest with the former - which he strongly disputes - he left.

And CBS called about Free-FM.

"I'd turned down many PD offers because I wanted to stay in New York," he says. "But to get good talk radio the last few years, with a few exceptions, I've had to listen to out-of-town stations. So the chance to bring something I'd like to hear back to my town is exciting.

"I missed programming more than I thought I would. There's a buzz you can't get anywhere else."

Programming is never a sure thing, of course. In early 2002 Mainelli became program director of WOR (710 AM) and seven weeks later he left.

But he says CBS is "fully committed" and he likes Free-FM's prospects.

"I'd never program a station I didn't think had a chance to be No. 1," he says. "More immediately, I'd say that within a reasonable period of time we'd like to be in the top five with listeners 25-54.

"I think we can do that. FM talk is incredibly fertile ground."

THE OLD AND THE NEW: As of midnight tomorrow, WRTN (93.5 FM) in Westchester County will become WVIP.

Owner William O'Shaughnessy describes the WVIP call letters, which first appeared in Westchester in 1957, as "majestic and unforgettable." O'Shaughnessy was a salesman for that station.

WVIP will keep the WRTN format, leasing much of its airtime for ethnic programming. Sister station WVOX (1460 AM) will not change call letters.

AROUND THE DIAL: One of the strengths of sports-talk WFAN (660 AM) has always been its flexibility, adjusting to the story of the moment. So Mike Francesa yesterday cut into his Sunday NFL preview show to talk about the death of former Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach. Auerbach was a legend everywhere.... Morning host Luis Jimenez of WSKQ (97.9 FM) has a four-page feature - an interview, not naked pictures - in the December Penthouse. This morning at 9, a bunch of Penthouse pets come by to help him promote it.

Originally published on October 30, 2006

[doobdoob]

David Hinckly did a pretty good job with that article. I'm liking Mainelli's attitude towards this.