On August 24, RBR+TVBR hinted at the launch of a 24/7 domestic podcast-driven radio format, with AM and FM radio stations in four regions of the U.S. poised to adopt the programming provided by Gary Krantz through his Krantz Media Group and KMG Networks.
It is now known where those podcasts can be heard over the air, and it involves a quartet of Beasley Media Group markets.
The new podcast multiplatform radio format Podcast Radio U.S. will be available to listeners via broadcast on an AM in Tampa that was once a Hot Talk station in the mid-1990s; FM translators in Detroit, Charlotte and Fort Myers-Naples; and on HD multicast stations in those three markets.
PODCAST RADIO U.S. HOMES WITH BEASLEY MEDIA GROUP:
Detroit: 93.5 FM and WCSX-94.7 HD2
Tampa: 1010 WJBR-AM (formerly WHFS-AM)
Charlotte: 94.7 FM and WSOC-HD3
Ft. Myers / Naples: 96.5 FM/101.5 FM & 105.1 FM and WXKB-HD2
Access to each local station can also be had from the PodcastRadioUS.com website.
The stations and digital channels will be branded as Podcast Radio Carolinas, Podcast Radio Southwest Florida, Podcast Radio Detroit and Podcast Radio Tampa Bay.
Each region’s podcast content will be supported with localized imaging, promos, and IDs.
Podcast Radio features live “Podjocks”, including former KROQ-FM in Los Angeles morning co-host and WAVA/Washington, D.C., alum Gene “Bean” Baxter.
The format, Krantz says, “will showcase the very best produced and popular podcasts from the United States and all over the world, including audio content from TedAudio (TedTalk), Wondery, Evergreen, and Canada’s Corus.
The format is being offered to radio stations and groups on a network/barter basis via KMG Networks. AdLarge Media has been selected to facilitate the network advertising sales.
“Podcast Radio is an idea that Caroline Beasley and our team have been thinking about and researching for years and we’re excited to be the first to launch this format in the United States,” said Beasley Media Group Chief Content Officer Justin Chase. “This concept has been highly successful for Gerry and his team in the United Kingdom, and we believe our audience will fall in love with the Podcast Radio U.S. version we present on our stations.”
Gerry Edwards, Founder & CEO of Podcast Radio, added, “We are beyond excited to be working with Beasley as a forward-thinking and innovative company. [CEO] Caroline Beasley, the team, and Beasley’s great station brands will make fantastic first movers into the Podcast Radio format as they embrace this unique new radio content as a leader in both broadcast and digital.”
Krantz commented, “KMG and Podcast Radio is excited to partner with Beasley Media Group to be the first to bring this proven and innovative idea to the U.S. When we evaluated the business opportunity in America, it was their forward-looking team that shared our vision immediately and stepped up to work collaboratively to execute this across key regions within the Beasley Media Group platform.”
Meanwhile, AdLarge CEO Cathy Csukas shared, “This collaboration underscores AdLarge’s commitment to delivering exceptional advertising solutions to our clients. We are poised to unlock new opportunities for advertisers, enabling them to reach their target audiences through premium content.”
