Radio News

That's exactly what the FCC wants to know in response to its mandated Communications Marketplace Report, which is produced in the last quarter of every even-numbered year. With Q4 2022 approaching, the Commission on Tuesday moved forward with a Comment and Reply Comment period in which it will seek input from all interested parties on the subject.

The latest Media Monitors Spot Ten Radio report has been released, and aside from a big new effort from a QSR, there's much stability to take note of. The other big story: More fully paying advertisers are present.

On June 19, 1934, this AM radio station began broadcasting from the top floors of the Hadley Furniture Co. building in Waterbury, Conn. In the modern era, an FM translator at 97.7 MHz was added to give some "revitalization" to the facility that's used 1320 kHz for nearly 90 years. Now, the AM and FM translator are changing hands. 

Ninety-eight radio/audio spots and campaigns have successfully reached the finals of the 2022 Radio Mercury Awards. The submissions were created by advertising agencies, brands, production companies, radio stations and students.

The Audio Division has ruled on a Notice of Proposed Rule Making proposing the deletion of seven vacant allotments in various communities across 6 states. Comments were filed on the matter from one broadcaster. That seems to have merit, as the Media Division unit moved forward with deleting six of the vacant allotments from the FM Table of Allotments.

Its reputation battered by local media for a series of changes, Audacy has now looked to the station's 1990s glory years as a way for KROQ to gain audience share against fierce competition from the likes of iHeartMedia, Santa Monica College and California State University Northridge. It's welcoming back an individual who exactly 30 years ago was named to succeed Andy Schuon at the storied FM.

On Friday, January 7, a pair of AM radio stations became the latest operating in the kHz band to call it quits — or so it seemed. At that time, "Real Oldies" faded to dark; the stations went silent under a STA. It was believed that the licensee would be surrendering the licenses of the stations. But, it is now known that one of the facilities has found a buyer, and will be saved.

Add Salem Media Group to the collection of broadcast radio companies that enjoyed a powerful first quarter, with respect to earnings growth. But, unlike some companies, things are a little rosier at Salem. There was no net loss in Q1 2021, and the positive momentum only continued in the first three months of 2022.

Townsquare Media's mantra is that it is a "digital first" company, focused on markets outside of the top 50 DMAs that haven't experienced the erosion and heavy competition for advertising as some of the nation's biggest markets. In Q1 2022, the corporate game plan for Townsquare paid off: It posted the highest Q1 revenue and Townsquare's highest Q1 profit ever.

Since the start of Q4 2021, it's been nearly impossible for iHeart shares to regain the momentum seen in summer 2001. In fact, the nation's leading creator and distributor of audio content has seen its stock price dip considerably since April 11, without cessation. The result is a 55.6% drop in value for IHRT over the last 11 months.

When describing the first quarter results for Beasley Media Group, the company founded by her late father, CEO Caroline Beasley said they highlight "ongoing progress toward our goal of returning all of our revenue sources to pre-pandemic levels." Net revenue was on the rise. And, the net loss was lower.  Still, there was a net loss. 

In the vast majority of cases, a press release from a media broker signals the consummation or closing of a transaction involving the transfer of control of a radio or television station. Sometimes, they involve a broadcast tower. Now, one broker has helped bring together a radio industry buyer and a seller in a somewhat different way. Two public affairs programs are being dealt.

That's what CEO Bob Pittman said on the iHeartMedia earnings call Thursday as the company reported an overall revenue increase of just under 20% to $843 million. Pittman said podcasting revenue jumped 79% over 2021 to $69 million.

The family-owned licensee of radio and television stations headquartered in Madison, Wisc., has promoted a 30-year veteran to the top role for its radio division, giving her oversight of operations for the company's AM and FM properties.

What did Saga Communications CEO Ed Christian and CFO Sam Bush have to add beyond the straight numbers, which the company distributed without comment earlier in the day? Take a listen to this InFOCUS Podcast, presented by dot.FM, and you'll get to hear it from the Saga leader himself. LISTEN HERE