Activity Stream

From Radio Insight: Quu has launched the “Quu Visual Network” to sell advertising on the stations that have implemented their visual advertising service. The QuuVN’s mission is to grow demand for visual advertising in local markets and using its reach to engage listeners with Quu?s patented Content Partnership and other sponsorships that deliver non-intrusive, high-impact sales messages on dashboard screens. Sam Rogers will serve as Executive Vice President of the network reporting directly to CEO Steve Newberry. Rogers previously held positions including SVP/National Sales and Corporate Partnerships for Audacy, VP/Spot Sales and Corporate Partnerships for CBS Radio, VP/National Sales at Radio One, VP/Market Manager for Cumulus Washington DC, and a 23 year run at CBS Radio Washington where he rose through the sales ranks to SVP/Market Manager. Rogers said, “We?re focused on driving growth for our partners and the industry. By highlighting the unique value of Quus, we can create new pathways for growth. This isn?t about competing for ad budgets?it?s about bringing in new money. Visual advertising is an untapped revenue stream for radio stations, and we?re looking to realize its potential.? Steve Newberry added, “We aim to create opportunities for every Quu client by educating agencies and CMOs on the impact of visual content, whether for local, regional, or national campaigns. Sam?s leadership will be instrumental in attracting and motivating brand marketers to increase their investment in radio.? more

From Radio Online: Quu Inc., a company specializing in deploying visual content for radio, has introduced a new division, the Quu Visual Network (QuuVN), aimed at connecting national advertisers with visual advertising opportunities on dashboard screens. Industry veteran Sam Rogers will lead this new More...

From Radio Online: In the wake of the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Helene and the impending severe Hurricane Milton, the Broadcasters Foundation of America has taken immediate steps to make sure every broadcaster who qualifies for emergency aid receives it and receives it quickly. "We've temporarily adjusted our More...

From Radio Online: Longtime morning host J.B. Miller is out at WXBW-FM (101.5 Big Buck Country) in Huntington, WV, after 13 years with the Classic Country station. Miller spent 39 years in radio beginning in 1977. He began his career in radio in 1977 at WGNT in Huntington as a parttime air talent. In an interview with the More...

From Radio Insight: In the wake of the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Helene and the impending severe Hurricane Milton, The Broadcasters Foundation of America has taken immediate steps to make sure every broadcaster who qualifies for emergency aid receives it and receives it quickly. ?We?ve temporarily adjusted our already streamlined Emergency Grant Guidelines and Application Process to make it even easier and faster to get funds into the hands of broadcasters hit hardest by these storms,? explained Tim McCarthy, President of the Broadcasters Foundation. ?The situation is catastrophic for many of our colleagues and with insufficient or total lack of internet service, an individual or families cannot even submit an application.? Under the adjusted guidelines, broadcasters who have suffered catastrophic loss contact their Market or General Manager, who then fills out the Hurricanes Helene and Milton Group Submission Form for all of those within their station who are applying. To access the new temporary application form Market or General Managers may click here. Funds that are approved will be sent directly to the Market Manager or General Manager for distribution to each qualifying individual. For more information about the Broadcasters Foundation, including how to apply for aid or make a donation, visitwww.broadcastersfoundation.org, or contact 212-373-8250 or info@thebfoa.org. more

From Radio Insight: Pacific Public Media Jazz/News 88.5 KNKX Tacoma WA had appointed David Fischer as its new President/General Manager to succeed the retiring Joey Cohn. Fischer spent 18 years as CEO at Tacoma Arts Live as part of his 30+ year career in arts management. He commented, “I am so proud to be joining this team, which has for more than 50 years been delivering this essential public service to the community. The dual format of providing music and news is so important. The station?s excellent regional and national news keeps the community informed while its world-class jazz and blues bring joy and inspiration to the audience.? ?We?re delighted to welcome David after a highly competitive nationwide search led by the Valtas Group,? said Claire Grace, KNKX board chair. ?He?s a highly-regarded and collaborative leader with a passion for serving the community. His strong business mindset, audience development initiatives, and fundraising expertise will help KNKX to continue to thrive. David has demonstrated experience taking organizations to new heights thanks to his skill and vision.? Cohn announced his retirement earlier this year after 37 years at the station. He will work with Fischer through November 17 to ease the transition. He commented, “I have known David for many years, and found him to be a skilled and visionary leader. I appreciate the care and thoughtfulness that the board took in their search to find just the right person.? more

From Radio Online: In the midst of Hurricane Milton and during any crisis, people turn to radio for valuable information. Getting that information heard and understood quickly can be aided by a cutting alert sounder for all of the important local information in the coming days. TM Studios is offering a free urgent More...

From Radio Online: Benztown is offering a free Halloween AudioPack with 23 hair-raising audio pieces designed to bring some eerie seasonal sounds and lots of fun to stations of all formats -- just in time for Halloween. The free Benztown Halloween AudioPack includes 23 free Drones, Spooky SFX, Music Beds, Liners and Loops, More...

From Radio Insight: As Hurricane Milton approaches Florida, TM Studios has released a free set of alert sounders for use by any station whether they are a TM customer or not. TM says, “In the midst of Hurricane Milton and during any crisis, people turn to radio for valuable information. Getting that information*heard and understood quickly can be aided by a cutting alert sounder for all of the important local information in the coming days.” TM Studios CEO Greg Clancy specifically commented, “TM has been directly involved with the creation of sounds and alarms for various alert systems including the Amber Alert and the EBS sounder, so creating something short and immediate for our friends in radio to use in this time of unprecedented urgency is the very least we can do.” The alert sounders can be downloaded at https://we.tl/t-bWEcG4yyan and TM Studios can be reached at hello@tmstudios.com. more

From Radio Online: Beasley Broadcast Group has completed its previously announced exchange and tender offer for its 8.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2026, along with the issuance of new notes. The company executed a series of transactions that include an exchange offer, a cash tender offer and the More...

From Radio Online: The Center for Sales Strategy (CSS) has partnered with Yoodli, an AI-powered communication coaching platform, to introduce Practice Coach, a solution for sales teams. This collaboration merges Yoodli's AI technology with CSS's experience in B2B sales training and development to enhance sales professionals' More...

From Radio Insight: Gonzaga University men’s and women’s basketball will move to three iHeartMedia stations for the upcoming 2024-2025 season. Men’s basketball games will be heard on News/Talk 590 KQNT and Alternative “Alt 96.1” KFOO with women’s games on Classic Hip Hop “Hooptown 101.5” 1280 KZFS/101.5 K268DL. Learfield’s Gonzaga Sports Properties, which manages the Gonzaga Radio Network and Gonzaga Athletics’ multimedia rights, negotiated the partnership. All the broadcasts will also be available on iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, and the Varsity Network app. Gonzaga Director of Athletics Chris Standiford commented, “The move of our network’s flagship radio station to 590 KQNT is a huge win for our fans in Spokane. The powerful signals of 590 KNQT and 96.1 for men’s basketball and Hooptown 101.5 for women’s basketball will give Gonzaga fans a crystal clear broadcast of all the Zag coverage.” Gonzaga basketball games were previously on Stephens Media Group’s “103.5 The Game” 1510 KGA/K278CY. more

From Radio Insight: When the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop format began to decline sharply in the early-?00s era, Urban One?s WERQ (92Q) Baltimore was one of the major-market outlets that remained solid for the longest. Eventually, however, the station saw its own fluctuations, falling to a 3.3 at the end of 2021, according to ratings expertChris Huff. But in the just-released September PPM, 92Q was up 7.6-8.6 for its best share in more than five years. 92Q was second in the market only to Adult R&B sister WWIN-FM. Two other format powerhouses have managed similar trajectories: Audacy?s WZMX (Hot 93.7) Hartford, Conn.,(up 7.6-9.0 in August) and Audacy?s WJMH (102 Jamz) Greensboro/Winston Salem(up 10.2-10.3, also behind only sister WQMG.) Those stories are gratifying because Hip-Hop/R&B radio has been buffeted by almost every radio challenge of the last 15 years. When the format?s traditional major-market dominance declined in the early days of PPM, even some owners chose to accept that as a new reality and not a possible measurement failure. It was thought to be the first format fragmented by the rise of streaming, and disproportionately affected by the use of earbuds.* The travails of Hip-Hop/R&B radio have contributed to fewer rap or R&B crossovers at CHR radio and on the Hot 100. Country, CHR, and Hot AC now create the sort of chart wedge once driven by Hip-Hop, Rhythmic Top 40, and Mainstream Top 40. Kendrick Lamar?s ?Not Like Us? was able to parlay a streaming-driven debut into a multi-format radio hit. Even songs from major albums, e.g., the new Future release, generally enter outside the top 10. So I was happy to see The Weeknd & Playboy Carti debut at No. 3 a few days after I first wrote this. Even successful stations like 92Q, 102 Jamz, and Hot 93.7 are dealing with many of the product challenges of the format ? less tempo, streaming hits that don?t necessarily work as radio records, and label consolidation that reduces available product overall. That said, the three stations have all shown musical enterprise and acknowledgement of regional differences over the years.* All three stations have the advantage of being relatively unfragmented, unlike those in some markets that have two Mainstream and two Adult R&B outlets. (All do have signals from adjacent markets, however.) It is also likely significant that all three stations are able to have local morning shows: 92Q?s Quicksilva Morning Show, Hot?s Buck ?n? Regg, and Jamz?s Roxie & Drankins. Here’s 92Q on September 27 just before 2 p.m. with middayer Persia Nicole, whose sweepers proclaimed ?the power of the P!?: Doja Cat, ?Agora Hills? Glorilla & Meghan Thee Stallion, ?Wanna Be? Kodak Black, ?Super Gremlin? Inayah, ?For the Streets? Future & Metro Boomin, ?Like That? Latto, ?Big Mama? Weeknd & Playboy Carti, ?Timeless? Chris Brown, ?Residuals? Future f/Drake, ?Wait for You: Megan Thee Stallion f/Yuki Chiba, ?Mamushi? Kendrick Lamar, ?Humble? Glorilla, ?TGIF? Saweetie, ?Is It the Way: Lil Uzi Vert, ?Just Wanna Rock? Tink & Summer Walker, ?Songs About U? Scarlip, ?No Statements?* Here?s Hot 93.7 on October 1 at 10 a.m. with DJ Bigg Mann: Arianna Grande f/Brandy & Monica, ?The Boy Is Mine? Tommy Richman, ?The Devil Is a Lie? Lola Brooke f/Jeremih, ?No One Else? Polo G, ?Rapstar? Tyga & Sabrina Claudio, ?No Question? Drake, ?You Broke My Heart? ? ?by request? A$AP Rocky f/Jessica Pratt, ?Highjack? Fat Joe f/Anitta & DJ Khaled, ?Paradise? ? a stager declared that Hot was ?always breaking bran? new music? Pras f/ODB & Mya, ?Ghetto Supastar? 21 Savage, ?Prove It? Megan Thee Stallion f/Yuki Chiba, ?Mamushi? Saweetie, ?Nani? YG, ?Toxic? Fivio Foreign f/Queen Najia, ?What?s My Name? Mustard f/Travis Scott, ?Parking Lot? Real Boston Richey, ?Help Me? Glorilla, ?TGIF? 102 Jamz in particular has gotten my attention in recent months with an unusual combo of traditional over-the-intros pacing, but more-offhand imaging and jock delivery. (One sweeper declares simply that it?s ?almost hoodie season.?) MD/middayer Big Mo mentioned that he?d be at the Smith/Dudley H.S. football game this Friday. He also set up Cordae?s ?Saturday Mornings,? a song receiving major local airplay only on Jamz, by saying that the song ?makes me feel like Hip-Hop is alive and well.? (He also talked about the devastation of Hurricane Helene, the worst of which was several hours west of the Triad.) Here?s 102 Jamz on October 1 just before 10 a.m. with Big Mo.* Jordan Adetunji, ?Kehlani? Future & Metro Boomin, ?Like That? YFN Lucci, ?Wet (She Got That)? Megan Thee Stallion f/Yuki Chiba, ?Mamushi? Moneybagg Yo f/Morgan Wallen, ?Whiskey Whiskey? J Cole, ?Work Out? Glorilla, ?Hollon? ? frontsold as new music Jack Harlow, ?Lovin? on Me? Sexxy Red f/Drake, ?U My Everything? Gunna, ?One of Wun? Bryson Tiller, ?Exchange? Glorilla & Megan Thee Stallion, ?Wanna Be? Mustard f/Travis Scott, ?Parking Lot? Cordae, ?Saturday Mornings? Lil Durk, ?What Happened to Virgil? Cash Cobain, ?Fisherr? more

From Radio Insight: Tulane University will move its football and men’s basketball broadcasts to Cumulus Media’s New Orleans combo of Sports “106.1 The Ticket” WRKN Picayune MS and Gospel “Heaven 106.7” KKND Port Sulphur LA. The deal takes effect with the university’s next game on Saturday, October 19. The games had previously been carried by iHeartMedia’s “104.1 The Spot” KVDU. Radio For The Blind & Print Handicapped’s 88.3 WRBH New Orleans will continue as home of Tulane baseball and women’s basketball with all four on the Varsity Network app. Tulane Director of Athletics Ben Weiner said, “We?re thrilled to partner with Cumulus Media New Orleans, The Ticket 106.1 FM and Heaven 106.7 for the balance of this football season along with the upcoming men?s basketball season. Our fans always show great passion following Tulane over the airwaves and this relationship only enhances their ability to do just that.? Tulane play-by-play voice Corey Gloor added, “We take great pride in providing quality radio broadcasts for our Green Wave faithful and are excited to work with Cumulus Media to deliver on that objective. Steve, Maddy and I look forward to continue bringing Tulane sports to life on air in this new era on The Ticket 106.1 FM and Heaven 106.7. We take great pride in providing quality radio broadcasts for our Green Wave faithful and are excited to work with Cumulus Media to deliver on that objective. Steve, Maddy and I look forward to continue bringing Tulane sports to life on air in this new era on The Ticket 106.1 FM and Heaven 106.7.” ?When you think of college athletics in New Orleans you think of Tulane. We are ecstatic to be the home of Green Wave Football and Men?s Basketball,? said Pat Galloway, Market Manager and Regional Vice President, Cumulus Media New Orleans. Tulane?s radio broadcast rights are managed by Tulane Sports Properties, the locally based team of Learfield ? the media and technology company powering college athletics more

From Radio Online: Podtrac has issued the Top U.S. and Global Publishers andamp; Networks and the Top U.S. Podcast rankings for September. Highlights of the September 2024 rankings include: U.S. UMA was up for thirteen of the U.S. ranking participants in September over August. Nine of the U.S. ranking participants were up on U.S. More...

From Radio Online: ENCO Systems, Benztown and Compass Media Networks have signed over 25 radio groups as users of their SPECai spec spot creation product. Radio companies including Beasley Media Group and Connoisseur Media currently use SPECai to create customized spec spots in moments for their More...

From Radio Online: FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel issued a statement ahead of Hurricane Milton's landfall, emphasizing the agency's coordinated efforts with industry and government partners to safeguard communications networks. The 2024 hurricane season has been particularly active, with Hurricane Milton expected to cause More...

From Radio Online: Audacy has released State of Audio: The Trends Report, the sixth installment of the company's audio thought leadership series. According to research compiled in the guide, emotional messaging is gaining renewed importance in audio advertising, driving an 8.2% increase in consumer action with ads that evoke More...

From Radio Online: The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) Board of Directors has elected Rubydee (Ruby) Calvert of Wyoming as its new Chair, with Laura Ross of New York stepping into the role of Vice Chair. Both will serve one-year terms. Calvert, who served as Vice Chair of the CPB Board More...

From Radio Insight: Super Hi-Fi has released a revised version of its VoiceIQ, AI-powered mastering and post-production technology. VoiceIQ 2.0 adds a number of new features and capabilities “allowing voice talent to now deliver superior quality voice tracks using nothing more than a simple USB microphone and a laptop from literally anywhere” with enhancements designed for use for radio voicetracking. The new features being promoted include a noise eraser to remove unnecessary background noise with examples given as vacuum cleaners, fans and air-conditioning, overhead airplanes, dogs barking, babies crying, and farm animals. The system also adds “FM Voice Profiles” to enhance the sound of voicetracks with EQ curves and dynamic variable compression matching, integration with its Voicetrack Fusion software, and improved speed over the original version. Super Hi-Fi says, “As part of an ambitious and ongoing engineering effort to evolve the Super Hi-Fi platform to support full FM-grade broadcasting, VoiceIQ 2.0 is a critical step towards ensuring efficiency and quality throughout the entire radio production process. Any audio use-case that requires high quality voice production can now use VoiceIQ 2.0 to simplify their workflow; generate more consistency across various production platforms; and significantly enhance the overall quality of the resulting outputs.” Chief Scientist and CTO of Super Hi-Fi Brendon Cassidy adds, “As more and more broadcasters sign up with Super Hi-Fi, we are aggressively investing in our technology platform to deliver radio at a fraction of the complexity and cost, and at the same time drive up quality.” more

From Radio Insight: Pam Begnaud will retire as Market President for Townsquare Media Lafayette LA at the end of 2024. Begnaud shared on LinkedIn that she will move into a part-time role continuing to work with clients that she has worked with for years. She said, “I have been in this Business for the past 27 years and it has been a very rewarding career. I work with the absolute best talent in the business! I care and love everyone in our building and want to leave them in good hands! Begnaud has spent her entire career in Lafayette. After beginning at the then Powell Broadcasting operation, she would join Comcorp in 1998 and remain at that cluster through its sales to Regent Communications and then Townsquare. She would rise through the ranks from Sales Manager to General Sales Manager, Director of Sales, and then became Market President in August 2022. Townsquare is actively seeking applicants to succeed Begnaud. more

From Radio Insight: Lisa Kosty has exited as midday host at Hubbard Millennial Hits “Throwback 100.3” WTBC-FM Chicago after over a decade with the station through multiple brands. Kosty joined what was then “Chicago’s 100.3” WILV in 2014 remaining through its run with various variations of AC and Adult Hits under the WSHE call letters before its relaunch in May as “Throwback 100.3“. She previously spent nine years as morning show producer and host at Country “US 99” WUSN Chicago from 2004 to 2014 and hosted mornings at Country “B100” WBYT South Bend IN from 1997 to 2004. In a Facebook post Kosty said, “Ten amazing years , thousands of memories! THANK YOU SO MUCH for listening. Don?t be sad that it?s over. Be glad that it happened. The best is yet to come! I?ll keep you all posted on what?s next!!” more

From Radio Insight: VerStandig Media has flipped two of its stations in Hagerstown MD/Chambersburg PA to Sports. Classic Hits “92.1 The Goat” WIKG Mercersburg PA retains that branding with a flip yesterday to mostly Sports. WIKG will carry a local show “Let’s Talk Tri-State” from 12-2pm hosted by sister Country 104.7 WAYZ afternoon hosts Dan ‘Tiny’ Michaels and Katy Dickinson focusing on local news, sports and interviews with community leaders, nonprofits and business owners. WAYZ midday host Andy Murray will host “Coach’s Corner” from 5-6pm. Outside of Westwood One’s Rich Eisen Show from 2-6pm, WIKG will carry Infinity Sports Network programming in other timeslots. Sister Conservative Talk “100.9 The Line” 1380 WLIN/100.9 W265DU Waynesboro PA is now “Fox Sports Mason Dixon Line” running Premiere Networks’ “Fox Sports Radio” programming 24/7. more

From Radio Insight: Corus Entertainment relaunched Rock “Power 97” CJKR-FM Winnipeg MB with Classic Alternative at midnight. Now positioning as “Iconic Alternative”, the station is focusing on Alternative Hits of the 80s through 2000s with core artists including Foo Fighters, Tears For Fears, Green Day, Florence and the Machine, U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Talking Heads, The Cure, David Bowie, The Killers, Blondie, ane Stone Temple Pilots. Program Director Dustin Collins said, “We are tremendously excited to re-imagine a legacy station like Power 97 with this unique and appealing format. Iconic Alternative captures three decades of music that has been a formative soundtrack for the lives of many Winnipeggers, and I am stoked to be on this ride with listeners!? “The Ongoing History of New Music” host Alan Cross will serve as “ambassador” for the station with his show airing on Sundays and Tuesdays. Previous morning host Jay Richardson, afternoon host Ed Garcia, and evening/weekend host Fearless Fred remain, while weekend host Lex moves up to middays. Morning co-host Vicki Shae will move to afternoons at sister “Country 99” CFPG-FM, while midday tracker Dan Chen continues in his primary role in nights at Classic Rock “Q107” CILQ-FM Toronto. CJKR-FM will continue to serve as the FM home of Winnipeg Jets hockey along with sister News/Talk 680 CJOB. The flip follows Corus’ July launch of the same format in Calgary. more

From Radio Online: Jim Lally joins PodcastOne as its Head of Business Development. Lally, an industry veteran, joins from Libsyn Ads, where he served as Director of Brand Partnerships. His experience spans podcasting, digital media and advertising, with notable roles at WNYC Studios, Soundrise (PRX's media sales partner) and More...

From Radio Online: Veteran Seattle morning host B.J. Shea exits KZOK-FM/Seattle after nine months. He joined the Classic Rock outlet for "B.J. andamp; Sarah Mornings," on January 8 from crosstown KISW, where he served as the morning host for 17 years. He has been a fixture on Seattle radio since 1999. In a social media post, More...

From Radio Online: The Massachusetts Broadcasters Association (MBA) will honor WEEI Boston Red Sox radio play-by-play announcer Joe Castiglione with its Broadcaster of the Year Award at the association's annual Sound Bites conference on November 21 at the Sheraton Framingham in Framingham, MA. Castiglione, who announced his More...

From Radio Online: KUTX/Austin Music Director Rick McNulty takes the wheel as afternoon host Monday through Thursday from 5-8pm. He takes the shift held by Jody Denberg who retired in August. A self-described life-long music and radio fanatic, McNulty -- originally from Chicago -- caught the radio bug at KXLU-FM at Loyola More...

From Radio Online: The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) has awarded a $359,600 grant to PRX, a public media distributor, to fund a pilot program providing free access to Dovetail, PRX's digital platform, for 30 public media stations. Dovetail currently supports hundreds of podcasts, including More...

From Radio Online: FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel visited Asheville, NC on Friday to observe the ongoing communications recovery efforts following the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. During her visit, Rosenworcel met with officials at the Buncombe County emergency operations center and received More...