Beloved radio host Dr. Joy Browne was an institution in New York, and specifically at WOR. Her decades-long run as on-air advice column made her popular with the older trending audience. However, the midday talent was not indispensable once Clear Channel flexed its muscle. She was let go last month, and the overhaul was on.

Browne has resurfaced on Radio America, and its 100 + affiliates. A spokesperson for Radio America tells FishbowlNY that they expect to have a New York City home for Browne as early as her Monday debut. He says, although she left WOR last month, her show on the WOR Radio Network has been replaying until today.

Photo courtesy of drjoy.com

Changes are afoot at Clear Channel’s newest property. With the ownership of WOR Radio officially transferred from Buckley Broadcasting, Clear Channel is moving quickly to put its fingerprint on the venerable talk station.

Longtime WABC host Mark Simone has jumped ship, having been named the weekday 10 a.m. to noon host, effective immediately.

After more than a dozen years at 770 on the AM dial, Simone tells FishbowlNY, a move to 710 is not easy.

“I’ve never had an unpleasant moment with the management there, they were wonderful to me from the beginning to the end,” Simone says. “I’ll miss WABC and never thought I’d want to leave, but this is probably how some people at Microsoft felt years ago when they left to go to Apple.”

Neccessitating the professional address change for Simone is the fact that ex-WABC president and GM Steve Borneman is assuming a management role at Clear Channel and WOR. Simone says working for Borneman at WABC was a pleasurable experience.

“He’s a great leader and the best GM we ever had on the 17th floor at WABC and everyone on the air there would tell you that they would follow him anywhere,” Simone admits. “So, while I hate leaving the best coworkers in radio, it may not be long before many of them decide to join me [at WOR].”

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It was a year that featured the FM band being rediscovered like the progressive music era of the late 1960s.

ESPN took the lead in April by moving (after simulcasting) WEPN/1050 to 98.7. The 1050 position has since become New York’s only 24-hour Spanish sports talk outlet.

It was a surprise to no one, that CBS Radio expedited its quest for an FM station, when Merlin’s ill-fated news operation, turned Alternative Rocker, became available in October. WFAN is now simulcast on 660 and 101.9.

As for Merlin, it yanked the 24-hour FM news attempt (WEMP) in July–less than a year after it started. Merlin returned to its previous format held by Emmis, and continuing the “Bobby Ewing shower scene” theme, management even resurrected the WRXP call letters.

Other radio doings during 2012, include Geraldo Rivera turning to the medium early in 2012 at WABC. By summertime, the veteran TV host was syndicated to Cumulus stations nationwide.

In August, Clear Channel acquired WOR. As the FCC signed off on the deal, two shows were canceled last week, Dr Joy Browne and Governor David Paterson. This remains a fluid story heading into 2013.

TV also had its share of shakeups. In certain instances you could say this was management’s version of “Out with old and in the new.”

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

1. FishbowlNY 2012 Magazine Cover of the Year Poll, December 17
2. The Atlantic Wins Magazine Cover of the Year, December 20
3. Clear Channel Layoffs Begin at WOR; David Paterson and Dr. Joy Browne Axed, December 20
4. Michael Kay Takes Jab at WPIX, as Wife, Jodi Applegate Does Last Newscast, December 20
5. New York Times Memorializes Sandy Hook Victims with Stark Front Page, December 16

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It was only a matter of time at WOR. It’s the sense of radio insiders that staffers at the venerable news/talk station were on borrowed time since Clear Channel purchased the 710 frequency in August.

Now, FishbowlNY has learned that numerous changes have taken place at WOR, with others still possible, all within days of Christmas. Here’s what we know at this point. Midday host, Dr. Joy Browne is out. The psychologist spent 15 years dishing advice to callers on WOR.

Mike Huckabee‘s syndicated show has been dropped.

A source close to the information tells FishbowlNY that only scratches the surface.

“All local show promos are off… news department will be absorbed into Total Traffic. It’s a bloodbath there today.”

Part of that bloodbath, we’re told, is the dismissal of former New York Governor David Paterson. The unorthodox hire joined WOR for a weekday two-hour show, succeeding Steve Malzberg in September 2011.

Paterson’s spokesman confirmed the firing to FishbowlNY.

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This isn’t only the time of the year for family and friends to gather. It is also the time to think about the less fortunate.

New York Nonstop is hosting today’s 2nd Annual Nonstop Day of Giving. New York Nonstop, the digital arm of WNBC, is partnering with City Harvest, WBLS, and WOR for the day-long charity telethon that runs until 8 p.m.

This year, the station joined forces with City Harvest, the world’s first food rescue organization feeding the hungry of New York City, as well as new media partner, radio station WBLS, along with returning media partner WOR radio.  Both radio stations will be broadcasting at times throughout the day from the MSNBC.com Digital Café at the NBC Experience store in Rockefeller Plaza.  WNBC will also feature live highlights direct from Rockefeller Center with celebrities, local dignitaries, and key business people who will talk about their charities and the importance of giving.

Proceeds from the Nonstop Giving telethon will benefit City Harvest, a nonprofit organization dedicated to feeding New York City’s hungry men, women, and children for more than 25 years.  Those interested in making a donation can call 1-800-826-9888.  

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