Radio News

From podcast and pureplay to broadcast streams and innovations still incubating, what’s the digital audio forecast? What’s hot today, and what’s on the horizon tomorrow? How are these digital options being consumed, measured, and monetized successfully? One Hispanic Radio Conference panel has plenty of answers — and some provocative commentary that might have you wondering if your stations are ready for the future.

"Mister Gaylord" himself Mike Reling, along with colleagues Bryan Hollenbaugh and Rob Weaver, will soon be seeing some changes at their place of work. That's because "Eagle 101.5," a Class C2 facility serving a large chunk of Michigan, has just been sold. Who's the owner? Look to the midday man for answers.

A veteran Gotham radio sales executive won't be hearing much from Scotty McCreery around the office anymore. Instead, she'll likely be hearing lots of Shakira and J Balvin. After 5 years as GSM of Cumulus Media's WNSH-FM 94.7 "Nash" in New York, where she built the sales department from scratch, there'll be some español once again in the daily professional life of Maire Mason.

With talk of a Chapter 11 restructuring coming within weeks, it appears that iHeartMedia may be closer to a deal with its lenders to resolve its Term Loan D and Term Loan E debt. According to a SEC filing made late Friday by the nation's top owner of radio stations, the lone remaining bargaining point appears to be the percentage of equity in iHeart that the company is willing to cede.

Here's a transaction that's likely to raise some eyebrows with some longtime media brokers and radio station executives: Border Media has just bought a Class A FM radio station. Say what? It's true ... but this company doesn't involve Tom Castro or Jeff Hinson.  It involves a company formed by two individuals who are not U.S. citizens.

With the radio industry's eyes on Beasley Monday morning, investors and competitors were likely eager to spot a sign that could provide an insightful preview to what might be seen from other companies set to release their fourth-quarter 2017 and full-year earnings reports. Beasley's Q4 results, however, offer little for prognosticators seeking wisdom. There is one thing, however, that some industry observers may zero in on: There was zero ad growth in Boston for Beasley in Q4.

No matter how you've achieved career success, you’ve made strides to grow into your current position. But, the radio business has evolved, and new challenges spring up every day. Are you seeking continual growth? Or, have you allowed yourself to become complacent and stopped making the effort that got you where you are? For columnist Kelly Orchard, all media industry C-Suiters need to be in a perpetual growth mindset. It is "very personal," she notes in this RBR+TVBR exclusive.

There's a 250-watt FM translator on the Florida Panhandle that is authorized to rebroadcast a Class C religious AM station licensed to Pensacola. Unfortunately, it may not be broadcasting from the location it is authorized to use. Even worse, the Enforcement Bureau has a complaint indicating that the translator was originating programming content, rather than retransmitting its associated full-power station.

Cumulus Media employees nervous about their 2017 incentive bonuses, given the radio broadcasting company's Chapter 11 bankruptcy organization, need not fret about forgetting about the added bounce to their bank accounts. Shelley Chapman, Judge for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, has given the green light to Cumulus' Incentive Compensation Programs.

Cumulus Media CEO Mary Berner this week assailed the radio industry for doing a poor job of touting its benefits to advertisers, declaring that Radio "needs to grow a pair" and should get aggressive in its fight for ad dollars. Two days later, Cumulus is faced with the surrender of thousands of dollars in precious revenue to the FCC. The reason? Five of the company's stations have repeatedly failed to abide by the Commission's rules on public inspection files.

It's been a tough three months for Townsquare Media. On Oct. 30, 2017, its shares were just shy of $10.25. By Nov. 13, they cascaded to $7.01 and have struggled to make it back toward the $8 mark. With an 8-cent gain on Thursday, are "TSQ" shares on their way back from a record low experienced on Tuesday?

In a surprising move confirmed by RBR+TVBR, Eric Garcia has departed as Audio Revenue Chief of Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS) and as VP/GM of the company's WSKQ-FM "Mega 97.9" and WPAT-FM 93.1 "Amor" in New York. Where is Garcia headed? Across the street — to Univision Communications.

Come June 12, the NAB Education Foundation (NABEF) will be engaged in rounds of applause for broadcasters who have engaged in exceptional community service initiatives. Which companies are honored is now up for grabs, as entries for the 20th anniversary Celebration of Service to America Awards, which NABEF presents, are being accepted through March 9.

With a trio of high-powered FM signals from Baja California, Mexico, an entity dedicated to the local community competes against two of the nation's biggest radio operators. In a candid conversation with RBR+TVBR, the company's VP/GM shares his thoughts on how these three stations can outperform and deliver results for its clients and owners.

The percentage of women who hold the General Manager position at AM and FM radio stations across the U.S. continued to rise in 2017. That said, more than 80% of radio industry GMs are male, fresh data from the Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio Group show.