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.

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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.

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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.

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The big news of the August PPM is all about WBLS. The Urban Adult Contemporary station is finding new life since the ESPN/KISS FM deal in April. WBLS, now the only game in town for that format, jumped to number two, up .4 to 6.3.

Despite the great WBLS showing, WLTW continues to rule the radio roost. The Clear Channel heavyweight added a .1 to 7.0, but Lite-FM lost a chunk of its lead to ‘BLS in the latest Arbition figures.

WBLS’ good fortune means a backtracking for perennial number two, WCBS-FM. The Classic Hits station slipped into a third-place tie with WHTZ/Z100. However, the two stations got there in slightly different scenarios. CBS-FM gained .2, while Z100 lost .2 for the month.

The homecoming of WRXP to Merlin Media’s Alternative Rocker at 101.9 reaped the rewards. The station shot up a full ratings point to a 1.6.

More from the Top 10 after the jump

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WFAN, which celebrated its 25th anniversary earlier this month, is nominated for a pair of Marconi Awards. The Marconis are awarded to stations and personalities for excellence in broadcasting.

WFAN gets named in the legendary station category for this first time ever.

The station is nominated with KYW-AM in Philadelphia, KFOR-AM in Lincoln, Nebraska, KSTP in St. Paul, and WBT-AM in Charlotte.

Mike Francesa, WFAN’s stalwart afternoon host, is recognized as a major market personality. Francesa, flying solo without Chris Russo (“Mad Dog”) since 2008, is the only New York personalty with a nomination.

“[We're] very happy to have finalists in two categories,” Mark Chernoff, WFAN operations manager, tells FishbowlNY.

Emmis’ Hot 97/WQHT is in the major market category, along with KPWR-FM in Los Angeles, WBBM-FM in Chicago, WMMR-FM in Philadelphia, and WTOP-FM in Washington.

Z100′s Elvis Duran and the Morning Show is nominated for Best Network/Syndicated Personality. Among the other nominees is Tom Joyner, formerly heard in New York on KISS FM/WRKS, and Fox Sports Radio’s Dan Patrick.

Winners will be announced September 20 at the NAB Marconi Radio Awards in Dallas.

WCBS/Channel 2, WCBS 880, Hot 97/WQHT each walked away with trio of awards last night at the Awards for Excellence in Broadcasting. The awards, given by the New York State Broadcasters Association, annually recognize top performers in radio and TV statewide.

Competing against TV and radio stations from the New York City market, WCBS-TV was singled out for “Outstanding Public Affairs Program or Series” (Tunnel to Towers Run), “Outstanding Spot News” (East River Chopper Crash/Rescue) and “Outstanding Sportscast” (Road to Glory: The Rematch).

On the radio dial, WCBS-AM collected awards for “Outstanding Local Newscast” (Hurricane Irene), “Outstanding Feature Story” (The Sock Lady-10 Years Later) and “Outstanding Local Sporting Event” (The New York City Marathon).

In addition, Emmis-owned WQHT-FM won for “Outstanding Commercial” (Scullcandy Rocnation Headphones), “Outstanding Public Affairs Program or Series” (Hot 97 Street Soldiers) and “Outstanding On-Air Broadcast Personality or Team” (The Angie Martinez Show).

The 46th annual honors were handed out at The Sagamore Resort Hotel in Bolton Landing.

As we get ready to usher in 2012, let’s take one more look at the biggest broadcasting stories that FishbowlNY covered in 2011.

In January, Scott Clark closes out a brilliant career at WABC, retiring after nearly a quarter-century at Channel 7.

Maurice DuBois makes his debut as WCBS/Channel 2 lead anchor when he is promoted to nights opposite Kristine Johnson. Chris Wragge shifts his energy to The Early Show, but that wasn’t the last we would hear from him.

Also as 2011 began, veteran radio talk host Curtis Sliwa adds an afternoon shift to his Apple/WNYM duties.

In February, among the notable events, WNBC/Channel 4 welcomes home Shiba Russell from Boston. She was named weekend anchor with David Ushery. Russell fueled speculation that she was Sue Simmons’ “heir apparent,” as the main (if not exclusive) fill-in for the legendary anchor, who started at Channel 4 in 1980.

On the radio, Craig Allen, a veteran in his own right, agrees to a three-year extension as WCBS 880’s chief meteorologist. Two months later, Allen marked 30 years at the station.

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FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), will conduct the first nationwide Emergency Alert System (EAS) Test.

It will take place Wednesday at 2 p.m.

Broadcasters, cable television systems, and satellite radio providers are all required by law to participate in the test.
FishbowlNY has learned that most, if not all, stations will halt regular programming to air the approximate 30-second test.

Among those we can confirm are WCBS/Channel 2, WABC/Channel 7, and public TV stations WNET/Channel 13 and WLIW/Channel 21.

On the radio side, stations participating include the Clear Channel cluster of WAXQ/Q 104.3, WLTW/Lite FM, WHTZ/Z100 and WKTU. Inner City’s WBLS is set to carry the EAS test.

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The National Association of Broadcasting has selected the 2011 Marconi Radio Award finalists. The Marconis are given to the top stations and personalities in varying sized markets across the country.

In the legendary station category, CBS Radio’s WFAN is in the group with KCBS-AM in San Francisco, KIIS in Los Angeles, WBBM-AM in Chicago, and WTOP-AM in Washington, D.C.

WFAN afternoon stalwart Mike Francesa is in the running for Major Market Personality of the Year. Francesa is going against Funkmaster Flex from WQHT/Hot 97. Also vying for the award: Kevin and Bean from KROQ in Los Angeles, Dennis and Callahan at WEEI-AM in Boston, and Patrick Ellis at WHUR in Washington.

A pair of Long Island stations is finalists in separate categories.

WBLI is going for Large Market Station of the Year, while WALK-FM is among the top choices for Adult Contemporary Station of the Year.

WLIB-AM is a finalist for top Religious Station of the Year.

Inner City’s WBLS is vying for Urban Station of the Year.

The winners will be announced on September 15 at the NAB Marconi Radio Awards Dinner in Chicago.