Mark Davis Joins KSKY in Dallas, as the Station Is Re-Branded to "660 AM The Answer"
DALLAS, TX -- (Marketwire) -- 05/29/12 -- Salem Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: SALM), a leading U.S. radio broadcaster, Internet content provider, and magazine and book publisher targeting audiences interested in Christian and conservative opinion content, today announced a new name, new brand, new attitude, and new morning show for its Dallas/Ft. Worth News/Talk radio station, KSKY AM 660. Beginning Monday, June 4th, longtime market talk veteran Mark Davis will be joining KSKY in the 7am to 10am time slot with a live, hard hitting, issues oriented talk show. At the same time, KSKY will be re-branded as "660 AM The Answer" following the footsteps of company talk stations WNYM in New York, KRLA in Los Angeles, and KTIE in Riverside/San Bernardino.
Mark Davis will be added to the already strong lineup of Bill Bennett in the Morning (5-7am), Mike Gallagher (10am to Noon), Dennis Prager (Noon to 2pm), Michael Medved (2pm to 5pm), John David Wells (5pm to 8pm) and Dennis Miller at night, immediately followed by Hugh Hewitt. The new name and branding will help differentiate the station from its competition in the crowded Dallas radio market. "Adding an industry icon like Mark Davis, and re-branding the station as The Answer will help take KSKY to the next level," said Salem VP, Director of Spoken Word Format Phil Boyce. "This station will truly be an answer for so many things going on in the metroplex and the world, with smart hosts who know how to help you understand all of those things, not to mention great news, traffic, weather, and information," said Boyce.
Davis spent 18 years across town on market leading WBAP in the morning, and had become a fixture on the station and in the market as a smart, aggressive, and ratings leading talk host. He is still frequently used to substitute nationally on the Rush Limbaugh program. Davis was not able to reach terms on a new contract with WBAP's new owner Cumulus, making him available to Salem, which wasted no time in signing him for KSKY.
Davis is enthused about making the move across the street and up the dial to 660 AM The Answer, adding, "I've been a fan of the station for a long time, and I can't wait to plug in to a morning slot to give people all the politics, local news and a variety of things I've done here for so many years." Davis said his show will cover local issues like he always has done, as well as national news, politics, and events. "There's been a lot of attention paid to talk radio lately, about whether companies and stations are losing the commitment to local shows where a bond can build over the years with listeners. I love seeing the evidence that there is a company and a station looking to grow, rather than shrink that concept, and I am proud to be a part of it," said Davis.
"I am thrilled to add Mark Davis to our daily broadcast lineup on 660 AM The Answer," said John Peroyea, regional Vice President of Operations and General Manager of Salem Communications in Dallas. "Mark has entertained and enlightened one of the most loyal and largest groups of dedicated listeners in Dallas-Fort Worth talk radio for over eighteen years. Adding Mark Davis to our extraordinary team of conservative and intelligent talk show hosts is like adding icing on our cake, as we celebrate another successful year," Peroyea concluded.
"Salem is a strong believer in the NewsTalk format," said Boyce, "and is making major investments in the stations we own by adding strong local talent like Mark, and John David Wells in Dallas, and Heidi Harris in Los Angeles, who joined last month." These local hosts will complement the strong national hosts from the Salem Radio Network and other syndicators. "The re-imaging going on with some of the major market Salem talkers will make them sound younger, hipper, and more relatable to the cities they serve," added Boyce.
About Salem Communications
Salem Communications Corporation is the largest commercial U.S. radio broadcasting company that provides programming targeted at audiences interested in Christian and conservative opinion content, as measured by the number of stations and audience coverage. Upon completion of all announced transactions, the company will own and/or operate a national portfolio of 96 radio stations in 37 markets, including 60 stations in 22 of the top 25 markets. Salem also programs the Family Talk™ Christian-themed talk format on SiriusXM Radio, channel 131.
Salem also owns Salem Radio Network, a national radio network that syndicates talk, news and music programming to approximately 2,000 affiliated radio stations and Salem Media Representatives, a national media advertising sales firm with offices across the country.
In addition to its radio broadcast business, Salem owns an Internet and a publishing division. Salem Web Network is a provider of online Christian and conservative-themed content and streaming and includes websites such as Christian faith focused Christianity.com, Questions and Answers about Jesus Christ at Jesus.org, Christian living focused Crosswalk.com®, online Bible at BibleStudyTools.com, Christian videos at GodTube.com, a leading website providing church media at WorshipHouseMedia.com and Christian radio ministries online at OnePlace.com. Additionally Salem owns conservative news leader Townhall.com® and conservative political blog HotAir.com, providing conservative commentary, news and blogging. Salem Publishing™ circulates Christian and conservative magazines such as Homecoming® The Magazine, YouthWorker Journal™, The Singing News, FaithTalk Magazine, Preaching and Townhall Magazine™. Xulon Press™ is a provider of self publishing services targeting the Christian audience.
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Phil Boyce VP, Director, Spoken Word Format Salem Communications (646) 543-7445 Email Contact
Source: Salem Communications Corporation
Released May 29, 2012