Radio News

Scott Spears, the Program Director of a Marion, Ohio low-power FM, has reached out to RBR+TVBR with a detailed explanation as to what's transpired at WWGH, licensed to the Marion Education Exchange. The licensee is on the clock with the FCC's Administrative Law Judge to produce documents it's not provided to the Commission as part of a license revocation hearing that could see the station disappear.

NAB Chief Legal Officer and EVP/ Legal and Regulatory Affairs Rick Kaplan filed comments with the FCC that blasted tests conducted on behalf of GeoBroadcast Solutions for its ZoneCasting technology. In short, the NAB wants a full rejection by the Commission of GBS's plan. The company has now responded to the NAB's conclusions.

On May 24, José Villafañe signed off on an asset purchase agreement that sees the media company he leads adding an AM with an FM translator serving Fairfax County and Arlington, Va., to the asset stable. Now, his company is preparing to take control of the facilities, and on July 1 will offer a unique music mix to this slice of the National Capital region.

Stephanie Valencia is gaining widespread attention for her role as the co-founder of the newly formed Latino Media Network (LMN). It's first act: The purchase of 18 radio stations from TelevisaUnivision — including all of its AMs and FMs in Las Vegas, Fresno and the Rio Grande Valley. What's LMN's plan of action? RBR+TVBR Editor-in-Chief got the exclusive scoop from Valencia in this InFOCUS Podcast, presented by dot.FM.  LISTEN HERE

RBR+TVBR on Monday offered readers a look at a new NABOB/BIA Advisory Services joint study that put the magnifying glass on Black Owned media, and if it is getting its fair share of the ad dollars. What about media targeting Hispanic audiences across the U.S.? A Hispanic Radio Conference session that concludes this year's two-day in-person affair tackles the question.

The company founded by Cathy Hughes and led by Alfred Liggins III wants a casino resort in Richmond. But, there's word the Commonwealth of Virginia wants to move the project south of town, removing Urban One from involvement. Once that news surfaced, Urban One shares sank significantly on Wall Street.

It's called a "modified Dutch auction" tender offer, and it involves a stock buyback plan from Cumulus Media that the Atlanta-based company says is an initial step in the execution of its previously announced $50 million share repurchase program. The tender offer expired at Midnight Eastern on Friday (6/3). The results are now known.

WQZS-FM licensee Roger Wahl, who is in the middle of a license revocation hearing for being a convicted felon, is reportedly seriously ill and is presently in the Intensive Care Unit of a regional hospital. News of his hospitalization surfaced after the main daily newspaper serving Somerset County, Pa., offered a detailed account of Wahl's Commission predicament.

In January, the sale of an FM serving rural Western New York towns due south of Buffalo closed. Then, things went awry for the buyer. Now, he's spinning the station in a deal with a token value of $1. That's if the station can return from the dead, with FCC approval.

A fresh Media Monitors Spot Ten Radio report has arrived for the seven-day period ending June 5, and if there's one big takeaway from the play-count look at national radio, it's this: a lot of week-to-week shifts transpired.

Get ready to fork over more dollars to the FCC as part of your regulatory fees — unless the NAB can sway the Commission to adjust a hike the broadcasting industry's key advocacy group calls "staggering."

It's known for some five radio brands, including News/Talk KSRO, "Froggy 92.9", "97.7 The River," "Hot 101.7" and "KHits 107.9." Pending FCC approval, it will be adding a Wolf and an Adult Contemporary FM serving Mendocino County, California.

One year ago, Saga Communications restored its quarterly cash dividend, awarding its investors with a $0.16 per-share payout. This has been seen in each quarter since the release of its Q2 2021 results. Now, Saga's board of directors has approved a slight increase to their quarterly dividend.

Since exiting the NAB in December 2000 after a nearly 16-year run that concluded as VP of Research and Planning, he's been associated with BIA Advisory Services. Starting July 1, he'll be associated with retirement. However, Dr. Mark Fratrik will continue as a strategic advisor and analyst to the company.

Starting July 25, one of the nation's biggest NPR Member stations will have a new leader for its notable newsgathering operations — a role that includes its PBS television sibling and its digital media properties. Furthermore, she'll be taking the lead on civic engagement efforts throughout the Delaware Valley.