Not to be redundant, but it’s another winning month for WLTW/Lite-FM.

The Clear Channel number one mainstay kept residence in its familiar spot with a 7.6 in the overall Arbitron ratings. That’s a .4 boost from January.

By contrast, WCBS-FM slipped to a 6.2 in the current PPM.

• Related: FishbowlNY, Radio Ratings Status Quo: WLTW Remains Number One Overall

WBLS also dropped by .2 to 5.5, while WHTZ/Z100 lost .3 to 5.1.

WINS was next with 4.7, a .2 gain. Sister station WCBS 880 also saw a .2 upgrade to 3.8.

The big news is tracking NASH-FM/WNSH, the city’s first Country station in more than 15 years. NASH in its first full ratings survey notched a 1.6. Just below NASH was ESPN’s WEPN-FM at 1.3, a drop from 1.6. More dramatically, ESPN has lost a point since November.

• Related: FishbowlNY, NASH-FM 94.7 Welcomes First Air Personalities

WFAN-FM kept its distance from its rival. But the ‘FAN, which simulcasts on 660 AM and 101.9 FM, had an uncharacteristic drop of 1.2 to 2.5 for February.

There’s more from the monthly ratings after the jump.

Read more

Here’s one way to celebrate the first of April. Hot 97 holds its annual April Fool’s Day comedy show at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. The night of laughs is also coordinated by Caroline’s.

The event is hosted by Tracy Morgan, stand-up comic and actor, late of 30 Rock. He’ll be joined by Hot 97′s own morning show co-host Cipha Sounds.

• Related: FishbowlNY, Hot 97′s Rosenberg Sorry if Nicki Minaj “Felt Bad” About His Summer Jam Comments

Now in its 19th year, some of the hottest comedians will take the stage, among them JB Smoove, known to audiences for his role on Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Jay Pharoah, a cast member at Saturday Night Live since 2010.

“It’s like all my dreams coming true at once! Not only do I get to perform at the greatest comedy show in New York City, at the most famous venue on planet earth, but I get to co-host with my biological father, Tracy Morgan,” Sounds jokes. “I get to make people laugh and have a family reunion all in one.”

More information about purchasing tickets can be find on the Hot 97 Web site.

There’s still another month of winter weather. But a hint of what’s ahead to heat us up has been unveiled. Hot 97/WQHT started the countdown clock yesterday (T-”97″ days) until the best hip hop artists in the world take the stage at MetLife Stadium.

The 20th anniversary of Summer Jam will bring together 55,000 fans and countless more worldwide via online streaming.

• Related: FishbowlNY, Hot 97′s Rosenberg Sorry if Nicki Minaj ‘Felt Bad’ About His Summer Jam Comments

Alex Cameron, SVP and general manager, states, “Every year the entire HOT 97 staff puts our hearts and souls into producing an amazing experience for the hip hop world at HOT 97′s legendary Summer Jam concert.  This year is extra special, as we mark the 20th Anniversary of this monumental event.  We have a few surprises in the works to celebrate our 20-year reign as the number 1 source for hip hop music and entertainment; this year is lined up to be bigger and better than ever!  This will be a must-attend event for Hip Hop fans around the country and beyond.”

Read more

Here’s a look at what FishbowlNY stories made the most buzz this week.

1. Source: Anchor Rob Morrison ‘Lied to the Station’ About Injured Face; May Be Fired From WCBS, February 19

2. Cover Battle: Cosmopolitan or Vibe, February 21

3. Rob Morrison Resigns From WCBS-TV Amid Wife Choking Allegations, February 20

4. Former Anchor Rob Morrison Faces ‘Very Serious Blow to His Career’: Legal Expert, February 21

5. WCBS-TV Anchor Rob Morrison Arrested for Allegedly Choking His Wife, February 18

6. Hot 97′s Peter Rosenberg Sorry if Nicki Minaj ‘Felt Bad’ About His Summer Jam Comments, February 15

Keep up-to-date with the latest FishbowlNY news. Click here to sign-up for the FishbowlNY daily newsletter, bringing you our articles each afternoon directly to your inbox.

Many people got acquainted with Peter Rosenberg, one part of the Cipha Sounds and Rosenberg Hot 97/WQHT morning show, after a controversial turn last summer with Nicki Minaj.

But there’s much more to the man.

Rosenberg, originally from the Washington, D.C. suburbs, isn’t just a hip hop guru, he’s a fan of broadcasting. Right from his Twitter bio, he pays homage to one of his idols, calling himself the ”Jewish Johnny Carson.” He says the title was self-imposed after the PBS documentary on Carson aired last year.

“I’ve always pursued things that I dreamed of doing,” Rosenberg tells FishbowlNY. “I dreamed of being like Funkmaster Flex and all the great jocks who were on Hot 97, and the other thing I’ve dreamed about doing is being a late night host.”

Rosenberg has branched into television with numerous projects for MTV. But as he told FishbowlNY in the video clip, Rosenberg has always been fascinated by hip hop.

Read more

Over 400 members of New York media and bloggerati packed Kiss & Fly in the Meatpacking District Thursday to watch the premiere episode of VH1′s Love & Hip-Hop 3, which airs Monday January 7. For those not in the know, that’s the show that goes inside the lives (more personal than professional, really) of hip-hop stars.

While the show’s first outing focused mainly on rapper Jim Jones and his family and friends, this season has a lot of upstarts whose affiliations with the music world are flimsy at best. I’m still trying to figure out what it means for Rashidah Ali to be a “shoe consultant” to the stars, but, hey, whatever works for you.

Here are more photos from the event, courtesy of photographer Stephen Knight: Read more

Hot 97/WQHT will ring in 2013 with a countdown of the best songs of year gone by. The selections are entirely up to you. From now until December 31, listeners are encouraged to visit the Hot 97 site and choose their favorite Hip Hop and R&B tracks. Then wait for New Year’s Day when Hot 97 counts down the Top 97 starting at noon.

While voting online, check out the Top 97 videos of 2012.

Hot 97 is also planning some special radio for Christmas weekend. Starting Friday at noon, the station will spin mixes of today’s best artists alongside throwbacks from Hip Hop greats. The mixing runs until Christmas Day at 11:59 p.m.

Hot 97′s Hip Hop Has Heart Foundation will be delivering clothing and other goods to city and New Jersey residents who were impacted by Hurricane Irene this weekend. Today and tomorrow, at shelters in Staten Island, Coney Island, Queens, Manhattan, Long Island and Newark, the station’s charity will distribute shirts, assorted clothing, HD radios and blankets.

“Hot 97 has deep roots in not only the hip hop community, but also with the people of New York and New Jersey; when they hurt, we hurt,” reads a statement from the station. “This is the beginning of our efforts to assist with rebuilding the New York tri-state area. Hot 97 aims to bring hope and encouragement to all those affected by this overwhelming disaster.”

Hot 97 will also be holding a fundraiser tonight at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. Comedian Mike Epps will be performing at 7 p.m., and a portion of the proceeds will go to the Hip Hop Has Heart Foundation, to help with Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.

For more info, please check Hot 97′s site.

Hot 97/WQHT has created a new sound on the overnights. Up All Night with J. Medina runs from midnight to 5 a.m. Monday through Friday, and early Sunday morning. In addition, the Brooklyn born Medina joins DJ Mister Cee weekly for the popular mix show, Friday Nite Live, from 8 to 10.

“I’m excited about this new chapter in my career at Hot 97,” Medina says in a statement. “I look forward to bringing a new type of energy to overnight radio and turn it up!”

Medina started at Hot 97 as a production assistant. When not on the Emmis-owned Hot 97, Medina can be heard on satellite radio channel Shade 45, and worldwide weekly for the website ThisIs50.com.

The annual Marconi Awards were presented at last night’s NAB gala in Dallas. There is a touch of New York sprinkled in the awards that recognize the best in radio.

Mike Francesa was named Major Market Personality of the Year. The WFAN afternoon host since 1989, Francesa has been solo since 2008. Last week, Francesa, 58, made news of a different kind by briefly falling asleep on the air, which was captured on the YES Network simulcast.

WFAN, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in July, was nominated as legendary station for the first time. But KSTP-FM in Minneapolis/St. Paul took home the honor.

The whirlwind 2012 continues for WBLS. It was chosen as Urban Station of the Year. ‘BLS went from bankruptcy with floundering ratings, to new found popularity with an assist from ESPN, which moved to the former spot on the dial of KISS FM /WRKS 98.7. In the most recent Arbitron ratings, WBLS took solo possession of number two.

Read more