As Paris Olympic Games Open, iHeartMedia Celebrates
As the 2024 Summer Olympics begin in Paris, iHeartMedia has launched its exclusive audio coverage of the games thanks to its previously announced partnership with NBCUniversal. Events can be heard directly through select iHeartMedia broadcast stations and on dedicated digital platforms via the iHeart app.
Radio’s Growth Future: All Digital?
In October, BIA Advisory Services' initial forecast for 2024 had local advertising revenues hitting $175.6 billion. In March, that forecast was tempered by 2% to $172 billion. Now BIA has readjusted that forecast one more time while adding a first look at 2025.
SiriusXM Shareholder Simplification Set For September Completion
Liberty Media Corporation has announced the date it expects to complete its merger with SiriusXM to simplify the satellite broadcaster’s ownership structure. “New SiriusXM” will combine multiple ticker symbols – including LSXMA, LSXMB, and LSXMK – into SIRI.
A Unified Partnerships Leader for iHeart
Sara McClure has been named Vice President of Unified Partnerships for California at iHeartMedia. This sees a successor take her role leading Sacramento.
Warshaw Spins Frederick, Md., Radio Combo
In mid-May, Jeffrey Warshaw shared in an InFOCUS Podcast how his radio properties in three distinctive suburban areas helped make Connoisseur Media a small but influential operator. Now, Connoisseur has made the decision to focus solely on its properties close to New York City.
REC Will Endorse ‘Class A10’ FM Plan, But On One Condition
REC Networks is a 40-year-old group that has championed LPFMs, and helped secure the passage of the Local Community Radio Act of 2010. Now, it is speaking up about a proposal that would create a new "Class A10" FM radio station. While it likes the plan, its support is contingent on one big ask.
The InFOCUS Podcast: Jim Loftus
Jim Loftus is now seven months into his role as CEO of Times-Shamrock Communications. How are things going for this owner of radio stations, out-of-home and digital media in Northeast Pennsylvania, with radio stations in Milwaukee and in Baltimore? Loftus shares all in this InFOCUS Podcast, presented by dot.FM.
‘Record Profitability’ Sends Spotify Shares Soaring
Healthy subscriber gains. Improved monetization. The second quarter of 2024 proved to be the best one yet for audio on-demand streaming giant Spotify, and that led to a buying spree of the company's publicly traded stock on the NYSE.
Mississippi-Owned Radio Group Buys Darkhorse Press
It's official: the owner of six radio stations and a digital company serving Mississippi and Alabama has acquired locally focused community-based Darkhorse Press, described as the "fastest-growing news source in Mississippi."
Two Months Later, iHeartMedia Erases Sub-$1 Stock Concern
On May 28, iHeartMedia stock careened to a post-bankruptcy low of 86 cents per share. It dipped from a closing price of $2.36 seen just 22 days earlier. While the company's stock recovery has a long way, "IHRT" is on a hot streak and is quickly regaining value.
Corus Woes Continue With Kingston, Ont. Cuts
With its TSX-traded shares just above 10 cents per share, the owner of broadcast radio and television stations in Canada moved forward with significant reduction-in-staff initiatives in one Ontario city.
An Area President for Alaska, Hawaii Is Selected By iHeart
The Market President for iHeartMedia's collection of radio stations in Fairbanks, Alaska, the company's northernmost market, has just been promoted to Area President for the entire state of Alaska and for the company's properties on the Hawaiian island of O'ahu.
A University Expands Its Student-Run FM
Over the last decade, stories of institutions of higher learning opting to discontinue their student-run radio stations have permeated the industry. The University of Oregon is being a contrarian by agreeing to purchase an FM that will serve as a second signal for KWVA-FM.
‘Rumba’ Gets A Bigger Platform In Tampa Bay
For more than 20 years, the 95.7 MHz frequency in the Tampa-St. Petersburg market has been home to hip-hop fare. As of today, that programming is now on a pair of FM translators, thanks to a format swap. Introducing "Rumba 95.7," which will compete against SBS and Beasley.
Improper Transfer of Control Resolved By FCC
In September 2023, a 50/50 partner in a Colorado radio station ownership group agreed to sell his interest in the company. There's just one problem — FCC paperwork noting the change in ownership didn't get filed for a month. That's a no-no, and it is being resolved by a consent decree.