Don Imus returns to Philly dial this week

A controversial radio personality is returning to the Philadelphia airwaves.

Don Imus’s syndicated show from New York takes over the mornings on 106.9 FM beginning Monday. Michael Harrison who writes about the business for Talkers Magazine says he’s surprised.

“Philadelphia is a major market in the radio industry, so for any syndication company to clear an FM station in the city is a big thing, especially in morning drive,” said Harrison.

Imus is syndicated by Cumulus Media, which is second only to Clear Channel in owning the most radio stations in the United States. But Harrison says the 72 year old Imus is not on in many major markets other than New York.

“I don’t think that there’s a big effort on the part of Cumulus to promote the Imus show as a growing property,” he said.

Imus was on Philadelphia radio before. However back in 2007 he lost his nationally syndicated show when he made controversial comments about the Rutgers women’s basketball team.

Calls to 106.9 FM seeking comment were not returned.