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Genesis Moves NewsTalk, ESPN Radio Down The Dial

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By WALT BELCHER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 30, 2008

TAMPA - Tampa's NewsTalk 1040 moved down the dial and up in power Monday.

The locally based Genesis Communications moved the programming that was aired on WWBA, 1040 AM, to the newly acquired WMGG, 820 AM.

The move gives a new home to local talk show hosts Mark Larson, Scott Farrell and Tampa Tribune columnist Dan Ruth, as well as syndicated hosts such as Bill O'Reilly, Dennis Miller and Dave Ramsey.

WMGG had been a Spanish-language music format but previous owner Mega Communications, seeking to divest itself of radio stations, sold it to Genesis, reportedly for $3 million.

"This expands our audience reach by more than a million homes," said Bruce Maduri, president and chief executive of Genesis.

Broadcasting with 50,000 watts of power during daylight hours, 820 AM is one of Florida's most powerful radio stations, covering the west coast from Tallahassee to the Keys.

The sale is subject to Federal Communications Commission approval and is expected to close in 60 to 90 days, Maduri said.

He said 1040 and 820 will simulcast until Oct. 10, when 1040 will begin carrying the ESPN Radio sports network that airs on Genesis's WHBO, 1470 AM.

ESPN Radio will simulcast over 1040 and 1470 until early 2009. "We have plans for 1470 that will be revealed later," Maduri says.

He said the move to 820 AM will help the station's ratings and its mission to focus on local news. The station's news team is headed by Roger Schulman, a longtime Tampa radio newsman.

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