Radio News

In June 2020, it obtained the right to acquire a Phoenix-area FM translator as part of a deal that gave a group run by Vic Michael ownership of a Pennsylvania property. But, it instead sold it for $60,000. Now, a deal has been reached that will see Family Stations get this mini-FM from the party it sold it to nearly two years ago.

It's a tiny FM station serving the Haitian community in West Palm Beach. Despite its small stature, it must follow FCC rules — including allowing a badged FCC Enforcement Bureau in when making an unannounced visit. Only, that didn't happen, and now the licensee could be fined for its refusal.

The war of words between GeoBroadcast Solutions, the company behind ZoneCasting, and the NAB and SBAs opposing the technology has heated up. Late Wednesday, GBS offered a response while claiming the State Broadcasters Associations letter sent to the FCC opposing ZoneCasting was written by the NAB's general counsel.

On Tuesday (7/12), RBR+TVBR exclusively reported on the return to the airwaves of WQZS-FM 93.3 in Meyersdale, Pa., of Roger Wahl. It appears that the FCC's Enforcement Bureau read the article late Tuesday, as its Acting Chief immediately sent the Administrative Law Judge a motion for a status conference.

The subject line in a new SiriusXM marketing campaign reads as follows: "Don't waste your time with AM/FM radio." Really? We don't think so, and every radio station in North America needs to be aware of the war the home of Howard Stern seeks to wage against an industry devoted to serving every community to which it is licensed. SiriusXM doesn't do that — period.

Roger Wahl has recovered after reportedly being very sick and spending time in a Somerset County, Pa., hospital and rehabilitation center. In fact, he's back on the air. This will likely only fuel calls for the FCC to swiftly move forward with its license revocation hearing against Wahl, a convicted felon who is self-defending himself against the Commission.

The nation's biggest owner of radio stations, which also calls itself the No. 1 podcast publisher globally (based on Podtrac data) has inked a marketing partnership with a platform that gives consumers access to unsecured lending via institutions such as credit unions. 

A long-term agreement between Mitsubishi Motors North America and the lone satellite radio company serving North America has just been extended. This will see a relationship between the automotive company and SiriusXM last a few more years. Specifically, the new agreement extends through 2028.

Shaila Scott was the midday host on WBLS-FM 107.5, an iconic radio station serving African Americans across the Tri-State area today licensed to MediaCo Holding Co., the passive partnership between Emmis Communications founder Jeff Smulyan and Standard General head Soohyung Kim. Her dismissal, she believes, is unjust, and has hired legal counsel and sued WBLS's owner in response to her exit.

Earnings season is rapidly approaching, and that means investors and financial analysts will have their eyes peeled on the all-important second quarter results for publicly traded broadcast companies and even such privately held entities as TelevisaUnivision. On August 5, one radio industry pure-play will release its Q2 '22 fiscal report. And, it is holding its earning call at exactly the same as that of television industry player Gray Television.

Many across the U.S. radio industry are mourning the sudden death of the programming veteran, who resided in the Phoenix area. He died July 7 of undisclosed causes and was 62 years of age. Smith is responsible for making "HOT 97" in New York a legendary Hip-Hop radio station, and also served as a chief programmer at companies including Cox Media Group, Clear Channel Communications and CBS Radio.

What's the "upside" to using Spot Radio to best connect a growing brand with new and returning consumers? Just ask the people behind an app that gives its users cash back when fueling up at the pumps.

Still thinking about why podcasting opportunities may or may not be smart for you or your business? Getting the perfect perspective from veteran radio broadcaster-turned-podcast executive Steve Goldstein may be just what's needed to spark an investment in the hot on-demand audio sector. Goldstein will be sharing his thoughts on Tuesday, July 19, at the two-day virtual "How to Make Real Money Podcasting conference."

Abel de Luna, through his Luna Foods Corporation, has agreed to purchase two AM radio stations and their respective FM translators in Sonoma County, Calif. The transaction comes with a risk — De Luna is agreeing to assume the potential lack of availability of the tower site for one of the AM stations he's willing to buy.