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From Radio Online: With the Olympics kicking off this week, all eyes and ears will be on Paris following the biggest sporting events and the world's top athletes. iHeartMedia is NBCU's audio partner for the 2024 Summer Olympics and will be bringing games to listeners as they happen. Fans can tune-in to these events live on More...

From Radio Online: Magellan AI, an audio intelligence, analytics and measurement company, adds new cookie-less identifiers for podcast and streaming audio campaign measurement. The new identifiers provide Magellan AI's customers with enhanced measurement capabilities in a privacy-focused environment. Known for its database of More...

From Radio Online: In September 2021, WOZZ-FM/Wausau-Stevens Point, WI transitioned from Rock 94.7 to Adult Hits. Since that time, an enigmatic creature has been wandering the backwoods of Central Wisconsin, yearning for Rock. This mysterious Beast has finally seized control of the WOZZ Studios in More...

From Radio Insight: As first indicated in our 7/18 Domain Insight, Midwest Communications has flipped Variety Hits “94.7/102.9 Jack-FM” WOZZ Mosinee/102.9 W275AC Wausau WI back to Rock “94.7 The Beast“. The move resurrects the format that had been on the frequencies until its September 2021 flip from “Rock 94.7” to Jack-FM. The station is promoting core artists including AC/DC, Five Finger Death Punch, Foo Fighters, Led Zeppelin, Linkin Park, Metallica, Nirvana, and Shinedown. While launching jockless, the company has announced that ‘Scary Terry’ Stevens, who previously served as PD/afternoon host during its “Rock 94.7” incarnation will host afternoons from his base in Lansing MI where he serves as cluster Operations Manager for Midwest and PD/afternoon host of Classic Rock “Q106” WJXQ. more

From Radio Insight: After being forced to drop its “Kingdom 107.1” branding shortly after it launched in April after a trademark claim, Pillar Media has rebranded Christian Hip Hop 107.1 KFCO Bennett/Denver CO as “Flo 107.1“. If the name sounds familiar it is because it is the fourth iteration of the “Flo” branding on the frequency in the past decade. Under Max Media ownership, the station first took on the “Flo 107.1” moniker in January 2015 a few weeks after flipping to Classic Hip Hop first as “Fly 107.1“. The station would retain the name when it flipped to Rhythmic CHR in June 2018. After flipping to CHR “Hot 107.1” in May 2020, the “Flo” brand and Classic Hip Hop format returned in August 2021 until the closing of the sale to Pillar Media in April. KFCO had been branding just under the frequency and call letters since having to drop its original “Kingdom 107.1” identity. The station continues to feature longtime Denver personalities Senen ?Slim? Rodriguez in mornings and ?Tony V? Valdez in afternoons. more

From Radio Online: iHeartMedia names Sara McClure as Vice President of Unified Partnerships for California, effective immediately. This company division has a 22-year history of providing advanced media resources for its ad agency partners. McClure joins from iHeartMedia Sacramento, where she most recently served as the Market More...

From Radio Online: A new proposal before the FCC to create an FM broadcasting class known as "A10" is receiving mixed reactions. This proposal, aimed at enhancing coverage in rural and underserved areas, would allow for power upgrades for approximately 1,400 Class A FM stations, permitting a maximum of More...

From Radio Online: iHeartMedia appoints Steve Darnell as Metro President for its seven stations in Sacramento, CA, effective immediately. Darnell most recently served as the Area President for iHeartMedia's Pacific Area. He also served as the Market President for iHeartMedia's Fresno Market, as well as Fresno Senior Vice More...

From Radio Insight: Following the promotion of Sara McClure to Vice President of Unified Partnerships for California, iHeartMedia has named Steve Darnell as Metro President for Sacramento. Darnell moves into the Sacramento position from Fresno where he most recently was Area President overseeing Bakersfield, Fresno, Modesto, Monterey, Riverside CA, and Spokane WA. He moved into that role in January 2020 after five years as SVP/Sales years and two as Market President Fresno. Prior to joining iHeartMedia, Darnell spent eleven years as General Manager of Buckley Broadcasting?s Bakersfield cluster. Division President DJ Hodge stated, “After many years of successful leadership in our Pacific Area, it was clear early-on that Steve was the perfect candidate to lead our Sacramento Market as Metro President. Steve is the ideal choice to continue the great work done by Sara McClure, who is moving into our Unified Partnerships Division.? Darnell commented, “I?m excited for the opportunity to lead our Sacramento team and market leading iconic station brands. Sacramento is a dynamic, thriving city and I?m thankful that DJ Hodge, Hartley Atkins and Rich Bressler have entrusted me with continuing our growth in this very important market.” more

From Radio Insight: iHeartMedia has promoted its Sacramento Market President Sara McClure to Vice President of Unified Partnerships across the state of California. McClure has led the Sacramento cluster since December 2015 after a two and half year run as SVP/Sales. Prior to joining iHeart, McClure held multiple roles at Entercom Sacramento from 1998 to 2013 rising from an account executive to General Sales Manager to Director of Business Development to Director of Sales. She also held account executive roles early in her career at Sinclair Broadcasting and CBS Radio. The Unified Partnerships division “provides ad agencies with comprehensive media resources, subject matter expertise and superior advertising results for brands and government campaigns.” McClure’s duties will include “helping agencies win new advertising clients, retention of their most important relationships and the ability to earn greater yield.” iHeartMedia President of Unified Partnerships Michael Preacher said, “I am extremely excited to have Sara join our division. She will be broadening her responsibilities and offering her incredible expertise to leading agency partners throughout California.” McClure commented, “I look forward to advancing my career by joining the Unified Partnership division. This incredible team has unlimited possibilities and I?m excited to bring my scope of marketing and big idea thinking to our partners.” more

From Radio Online: In a landmark decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has ruled the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Universal Service Fund (USF) unconstitutional, a decision that has sparked immediate reactions from key FCC officials. Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel's Response: FCC More...

From Radio Insight: Nielsen continues its releases of the June 2024 continuous diary market and Spring 2024 biannual ratings surveys today. Today’s markets include June monthly ratings for Albuquerque, Allentown/Bethlehem, El Paso, Fresno, Honolulu, Knoxville, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Spring ratings for Johnson City/Kingsport/Bristol, Las Cruces, and Williamsport. Other markets coming this week: On Thursday, July 25: June monthly ratings for Akron, Bakersfield, Charleston SC, Harrisburg/Lebanon/Carlisle, and Omaha/Council Bluffs. Spring ratings for Canton, Hagerstown/Chambersburg, Lancaster PA, Lincoln, Myrtle Beach, New London, Wilmington DE, and York. On Friday, July 26: June monthly ratings for Columbia SC, Des Moines, Greenville/New Bern/Jacksonville NC, Little Rock, Monterey/Salinas/Santa Cruz, Spokane, and Springfield MA. Spring ratings for Gainesville/Ocala, Hot Springs, and Stockton. more

From Radio Online: After three years of meager salary increases -- all of which lagged inflation -- is worse in 2024. According to the the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA), overall radio salaries actually fell 2.5%. With inflation at 3.1% for the year, that means real wages dropped by 5.6%. But why they fell More...

From Radio Insight: Jon Pole and Andrew Dickson’s Border Broadcasting has flipped Gold AC “102.7 The Lake” WLYK Cape Vincent NY to Classic Hits “102.7 Wow-FM“. The move comes ahead of Pole and Dickson’s My Broadcasting Company completing the acquisition of AC ?Move 98.3? CFLY-FM and ?Pure Country 99? CKLC-FM Kingston ON from Bell Media. The change at WLYK moves the station into its own lane away from CFLY-FM under My Broadcasting VP/Content Rob Mise. Border Broadcasting had acquired WLYK in early 2023 for $322,000. The “Lake-FM” brand launched in March 2023 targeting Kingston ON after a couple weeks stunting with “stripper music” as “102.7 The Pole“. The new “Wow-FM” will feature Kingston market stalwarts Gary ‘Big G’ McColman and Wayne ‘Matty’ Mathews in mornings and “Throwback Nation Radio” with Tony Lorino at night. “Big G & Matty” previously spent sixteen years at Rogers Sports & Entertainment’s “Country 93.5” CKXC-FM Kingston from 2004 to 2020. more

From Radio Insight: Meredith Communications Country 96.5 KSOM Audubon/Atlantic IA has appointed Chris Varney as Sports Director. Varney joins the company after previously spending thirteen years as Sports Director at Alpha Media Grinnell IA when he was part of the company’s cuts in May. A Maryland native, Varney has also worked at KSCJ Sioux City IA and has done play-by-play for Briar Cliff University and Grinnell College sports. He was the 2023 Iowa Athletic Directors “Broadcaster of the Year”. Varney fills the opening created by Zach Collins departing to move to Indiana to pursue a career in education. more

From Radio Insight: Sacred Heart University had appointed Brad Dancer as General Manager of its “WSHU Public Radio” and its three programming services in Connecticut and Lons Island. Dancer joins WSHU after a brief stint as EVP/Research and Insights for Canela Media. He has also served as SVP/Global Data & Analytics for WWE and spent two decades at National Geographic rising to EVP/Global Data, Insights & Brand Standards. Dancer began his career in local television research for stations in Detroit, Raleigh and Washington DC. Dancer has been an adjunct professor at Roosevelt University teaching technology strategy in the performing arts and serves on the boards of All People Marketplace, Modal Learning and CT Gift of Adoption. Dancer earned his master?s in business administration from the University of Maryland and a bachelor?s degree in communications and film studies from Purdue University, where he has often been a guest lecturer. He previously served on the department of communication advisory board there. Sacred Heart University President John Petillo said, “WSHU is a unique organization whose mission is to serve our community with extraordinary programming that informs and inspires. I am confident that Dancer will foster a culture of innovation and shepherd the station into a new era of content creation that goes well beyond the radio.? Dancer commented, ?WSHU has a remarkable legacy of excellence, and I am honored to be part of this community. The collective talent and passion of the WSHU team has earned us the loyalty of our dedicated audience as well as countless prestigious awards. This uniquely positions us for success, and I am confident that, together, we will achieve even greater things.? WSHU operates three programming services. Public News/Talk on 89.9 WSUF Noyack NY, 1260 WSHU Westport, 1340 WYBC New Haven, 1400 WYBC Stamford, and translators in Danbury, Derby, and Northford CT and Selden NY. Public News/Talk and Classical music on 91.1 WSHU-FM Fairfield CT and translators in Stamford CT, Huntington Station NY, and Ridge NY. Classical music on WSUF-HD2 and a translator in Noyack NY. more

From Radio Insight: Connoisseur Media has agreed to sell Country 99.9 WFRE and News/Talk 930 WFMD Frederick MD to Williamsburg VA based Local Daily Media. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Previously known as Davis Media, Frederick will become the company’s third market after it recently walked away from its purchase of JAM Media Solutions seven stations in the Outer Banks of North Carolina and Muscatine IA out of Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation. The company owns Country “93.7 The Dude” WNTB and AAA “98.3 The Penguin” WUIN in Wilmington NC and AAA “92.3 The Tide” WTYD and “107.9 Cannon Country” WBQK in the Williamsburg VA area. The company also operates local news platforms in both markets. Connoisseur Media CEO Jeff Warshaw stated, ?While it?s difficult for us to part with our Frederick stations, we were convinced that Local Daily Media?s management leadership and its focus in the Maryland/Virginia region could move these stations forward in a way we would be proud of. Senior management of Local Daily Media includes longtime Connoisseur partner Mike Dufort, who we have worked with closely and respect. Mike understands local radio and shares our view on the need for radio to be involved with and serve the local community.? Dufort, President of Local Daily Media followed, “With my nearly 11 years of working with Jeff and the entire Connoisseur team, I deeply understand and appreciate the care and nurturing that went into building these stations and I?m excited for the opportunity to continue along their journey to reaching even greater heights.? Local Daily Media CFO Adam Crotty said, “We?re incredibly fortunate to welcome these legendary stations, along with their talented and dedicated teams, to our growing organization. Their rich history of supporting and improving the vibrant Frederick community will undoubtedly inspire our entire team to find new ways to positively impact each community we serve.? Connoisseur Media retains its eleven stations in Fairfield County and New Haven CT and Long Island NY. It had acquired the two stations in Frederick in 2019 from iHeartMedia’s Aloha Stations Trust in exchange for its cluster in Erie PA. more

From Radio Online: Good Karma Brands has announced that WKTI-FM (94.5 ESPN)/Milwaukee will remain the official radio home of Marquette University basketball through the 2027-28 season. This longstanding partnership ensures that Marquette Golden Eagles fans will continue to enjoy coverage of their team More...

From Radio Insight: For the second day in-a-row, Mid-West Family Broadcasting has made a format change at its South Bend IN cluster as CHR “Live 99.9” WQLQ Benton Harbor MI has flipped to Alternative. Positioning as “The Alternative”, the station is spotlighting artists including The Killers, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Weezer, and Pearl Jam. The new identity debuted at 12pm today with Foo Fighters “Best of You”, Smashing Pumpkins “Disarm”, and Alien Ant Farm “Smooth Criminal”. WQLQ had debuted its CHR brand in October 2016. The station had been dropping in the ratings over the past few years from a 4.9 share in Fall 2022 to 2.7 in Fall 2023. The flip leaves Sound Management’s “U93” 92.9 WNDV-FM as the only CHR in the market. WNDV-FM had a 7.7 share in Fall 2023. The new format positions the station closest to Federated Media Rock “103.9 The Bear” WRBR, which was fifth in the market with a 5.4. The flip at WQLQ follows the company dropping its Country “96.1 The Ton” brand on 96.1 W241AD/WQLQ-HD3 in favor of a simulcast of Sports 960 WSBT on Tuesday. more

From Radio Insight: The ongoing cutbacks across Alpha Media stations has ended the 10am-12pm talk show on 1460 WHBC Canton OH as host Jordan Miller as been let go from the company. Miller has hosted “Live and Local” on WHBC for the past three years, which has now been placed by the Dave Ramsey Show. WHBC Content Director Pam Cook told the Canton Repository, “It was a really tough decision but something that had to be done due to the financial issues with Alpha Media.” Miller also hosted weekends/fill-ins at sister Hot AC “Mix 94.1” WHBC-FM and was the only cut at the two stations. Miller shared on Facebook, “My radio show on WHBC was unexpectedly cut due to financial reasons last week. A show I had for three years is over. I was shocked and stunned about the news but forever grateful for my time on air at WHBC and Mix 94.1. I in no way believe this was the decision of my bosses at the radio station, but a corporate move out of their control. No ill feelings towards the station, they gave me such a strong stepping stone if I decide to pursue radio again.” Prior to joining WHBC, Miller served as a reporter for WTOV-TV Wheeling WV and WKYC Cleveland. He also serves as editor of three weekly newspapers and runs JordanMiller.News covering the Canton area. more

From Radio Insight: Roy Leavitt’s Faith Broadcasting Inc. will cease operations of Christian AC “106.9 The Heart” KHRT-FM and Southern Gospel 1320 KHRT Minot ND on July 31. Leavitt, whose family has owned the AM since 1982 and launched the FM in 1992, said that support and advertising has fallen to a level where Faith Broadcasting is no longer able to continue operating the stations. He told KMOT-TV that they are seeking a buyer. The FM currently features programming mostly from Salem Music Network, while the AM features a full-service local morning show hosted by Jonas Nelson and a local afternoon show with Chad Olson. Nelson, who has been with KHRT since 1996, also serves as Program Director of both stations. The stations were in heavily competitive Christian marketplace in Minot with nearly a third of the signals in town featuring religious programming. In a message shared on KHRT.com, Leavitt writes: Ecclesiastes says there is a time and a season for everything. Today I’m here to let you know that the season for KHRT Radio has come to an end. In this very difficult economy that we live in, support and advertising has fallen to a level where Faith Broadcasting is no longer able to continue operating the stations. July 31st will be the final day of broadcasting for 1320 KHRT and The Heart 106.9. I want to say a huge “thank you” to listeners, prayer warriors, Sharathon givers, and the many advertisers who have helped to sustain this ministry for decades. We have appreciated your partnership in proclaiming the Good News of the Gospel as local Christian stations. May God bless you and keep you. more

From Radio Insight: Nielsen continues its releases of the June 2024 continuous diary market and Spring 2024 biannual ratings surveys today. Today’s markets include June monthly ratings for Dayton, Fort Myers, Grand Rapids, Metro Fairfield County, Tucson and Tulsa. Spring ratings for Danbury, Fort Smith, Kalamazoo, Lima/Van Wert, McAllen/Brownsville/Harlingen, Muskegon, New Haven, and Sarasota. Other markets coming this week: On Wednesday, July 24: June monthly ratings for Albuquerque, Allentown/Bethlehem, El Paso, Fresno, Honolulu, Knoxville, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Spring ratings for Johnson City/Kingsport/Bristol, Las Cruces, and Williamsport. On Thursday, July 25: June monthly ratings for Akron, Bakersfield, Charleston SC, Harrisburg/Lebanon/Carlisle, and Omaha/Council Bluffs. Spring ratings for Canton, Hagerstown/Chambersburg, Lancaster PA, Lincoln, Myrtle Beach, New London, Wilmington DE, and York. On Friday, July 26: June monthly ratings for Columbia SC, Des Moines, Greenville/New Bern/Jacksonville NC, Little Rock, Monterey/Salinas/Santa Cruz, Spokane, and Springfield MA. Spring ratings for Gainesville/Ocala, Hot Springs, and Stockton. more

From Radio Online: iHeartPodcasts and Pushkin Industries announced a new six-part true crime podcast that will dive into the 2020 disappearance of Lydia "Dia" Abrams in the beautiful mountain town of Idyllwild, CA. Throughout the series, journalist Lucy Sherriff will reveal the culmination of her four-year investigation into More...

From Radio Online: Cumulus Media promotes Mike Hohler to Program Director for its San Francisco Bay Area Sports stations KNBR-AM (680), KGO-FM (104.5), KGO-AM (The Spread 810 AM) and KTCT (1050). Hohler is currently Assistant Program Director for the stations, and joined the San Francisco cluster in 2002 as midday producer for More...

From Radio Insight: Mid-West Family Broadcasting has flipped Country “96.1 The Ton” W241AD South Bend IN/99.9 WQLQ-HD3 Benton Harbor MI to a simulcast of Sports 960 WSBT South Bend. The flip reverses the move made in June 2021 when the translator broke off of its simulcast of WSBT to create an in-market competitor to Federated Media’s “B100” 100.7 WBYT. In the Fall 2023 Nielsen Audio ratings, WBYT had a 7.2 share with “The Ton” at a 0.9. The station is currently running promos during breaks redirecting Country listeners to co-owned “97.5 Y Country” WYTZ Bridgman/Benton Harbor MI, which is a rimshot signal at best in South Bend. WSBT, which is the local affiliate of South Bend’s Notre Dame football and basketball and South Bend Cubs basbeall, currently carries a mix of programming from Fox Sports Radio and Infinity Sports Network along with a local 5-7pm show hosted by Darin Pritchett focusing on Fighting Irish football. With just the AM signal, WSBT had a 1.4 share last Fall. more

From Radio Insight: The “WAMC/Northeast Public Radio” network based at 1400 WAMC/90.3 WAMC-FM Albany NY has announced the appointment of Sarah Gilbert as President/CEO to fill the position vacant since Alan Chartock retired in May 2023 after 42 years leading the organization. Gilbert most recently served as President and Chief Content Officer for the Chicago Council On Global Affairs following eight years at NPR where she rose from Senior Supervising Editor of Weekend Edition to Executive Producer of Morning Edition and creator and EP of the daily news podcast Up First to Vice President of News during her tenure. She spent much of her early career at the BBC based in London, Brussels and Washington DC as an editor, producer, and Deputy American Bureau Chief and at American Public Media’s Marketplace as Managing Editor. WAMC Board Chair Dorothy Reynolds stated, “We are thrilled to welcome Sarah to the helm of this incredible organization. This has been an intense and deliberative process. While the final decision rests with the Board, we are deeply grateful for the thoughtful and on-going input from WAMC staff who took time away from other obligations to work with us in this critical effort.? Gilbert said, “Coming to WAMC, with its strong staff, powerful programming, and dedicated listeners and members, is an incredible opportunity to use all my skills and experiences to continue to build, grow, and strengthen this amazing organization.” WAMC COO and Interim CEO Stacey Rosenberry added, “I was incredibly honored to be given the opportunity to lead and I now look forward to expanding the leadership team. We are first and foremost a news and information organization and Sarah?s experience, particularly in digital production, will help us diversify our delivery tools while maintaining our highest commitment to quality programming.? more

From Radio Insight: Mid-West Family Broadcasting News/Talk 92.7 WMAY-FM Taylorville/Springfield IL has named Patrick Pfingsten as the new host of “Springfield’s Morning News” starting on Monday, July 29. Pfingsten currently operates a public relations firm and writes a political newsletter “The Illinoize”. He previously was a reporter and anchor for WDWS Champaign from 2005 to 2011 before working in communications for multiple Illinois Republican politicians. He has also served as a fill-in host at WMAY-FM since 2022. Mid-West Family Broadcasting Springfield General Manager Mark Van Allen stated, “In our divided political world, we decided it was time to break from the partisan talking points and start listening to someone who will cut through the bull. The public deserves information and opinions they can trust, and we believe Patrick will be a great asset to Springfield and our entire state in raising the level of debate in our politics.? Pfingsten, who will replace Mike Wennmacher in mornings said, “I?m honored to be asked to continue the long tradition of WMAY?s commitment to Springfield, surrounding communities, and the state of Illinois. Our state and nation are at a critical time and too many media figures are too consumed with trying to push an agenda. We?re going to lean on the truth.” The show will include video streaming and promoted through the Illinoize newsletter. more

From Radio Insight: Mike HohlerCumulus Media has promoted Mike Hohler to Program Director of Sports 680 KNBR/104.5 KNBR-FM, “810 The Spread” KGO, and “KNBR 1050” KTCT San Francisco and John Kerley to Assistant Program Director. Hohler has been with KNBR since 2002 starting as midday show producer before rising to APD. Kerley joined KNBR as morning show producer in February after previously working across town at Audacy’s “95.7 The Game” KGMZ. The promotions follow the demotion of Adam Copeland back to just afternoon co-host earlier this year. Cumulus San Francisco/Los Angeles RVP/Market Manager Larry Blumhagen commented, “I am excited to see Mike Hohler take the reins as Program Director of these dynamic, listener-driven stations. Mike has been a dedicated member of this terrific team for over two decades and knows every working part of our programming operations. He has meaningful relationships with our broadcast partners, which he will continue to build upon and grow in his new leadership role.? He continued, ?John Kerley brings a strategic approach to the Assistant Program Director role for our Sports stations. We are fortunate to have such a talented and collaborative sports programming team and are in very capable hands with Mike and John at the helm. Our all-star lineup ? including all the great talent in our Bull Pen – makes for a winning team and positions these stations for continued success!? more

From Radio Insight: After relaunching ?My Country 100.5? KVWF Augusta/Wichita KS in May as ?100.5 The Twister“, My Town Media has dropped the “My Country” brand at its six other stations in Kansas in favor of “Thunder Country“. Sharing the “Country’s Biggest Hits” positioning with KVWF, the new brand debuted on the company’s 93.5 KKDT Burdett/Hays, 98.3 KQZQ Kiowa, 99.5 KHDL Americus/Emporia, 1460 KKOY/99.9 K260DF Chanute, 102.9 KBIK Independence, and 1340 KSEK/107.9 K300DE Pittsburg. The stations had previously moved away from their emphasis on Red Dirt Country following the exit of brand PD/afternoon host Colby Ericson in April. more

From Radio Online: Seth Resler joinn Paragon as Community Building consultant, a new position at the firm. Resler has developed a blueprint for community building that capitalizes on existing digital platforms and enables public radio stations to launch, grow and monetize their own micro-communities. Prior to spending over 8 More...