Radio News

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.

As 2020 came to a close, she expressed pride in the FCC’s consideration of modifying FM booster rules "that could potentially help minority-owned stations better serve their communities." Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.) was referring to GeoBroadcast Solutions' ZoneCasting technology, presently under review and subject to a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking from the FCC. Now, it appears Clarke has retracted that statement.

In November 2020, Frank Iorio Jr. shared that would be selling WJAS and FM translator W256DE at 99.1 MHz to St. Barnabas Broadcasting. At the time, Iorio indicated that this transaction would conclude 50 years in broadcasting. It turns out he's now had a change of heart about retirement.

In November 2021, a change in ownership for the parent company of a Georgia radio licensee appeared to transpire without any hiccups. Now, it appears that the future of the radio stations was placed in doubt with that deal. Why? The new licensee could not gain access to any station transmission equipment, leading it to silence the three radio properties under a STA.

Even as the delivery mechanism has evolved to mobile, smart speakers and connected car, TuneIn's Kevin Straley believes "it is still a magical experience when a listener connects with the voice coming out of the speakers." And, it is his view that this experience is made even stronger by the fact that Sports Radio "can bridge where we are now with where we used to be, physically and emotionally."