Activity Stream

From Radio Online: Veteran radio personality Larry Martino retires from Beasley Media's KKLZ-FM in Las Vegas. He had been with the Classic Hits outlet since 2007 and worked in the market for the past 30 years. Most recently, Martino served as KKLZ's Assistant PD, Music Director and afternoon talent. He's a member of the Nevada More...

From Radio Online: Beasley Broadcast Group has announced that its majority stockholders have approved an amendment to the company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. This amendment will authorize a Reverse Stock Split of the company's outstanding Common Stock, with a potential ratio More...

From Radio Insight: If there’s one thing that 2024 will known for in the radio industry it is the end of the phrase “This is how we’ve always done it“. Fueled mostly by financial necessity, but also technological innovations, how ownership groups are operating everything from the top down has changed more this year than in any year since at least the start of consolidation in the mid 1990s. And as we’ve seen from Audacy’s lease out of 880 New York and Beasley’s upcoming deal with Bloomberg for 92.9 Boston, how these operators monetize their signals is rapidly changing. LMA’s of major market signals are nothing new since the practice was made possible in the early 1990s. The dominos that made Audacy’s decision to lease WCBS to Good Karma began when Emmis signed a twelve year lease with ESPN in 2012 for 98.7 that expires at the end of this week. But eyebrows were raised when Audacy chose a station with nearly $30 million in revenue to hand over. Once you look deeper, you can see why the move to eliminate one of their two News brands in New York was made. The first domino fell when Audacy reached an agreement with SAG/AFTRA in 2022 to allow cross-utilization of staffers between WCBS and 1010 WINS. Since the 1995 acquisition of CBS by Westinghouse that brought both News brands under common ownership, the stations had maintained completely distinct newsrooms and staffs. That agreement with SAG/AFTRA was noted in the announcement of WINS launching its simulcast on 92.3, with Audacy stating, “a historic new agreement with SAG-AFTRA will allow cross-utilization of anchors and reporters for both stations, which will enhance resource sharing and coordination to provide more cohesive and impactful coverage of the Tri-state area. This first of its kind collaboration will allow both stations to bolster their broadcast and digital news coverage, while maintaining their unique brands and specific areas of focus and expertise.” Before WINS began its FM simulcast both stations were very close in revenues. For 2021 BIA projected WINS billing $31.6 million and WCBS $30.9 million. After the first full year of the FM simulcast in 2023, WINS rose to $40 million and WCBS dropped to $29.7. While that may look like a net gain in the short term, the underlying ratings story as 2024 has progressed shows the likelihood WCBS was falling fast. WCBS fell to a record low share in both May and June of this year with a 1.5 share in 6+., while WINS was just outside the top 5. Its Cume in July 2024 was at just 679,400 people, with WINS eighth in the market at 1,538,800. The most notable differences were in the younger for News 25-54 demos where in July of 2022, WINS was 17th in the market and WCBS was 18th before the FM addition to July of 2024 where WINS rose to 11th overall and WCBS was down to 24th in the market. The addition of the 92.3 simulcast accomplished Audacy’s goal of making WINS more formidable and reaching younger, more advertiser-friendly listeners. Beasley’s upcoming move in Boston comes as the company is mired in deep-seeded financial issues. The company has had two large rounds of layoffs in recent months and is currently in the process of syndicating many of its talent to multiple markets to cut costs. Since its flip from Alternative to Classic Rock in 2019, WBOS has existed simply to flank “98.5 The Sports Hub” WBZ-FM against iHeartMedia’s 100.7 WZLX. In that time WBZ-FM has established itself as the regular leader atop the Boston market rankings with its share hovering near a 10 share or higher. Cutting all expenses from 92.9 and just taking the guaranteed monthly payment from Bloomberg will increase profit margins. Expect to see more LMAs going further as the amount of potential buyers for signals has closed up due to lack of funds. Educational Media Foundation significantly cut its acquisition budget this year, which we’re told they reached by June 1. And many other non-commercial and Christian operators don’t see the return on investment for the amount it will mean to acquire a major market signal. Established audio brands like Good Karma and Bloomberg have the infrastructure to add their programming cheaply and more importantly have established revenue streams that they know what to easily project what a lease payment will lead to in growth for them. Outside of a few outliers, what we haven’t seen are stations selling naming rights to their stations like Max Media’s “Priority Auto Sports Radio” WVSP Norfolk VA. But that is something we’re going to start seeing more of. Broker/Consultant Scott Fybush jokingly mentioned that Emmis should launch “Spirit Halloween Radio” with the prime FM real estate now being vacated in New York through Halloween, which in theory could then pivot on November 1 for two months of say “Macy’s Christmas Radio“. The other big thing of this year has been the restructuring of station operations at nearly every large-scale ownership group. Among the moves we’ve seen* Complete gutting of local staffs by Alpha Media. iHeartMedia, Beasley, and Townsquare (among others) cutting back on the amount of locally originating dayparts on stations with many down to just one per station Beasley and iHeartMedia continuing to move to regional oversight of clusters as opposed to one Market Manager per cluster. More nationalized music logs and some moving to AI generated music logs (currently in use at more stations than you know across multiple operators). More elimination of local programmers and moving to centralized programming as SummitMedia has done at most of its formats and Audacy did at Alternative in 2020. Beyond Ashley in Portland, and a few small market operations, on-air use of AI voice talent has yet to really take off. But other tools like music log generation, ad script writing, show prep writing, cleaning up segues and others have grown immensely. Further growth in these fields will lead to the ability to centralize even more functions across station operations fairly soon. We’re seeing more rapid changes in the thought processes behind business decisions than at any time in radio history. Nearly every publicly traded commercial radio operator is in survival mode just trying to ensure they can make their next debt payment leading to each quarterly earnings release being preceded by some form of budget cuts. Banks are not going to finance station acquisitions leading to difficulties in finding buyers. As Hubbard CEO Ginny Hubbard said at Morning Show Boot Camp, ?revenue loss exceeds audience erosion. A lot of our listeners aren?t listening in the car. They?re time shifting their listening and we need to as an industry do better at monetizing that listening.? She also addressed the debt issue as rising interest rates has led to a rise in the debt being accrued by operators. There are still multiple elephants in the room that can lead to even more drastic changes later this year. What will Audacy’s new investors do when they complete the bankruptcy restructuring? Do they have a combination with another group planned? Will someone rip the bandage off and go to fully national programming? And as it has become the norm, will something else come out of left field and shock us all? more

From Radio Insight: iHeartMedia Salt Lake City Metro President Judy Copier is moving to Orlando as Region President overseeing Orlando and Melbourne FL. Copier will oversee all operations across the company’s fifteen stations in the two markets. iHeartMedia Division President Tom McConnell said, “Orlando/Melbourne is an important market for iHeartMedia with incredible growth potential. Judy is an exceptional leader and has delivered strong results in a number of executive roles. I am confident she will build upon the market?s incredible success and strong reputation with its listeners, advertising partners and the community.? Copier has spent her over three decade career in Salt Lake City joining iHeart in 2011 as Regional Senior Vice President of Sales and rising to Metro President in June 2021. She previously has worked for KUTV-TV and local media agencies. She said, “?The Orlando/Melbourne market is blessed with iconic brands, dynamic leadership and strong culture. I couldn?t be more excited to partner with such a talented team of sales and programming professionals and help them continue to build on their success.” Copier succeeds Barbara Latham, who retired at the end of March. more

From Radio Online: iHeartMedia names Judy Copier as named Region President for its Orlando and Melbourne markets, effective immediately. The area encompasses 15 stations comprised of music, talk and news formats. Copier previously held executive roles in media and advertising for more than three decades, and most recently More...

From Radio Online: SiriusXM reveals a refreshed lineup for its show "Let's Go!" for the 2024 NFL season. The new season will feature Super Bowl-winning head coach Bill Belichick, Pro Bowl Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby and sportswriter Peter King, joining Hall of Fame broadcaster Jim Gray More...

From Radio Online: Compass Media Networks (CMN) will kick off year 16 of college football coverage with two huge games on Labor Day Weekend. The action begins with the ACC-Big Ten clash between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the North Carolina Tar Heels on Thursday, August 29. Then, the seventh-ranked Notre Dame Fighting More...

From Radio Online: Rashad Richey, who has been a prominent morning host at News/Talk WAOK-AM (1380)/Atlanta, announced his departure to launch a syndicated radio show, reports Rodney Ho with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Richey's last day on WAOK was Tuesday. In a statement posted on Instagram on Wednesday, Richey More...

From Radio Online: Good Karma Brands officially launches 880 ESPN in New York, marking an expansion in sports radio coverage for the region. Beginning Monday, the content heard on 98.7 FM will air on the 880 AM signal. ESPN New York will maintain its presence on two frequencies, 880 AM airing the More...

From Radio Insight: Tracy Johnson Media Group has announced that its Personality Magnet prep service will merge into WP Media’s Radio Content Pro as RCP Basic. Johnson states, “I created Personality Magnet in 2019 as a content solution for shows that couldn’t afford expensive services and stations under budget stress, and it’s been wildly popular with our 236 active users. Since I started working with WP Media on Radio Content Pro, it was clear they have amazing technology, innovation, and content services. This merger brings more content to their existing products and is a tremendous upgrade at an bargain price to my clients and PM users.” The Radio Content Pro Basic level is available for $29.95 per month and includes newscasts, entertainment reports, and rotating daily and weekly features including a Topic of the Day, Daily Situation, and Trivia Questions & Answers along with other show segments. more

From Radio Online: Wondery and Crooked Media have announced the wide launch of "Empire City," an eight-part narrative series investigating the complicated and largely invisible history of the New York Police Department (NYPD). Created and hosted by journalist Chenjerai Kumanyika (Uncivil), Empire City takes listeners on a More...

From Radio Online: Dennis Foley is appointed News Director for All News KCBS-AM in San Francisco. He most recently served as the Director of Content for Houston Public Media. Previously he worked for KEEL-AM in Shreveport, as a reporter andamp; editor at WTOP in Washington DC, the News Director at KTSA-AM in San Antonio, and as More...

From Radio Online: Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group presented a keynote at Podcast Movement along with Amplifi Media and System1. The topic of the discussion was "Unleashing the Power of Effective Audio Promos" and included findings from a study conducted in partnership with Knit, a survey platform that collects More...

From Radio Online: Audacy is preparing to unveil the company's seventh broadcast sound space, the Audacy Nashville Sound Space, located in the historic building of the Hard Rock Cafe on Broadway in Nashville on Thursday, September 5. The Studio will launch with a grand opening event and ribbon-cutting More...

From Radio Insight: Audacy will hold the grand opening of their Audacy Nashville Sound Space located within the Hard Rock Cafe on Broadway in Nashville on Thursday, September 5. The new facility will open with an event and ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring Thomas Rhett. The facility will be the new studio home for the company’s Country midday show “Katie & Company” hosted by Katie Neal, which is now heard on 20 Audacy owned and 17 syndicated affiliates. The facility features a performance space, and an interview lounge in addition to the studio. It is the third facility to open as part of Audacy’s 2021 partnership with Hard Rock International on festivals and events following openings in Miami and New York. Audacy Chief Programming Officer Jeff Sottolano said, “A permanent presence in Music City continues to elevate Audacy?s commitment to Country music and live events. The proximity of a professional studio coupled with an intimate performance venue and the singular talent of Katie Neal as a host and interviewer enables us to produce exclusive experiences for listeners and simultaneously, a seamless transition for artists to move between the studio and stage. The Audacy Nashville Sound Space will be the heartbeat of our Country music format.? Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming President of Entertainment and Brand Management Keith Sheldon said, “Hard Rock?s partnership with Audacy has provided a truly incredible platform for world-class artists to grace Hard Rock stages across the country, and we?re thrilled to be launching the Audacy Nashville Sound Space in Nashville to further our reach. This opportunity also reinforces Hard Rock?s continued commitment to building and strengthening relationships in the Country music community as we expand our entertainment offerings at all of our properties around the globe.? A gallery of pictures taken by Parker Young was provided by Audacy: more

From Radio Insight: SummitMedia has promoted ‘DJ Eric B’ Bennett to Brand Manager of CHR “Star 102.1” WWST and Rhythmic CHR “Hot 104.5” WKHT Knoxville TN. Bennett has spent the past two decades at WKHT starting as a mixer and spending time as Imaging Director and Assistant Program Director mostly heard in middays. He will be moving to afternoons on WWST starting today. He wrote, “It?s been a wild 20-year ride and I?m very proud that I was able to help establish and grow Knoxville?s best hip hop station to what it is today. I was there from the beginning, and I will never forget all the wonderful memories we?ve created together. I love that station; I love our listeners, and it was a blessing that I?ll never forget. I will always be team Hot 1045 at heart and will continue to manage the brand and do behind the scenes stuff, but as far as being on air, that ended this weekend. I have officially been offered a new position with our sister station and I have accepted it. Starting Monday, you can now listen to me on Star 102.1 in the afternoons 3-7. I will also be the brand manager for Star as well as Hot. It?s an honor to join this team and to advance in this industry that I love with all my soul.” Also moving from WKHT to WWST is Christine George. George joined WKHT as afternoon host in August 2023. She previously has hosted weekends at Midwest Communications AC ?Mix 92.9? WJXA Nashville, mornings and middays at Townsquare Media Hot AC ?Mix 95.7? WLHT-FM Grand Rapids MI, and tracked middays for fifteen of Townsquare’s CHRs. She will now host middays on WWST. George and Bennett take the spots held by former Promotions Director Liz Yount and Program Director Joe ‘J-Dub” Dobbins until their exits last week. Marc Anthony and Kim Hansard continue to host mornings. With Bennett and George’s move to the lineup at WWST, WKHT has added “Hot 98.1” WHZT Greenville SC midday host Lauren Cakes and recently added “95.7 Jamz” WBHJ Birmingham afternoon host Buck Wilde to its lineup. more

From Radio Insight: As the cutbacks continue across Beasley Media Group, another personality departing the company is Classic Hits 96.3 KKLZ Las Vegas APD/MD/afternoon host Larry Martino in what they are calling a retirement. Martino has spent the past 30 years in Las Vegas moving to KKLZ in 2007 after previously working at sister “Star 102.7” KSTJ during runs as 1980s Hits and Hot AC and “94.1 Jamz” KXTZ. Martino also served as OM/PD of KGGI Riverside CA and programmed “Q94” KQXR Bakersfield and “96 Kiss” WZKS Nashville. Martino was inducted into the Nevada Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame in 2001. A statement shared on the station’s website said, “We want to thank Larry for his dedication and hard work throughout the years. He had taught us so much and had made 96.3 KKLZ a special station. We?re proud to have worked and learned from Larry. This is not goodbye but a ‘see you later!'” Geno Knight, afternoon host at “Q105” WRBQ Tampa and 105.7 WROR Boston, is now tracking afternoons at KKLZ. more

From Radio Insight: This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. more

From Radio Insight: Cromwell Media Classic Hip Hop “100.5 The Vibe” W263BG Owensboro/WXCM-HD3 Whitesville KY has gone all Taylor Swift as “Taylor 100.5“. A sampling of our listening included customized local advertisements with many Swift references and imaging teasing that all relationships eventually end in a break-up. The move marks the end of the eight year old Classic Hip Hop format that launched in May 2016. more

From Radio Online: Liberty Media's shareholders have approved the previously announced redemptive split-off of Liberty SiriusXM Holdings (New Sirius) at a virtual special meeting held on August 23. This decision will lead to the creation of a new public company that will continue operating under the SiriusXM name and brand. More...

From Radio Insight: This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. more

From Radio Online: The long running network show "The Boss andamp; The Gloss" returns for the 2024 football season locally in Houston on Gow Media's KFNC (ESPN 97.5). The show is hosted by David Gow and Carla Dawson. The program will be a comprehensive recap of Texans and all NFL andamp; College storylines from More...

From Radio Insight: In order to regain compliance with the Nasdaq stock exchange, the Board of Directors of Beasley Media Group has authorized a reverse stock split of the company’s outstanding common stock at a ratio between 1-for-5 and 1-for-20. In an SEC filing made today, “The Board of Directors unanimously determined that it is advisable and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to approve and adopt an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to authorize the Reverse Stock Split.” The final ration and time of the split will be determined by the board. Beasley Media Group was issued a Delisting Warning by the Nasdaq on October 13, 2023 after their Class A Common Stock dropped below the $1.00 per share minimum bid price requirement for 30 consecutive business days. After requesting a move from the Nasdaq Global Market to the Nasdaq Capital Market, Beasley received an additional 180 days to regain compliance that expires on October 7, 2024. The company will need its minimum share price to rise over at least $1.00 per share for ten consecutive business days by then to remain on the public exchange. Beasley Media Group’s Class A stock closed today at 67 cents per share. more

From Radio Insight: Gary and Terri Johnson’s Three Eagles Communications’ Heart of the Rockies Radio Group has announced the sale of their four stations in Salida CO to Jake and Emily Rishavy’s Highwater House Media for $1,750,000. Included in the deal are Hot AC “92.3 The Peak” KVRH-FM Salida, Oldies “Hippie Radio 97.5” KWUZ Poncha Springs, “Eagle Country 104.1” KBVC Buena Vista, and 1980s Hits “102.9 The Valley” 1340 KGKG/102.9 K275CR Salida. Three Eagles Communications President Gary Buchanan said, “Heart of the Rockies Radio Group is the epitome of community radio. It takes great people to make great local radio and I am very proud of the team of broadcast professionals who continue to make great local radio happen in Chaffee County.” Buchanan and CEO Rollan Johnson retained the Colorado stations after selling their 48 other stations in Nebraska, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota to Digity for $66.5 million in 2014. Those stations are now part of Alpha Media. Jake Rishavy has served as Executive Director of the Chaffee County Economic Development Corporation since 2021 and previously ran a digital advertising agency. He said, “It is a great honor to be in a position to lead Heart of the Rockies Radio Group, which has been an important community institution here for decades. For the last 15 years, I?ve worked day in and day out to help other people build remarkable businesses. I?m thrilled to bring the skills and relationships I?ve developed to support the staff, advertisers and listeners at the center of the Heart of the Rockies Radio community.? Rishavy continued, “Gary and Terri have had remarkable radio careers over decades, and the opportunity to work and learn from them and their award winning team is one of the things that excites me so much about this opportunity. When Gary and I first started talking and building a transition plan, his goal was for he and Terri to retire. I am excited to say that Gary has agreed to continue working with Heart of the Rockies Radio Group as a broadcast consultant to support what?s made these stations so successful over the many years of its history.? more

From Radio Insight: Nielsen continues its releases of the July 2024 diary surveys today. Today’s markets include monthly ratings for Chattanooga and Huntsville, Jackson MS, and Madison. August PPM Ratings releases will begin on Tuesday, September 3. more

From Radio Online: Cromwell Media will officially launch The Game Nashville Sports Network on Monday, August 26. The network will include the flagship brand of WPRT (102.5 andamp; 106.3 The Game) and W235BW (94.9 The Fan) with the addition of the all new WQZA (Sports Talk 830 AM). The moves include ESPN More...

From Radio Insight: Cromwell Media will add a third Sports brand in Nashville on Monday, August 26 with the launch of “Sports Talk 830” WQZQ Goodlettsville. WQZQ will carry the talk programming currently heard on “94.9 The Fan” W235BW/WBUZ-HD3 including Fox Sports Radio’s Dan Patrick, Colin Cowherd, and Doug Gottlieb along with VSiN Sports Betting programming. 94.9 will move to airing the national ESPN Radio lineup around the clock, while “102.5/106.3 The Game” WPRT-FM Pegram continues to carry local programming from 6am to 6pm weekdays plus Nashville Predators hockey. ?Cromwell Media has established itself as a major player in local sports talk with 102.5/106.3 The Game,? said Director of Operations and Sports Programming Chase McCabe. ?We continue to further our national coverage with a renewed relationship with ESPN on 94.9 The Fan, while continuing to deliver great sports betting coverage along with icons Dan Patrick and Colin Cowherd on Sports Talk 830 AM. Sports enthusiasts do not have to go far to get the coverage they want.? ?The Game Nashville Sports Network puts all of our sports coverage under one umbrella,? adds General Manager Shawn Fort. ?We are really excited to continue adding more exclusive digital content following Nashville?s favorite sports teams, as well as special offerings like discount tickets to events, win before you can buy opportunities, and pre-sale specials for our fans who subscribe to our network online.? Cromwell Media Founder and President Bud Walters adds, “I?m proud of Cromwell Nashville GM Shawn Fort and Ops/Game Program Manager Chase McCabe who conceived this “everything sports” concept for Nashville. As their saying goes, your sports live here.? 830 WQZQ had previously been used as the parent signal for Classic Hits “Totally Hits 93.3” W227DC, which is now fed by WBUZ-HD4. more

From Radio Online: RAB, in conjunction with BMI, Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio (MIW) and Xperi, has announced the completion of the 16th annual Rising Through the Ranks program. The program began with a virtual session on Tuesday, August 13, and continued with in-person sessions on August 20-22 at the BMI Nashville More...

From Radio Insight: Curtis Media has rearranged the FM signals for two of its AMs in Raleigh. Classic Rock “Rock 92.9” 570 WQDR Raleigh has now moved to a network of four signals covering different parts of the market. Now branding as “The Triangle’s Rock-FM“, the station is now being heard on 98.3 W252EL Cary/Raleigh, 100.3 W262CZ Raleigh (covering Clayton and Smithfield), 93.5 W228CV Chapel Hill, and 93.3 W227CZ Durham. The station is also on 94.7 WQDR-HD3 Raleigh. News/Talk 680 WPTF Raleigh will now be heard on 92.9 W225DF Raleigh giving it better FM coverage in areas south and west of Raleigh. While not promoted, the station is also heard on 92.7 W224DK Durham, 98.7 W254AS Rolesville, and 107.5 W298DB Smithfield. The moves come following the completion of 98.5 W253CY Cary’s move to 98.3. “Rock 92.9” had a 1.0 share in the July 2024 Nielsen Audio ratings. WPTF had a 0.6 share. more

From Radio Online: Audacy makes a series of weekday programming updates for BetQL Network, the company's network of sports betting content. The network welcomes Brad Evans (pictured), Sam Panayotovich and Femi Abebefe. Evans, a Fantasy Sports Writers Association Hall of Famer with nearly two decades of experience at Yahoo! More...