Activity Stream

From Radio Online: Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio (MIW) has announced Nikki Kuniej as the inaugural mentee for the newly established 'Digital Sales Mentorship' program. Sponsored by Beasley Media, the program is dedicated to fostering growth and opportunity for women in digital radio sales. As the 2024-2025 mentee, More...

From Radio Online: Talk KFI-AM in Los Angeles has significantly reduced its news team, affecting 13 employees and cutting the staff in half. The layoffs were part of a broader initiative by parent iHeartMedia to trim its workforce nationwide, amidst financial challenges including a substantial debt of approximately $5.21 More...

From Radio Online: Lemonada Media has announced the inclusion of "Pantsuit Politics" to its portfolio. The news and culture podcast, hosted by Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers, is celebrated for its approach to current events, earning the hosts commendations as "America's political therapists." The addition of More...

From Radio Online: PodcastOne has officially announced its acquisition of the popular "Stassi" podcast, led by reality TV star and author Stassi Schroeder. The deal, described as a multi-year contract worth seven figures, marks a significant addition to PodcastOne's offerings, particularly in content aimed at women. Stassi More...

From Radio Online: In a move to boost radio stations' digital revenue, jacapps, a mobile app provider for the radio, has partnered with Jacobs Media to introduce a new product, jacapps DR. This three-step program is designed to help radio stations of all sizes and capabilities enhance their digital More...

From Radio Online: Nielsen has announced that starting January, its Nielsen Audio division will adjust the duration needed to count a radio listener from five minutes to three minutes. The ratings giant explained that this update will enable radio broadcasters and advertisers to better account for More...

From Radio Online: After an eight-year hiatus, the radio show "Charlie Tuna The '70s" is making a return, now being broadcast exclusively through TalentFarm.net. Charlie Tuna, a radio legend revered for his vibrant personality, distinctive voice, and deep passion for the '70s music scene, is posthumously gracing the airwaves More...

From Radio Insight: Nielsen continues its releases of the October 2024 diary surveys today. Today’s markets include monthly ratings for Albuquerque, Allentown/Bethlehem, El Paso, Fresno, Honolulu, Knoxville, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The next three releases will feature: On Wednesday, November 13: Monthly ratings for Akron, Bakersfield, Charleston SC, Harrisburg/Lebanon/Carlisle, and Omaha/Council Bluffs. On Thursday, November 14: Monthly ratings for Columbia SC, Des Moines, Little Rock, Monterey/Salinas/Santa Cruz, Spokane, and Springfield MA. On Friday, November 15: Monthly ratings for Colorado Springs, Madison, Mobile, Toledo and Wichita. more

From Radio Online: Urban One reported a decrease in net revenues and a significant operational loss for the third quarter of 2024. The company's net revenue fell by 6.3% to $110.4 million, down from $117.8 million in the same quarter last year. This decline reflects a broader contraction across several More...

From Radio Online: In a unique mix of annoyance and generosity, WPLR (99.1 PLR) in New Haven, CT, successfully concluded its "Battle of the Box" fundraiser, amassing just shy of $52,000. The event, part of the Chaz and AJ McDermott Chevrolet and Lexus of New Haven Toy Drive, took place on November 7th and 8th and featured More...

From Radio Online: Mike Lee joins Hot AC WCLE-FM (Mix 1041) in Chattanooga, TN as Program Director and afternoon drive duties. Lee is no stranger to the market, as previously served as morning co-host on "Mike andamp; Ed in the Morning" on Brewer Broadcasting CHR WALV-FM (Alive 95) for 11 years and hosted afternoons on CCM WBDX-FM More...

From Radio Insight: It seems like an inevitability. Having been last year?s most-played Christmas song, according to Mediabase, wouldn?t Mariah Carey?s ?All I Want for Christmas? be the first song played by most stations flipping to an all-holiday format? Not for everybody. Soft AC WLIT (Lite FM) Chicago, one of the most successful and closely watched Christmas stations, signed on last Friday at 3 p.m. with Mariah. But none of its iHeart brethren among the early holiday launches did. On Tuesday afternoon, Mediabase shows 20 stations around the country having gone all-Christmas, most of them Mainstream ACs, but also a few Hot ACs and two Christian AC stations. Mariah launched the largest number of those ? five stations ? but there were actually 10 different songs used to kick off the holidays. ?All I Want for Christmas Is You? ? So saturated that I always wonder if this is the year people are going to lose their enthusiasm. But I?ve asked that question before. Besides WLIT, Mariah had the first song on Cox?s WDUV Tampa; Townsquare?s WTSS (The New 96.1) Buffalo, N.Y.; WYJB (B95.5) Albany, N.Y.; and WLTC (103.7) Columbus, Ga. ?It?s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year? is second, but only if you count both of its best-known versions. WHUD Hudson Valley, N.Y., and WJKK (Mix 98.7) Jackson, Miss., launched with Andy Williams. (So did KESZ Phoenix a day later and WTOJ Watertown, N.Y.) Soft AC KBEB (The Breeze) Sacramento, Calif., went with Johnny Mathis. (To some extent, which version you choose may depend on which other songs by either artist you want to play during the first hour.) ?The Christmas Song? was the first song on two stations, but while WFBC-HD-4 (Magic 106.3) Greenville, S.C., played it by Nat King Cole, Christian AC WAKW (Star 93.3) Cincinnati went with Michael Bubl?.* ?Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!? was the first song for WXMA Louisville, Ky., and WMHX Madison, Wis., and both opted for the Dean Martin version. * ?Santa Claus Is Coming to Town? ? The Jackson 5 version was a very cool choice for iHeart?s WMAG Greensboro, N.C., and WMXL (Mix 94.5) Lexington, Ky. Because of Michael Jackson, they?re the holiday artist probably most represented on Mainstream AC during the rest of the year. ?We Wish You a Merry Christmas? ? Both Summit holiday stations so far, KSRZ Omaha and WVEZ Louisville, launched at Midnight Friday with the Kenny G version. ?Rockin? Around the Christmas Tree? received almost as much attention as ?All I Want for Christmas Is You? last year, finally making it to No. 1 on the Hot 100. But only WMOV (Movin? 107.7) Norfolk, Va., has used it so far, and by LeAnn Rimes, not Brenda Lee. ?Jingle Bells? by Frank Sinatra has been on the ascent in recent years. It was the first song on WSHH (Wish 99.7) Pittsburgh.* ?Step Into Christmas? by Elton John was, for a while, one of those songs that waned a little when stations began testing their holiday music. It seems more prominent again, in part because of John?s own resurgence. It was the launch song for WSRW (Star 105.7) Grand Rapids, Mich., although that station played it coming out of a stopset at 6:57 a.m. Friday and then went into ?All I Want for Christmas.? ?We Need a Little Christmas? ? the Percy Faith Orchestra version ? was the song that KFIS (The Fish) Portland, Ore., played at 9 a.m. Tuesday, as it positioned its Christmas-music flip as an answer to Election Day anxiety.* At this writing, there are other holiday stations planning to launch tomorrow. Some of the surprise omissions from the above list will have likely been used by then. But in the first five days, nobody had used ?Last Christmas? ? last year?s most-played Christmas song at AC. Also missing, so far: ?Feliz Navidad,? ?A Holly Jolly Christmas,? ?Jingle Bell Rock,? ?Sleigh Ride,? and ?It?s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas? ? one that I?ve used before as the first holiday song. (The Bobby Helms version of “Jingle Bell Rock” was the first song on*WJJR Rutland, Vt.) Ross on Radio is covering holiday-music programming all season long. We?ve taken a more in-depth look at four of the first Christmas outlets, getting a sense of not just the music, but the tone that stations are taking this holiday. You can also read our own perennial holiday favorite: ?What I Learned from Scheduling Christmas Music.? more

From Radio Insight: Up at the top of the Olympic Peninsula, Radio Pacific has made some changes at Classic Hits “Z104.9” KZQM Sequim WA. In order to remove confusion with Sequim Community Broadcasting’s 91.5 KSQM Sequim, the station has changed call letters to KZEG. The station, which launched in May 2018, will continue to feature programming mostly from Westwood One’s 24/7 network, but is now adding Compass Media Networks’ Anna & Raven for mornings from 5-10am Monday through Saturday. more

From Radio Online: Spanish-language Media company Reyes Media Group has agreed to acquire 100kW CHR KKSW-FM (105.9 Kiss FM) from Great Plains Media for $2.25 million, according to filings with the FCC. The station, covering the Topeka and Kansas City areas, may potentially transition to a Spanish-language format More...

From Radio Online: Public radio KVPR in Fresno, WQLN in Erie, and KRCL in Salt Lake City are set to receive a significant financial boost aimed at enhancing their emergency alert capabilities. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) has earmarked a total of $587,704 for these stations as part of More...

From Radio Insight: Former iHeartMedia Classic Hip Hop ?95.3 The Beat? W237BZ/WDCG-HD2 Raleigh Program Director/afternoon host Brian ‘B’ Paiz is joining Curtis Media CHR “Pulse-FM” 96.9 WPLW-FM Goldsboro and its four translator signals in the Raleigh/Durham market starting Monday, November 18 in a role to be announced. Pulse-FM Program Director Matt ‘MJ’ Johnson said, ?I?m thrilled to bring B.Paiz into the new Pulse-FM?s family. With his enthusiasm and market experience, we look forward to doing great things? Paiz added, ?I am very excited to join the Pulse team. I appreciate MJ and Curtis Media giving me this great opportunity. I love living in Raleigh with my family and this gives me the opportunity to be heard in the Triangle.” Paiz is also now available for voicetracking opportunities through G Networks’ “Personality On Demand” for Hip Hop, Adult R&B, CHR, and Throwback formats. He had joined “95.3 The Beat” in April 2022 as afternoon host and also served as local producer for ?The Fred Show? on CHR ?G105? WDCG before being promoted to Program Director in March 2024 until his exit in August. Paiz began his career at WPEG Charlotte and has also programmed WMNX Wilmington NC, WLZN, WIBB, and WRBV Macon, WRHD-HD2 Greenville NC, was Director of Urban Programming for Clear Channel Columbia SC, and SVP/Programming for iHeartMedia Albany and Columbus GA. He also was Programming and Brand Content Consultant for the syndicated Chubb Rock Show. more

From Radio Online: CNN Audio has announced the debut of "Terms of Service," a weekly podcast aimed at unraveling the complexities of emerging technologies that are becoming integral to daily life. Hosted by CNN tech writer Clare Duffy, the series promises to shed light on a range of technologies from facial recognition to More...

From Radio Online: iHeartMedia appoints Katie Ewell as Market President of its 5-station cluster in Wilmington, DE, effective immediately. Prior to her expanded role as Market President, Ewell served as the Vice President of Sales for iHeartMedia in Salisbury, MD. She began her career at MediaOnePA, part of the USA Today More...

From Radio Insight: Beasley Media Classic Rock “98.7 The Shark” WPBB Holmes Beach/Tampa FL is now being powered by Super Hi-Fi’s AI-driven radio operating system. Following its launch on Audacy’s “103.1 Front Range Country” KQKS-HD2 Denver, the launch in Tampa marks the first deployment of Super Hi-Fi’s system on a full powered signal and hosted station. Super Hi-Fi says, “With this new operational model, human talent continues to program the music and host all personalities, ensuring the station retains its authentic touch. However, the integration of Super Hi-Fi’s AI-enabled, cloud-based system revolutionizes the station’s programming, management, voice-tracking, updating, and delivery. The entire station has ?moved to the cloud?, with Super Hi-Fi?s enterprise-grade stream delivered directly to a modern, optimized transmitter-based playout system. This strategic set of upgrades positions Beasley at the forefront of the industry’s digital transformation, showcasing a new way to deliver radio that reduces complexity and costs while enhancing the listener experience. ” ?We’re excited to begin the deployment of Super Hi Fi?s technology in Tampa, marking another key milestone in our AI and technology roadmap,? said Beasley Media Group Chief Executive Officer Caroline Beasley. ?This technology enables us to deliver our broadcast in a cloud-to-ground approach that streamlines operations and prepares the stations for the future. This launch enhances our station’s capabilities, underscores our commitment to integrating innovative technologies that enrich the listener experience and positions us at the forefront of the evolving audio landscape.? Zack Zalon, Co-Founder and CEO of Super Hi-Fi, commented, “We are thrilled to work with Beasley on their roadmap for the future. The legacy of Beasley?s innovations in radio is already a huge part of the industry?s history, so it’s an honor to have the opportunity to work alongside them as they help carve the next step for radio.” more

From Radio Insight: The ongoing iHeartMedia layoffs have seen the most significant elimination in one market as the News department of News/Talk 640 KFI Los Angeles were all dismissed from the company. News Director Chris Little confirmed that the entire 22 person news department was let go on Monday, November 11. Little had been with KFI since 1991 first as a reporter and fill-in anchor before becoming News Director in 2000. Among other staffers noting their departures are anchors Jo Kwon and reporter Kris Adler. The station’s news team webpage lists ten anchors, four reporters, one correspondent, and six editors along with Little. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chris Little (@thechrislittle) View this post on Instagram A post shared by more

From Radio Insight: As part of its ongoing restructuring, iHeartMedia has announced that Jeff Littlejohn will retire as EVP/Engineering and will be succeeded by Steve George. Littlejohn has been with the company since 1992 starting as Chief Engineer in Cincinnati. He rose through the ranks as he helped expand the company after the 1996 Telecom Actand was part of the team that created the first version of the iHeartRadio App and worked with Toyota and Ford on the first integration of iHeartRadio. More recently, Littlejohn helped spearhead a modernization of iHeart?s studio facilities and conversion to cloud-based audio systems.Littlejohn is well-respected in the industry and is the recipient of the 2014 NAB Radio Engineering Achievement Award and 2008 Radio World Excellence in Engineering Award. He also served as the Chairman of the NAB Radio Technical Committee. He will continue to consult for the company. Littlejohn commented, “I am truly thankful for the incredible opportunity to have spent 32 years with such an innovative and forward-looking company. It has been a privilege to collaborate with so many talented colleagues in building something that serves our listeners and communities in meaningful ways. As I step into retirement, I’m committed to ensuring a smooth transition for Steve George, and I’m excited to continue contributing in an advisory capacity, which will also allow me to spend more time with family and explore new adventures.? iHeartMedia Markets Group President Hartley Adkins said, “There are few people in the industry with the expertise and longevity that Jeff has and we?re grateful for the incredible work he?s done for iHeart. We?ve been fortunate to rely on him for over three decades and I?m so thankful we?ll keep drawing from Jeff in his new consultancy role.” George began his career at iHeart in 2001 as Chief Engineer for the Sioux City IA market and later was Regional Director of Engineering in Omaha, Regional VP of Engineering for the Midwest, and most recently VP of Engineering and Systems overseeing the company’s centralized engineering teams. “I?m honored to step into this role and continue the incredible work that Jeff has done for iHeartMedia,? said Steve George. ?Jeff?s leadership and guidance have been invaluable to our engineering team, and I?m grateful for the opportunity I?ve had to work with and learn from Jeff and many iHeart engineers over the years. I look forward to building on his legacy and the strengths of our outstanding engineering team.” more

From Radio Online: Zelus Esports has closed on its acquistion of 41kW KKFR-FM (98.3), 42kW KMVA-FM (97.5), 41kW KOAI-FM (95.1) and 100kW KZON-FM (103.9) in Phoenix, AZ, from Desert Valley Media Group Desert Valley Media Group. Zelus Esports is a Texas-based company headed by Michael Cutchall and has no other broadcast More...

From Radio Online: In a display of community support, iHeartMedia's WRKO-AM (680), also known as The Voice of Boston, successfully raised over $67,000 in its ninth annual DAV Radiothon. The event, held on Friday, November 8, from 6am to 7pm, was dedicated to benefiting the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Department of More...

From Radio Online: iHeartMedia has announced that Jeff Littlejohn, who has held the position of Executive Vice President of Engineering, is set to retire. Steve George has been named as his successor, effective immediately. Littlejohn's tenure at iHeartMedia spanned 32 years. Beginning his career in 1992 as Chief Engineer for More...

From Radio Online: In a significant show of support for veterans and their families, Beasley Media Group has announced a month-long campaign to highlight veteran services, coinciding with Veterans Day. Throughout November, under its "Beasley Best Community of Caring" initiative, the company will More...

From Radio Online: iHeartMedia appoints Lisa DiMartini as Market President for the Allentown and Reading markets, effective immediately. She most recently served as the Vice President of Sales for iHeartMedia Allentown, where she played helped drive growth and foster innovation. Prior to that, Dimartini was an Account More...

From Radio Online: In a recent study commissioned by Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group, significant strides have been observed in the recovery of the auto aftermarket sector. The study, carried out by MARU/Matchbox, surveyed 1,138 auto parts shoppers in August 2024, revealing a return to pre-pandemic levels of More...

From Radio Online: Former Wisconsin Badgers head coach and Director of Athletics Barry Alvarez joins WTLX-FM (ESPN Madison) and Good Karma Brands as an on-air host and brand ambassador. He will be featured across ESPN Wisconsin programming, including weekly appearances on "The Great Dane Huddle" on ESPN Madison with former More...

From Radio Online: Cumulus Media's WKQZ-FM (Z93) in Saginaw, MI, and Program Director Matt Bingham have set a new fundraising milestone in the annual Men Wear Pink campaign, amassing over $30,000 to aid the American Cancer Society's battle against breast cancer in Mid-Michigan. This achievement has More...

From Radio Insight: Former University of Wisconsin football coach Barry Alvarez is joining Good Karma Brands Madison as a brand ambassador and on-air host. Alvarez will contribute to multiple shows on “ESPN 100.5” WTLX including “The Great Dane Huddle” hosted by his former players Derek Engler and Tarek Saleh. He was coach of the University of Wisconsin’s football team from 1991 to 2005 and athletic director from 2004 until 2021 with the field at Camp Randall Stadium renamed ?Barry Alvarez Field? in his honor in 2022. Craig Karmazin, Good Karma Brands founder and CEO, commented: ?Barry?s significance to the Wisconsin sports landscape and to Good Karma Brands can?t be overstated. I would not have visited Wisconsin as a college student and eventually started a company here had it not been for the way he and Pat Richter transformed the Wisconsin football program. To add a teammate with his leadership skills, experience, knowledge and passion is a huge win for our fans, advertising partners, ESPN Madison, and all of GKB.? more