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From Radio Online: John Catsimatidis, owner of Red Apple Media and WABC Radio, is matching $25,000 of donations to The Broadcasters Foundation of America to help fund Emergency Grants for individual broadcasters devastated by the destruction of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Additionally, WABC is running PSAs to appeal to More...

From Radio Insight: Boyd Matheson will depart as host of “Inside Sources” from 1-3pm on Bonneville News/Talk 1160 KSL Salt Lake City/102.7 KSL-FM Midvale UT right after the election. Matheson joined KSL in March 2020 after previously serving as Opinion Editor/Head of Strategic Reach for the Salt Lake City Deseret News. He has also been Director of Corporate Communication for Symantec and Chief of Staff for US Senator Mike Lee. Matheson said, “Working at KSL has been an incredible journey. I am grateful for the experiences I?ve had and the relationships I?ve built here and look forward to applying some of the things I have learned in my next chapter. It has been my privilege to get to engage with the remarkable people of Utah and I will be forever grateful for the interactions and conversations I had with so many.? Bonneville Chief Content Officer Ruth Todd said, “Throughout his tenure, Boyd has been a daily voice of reason tackling the complex issues of our time and providing thoughtful analysis and insights for our audiences. His hard work and genuine passion for making a difference in the world has been inspiring to both colleagues and the community, and he will be greatly missed” His final day will be November 8. more

From Radio Insight: Xperi has released its quarterly chart of the most listened to songs in vehicles using its DTS Autostage platform. The chart saw Q2 hits from Beyonc? and Ariana Grande drop off with Shaboozey?s ?Bar Song (Tipsy)? and Post Malone/Morgan Wallen’s ?I Had Some Help? hit #1 and #2 respectively in the U.S., with ?Bar Song (Tipsy)? topping the U.K. chart and #2 globally. Sabrina Carpenter’s ?Espresso? was #1 globally, #2 in the U.K., and #3 in the U.S. among in-vehicle listeners in Q3. Xperi SVP/Broadcast Joe D’Angelo commented, “In the past year, our reports have highlighted the country crossover of Tracy Chapman?s ?Fast Car? (thanks to Luke Combs? cover), Jelly Roll, and Beyonc?, and now, Post Malone and Shaboozey are making country waves with in-vehicle listeners. The trend of artists seamlessly crossing genres and categories appears to be here to stay and, as our Top Most Listened-To Songs In-Vehicle charts confirm, listeners are here for it. Meanwhile, Sabrina Carpenter and Benson Boone?s continuing popularity underscores that there is no one size fits all with today?s listeners, making access to a wide range of listening content in-vehicle more important than ever.? Top Most Listened-To Songs In-Vehicle (U.S., U.K. and Global) Q3 2024 On the heels of collaborating with Beyonc? for two songs on her ?Cowboy Carter? album, multi-genre artist Shaboozey?s solo single, ?Bar Song (Tipsy),? climbed from #34 (U.S.) and #30 (globally) in Q2 to the #1 and #2 spots in the third quarter, respectively. In addition to topping the Top Most Listened-To Songs In-Vehicle charts, the song has spent the most weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2024 (12 weeks beginning July 13). Sabrina Carpenter?s hot streak with ?Espresso,? which won ?Song of the Year? at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards in September, continued in Q3, as the song hit the #1 spot with in-vehicle listeners globally, #2 in the U.K. and #3 in the U.S. Meanwhile, her new song ?Please, please, please? made an impressive debut in Q3, placing in the Top 10 in the U.S., U.K. and globally. Post Malone?s ?I Had Some Help? country collaboration with Morgan Wallen, was released mid-Q2, and debuted in the U.S. (#2) and globally (#4). Cementing his country crossover, in August 2024, Post Malone released his first dedicated country album, ?F-1 Trillion,? featuring this chart topper. TikTok star Benson Boone?s ?Beautiful Things,? released in Q1 and awarded the ?Best Alternative? song at last month?s MTV Video Music Awards, remained in the Top 5* among in-vehicle listeners for Q3 in both the U.K. and globally, and in the Top 10 in the U.S., after reaching the #1 spot globally and #2 in the U.S. in Q2. New to the Top Most Listened-To Songs In-Vehicle Top 5 are ?Million Dollar Baby? by American singer and rapper Tommy Richman, a R&B / electro-funk breakout hit which took the #5 spot in the U.S., and ?Stargazing? by English singer-songwriter Myles Smith which debuted in the #3 spot in the U.K. Top 5 Most Listened-To Songs In-Vehicle U.S. Q3 2024 Artist Song Shaboozey ?Bar Song (Tipsy)? Post Malone / Morgan Wallen ?I Had Some Help? Sabrina Carpenter ?Espresso? Hozier ?Too Sweet? Tommy Richman ?MILLION DOLLAR BABY ? Top 5 Most Listened-To Songs In-Vehicle U.K. Q3 2024 Artist Song Shaboozey ?Bar Song (Tipsy)? Sabrina Carpenter ?Espresso? Myles Smith ?Stargazing ? Dasha ?Austin? Benson Boone ?Beautiful Things? Top 5 Most Listened-To Songs In-Vehicle Global Q3 2024* Artist Song Sabrina Carpenter ?Espresso? Shaboozey ?Bar Song (Tipsy)? Hozier ?Too Sweet? Post Malone / Morgan Wallen ?I Had Some Help? Benson Boone ?Beautiful Things? Insights from the DTS AutoStage Broadcaster Portal represent data from the millions of vehicles globally equipped with the DTS AutoStage platform, furthering Xperi?s mission to support the broadcast community by empowering broadcasters to forge deeper connections with their audiences. The DTS AutoStage Broadcaster Portal provides radio broadcasters worldwide with analytics about where their audiences are listening, when they are listening, how long they are listening and the content they enjoy the most. Radio stations can access the DTS AutoStage Broadcaster Portal at no cost, whether they are broadcasting digitally or via analog by registering through the Xperi DTS AutoStage Broadcaster Portal. For more information about DTS, visit dts.com. *Data from vehicles equipped with DTS AutoStage more

From Radio Insight: The good news in late June was what veteran morning man (and music director) Gene Baxter dubbed ?The Best Billboard Top 10 in Ages.? The good news that week was that the top of the chart was dominated by legitimate radio hits and not by superstar album cuts or left-field streaming oddities (although a few of them briefly started out that way). The continuing good news is that with the exception of one debut week for a Morgan Wallen Country-only hit (so far), the top 10 has been usable mainstream hits. The problem is that three months later, six of those are still the same songs, including Teddy Swims? ?Lose Control? ? this year?s ?Blinding Lights? ? and Shaboozey?s ?A Bar Song (Tipsy),? now celebrating week No. 11 atop the charts. As consultant Guy Zapoleon puts it, ?We?ve gone back to a long-refrigerated platter of hits.? The not-so-great-taste-of-fridge might have something to do with Top 40 radio?s arc through the summer. There were promising ratings success stories (although not across-the-board growth) in May through July. In August, the momentum was visibly slowed, and I believe that?s partially because there weren?t enough new hits on a week-to-week basis. We say that ?Lose Control? is still stronger than anything else, but what if that?s because there?s not anything else? Some of that clearly has to do with the dynamic between radio and labels, particularly as labels further whittle their radio staffs, as Atlantic did this week, and work fewer records to radio. The randomness that characterized the Billboard chart until this summer still lurks just below the top 10. Radio is not inclined (and rarely asked) to break songs that don?t stream. Streaming still can?t quite make a song a mass-appeal smash without radio, although ?Hot to Go!? is certainly as close as we?ve ever gotten, and for many people, it was the song of the summer. It all results in fewer hits, but also fewer almost-hits. What?s gone, in particular, is the ?turntable hit.? Often peaking somewhere around No. 8 or 9 ? just short of power rotation ? turntable hits were those songs (often uptempo) that were never ratified by sales or research. When a song got that far on airplay alone, it was either because radio really wanted to play it, or because of label determination to deliver at least a top 10 single for a superstar artist. The term was a pejorative, but an affectionate one. Songs that peaked in the No. 8-13 range comprised many of the songs with the highest ?Lost Factor? in my recent calculations. Those songs placed respectably on Billboard?s year-end Top 100 but have virtually no airplay now. Often, listeners never got to hear those songs enough for them to take hold.* You could argue that there might have always been only 10-12 real hits. But radio always seemed better off with something new in the wings, rather than an abyss. There have been, recently, a handful of songs whose Mediabase airplay-chart position differs significantly from the streaming-driven Hot 100: Charli XCX?s ?360? is No. 9 Top 40 airplay, No. 49 Hot 100; Madison Beer?s ?Make You Mine? peaked at No. 10 airplay, without making the Hot 100 Most significantly, Sabrina Carpenter?s ?Feather? was a No. 1 airplay, No. 23 Hot 100, following the No. 10 CHR/No. 56 Hot 100 ?Nonsense.? It is hard for me to imagine that ?Espresso,? the summer smash that performed in all metrics, could have happened without the work that Island and radio put into Carpenter?s career for 18 months. Beer has always had an under-the-radar following here; Charli XCX has that, a history of hits, and her current pop-culture prominence. All the songs in question help CHR with tempo. I?m glad that labels have pursued them. I still believe in a role at any format for ?songs that sound good on the radio.? There?s also a recent story worth considering. When syndicated Lost 45shost Barry Scott did his first Top 100 countdown in 1985, the top songs were ?70s megahits that radio just didn?t want to play anymore: ?Heartbeat, It?s a Lovebeat?; ?Billy Don?t Be a Hero?; ?I Think I Love You? by the Partridge Family; ?The Night Chicago Died?; ?One Bad Apple? by the Osmonds. This year, Scott?s final Top 100 countdown ? he says there will be something different next Labor Day ? was led by ?Lovely Day? by Bill Withers, a No. 30 Hot 100 and No. 6 R&B hit in 1977. That song, not as much a turntable hit as an R&B hit that deserved better at Top 40, has found a more prominent place in the pantheon, along with Withers himself, thanks in large part to recent TV and advertising syncs. But a lot of what Scott calls the ?shuddabeens? that now dominate his requests can now be described as classic turntable hits, among them these songs in the countdown?s top 20: Sweet, ?Love Is Like Oxygen? Billy Ocean, ?Love Really Hurts Without You? ? still a UK radio staple. So is Diana Ross?s ?Chain Reaction,? never close to a hit here, but also in Scott?s top 15 Sniff ?n? the Tears, ?Driver?s Seat? Tracey Ullman, ?They Don?t Know? ? one of the few 1984 hits with a high ?Lost Factor? Jacksons, ?Enjoy Yourself.? How to deal with a disintegrating radio/labels relationship is a column unto itself. Besides, I?ve already written it this year, and all that?s changed is the severity of the situation. But it is worth restating that the strength of any format at a given time is often measured in the depth of its available music. The audience that ?Love Is Like Oxygen? found again is the one most likely to be drawn to it, but it?s still interesting to see songs like it showing themselves to be something other than programmers? indulgences all these years later. more

From Radio Insight: The Country Music Association has announced the winners of the 2024 CMA Broadcast Awards as each were called today by CMA Award nominee Brothers Osborne. The four CMA Radio Station of the Year winners are: Major Market: Audacy’s 99.5 WYCD Detroit Large Market: Curtis Media Group’s 94.7 WQDR Raleigh Medium Market: Audacy’s “US 101” WUSY Chattanooga Small Market: ADX Communications’ “Cat Country 98.7” WYCT Pensacola The CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year awards were: Crook & ChaseWeekly National: Jim Owens Entertainment’s “Crook & Chase Countdown” hosted by Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase Bobby Bones ShowDaily National: iHeartMedia/Premiere Networks’ “The Bobby Bones Show” hosted by Bobby Bones, Amy Brown, Dan ‘Lunchbox’ Chappell, Eddie Garcia, Morgan Huelsman, Ray ‘SZN Raymundo’ Slater, ‘Mike D’ Rodriguez, Abby Anderson, ‘Kick Off Kevin’ O?Connell, and ‘Scuba Steve’ Spradlin Frito & KatyMajor Market: Cox Media Group’s “Y100” KCYY San Antonio’s “Frito & Katy” hosted by Tucker ‘Frito’ Young and Katy Dempsey Jesse & AnnaLarge Market: Hubbard Radio’s “B105” WUBE Cincinnati’s “Jesse & Anna” hosted by Jesse Tack and Anna Marie Steve & GinaMedium Market: iHeartMedia’s “Kat 103.7” KXKT Omaha’s ?Steve & Gina In The Morning? hosted by Steve Lundy and Gina Melton Eddie Foxx ShowSmall Market: iHeartMedia’s “Kiss Country 99.9” WKSF Asheville’s “The Eddie Foxx Show” hosted by Eddie Foxx and Amanda Foxx The categories are established by market size based on population as ranked by Nielsen. Entries for Broadcast Personality of the Year are judged on aircheck, ratings, community involvement and biographical and impact information. Candidates for Radio Station of the Year are judged on aircheck, ratings, community involvement and leadership and impact information. Any full-time, on-air broadcast personalities and radio stations in the United States and Canada were eligible to submit entries, regardless of CMA membership status. The entries are judged by a panel of distinguished broadcast professionals, representing all market sizes and regions. CMA Broadcast Awards winners are not eligible to enter the same award category in consecutive years; therefore, those who received trophies in 2023 were not eligible in 2024. ?The 58th Annual CMA Awards? will be given out hosted by on Wednesday, November 20 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville hosted by Luke Bryan, Peyton Manning and Lainey Wilson. more

From Radio Online: The Radio Vendor Alliance (RVA) is launching a new Lunch and Learn Workshops series in partnership with the Independent Broadcasters Association (IBA). The workshops are free online sessions and will feature industry experts with practical solutions to radio's most pressing problems. RVA co-founder and More...

From Radio Online: Audacy Greenville-Spartanburg has launched a fundraising campaign in collaboration with The Salvation Army to support survivors of Hurricane Helene, which has displaced thousands across the Carolinas. The storm has caused widespread destruction, leaving many communities in North and South Carolina in urgent More...

From Radio Online: RCS, a broadcast software company, announces the launch of the RCS Academy: Zetta For Engineers course, designed specifically for engineers and administrators who need in-depth knowledge of Zetta configuration and setup. This new offering complements RCS's existing suite of training More...

From Radio Online: With less than a month to go before the U.S. presidential election, both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are making strategic moves to appeal to one of the most pivotal voter groups: young undecided voters. As polls show a close race between the two, the campaigns are turning More...

From Radio Online: Jacobs Media is adding a second tour to its previously announced custom tours for broadcasters at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show. Since the firm made its initial announcement, the response has been very strong. So far, Jacobs has confirmations from enthusiastic broadcasters from across More...

From Radio Online: The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) has announced the continuation of its commitment to local journalism by awarding more than $7.3 million in grants for fiscal year 2024. This includes $2.65 million aimed at bolstering state government coverage across Colorado, Florida, More...

From Radio Online: Lisa Kosty exits middays at WSHE-FM (Throwback 100.3) in Chicago after ten years. She joined the outlet as a weekend host in 2014, before rising to fulltime in June 2015. Previously, Kosty served as a morning producer for crosstown Country WUSN-FM (US99) for nine years. Before joining WUSN, she worked for More...

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From Radio Insight: Following their $220,000 acquisition of Country 98.5 KRXT Rockdale TX, Steve Laukhuf and Jim Schwertner’s Cowboy Broadcasting Network has entered into an agreement with the Taylor Economic Development Corporation to relocate the station to a new studio in downtown Taylor TX. The deal includes a $65,000 Economic Development Grant to the company to bring a minimum of ten jobs to Taylor. KRXT will bring many of the former 99.3/98.5 KOKE-FM Austin on-air staffers to the station including morning hosts Bob Cole and Eric Raines, midday host Deena Blake plus Jay Davis, Jimmy Carter, and Michael Craig. Cole, Raines, and Blake will also continue to be heard on Audacy’s “95.9 Texas Country” K240EL/KKMJ-HD3 Austin. Taylor Economic Development Corporation Chairperson Betty Day commented, “The addition of KRXT to Taylor is exciting. Being able to broadcast local news and highlight Taylor to the entire Austin MSA through 98.5 FM, shows that Taylor is truly becoming the major hub for business in Central Texas.” Laukhuf said, “It?s been a dream a long time coming for The Cowboy Broadcasting Network to bring a radio station back to Taylor Texas. We look forward to our first day of broadcasting from downtown Taylor. We truly appreciate Ben White and the TEDC helping in making our dream a reality.? more

From Radio Insight: Super Hi-Fi has announced the appointment of Alex ?Bo Matthews? Gutierrez as Director of Radio Programming Services. Matthews most recently served as SVP/Programming for Alpha Media San Jose until exiting in the company’s cuts in July. In his new role, Matthews and his team will work with broadcast radio companies and their talent to ensuring that Super Hi-Fi?s radio solutions faithfully express the creative intent of program directors. Super Hi-Fi Co-Founder/CTO Brendon Cassidy said, “We are thrilled to welcome Bo Matthews to our team. Bo?s unparalleled expertise in radio programming combined with his deep industry insights will be invaluable as we continue to enhance the quality and impact of our AI-powered radio solutions. His leadership will play a pivotal role in strengthening our collaborations with radio partners, ensuring that our technology delivers exceptional listening experiences.? Matthews added, “I?m incredibly proud to join such a forward-thinking and innovative team at Super Hi-Fi. In an industry that demands fresh approaches, I?m excited to be part of a company that embraces change, evolution, and cutting-edge thinking.? Prior to spending two years leading programming at Alpha San Jose, Matthews spent four years overseeing the company’s Dayton and Canton OH properties. He previously spent his career at iHeartMedia rising through the ranks from on-air in Youngstown OH and Fort Myers FL to Program Director of WPLA and WFKS Jacksonville, WAKS and WMMS Cleveland, and WEBN and WKFS Cincinnati and then Senior VP/Programming in Cincinnati. Matthews also serves as President of IGAG Productions overseeing the career of his son, musician/DJ Alex Angelo, whose weekly mixshow airs on a number of CHR and Hip Hop stations. more

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...