Radio News

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is putting its financial support behind a trio of "Urban Alternative" radio stations -- planting the seed for its possible growth to cities where a sizable African American population drives radio listening. The three FMs CPB is seeding are located in Virginia, Colorado and in Texas. Paragon is a part of the rollout.

Sometimes, paving the road to future success requires a look back at what made a product desirable for years, or decades. Veteran radio programming consultant Clark Smidt believes much of what worked for radio station owners in the 1960s and 1970s still applies today. In his view, many of the owners of radio stations today are prime candidates for a trip back to the past to ensure a formidable future.

The Atlanta-area AMs owned by the late Lew Dickey Sr. were all set to be transferred to an "irrevocable children's trust" following his passing. The FCC's Media Bureau had some issues, and on Wednesday they were resolved thanks to a Consent Decree agreed upon by the trust administrators. But, a retroactive license transfer is not to be had.

As the world digested the news of the death of the "Queen of Soul," RBR+TVBR opted to play the music of Aretha Franklin in tribute to her astounding contributions to music over six decades of recording industry prowess. It took an Urban One station based in Detroit and its iHeartRadio competitor to satisfy our needs.

For $47 million, SummitMedia made it known to the U.S. broadcasting industry that it aims to play ball. It purchased 19 stations in four markets from The E.W. Scripps Co. -- a move that will allow Summit to grow yet will not significantly transform the operation. Perhaps that's exactly what Chairman/CEO Carl Parmer and SVP/Programming Bill Tanner have in mind.

Is it true that the majority of the growth in the U.S. Hispanic market is coming from markets that are below the top 10 Hispanic DMAs? "Generally speaking, yes," reveals Fernando E. Férnandez, Partner and Chief Client Officer at New York-based multicultural advertising agency d'expósito & Partners. But, are media buyers and marketers responding? In this Hispanic Radio Podcast, we look at the locales where your company could thrive.

One of the most striking takeaways from a letter signed by 10 leaders of radio broadcasting companies that fully backs a NAB proposal to loosen the FCC's ownership restrictions is a claim that, with fewer owners in a market, greater programming options exist. Is this a bogus claim, or is this a factual statement that simply can't be argued, because it's wholly true? It depends on what market you're in, and how one defines "format diversity."

Univision Communications' radio and music streaming app is now capable of giving advertisers a bigger punch for their media investment. It's thanks to a new partnership with digital audio advertising tech firm AdsWizz.

News of the healthy reward for stockholders comes just days after the company's stock reached its year-to-date low. However, Saga Communications' stock rarely suffers from big dips or gains, as we illustrate.

CreditRiskMonitor, a company led by a former hedge fund manager and attorney based in Rockland County, N.Y., has offered an assessment of what it believes are the top broadcasting and cable companies with a high chance of Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization.

When it comes to the advertising activity of radio's top clients through the summer of 2018, one thing is abundantly clear: commitment to campaigns is being seen from the top brands using AM and FM radio stations to build sales and product awareness.

With the acquisition of The E.W. Scripps Co.'s Tucson stations, Lotus Communications would have been over the limit by two properties on the total number of properties it could own in the Southern Arizona market. Lotus agreed to divest two stations, using broker Kalil & Co. Done deal.

Media Information Bureau columnist Kelly Orchard is back with a column focused on broadcast media's continuing battle for relevance. In a world full of instant at-your-fingertips media choices, does anybody have "the" solution to keep broadcast media relevant?

Salem Media Group literally had nothing to say with respect to its Q2 2018 financial results, released to the public following the close of U.S. stock markets on Wednesday. It didn't have to, as the numbers said it all: Total revenue was flat as the company swung from net income to a net loss. These results weren't good enough for Wall Street or investors, and Salem shares sunk.

It was a mixed Q2 for Urban One, with net revenue down and net income rising. The biggest announcement for the media company super-serving Black consumers had little to do with financials and a lot more to do with what's in store come 2019. A new cable TV channel is in store for viewers, and two unnamed MVPDs are already on board.