Radio News

Earlier this year, a "Bigfoot" was spotted across Scranton and Wilkes Barre, as Seven Mountains Media grew its Country radio brand across Northeastern Pennsylvania's biggest burghs. Now, WARM-AM and WLGD-FM 107.7 are getting a sibling, thanks to a deal with an individual whose also worked with them in the Twin Tiers region.

In July 2020, a 14-year Cox Media Group veteran who five years earlier was promoted to General Sales Manager for its Miami-Fort Lauderdale stations joined iHeartMedia. He moved to Charleston, S.C., taking on the role of Market President. Now, this veteran radio industry sales and operations pro is heading to the land of Giants, Warriors and 49ers to lead iHeart's five FM and one AM radio station serving the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose region.

What's the buzz surrounding Progressive? The ultra-competitive auto insurance category has seen diminished activity of late from Allstate and GEICO, as Liberty Mutual Insurance is spending much on TV of late. Progressive has responded — in a big way. In fact, it has introduced an "old flame" to veteran spokesperson "Flo" to consumers. It is none other than the actor who helped made "Mad Men" a superhit for AMC.

"Spotify is clearly the leader in the podcast space." That's the opinion of John Freeman, VP of Equity Research at Rockville, Md.-based CFRA Research. While that's one positive for the audio-on-demand giant, Freeman has a bigger and perhaps more alarming observation regarding Spotify.

It expired at midnight ET on June 3. Now, Cumulus Media has revealed the final results of its "modified Dutch auction" tender offer — something the audio content creation and distribution company calls "an initial step" in the execution of its $50 million share repurchase program.

A Go RVing radio commercial from FCB Chicago is being celebrated with Best of Show honors, taking the award Thursday night at the 31st annual Radio Mercury Awards presentation.

The subject of ZoneCasting, a hyperlocalization tool from GeoBroadcast Solutions that could gain FCC approval, has proven to be a controversial one. The NAB is fighting its approval by the Commission. On the other side are the MMTC and NABOB. The support by NABOB of ZoneCasting surprises media asset valuation specialist Dave Schutz, and he shares his thoughts exclusively in the latest InFOCUS Podcast, presented by dot.FM. LISTEN HERE

An indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Cumulus Media has amended its existing $100 million revolving credit facility by extending its maturity by two years. Here's the good news: As of Wednesday, there were no amounts outstanding under the facility.

Until Wednesday morning, there was considerable doubt that an agreement could be reached that would all but retain the long-running Classical programming of WRR-FM in Dallas. Fears of the station's sale, and possible format change, have now been erased in decisive fashion.

Minnesota Public Radio has received the largest charitable contribution in the noncommercial broadcast organization’s 55-year history. Only, who is it from?

Officially, it is an amendment of "Parts 73 and 74 of the Commission’s Rules to Establish Rules for Digital Low Power Television and Television Translator Stations." In plain terms, it's a proposal that would allow the operation of analog FM radio services by Channel 6 digital low-power television stations. The Commission has been considering the idea since 2014. Now, it's seeking comments once again in a fifth Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the matter.

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