PPM Monthlies: (May 15)  Arbitron released its PPM (Personal People Meter) radio ratings for April on Monday, May 14th. Lite-FM (WLTW, 106.7) remained in the top spot, with a 7.5 share, while #2 WCBS-FM (101.1) edged up to 6.4. Z-100 (WHTZ; 5.6 share) and WKTU (103.5 FM; 4.7 share) followed, while Kiss FM (WRKS, 98.7), in its final month, rose to a 4.0 share. WEMP (101.9 FM), which adopted an all-news format last August, slipped to an anemic 0.6 share.

     FM Sports: (April 29)  ESPN New York, which has been broadcasting on the AM dial (WEPN, 1050 AM) for more than ten years, moves to FM on Monday, April 30th, when it takes over the 98.7 frequency being vacated by KISS-FM. The station will be retaining most of its current programming, and WEPN will simulcast until September, when a Spanish-language sports format will debut. ESPN New York 98.7 FM will operate under an LMA with station owner Emmis. At the same time, KISS-FM will "merge" with WBLS (107.5 FM), which has purchased the intellectual property rights of KISS from Emmis. Beginning Monday, a number of KISS shows will move to WBLS, including Shaila and Lenny Green.

     Remembering Pete Fornatale: (April 26)  New York Radio Guide extends its condolences to the family, friends, and radio colleagues of Pete Fornatale, who passed away on April 26th at the age of 66. Pete introduced generations of New Yorkers to a wide variety of rock and pop music while at WFUV (1964-1970; 2001-2012), WNEW-FM (1969-1989; 1997-98), and WXRK (1989-1996), and was a familiar presence in the music world as a concert host, interviewer, and author. WFUV (90.7 FM) will be remembering Pete on-air and on-line.

     Radio Newsbriefs:  Veteran broadcaster Geraldo Rivera joins WABC (770 AM) for a weekday live talk show, beginning on Tuesday, January 3rd. The show will air 10 AM - 12 Noon, Monday through Friday.    Amidst staffing cuts at owner Cumulus Radio, WABC (770 AM) program director Laura Cantillo has exited; APD Chuck Armstrong is serving as acting PD. Cantillo joined WABC in December, 2008.    Former Governor and call-in enthusiast David Paterson will host a live weekday talk show on WOR (710 AM), beginning on Tuesday, September 6th. The show, which will focus on current events, politics, and sports, will air from 4-6 PM.    Veteran programmer Jay Dixon has been named as the new Program Director for Kiss FM (WRKS, 98.7), replacing Jill Strada, who recently moved to Miami as PD for WPOW-FM. Dixon, with over 30 years of radio experience, arrives from Atlanta`s "Kiss 104.1".