KMJ is Fresno’s Top Draw for Advertisers. Who’s in the Top Five?

KMJ is the Fresno radio market leader for advertiser billing.

The Cumulus news/talk station not only led all Fresno stations by bringing in $4.8 million, but that is a 10% increase from 2021 to 2022.

The figures, provided by BIA Advisory Services, cover over-the-air billing and do not include streaming.

The rest of the top-five include La Buena 101.9 (KLBN-FM, owned by Lotus Communications); La Jefa 107.5 (KOND-FM, Latino Media Networks and recently purchased from Univision); 95.7 The Fox FM (KJFX-FM, One Putt Broadcasting); and Kiss Country 93.7 (KSKS-FM, also owned by Cumulus).

The success of the station listeners tune in the most, iHeartMedia’s B95 (KBOS-FM), did not translate into top advertising dollars. La Buena and KMJ are in both the top billing and top-rated stations.

KMJ did not want to comment on its success.

John Ostlund, owner of locally-based One Putt, says longevity (the format has been on the air for 32 years), and its syndicated “Bob & Tom Morning Show” is “why the station is dominant with listeners and advertisers.”

“The Fox is the only station in the market playing the music we do. Classic Rock is also one of the most popular formats in the country,” Ostlund said.

One impressive stat from the Top 5 — Kiss Country increased its billing by 25% year-over-year.

(GV Wire/David Rodriguez)

Venegas Latest ABC 30 Talent to Leave

Amanda Venegas became the third ABC 30 talent to exit the station in recent months. She announced that Friday will be her last day on the air.

Venegas, the morning news anchor for nearly a decade, said the decision was to spend more time with her young children.

“As many of you know, I have three children under six and one with disabilities. Now feels like the time to make this change,” Venegas said on a social media post and on air. “Thank you to every single person who has supported me over the years. It means the world to this Clovis girl.”

She said she accepted a job outside of the newsroom, but did not specify what it was.

Venegas’ departure follows an “AM Live” teammate, meteorologist Madeline Evans. She is leaving after the redeployment to parts unknown of her fighter pilot husband, who was stationed at NAS Lemoore.

South Valley beat reporter Alyssa Flores also recently announced her departure for a communications spot at UC Merced.

ABC 30 is looking for a new anchor/reporter, paying $60,461 to $74,654 per year.

Amanda Venegas is leaving ABC 30 on Friday, May 12, 2023. (Facebook)

Fresno State > Stanford

It may not happen on the baseball or softball diamonds, but Fresno State bested Stanford in one aspect — the student newspaper.

The California News Publishers Association awarded The Collegian with a first-place award for writing in the four-year college division. The Stanford Daily took second.

Jannah Geraldo took home the honors for her story about how long it will take to pay off the Resnick Student Union.

Said the judge: “clear, concise writing that explains a complex, number-heavy topic of deep student concern.”

The Collegian also picked up awards for online general excellence (second, behind Stanford), podcast (third), and profile story (third).

Hi-Lights, the campus newspaper for Sanger High School, took home second place for general excellence and for online general excellence.

“Lots of different student voices, student-centered stories. Variety of opinions. Imaginative layout. Good use of photos. Good student profiles,” a judge said.

Reyna Plascensia won the second-place award for coverage of student government/campus administration for Hi-Lights. She wrote about state-mandated changes to the schedule. Christianna Schiotis won third place in the same category for a transportation story.

Save Your Money

Uspark says it will no longer produce new content until it raises more funding.

In all my time covering events around town, I’ve never seen a Uspark reporter.

🚨🚨🚨 We have paused creating new content. This means no coverage of local advocacy efforts, no civic engagement educational pieces, and no helping with valleywide mobilization. We want to continue our work but we are in a tough spot financially. 🚨🚨🚨 pic.twitter.com/MH7C4AS7XY

— uSpark Valley (@uSparkValley) May 9, 2023