Harford County (January 22, 2004) -- The new year begins with plenty of news and rumors from local media circles, or should I say "circus"? First, radio.

Brian Wilson and Don O'Brien are a team again -- this time on WQSR-FM (102.7). The local oldies station has resurrected the former B104 morning team in an attempt to stop the bleeding -- WQSR's ratings have been falling steadily for the past couple of years. If history is any indicator, however, the move will flop. Personalities seldom if ever possess the same originality and creativity the second time around, and so far it's been the same old tired Dundalk jokes to go with the same old tired oldies, which is the real reason for 'QSR's continual decline. Not to mention Brian & O'Brien's former listeners are now 15 years older and, presumably, a little more mature.

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	Bel Air's WHFC-FM 91.1 . now 24/7!

All that begging at WYPR-FM (88.1) has paid off. Tony Brandon, Mark Steiner and company have purchased WJTM-FM in Frederick for the tidy sum of $1.2 million. Brandon has made no secret his desire for a statewide public radio network with, naturally, WYPR as the flagship. Plans are for WYPR to simulcast on WJTM, which also broadcasts at 88.1. So, another independent station bites the dust.

WBAL-AM (1090) has hired former WBFF-TV (45) sportscaster Steve Davis for evenings. Davis, as you recall, made the big move to WUSA-TV (9) in Washington about a year ago, only to fall flat on his face and get exiled to the weekends there. During his time at 45, Davis earned a reputation for being "difficult," something the Channel 9 people needed little time to discover.

Over at WSMJ-FM (104.3), Randy Dennis has been hired for mornings. Dennis, formerly with WERQ and WWIN, should deliver nicely for the smooth jazz outlet. He has an established following and comes across as the nice guy that he is.

Habla usted Espanol? For those who don't, the question is, "Do you speak Spanish?" Well, you just might be hearing it on WJSS-AM (1330). The Havre de Grace station has been sold for $350,000 to Benjamin-Dane L.L.C., based in Virginia and headed by a gentleman named Ronald Reeves. They own one other station, WREV-AM in Reidsville, NC, which broadcasts in Spanish. No word yet on when the sale will be finalized or what the new format will be. But it means WHFC-FM (91.1) will be the only locally owned radio station remaining in Harford County. Is this important? It is if you want programs that reflect local tastes and interests; shows about community issues and the people who live here.

And public broadcaster WHFC-FM (91.1) has finally resumed webcasting. The Bel Air station reached an agreement with Hyper Media of Columbia and can now be heard on the Internet at their new web address, www.whfc911.org.

On the TV side, WBAL (11) has promoted Lisa Robinson to weekend morning anchor, teaming the Baltimore native with Mindy Basara. Robinson replaces Stan Stovall, who moved to weekdays after Jeff Pegues departed for WABC-TV in New York. At WMAR (2), Del Waters joins the staff as investigative reporter and evening anchor. Waters comes from Washington's WJLA-TV (7). Word has it WMAR is ready to move Andy Barth to its Annapolis bureau to replace the "retired" Lou Davis. Davis is now with Maryland Public Television. Short retirement. And from the rumor mill, word has it former 11 newsman Virg Jacques may be headed to Channel 2. Jacques has been plying his trade in DC since leaving WBAL a couple of years back.

Finally, from the "Go Figure" department, ABC-TV, owned by the once squeaky clean Disney Corporation, has hired, of all people, the sleazy Howard Stern to host a prime time special this spring. Apparently, with their ratings in the toilet, Michael Eisner and company have decided to look there for help. The thought of Stern with Mickey Mouse makes me (on the) air sick. Goofy, isn't it?

Have a question or comment? Email me at gwhelton@yahoo.com.

GH