Radio News

BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.) and the RMLC (Radio Music License Committee) have reached an agreement in principle to settle their ongoing rate dispute, entering into a new multi-year deal covering the 2017-2021 period.

On Dec. 18, Entercom Communications shares reached $5.16, its highest closing price since a huge Aug. 6, 2019, slide in value. It appears ETM is suffering from another dip in share price, with Thursday's opening price poised to be its lowest since November 7.

The January 2011 death of Mississippi radio station owner Frank Rackley Jr. wasn't disclosed to the FCC for more than a year after his passing, in the station's license renewal application. This didn't pass muster with the Media Bureau, which cancelled the station's license. Current management pleaded for the Commission to reconsider, and it's just ruled on their request.

The only radio personality to have worked at former Top 40 WMCA-AM 570 in New York, rival Top 40 WABC-AM 770 in N.Y., and Oldies WCBS-FM 101.1 in the Big Apple has died. Harry Harrison, inducted in November 2019 into the Radio Hall of Fame, had been suffering various health issues.

The FCC's Enforcement Bureau revealed on Tuesday that it has been conducting an investigation into whether Salem Media Group violated the FCC's live broadcasting rule. It appears that Salem was involved in a violation of the Commission's regulations, as the company has agreed to a consent decree.

U.S. financial markets were on the rise Tuesday, and radio and TV companies were among the many companies experiencing gains from Monday's closing bell. Cumulus Media stood out among the radio companies for noteworthy rises, with CMLS up 33 cents to $14.48. The same can be said for iHeartMedia, with shares up 31 cents to $18.15.

At 10:15am Saturday, NAB EVP/Communications Dennis Wharton shared the news that President Trump late Friday signed into law the PIRATE Act. That's the "NAB legislative priority" that will give added ammunition to the FCC to deter and, ultimately, quash pirate radio operations. At the very moment the email was received, America's most brazen pirate radio operator was on the air.

The Medallas de Cortez Distinguished Leadership Award will be presented this year to the multi-Grammy and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient. The award ceremony will cap off the first day of the Hispanic Radio Conference, which is being presented March 25-26 at the Intercontinental at Doral in Miami.

In honor of the invention of radio and the 1920 first-ever broadcast of KDKA-AM in Pittsburgh, New York Festivals Radio Awards will celebrate 100 years of Radio while bringing together global storytellers from both the Radio and TV & Film industry on the same stage.

Understanding "the contextual affinities and nuances" of every radio market in the U.S. is key to connecting with listeners "in a mindset that matters." Yet, it is not a radio group but SiriusXM-owned Pandora that is telling potential marketers and advertising clients key facts about listeners in markets of all sizes. It's just another slap in the face of an industry that still doesn't get it, our editor-in-chief opines.

Talk about a circular transactions turnpike: In November 2018, Michael James Powell successfully grabbed a Class A FM in the Delmarva Region from Voice Radio LLC of Delaware. Now, Powell is spinning this station to an entity that just agreed to sell its lone property -- to none other than the company Powell bought this FM from some 13 months ago!

For years, veteran media broker Glenn Serafin was highly regarded for his knowledge of radio and television station transactions ... and values. Now, the media industry is paying tribute to Serafin, who passed away Monday in Tampa at the age of 69.

First, it was the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Now, Republican FCC Commissioner Mike O'Rielly has the Chief Compliance Officers at three of the world's biggest recorded music companies in his cross-hairs. O'Rielly still wants answers in response to an August 2019 report in Radio Ink that suggests a “pay-to-play it” atmosphere persists at U.S. radio stations.

The latest Media Monitors Spot Ten Radio report is out, and once again the auto insurance category is a big one for AM and FM radio. However, the latest report shows Progressive opening a wide gap by spot count over its nearest competitor.

Advertisers have been rushing to embrace new forms of lower-cost digital marketing. As a result, it's been harder and harder to sell them radio, TV, and newspaper advertising. Where are they spending their money, and how can radio stations that enjoy especially strong community connections take advantage of the new trends? Gordon Borrell has some answers.