Radio News

Exactly one year ago, the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic led Saga to join the list of audio media companies to put its quarterly cash dividend for shareholders in a cryogenic state. The Saga board has just brought out the EKG machine, breathing new life into a historically robust dividend that will reward SGA shareholders in mid-July.

SEC disclosures show that a former Urban One board member and two current members have obtained a chunk of Class D shares in the African American-focused company.

Audacy has rebranded four CBS Sports Radio stations, eliminated "The Score" in one market, and dropped Spanish-language sports programming from a heritage Washington, D.C., AM to help spread the "BetQL" brand. However, the "CBS Sports Radio" name will continue for those Audacy stations that will not be making any programming adjustments.

On heavier-than-average volume, Urban One stock was down sharply in midday trading on Friday -- continuing a plunge that began on Tuesday. Why are shares down, following a sharp rise at the start of June?

For 39 years, Kagan has offered an up-close look at where broadcast radio and TV is heading, with respect to revenues and station valuations. This continued on Thursday in virtual fashion, as the 2021 Kagan Media Summit kicked off with a spotlight on the U.S. broadcast station industry from Senior Research Analyst Justin Nielson.

Nielsen Audio data suggest radio's return to pre-pandemic audience levels in nearly complete. The remaining challenge? Recouping lost advertising dollars.

On Dec. 23, 2020, iHeartMedia shares finished the day at $11.99. It was a good finish, as IHRT in early July was trading in the mid-$6 range. With Wednesday's Closing Bell on the Nasdaq GlobalSelect market, investors who have had IHRT for the past year will certainly be celebrating. Why? They've more than quadrupled their dollars.

From atop Red Mountain in Birmingham, a 130-watt FM translator blankets the metropolitan area of Alabama's biggest city with Alternative music and the Premiere Networks' syndicated offering "The Woody Show' in morning drive. This microstation has been on the air since 2017. Soon, it will disappear. In its place: Christian Contemporary music.

Educational Media Foundation has scooped up yet another station, as it solidifies its ranking as the No. 2 licensee of radio stations in the U.S. behind iHeartMedia. It's grabbing an Indiana FM, bringing the cities of Normal and Bloomington into EMF's expanding universe of Christian Contemporary Music networks.

Thanks to exceptional growth in its digital segment, Entravision Communications Corp. stock has enjoyed a six-month surge. Entering Christmas Eve 2020, shares were priced at $2.70. As of midday trading on Tuesday (6/15), EVC is up 104% since then. That has Zacks Equity Research asking if it is time for investors to cash out.

Until now, it's been mainly known for its conservative Talk radio stations, Christian-themed radio programming including music-oriented "The Fish," and a publishing arm that finished 2020 strong. Now, Salem Media Group's sales division has formed an entity focused on "connecting brands with the fans of leading Christian social media influencers."

Paperwork filed with the FCC offers new details on the recently announced sale of Sinclair Broadcast Group's lone radio stations, inherited from its acquisition of Fisher Communications. It is now known that a pending call-letter change is in the works for KOMO-AM & FM. There's also new information on just how much cash Lotus will pay Sinclair.

Know someone worthy of being honored with a prestigious Medallas de Cortez award for excellence in U.S. Hispanic radio? Now's your time to make your nomination for a 2021 honor.

Fueled by stronger than anticipated digital advertising results, respected Wall Street financial analysts at MoffettNathanson are raising its 2021 overall U.S. ad growth estimate. This will be partially offset by lower than expected broadcast and cable advertising. But, what do the radio advertising trends look like?

On September 19, 1921, one of America's oldest radio stations will celebrate its 100th anniversary. On June 11, the 100 day countdown to a century of serving New England began for a station currently offering an all-News format, owned today by iHeartMedia.