Activity Stream

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...

From Radio Insight: University of Texas AAA 98.9 KUTX Leander/Austin TX has promoted Music Director Rick McNulty to 5-8pm host succeeding the recently retired Jody Denberg. McNulty has been with KUTX and sister Public News/Talk 90.5 KUT-FM since 2007. He originally hosted the overnight AAA programming on KUT-FM prior to the launch of KUTX in 2013. Since then he has hosted ?Left of the Dial? and ?Uptown Saturday Night? and was appointed Music Director in 2019. He has also been heard on 88.9 KXLU Los Angeles at 91.7 KOOP Austin. McNulty said, “These are some large shoes to fill, but I feel like I’ve learned firsthand from the best in the business. As a lifelong radio nerd, I’m pretty excited to be on the air every day at the greatest station in the nation.? Program Director Matt Reilly added, “I’m very excited to have Rick in this new position. His energy, enthusiasm and extensive knowledge about all kinds of music make him perfectly suited to host this show. I imagine Steely Dan and Prince fans will be extra pleased that Rick has more airtime now too.? more

From Radio Insight: Cumulus Media has surrendered the license of 1230 WFAS White Plains NY. WFAS was the last property remaining from Cumulus’ New York area holdings that at one point also included 770 WABC, 94.7 WNSH, 95.5 WPLJ, and 103.9 WNBM, which were all sold off between 2018 and 2022. The 1kW station became one of the handful of AMs operating in all-digital mode in April 2021. WFAS’ programming lineup consisted solely of Westwood One syndicated Conservative Talk and Sports programming including Chris Plante, Dan Bongino, Ben Shapiro, and Rich Eisen. The station covered suburban Westchester County north of the city. more

From Radio Online: Beasley Broadcast Group has completed its debt restructuring process, including the successful expiration and final results of several previously announced offers. These offers aim to reduce the company's debt, extend maturity dates, and strengthen its financial position. The More...

From Radio Insight: The Broadcasters Foundation of America is delivering emergency financial assistance to qualifying colleagues in the radio and TV industry who have been personally hit hard by Hurricane Helene. The Foundation?s Emergency Grant Program is set up with a streamlined vetting process that enables the charity to get emergency funds to those in desperate need quickly. ?Broken pipes, power outages, displacement, and more have brought devastation to many of our colleagues,? noted Tim McCarthy, President of the Broadcasters Foundation of America. ?We?ve already approved over half a dozen requests and that?s just the beginning. Based on the number of requests from previous disasters, we know that figure will grow significantly as those impacted by the storm assess their damage and determine the costs. ?We?ve also reached out to groups and state associations in the areas impacted by Hurricane Helene and asked them to inform their employees and members that we are here to provide aid to those who need it most,? McCarthy added. ?Our colleagues cannot be left alone to struggle.? Individuals in radio and television may apply for emergency aid to see if they qualify by clicking here. For more information about the Broadcasters Foundation, including how to apply for aid or make a donation, visit www.broadcastersfoundation.org, or contact 212-373-8250 or info@thebfoa.org. The mission of the Broadcasters Foundation of America is to improve the quality of life for men and women in the radio and television broadcast profession who find themselves in acute financial need due to life-changing illness. The Foundation reaches out across the country to identify and provide an anonymous safety net in cases of critical illness, accident, and other serious misfortune. The Broadcasters Foundation of America is a 501(c)3 Public Charity and has received four stars from Charity Navigator, its highest rating, and a Gold Seal of Transparency from Candid/Guidestar. more

From Radio Online: After more than a decade of service, Jerry Crowley will be stepping down from his post as Vice President and General Manager of Salem Media of New York at the end of 2024. He's been an integral part of the Salem team since 2013, leading both WMCA-AM and WNYM-AM. Prior to Salem Media, he held management posts More...

From Radio Online: iHeartMedia and Whalar Group have announced a partnership that will provide creators and marketers additional opportunities to reach their audiences across iHeart's broadcast, podcast, digital, live events and social platforms. The two companies will collaborate to provide More...

From Radio Online: iHeartMedia Minneapolis elevates Andrew Metzen to Vice President of Sales, effective immediately. Metzen, who joined iHeartMedia in 2015 as an Account Executive, brings over 14 years in sales and marketing. He has earned multiple accolades, including iHeartMedia's CEO andamp; President's Club award in 2019. His More...

From Radio Online: Townsquare Media has announced a strategic digital advertising partnership with SummitMedia LLC. SummitMedia operates in nine U.S. cities, including Birmingham, Greenville SC, Honolulu, and Knoxville TN. Notably, none of SummitMedia's markets overlap with Townsquare's existing market presence. By leveraging More...

From Radio Online: Keith Britton is promoted to Brand Manager of WKRK-FM (92.3 The Fan) in Cleveland. He previously served as the Audacy Sports outlet's Assistant Brand Manager since 2019. Britton joined the company in 2011 as afternoon show producer. He was elevated to Executive Producer in 2017 and later Assistant BM. Before More...

From Radio Online: iHeartMedia's Alaska and Hawaii have announced the retirement of longtime Area President Andy Lohman, effective immediately. After more than 40 years in the radio industry, Lohman will continue with the company in a consulting capacity. After earning his degree from Duke University, Lohman entered the radio More...

From Radio Insight: Salem Media Group New York Vice President/Market Manager Jerry Crowley will retire at the end of the year. Crowley has led Salem’s Christian Preaching “570 The Mission” WMCA and Conservative Talk “970 The Answer” WNYM since 2013. He previously spent eighteen years at 710 WOR as Sales Manager and later VP/GM. Crowley commented, ?With much humility, I regard Salem as the greatest national media company in America – its local presence in dozens of markets is inspiring to all who want to make a difference in their lives. My departure should be a clarion call to all those who want to be in broadcast.? Salem Media CEO Dave Santrella said, ?Working with Jerry Crowley has been like attending a broadcast university every day. His depth of knowledge, his incredible energy, and his influence on our NY staff, our WMCA ministry partners, and our local advertising clients are lessons in how things get done in our business.? more

From Radio Online: The Broadcasters Foundation of America is delivering emergency financial assistance to qualifying colleagues in the radio and TV industry who have been personally hit hard by Hurricane Helene. The Foundation's Emergency Grant Program is set up with a streamlined vetting process that enables the charity to More...

From Radio Online: Audacy Podcasts inks a strategic partnership with Pave Studios to manage ad sales and distribution for a wide range of original podcast titles from the media company's Crime House and OpenMind brands. Audacy's Pave Studios slate will move to Audacy Podcasts starting today, October 7. Pave Studios was founded More...

From Radio Insight: Great Eastern Radio expanded its Adult Hits “Penguin” brand in New Hampshire. The former “Kool Oldies” trimulcast of 96.3 WFYX Walpole, 106.5 W293AB Keene, and 106.7 W294AB Hanover/WHDQ-HD3 Claremont joined the “Penguin” brand already heard on 1400 WTSL/97.5 W248DA Hanover and 101.7 W269DI/WHDQ-HD2 Claremont on October 1 expanding the brand down Western New Hampshire. The Penguin features United Stations’ “The TJ Show” in mornings. A second version of the “Penguin” brand covers Central Vermont and parts of Upstate New York via 97.9 WSNO-FM Au Sable NY/Burlington and 105.7 W289CH Barre/100.9 WWFY-HD2 Berlin. more

From Radio Insight: Audacy Sports “92.3 The Fan” WKRK-FM Cleveland Heights/Cleveland OH has promoted Keith Britton to Brand Manager overseeing content strategy, talent, operations, and branding. Britton has been with WKRK-FM since its 2011 flip to Sports serving as afternoon show producer and added Assistant Brand Manager duties in 2019. Before joining the station, he spent four years at “97.1 The Fan” WBNS-FM Columbus as a producer. He fills the Brand Manager position that had been held by Andy Roth since the brand’s launch in 2011 until his move to Dickey Broadcasting’s WCNN Atlanta last month. Britton stated, “I?m humbled and excited to lead this radio station and our incredible staff. Having been here since the station flipped to sports in 2011, it?s been a phenomenal experience to help build a strong foundation with unlimited potential. There are big shoes to fill in this position, and I want to personally thank Andy Roth for his endless mentorship, former market manager Tom Herschel, current market manager Jeff Miller, and operations manager Chase Daniels. This opportunity is one that I?ve looked forward to for a long time and one that I will value and approach with enthusiasm every day to help build the legacy of Audacy Cleveland.? Audacy Cleveland Market SVP/Market Manager/Director of Sales Jeff Miller said, “Keith?s deep understanding of the station, his passion for sports radio, and his proven leadership make him the ideal person to drive The Fan?s continued success. Keith has played an integral role in shaping the station?s identity over the years, and we look forward to seeing him grow in this new position.? more

From Radio Online: In a series of private meetings with customers, Nielsen has revealed potential plans to enhance the way it generates average quarter-hour audiences in the 48 markets which utilize the Portable People Meter. Crediting to AM/FM radio listening in local PPM markets will increase by 24%. For national marketers More...

From Radio Insight: Audacy and the Minnesota Twins have announced a multi-year rights extension to keep the franchise’s games on News/Talk 830 WCCO and Country “102.9 The Wolf” KMNB Minneapolis. The Twins have been heard on WCCO for the majority of their existence, first from their first season in 1961 until 2006 and then again since 2018. KMNB began simulcasting their broadcasts in 2020. The new deal adds free live streaming on the Audacy app throughout the Twins’ broadcast territory of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, western Wisconsin and northern Iowa. The deal includes all broadcasts for spring training, regular season and postseason games. WCCO will also provide daily programming throughout the regular season and postseason. Twins President Dave St. Peter said, “We’ve always felt as though Minnesota Twins baseball and WCCO Radio are kind of synonymous and certainly signal the best of spring and summer and hopefully in the future, back into fall baseball here in Minnesota. So we think we landed in the right place.” Twins Executive Chair Joe Pohlad added, “Audacy continues to be a terrific partner for the Minnesota Twins, with an AM, FM and digital streaming presence that delivers our fans with one of the most extensive coverage maps in professional sports. Baseball on the radio remains a cherished tradition in Twins Territory. Whether via the Audacy app, on 102.9 The Wolf or on our longtime flagship home of 830 WCCO, we are thrilled to ensure that Twins radio broadcasts are always available to our fans on whichever platform they choose.? Audacy Minneapolis SVP/Market Manager Jeff Gonsales commented, “Audacy is thrilled to continue its long-standing partnership with the Minnesota Twins, ensuring fans across the Upper Midwest can catch every pitch of Twins baseball throughout the season and stay up-to-date on everything surrounding the team all year long. With this multi-year extension, we remain committed to giving fans multiple destinations for everything Twins and look forward to many more seasons of being the home for fans.? more