Radio News

An air personality who has made a name for himself in Phoenix and across the Southwestern U.S. hopes he'll soon be widely known across all of America. Thanks to YEA Networks, the producer and syndicator of The Bert Show and the Kidd Kraddick Morning Show, the Phoenix-based Tino Cochino Radio program is now available across the nation.

ESPN Radio has renewed its license of the Veritone aiWARE platform for its sports talk programming and live event coverage. The renewal allows ESPN Radio to expand its analysis of the 24/7 programming across multiple ESPN-branded platforms, including broadcast radio and, for the first time, ESPN Deportes Radio.

Among the big tower owners based in Boca Raton, Fla., is SBA Communications, the firm that in the third quarter of 2016 acquired a tower from Saga Communications in Norfolk for $1.35 million. Now, Saga and SBA have conducted business again — this time in New England, in a deal brokered by Boca Raton-based Michael J. Bergner of Bergner & Co.

As we get ready for the 2018 Hispanic Radio Conference, which begins Tuesday (3/13) in Miami, Nielsen Audio Managing Director Brad Kelly chats with RBR+TVBR Editor-in-Chief Adam R Jacobson in this latest podcast. Kelly is ready for a little sunshine and a respite from some tough winter weather -- and he's eagerly anticipating one of his favorite conferences. What makes the Hispanic Radio Conference such a well-liked event?

In February 2017, Neal Ardman, President of NIA Broadcasting, made headlines for acquiring WTMP-AM in Egypt Lake, Fla., and WTMP-FM in Dade City, Fla. — stations that had entered receivership. Ardman received much more attention for a deal he made two weeks later that saw him team up with Bruce Maduri’s Genesis Communications in its purchase of a translator that moved to St. Petersburg. Now, RBR+TVBR has confirmed that Maduri and Ardman have teamed together in a slightly different way.

The judge overseeing Cumulus Media's Chapter 11 reorganization petition will hold a hearing on Monday at 10am Eastern to determine whether or not the company can move forward with incentive compensation programs one group of lenders has formally objected to. Cumulus wants Shelley Chapman, Judge for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, to overrule the objections.

The Hispanic Radio Conference, coming Tuesday and Wednesday, March 13-14, in Miami, offers an amazing lineup of speakers and panelists.  If you don't care about the future of radio, you might want to skip it. If you have a vested interest in radio, however, shouldn't you be there? 

Cumulus Media on Wednesday evening received an affirmative nod from the judge overseeing its Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring petition in response to a request for a four-month extension on its comprehensive reorganization plan. A hearing has been scheduled for March 21 at 2pm Eastern to consider the request, with objections due to the court at 4pm Eastern on March 16.

The 2018 Infinite Dial Study by Edison Research and Triton Digital, unveiled Thursday, offers radio industry professionals the latest research in digital audio, social media, mobile, smart speakers, and podcast consumption. What's the biggest takeaway from the latest report from Edison and Triton? The two most talked-about sectors in audio today—podcasting and Smart Speakers—post significant gains in this year’s study, compared to 2017.

To help AMs and FMs on their path to success, the Radio + Television Business Report is pleased to present the latest installment in our series of short podcasts focused on Hispanic radio — and its power — in advance of the 2018 Hispanic Radio Conference, March 13-14 in Miami. Today, Julio Aponte Jr., COO of Sun Broadcast Group, provides a sneak peek into the success stories that prove Radio works for brands and businesses.

University of Alabama Athletics and its multimedia rights holder, Learfield, have announced a five-year agreement with SummitMedia to become the official radio home of the Crimson Tide Sports Network in Birmingham.     

Despite widespread speculation that a Chapter 11 restructuring was likely to occur last weekend, iHeartMedia will not be taking such action until at least March 13. The nation's No. 1 radio broadcasting company landed another three business days — plus the weekend — to deal with a $106 million interest payment it failed to make on February 1.

On Tuesday morning, a seismic sale of an FM radio station in the Windy City rocked the radio industry. WLUP, known as "The Loop," was sold. Many were quick to lament the loss of a station viewed as iconic. Our Editor-in-Chief sees it differently: It's a perfect example, he says, of how the radio industry fails at keeping brands meaningful. On the contrary, the company buying WLUP is an expert in creating brands with strength and lasting power.

Is one of the nation's most listened-to radio stations guilty for making "thousands" of unwanted "robocalls" to residents of Southern California? That's what a San Fernando Valley real estate agent/attorney claims. On Monday filed a class action civil complaint in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against the station's owner — iHeartMedia.

In October 2017, the owner of radio stations in small and medium-sized markets promoted Bill Wilson and Dhruv Prasad to the respective roles of Co-Chief Executive Officer. As a result, Townsquare Media founder and CEO Steven Price transitioned to the role of Executive Chairman of the Board. Now, the Townsquare's board is adding a chair while filling an empty one by appointing the co-CEOs.