Radio News

The use of a station-specific mobile app has increased since the onset of consumer behavior changes spurred by restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. That's based on new research from a leading provider of such apps, Futuri.

Curious as to how Salem Media Group fared financially during the first three months of 2020? You'll have your answer on Monday, following the Closing Bell on Wall Street.

Loud Media, the recently formed entity forged in Upstate New York between Ricki Lee and Aaron Ishmael, is agreeing to acquire a pair of FM radio stations in the Knoxville market. An asset purchase agreement has been filed with the Commission, and it is expected to be posted May 29. RBR+TVBR has the details on the price for these Class A facilities.

How has Davis Broadcasting sailed through the tough waters caused by the novel coronavirus? What is it doing to compete against a reinvigorated iHeartLatino in Atlanta? Find out in this fresh RBR+TVBR CORONAVIRUS INFOCUS Podcast featuring longtime radio executive Brian Barber, hosted by Radio + Television Business Report Editor-in-Chief Adam R Jacobson. LISTEN HERE

Until midday Tuesday, it was understood that Townsquare Media would be releasing its first quarter 2020 results bright and early on Wednesday, ahead of the company's infamous 8am Eastern earnings call for analysts and investors. By 3pm Eastern, that plan was scrubbed. Thank the COVID-19 pandemic for an earnings release on the last possible permissible date allowed.

In February 2019, longtime radio station owner Dick Gleason lost his battle with ALS. In March 2020, the stations licensed to the company he founded were silenced under a temporary STA request with the FCC. The reason cited? The COVID-19 pandemic clobbered the company's finances. Now, the stations have found a new owner and will resume broadcasting.

Call it a "poison pill." Call it fortifying the moat against an invasion on the C-Suite and corporate castle. Short-term shareholder rights plans have emerged at three of the nation's biggest audio media companies, with the latest one to emerge coming from Cumulus Media. Here's an exclusive look at how the plan signed off by Mary Berner compares to those at Entercom and iHeartMedia.

Two at-large seats and one Radio Board representative for the Hoosier State have been appointed to the NAB Radio Board of Directors. They'll take on their fresh responsibilities at the start of the board's next meetings, set for a virtual format on June 8 and 9.

A decade ago, Jeffrey and Mark Schlesinger obtained WBPZ-AM and WSNU-FM in Lock Haven, Pa., to the southwest of Williamsport and northeast of State College. They must like Happy Valley. A pair of asset purchase agreements have been filed that will give them control of two FMs, an FM translator and an AM serving a region that is home to Penn State University.

Punctuated by a 20% gain immediately after Thursday's market open, and a 30% day-to-day improvement at the closing bell, investors may be finally ready to snag more Entercom shares. The man who in 1968 founded Entercom just did, grabbing more stock at prices few anticipated ahead of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was seen as a sign of confidence on Wall Street.

Wednesday was initially set to be the concluding day of the 2020 Media Finance Focus conference, slated for a venue just steps away from the famed Chinese Theatre. Alas, the COVID-19 pandemic scrubbed the confab. Instead, a virtual event is on tap, and it will begin with "A View From The Top." Radio industry leader Darrell Brown is among the speakers.

Hubbard Radio has selected a “Brand and Digital Content Development Director," based at its Twin Cities headquarters, to assist the company's market-level managers with strategies for the creation of new multichannel content. 

Oh, those finicky investors! One day after dipping to its second-lowest post-bankruptcy low, Cumulus Media shares exploded in heavier-than-usual trading on the Nasdaq Global Select market. Wednesday’s trading session finished with CMLS up by more than 21%.

Longtime Boston-based radio programming consultant Clark Smidt has combed through the April Nielsen Audio ratings results for his home market. There, as in other locales where the PPM is used, cume -- the number of people actively tuning to radio -- has tumbled since the COVID-19 pandemic began. But, Smidt believes ratings are only part of the story radio can tell.

As a true believer in live and local radio, NRG Media's Omaha Market Manager believes his group of stations is poised to outperform as COVID-19 concerns start to fade. That said, an interesting sales story has emerged ... not to mention news that shower curtains are in place to protect on-air talent now back at work! Get the full scoop in this latest podcast. LISTEN HERE