Radio News

Independents and smaller groups may seem to face a different set of challenges, especially when it comes to maintaining a competitive edge and commanding their due share of revenue against the bigger groups. But smaller can be more flexible, nimbler, and easier to maneuver without layers of interference or corporate inertia. Was "economy of scale" a myth? How does the independent maintain the level of talent and creativity needed to compete head-to-head with stations relying on "synergy"? The answers will come at Forecast 2018, in New York.

Entercom Communications shareholders on Nov. 15 will vote on the company's Reverse Morris Trust-fueled merger with CBS Radio, and there aren't expected to be any surprises -- the deal will be all but a fait accompli. Some on Wall Street are already excited over what the merger will mean to Entercom, and financial advisory Seeking Alpha is hot on the radio industry pure-play.

Hearst Stations Inc. enjoys a formidable media presence in Charm City. It's now doubled down on its spoken word presence here by acquiring an FM translator for the AM -- the latest effort by a venerable station to bring a little "revitalization" to itself.

Pandora has just published the 2018 edition of its annual Definitive Guide to Audio. Our ever-skeptical Editor-in-Chief took a look at some of the highlights, and eagerly agreed to share them with RBR+TVBR readers. Why? It shows that radio is "far from dead," but is full of salacious "findings" that paint AM and FM as a home for AARP members and few who didn't grow up watching ALF in prime-time.

A special meeting of Entercom Communications shareholders has been set for Nov. 15 in Philadelphia that will likely serve as one of the final steps in Entercom's Reverse Morris Trust-fueled merger with CBS Radio. The company revealed the details in a SEC filing made late Monday.

The owner of radio stations in small and medium-sized markets on Monday afternoon promoted Bill Wilson and Dhruv Prasad to the respective roles of Co-Chief Executive Officer. As a result, Townsquare founder and CEO Steven Price is transitioning to the role of Executive Chairman of the Board. In addition, Erik Hellum has been appointed COO of Local Media.

The General Manager for three decades at such Indianapolis radio stations as iHeartRadio's Classic Rock WFBQ-FM 94.7, the former WRZX-FM 103.3 and Sports WNDE-AM 1260, died Thursday night. He was 66 years old. A memorial service will be held Oct. 23 in Cincinnati.

The worst-kept secret at Entercom Communications has been confirmed: Susan Larkin, who in mid-July joined the company merging with CBS Radio, has settled in to Entercom's San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose cluster where she will continue as a Regional VP while also assuming VP/Market Manager duties previously held by Steve DiNardo.

Liberty Mutual Insurance is back as a Top 10 advertiser at local radio. The insurer took 10th place in the most recent Media Monitors Radio Spot Ten report. Meanwhile, as seen with broadcast TV, GEICO is an important advertiser for AM and FM radio, as the brand moved up to second place.

A 105-watt FM translator serving the northern portion of the Atlanta metropolitan area has been ordered by the FCC's Media Bureau to cease operations until it eliminates all interference to a co-channel Class A located just to the northeast. But, the translator's owner has won a battle with the FCC in that it successfully negated a reduction in power to just 10 watts.

Former NAB Joint Board Chairman Steve Newberry has another job aside from his role as President/CEO of a Kentucky-based radio broadcasting company. Newberry has just been tapped to serve as the EVP for Strategic Planning/Special Projects for the broadcast media industry’s biggest advocacy and lobbying group.

At first glance, one would believe that Emmis Communications had a disappointing fiscal Q2 2018. But, there's more to the story. Emmis can't compare year-over-year results because it no longer owns radio stations in Terre Haute, Ind., and in Los Angeles. The company has also shed much of its glossy publications. Pro forma, radio revenue is up in the just-completed quarter—good news for the company led by Jeff Smulyan.

With CBS Radio and Entercom revealing late Tuesday that 16 additional stations have been selected for divestment, industry chatter immediately turned to two companies as likely buyers. One, Hubbard Radio, has grown by leaps and bounds and is primed for further expansion after no recent acquisitions. The other is Bonneville International -- a radio station owner that, while smaller than in previous years, is profitable and easily able to grow, one veteran media broker notes.

Now that it's known which CBS Radio and Entercom properties have been earmarked for divestment, chatter concerning who is buying the stations has resulted in much speculation from brokers and radio observers. Most believe Hubbard Radio and Bonneville International are all but assured stations. But, there are swaps to be had, and one broker says another company is likely involved: iHeartMedia. Meanwhile, one Boston market veteran sees Cox Media Group building in Beantown.

A Texas state appeals court in San Antonio on Wednesday sided with iHeartMedia in ruling that a stock transfer was allowed under the terms of its loan agreements. The decision is a blow to creditors who attempted to declare a default on billions of dollars of the company's debt, Dow Jones Newswires reports.