Radio News

In German, a burgermeister has little to do with hamburgers. Rather, it is a chief magistrate or mayor. Thus, it is a bit fitting that Michael Burger has been given the top leadership position for a group of radio stations owned by iHeartMedia.

With the help of WSDG — Walters-Storyk Design Group, that is — "Radio Kingston" began its broadcasting operations from the historic structure, which now houses state-of-the-art broadcast facilities. One year later, the reinvented AM with an FM booster, WKNY in Kingston, N.Y., has not only reimagined its broadcast programming but also its studios and offices. 

In late May, it was revealed that Paul E. Davis would serve as CEO of Adeia, a standalone operation that would house the intellectual property business of HD Radio and DTS parent Xperi Holding Corporation. The separation of that business from Xperi's product business is now complete. Two independent publicly traded companies now exist.

Who knew that "Flo," with a little help from actor Jon Hamm, would help fuel a flood of radio spots that would make Progressive the big leader in its ad category at spot radio?

In mid-May, RBR+TVBR first reported on a petition filed with the FCC by a licensee serving the biggest city in the "Conch Republic" seeking a brand-new full-power FM signal be added to the table of allotments. The Assistant Chief of the Audio Division of the Commission has just given the green light to its creation.

The Broadcasters Foundation of America has established a memorial fund to honor the late Frank Boyle. The respected broadcaster and media broker passed away Tuesday at the age of 96.

For a few minutes, radio and podcast host Ben Shapiro appeared at the booth for his company at Podcast Movement. That set off a firestorm, and saw the conference organizers take to social media to apologize for his short time at the venue.

Starting August 24, an industry veteran known for his years at Doubleday Broadcasting and, later, as a media broker will serve as interim Chairman of the Board of Saga Communications, a move that comes following the August 19 passing of its founder and CEO.

At the end of August, a big shift will be happening at some of Tampa Bay's biggest radio stations. Keith Lawless will exit Cox Media Group at the end of the month to spend more time with his family. This leaves the role of VP/Market Manager in new hands.

With the demise of the co-produced RAB/NAB Radio Show, many radio broadcasting industry leaders had expressed concerns that a full integration into the bigger NAB Show in Las Vegas would take away some of the more unique and focused elements the radio-only affairs had brought forth. It now appears clearer that the annual NAB Show New York conference in October will help fill that attention gap, as the industry's biggest advocacy voice has unveiled its full "Radio Imagined" schedule for 2022.

There's a new Area President in charge of iHeartMedia's Inland Empire properties. It's an individual who will now oversee Riverside and San Bernardino, tacking on "the 909" to five other California markets — and Spokane, Wash.

Jason "Big Mama" Jones is today likely determining what the next chapter in his professional life will feature. After permanently departing Beasley Media Group's "B103.9" in Southwest Florida earlier this month after stepping aside in June to avoid any equal time requirements the FCC enforces, Jones has lost his bid for a school board seat.

No, it's not a theme park like Kings Island or Magic Mountain. But, iHeartMedia believes it has created "the premiere destination for fan experiences" by doing so in the metaverse. Introducing iHeartLand, home to State Farm Park and a slate of podcasts, concerts and "major events" planned for the Fortnite-housed virtual gathering place.

In this fresh InFOCUS Podcast, presented by dot.FM, Tony Michaels offers more details on why he's super-pleased to be celebrating a quarter century in Siouxland with Powell Broadcasting and why he's not chased after other radio jobs in bigger markets. "After sharing your heart on the radio for 25 years, it feels like I have thousands of friends," he shares. Learn how you can find your happy in Radio from Michaels by listening to this podcast now! LISTEN HERE

Marvin Vosper had owned and operated stations serving Blythe, Calif., and Quartzsite, Ariz., while continuing in his longtime role with TBN. Sadly, Vosper was the victim of budget cuts at TBN in September 2021. Three weeks later, he unexpectedly died in a fiery car accident. Now, both stations have been transferred to a family member who will continue his father's legacy.