Philadelphia-based WIP-FM has "renewed the contract of its most marketable radio star" in morning drive time host Angelo Cataldi, according to Rob Tornoe of the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER. Cataldi will "remain in his familiar role hosting the station’s morning show alongside Al Morganti, Rhea Hughes and Keith Jones." Terms of the deal "were not disclosed," but his contract "was set to expire at the end of the month." Despite "threats of retirement," Cataldi had been "hinting lately that he’d be around longer." His decision to stay is a "relief" to WIP Program Dir Spike Eskin, who already "had to plug a big hole in his lineup last month" when afternoon host Chris Carlin left to take over for Mike Francesa on WFAN-AM. Cataldi "remains a ratings powerhouse for WIP." During the '17 summer, Cataldi "grew his ratings" 22% over '16, "easily outpacing rival Anthony Gargano" at WPEN-FM (PHILLY.com, 12/6). In Philadelphia, Jeff Blumenthal noted Cataldi is a "prolific pitch man for sponsors ranging from fork lift rentals to auto dealers." Meanwhile, Entercom said that Morganti and Jones also "recently re-upped with the station" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 12/6).
REPLACING THE POPE: WFAN’s Maggie Gray said of taking over Francesca’s role along with Carlin and Bart Scott, “Now that the shock is kind of wearing off, I’m just so excited. You never know when your ‘break is going to come.’ But with the team of Chris and Bart and the great people at WFAN, I feel so excited about it. ... People say, ‘You’re replacing Mike Francesca.’ Nobody replaces him. We’re coming in after him and trying to do something totally different.” Gray added, "I don't think I got hired because I'm a woman. They said that was not the case, and I will choose to believe them there. I think they just wanted different points of view” (“We Need to Talk,” CBSSN, 12/5).
