Radio News

With 600 affiliates in Upper Midwest, Weatherology has established itself as a 24/7 weather reporting service of choice. Now, Cumulus Media-owned Westwood One believes stations across the U.S. can also benefit from what Weatherology has to offer.

It's been one year since a major management transition at Townsquare Media — a move that led many radio industry observers and media brokers to question the company's future as an owner of radio stations. With an Election Day release of its Q3 2018 results, it is clear that Townsquare has elected to become one of the strongest operators of small- and mid-market radio stations in the U.S.

Radio's Financial Summit, Forecast 2019, is one week away and RBR+TVBR will be in attendance. Will you? If you've not made your plans yet, time is ticking as the event is nearly sold out. Here's all you need to know about this exclusive event scheduled for November 14 in New York.

Good things come to those who wait ... including those who dialed in to Saga Communications' Q3 earnings call on Friday morning, which began some 10 minutes late due to landline problems out of the company's control. The news Saga's C-Suite had to share was rosy: Net revenue was up, while income from continuing operations, net of tax, also increased.

Dick Bott, Bott Radio Network's chairman and founder, launched the Christian Talk & Teaching operation in 1962. Today, his son, BRN President/CEO Rich Bott II, assists Dick in overseeing the stations. Now, through licensee Community Broadcasting, the younger Bott is adding a dark facility from a university known for its liberal arts program. It helps Bott reach the eastern portions of Music City, USA.

For 16 years, the Harvard Club has been the site of Forecast, the radio industry’s exclusive financial conference that brings together radio owners, CFOs, group executives, private equity and Wall Street investors, as well as industry analysts, to discuss conditions and predictions for the coming year. If you are a radio industry decision-maker or your business depends on the decisions that will be made in the coming year by those who are attending, please consider attending on Nov. 14.

Tongues were wagging across Radioland on Thursday in response to a report in Financial Times that claims "Apple is turning to traditional broadcasting to boost its streaming service, exploring a tie-up with iHeartMedia, the largest U.S. radio group that is attempting to claw itself out of bankruptcy." The report -- and subsequent coverage in CNBC and across the radio industry's trade publications -- helped iHeart stock rise 32.4% on Thursday, to 49 cents.

With leverage closing in on the low six-times range and political revenues at a non-presidential year high, Urban One President/CEO Alfred Liggins III is "very pleased" with the results. But, TVOne has its challenges, as do some key markets where Radio One operates.

When veteran financial analyst Marci Ryvicker exited Wells Fargo Securities, many radio industry observers openly questioned what Wall Street shop would be picking up the ball on covering Entercom Communications. Introducing Curry Baker, a Guggenheim analyst who initiated coverage of Entercom on Thursday. His words lit a fire with investors, sending Entercom shares up 13.6%.

For three years, a member of the national association for amateur radio has been evading the FCC with illicit broadcasts at 90.9 MHz in a New Jersey city close to New York. The Commission in April was finally able to act on the matter by issuing a hefty Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture to the individual determined to be running the pirate radio stations. On Wednesday, the Enforcement Bureau moved forward with a Forfeiture Order.

In cities such as Toronto, a 24/7 FM radio station targeting the LGBTQ consumer has been a reality for more than 10 years. In the U.S., not so much -- until today. Entercom is recharging its efforts to attract LGBTQ listeners by not only rebranding its audio offering for this important consumer group, but also bringing it to a fully licensed Class A station in a key gay and lesbian region of the U.S. 

The compensation of a CEO for a publicly traded company is usually shared in SEC filings. But, comparisons to other broadcast media leaders aren't. That's why "Simply Wall St." has taken the initiative to determine whether the head of Entercom Communications is "paid enough relative to his peers."

A legendary media executive. A top authority on communications industry business values. A 30-year corporate banking veteran. An expert analyst on media and tech transactions. Think they might have some interesting perspective and insight on the state of Radio?  You would be thinking correctly, and they are all set to appear at a Forecast 2019 session all investors or deal makers need to attend.

Here's a news item we fully thank NAB voice Dennis Wharton for bringing to the attention of RBR+TVBR. Hipster news organization VICE took a bold step forward in trying out something on Facebook that has mushroomed into a potentially major problem that only extends the problem of fake news -- and ad manipulation -- on the social media Goliath. It's great news for radio and TV.

What did the physical therapist say to the Main Street guy? The correct answer, based on an Asset Purchase Agreement filed Tuesday with the Commission, is, "Let's make a deal!" The station being traded is a heritage Class A serving the east end of Long Island, N.Y.