Nearly three months after WWWM-FM Star 105 became WWWM-FM Channel 105.5, the adult top 40 station has another name and new call letters to match.
On June 23, the Cumulus Media-owned station changed its name and branding to WQQO-FM Q 105.5.
Andy Stuart, regional vice president and market manager for Cumulus Media Toledo, could not be reached for comment regarding his station’s name switch from Channel to Q; however, there is a Detroit station with the “Channel” moniker and identity, WKQI-FM, Channel 99.5.
In an April interview, Stuart said rebranding Star 105 to Channel 105.5 was necessary, in part, over audience confusion between Star 105 and WRVF-FM 101.5 (The River).
“There’s no question about it in my mind,” he said of the misidentification between the Top 40 format FM rivals. “The target audience will remember that name, ‘Channel.’ ”
McConaughey heads back to school — as an instructor
AUSTIN — Matthew McConaughey is heading back to school this fall to teach a course on filmmaking at the University of Texas at Austin.
The university says in a social media post that the Oscar winner will teach at his alma mater alongside Hunger Games director Gary Ross.
The university tells the San Antonio Express-News that the actor will take 30 students behind the scenes of McConaughey and Ross’ latest film, The Free State of Jones through recorded videos. The school says McConaughey will make at least one visit to campus for the class.
The 1993 Texas grad has a home in Austin and has been seen on the sidelines at Longhorns football games.
‘Daily Show’ exit
NEW YORK — Comedy Central’s Daily Show has said good-bye to longtime correspondent Jessica Williams, who is working on a new project with the cable network.
Williams joined the program in January, 2012, under former host Jon Stewart. At 22, she was the show’s youngest correspondent ever and also the first black woman in the role.
Williams wrapped up her tenure Thursday night with a piece about disappointed Bernie Sanders supporters opting to vote for Republican Donald Trump this fall. After the piece aired, host Trevor Noah paid tribute to Williams, calling her “the coolest, most awesome person.”
Williams didn’t say much during the segment and appeared to be fighting back tears. She signed a development deal with Comedy Central in March. She’s working on a pilot for a half-hour scripted series.
Keillor airs last ‘Companion’
LOS ANGELES — Some 18,000 fans at the Hollywood Bowl were to be transported to Lake Wobegon, Minn., Friday night as writer and humorist Garrison Keillor hosted his final episode of the old-style variety show A Prairie Home Companion after 42 years on public radio.
Keillor’s farewell will include Companion’s best-known segment, “News From Lake Wobegon,” folksy reports from a fictional town where “all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and all the children are above average.”
Companion attracts three million listeners in the U.S., many more counting its Armed Forces Radio audiences worldwide. Keillor’s final show airs tonight.
Companion returns in October with new host Chris Thile.
First Published July 2, 2016, 4:00 a.m.
