BIA is out with its list of the top-billing radio stations of 2023, and a familiar set of call letters tops the tally. Hubbard Radio’s all-news powerhouse WTOP-FM Washington, D.C. is once again the top station in the nation with $66.3 million in over-the air revenue last year. That marks 13 times in the last 14 years that WTOP-FM has been No. 1 on the list. Read moreSpoken Word, Led By Washington’s WTOP, Dominates BIA’s Top Billing Stations.
Knight Broadcasting is exiting station ownership. The Santa Barbara, CA-based group is donating AC “Mix 96.7” KSYV to California Lutheran University and has announced plans to take talk-formatted KUHL silent. Knight Broadcasting’s third station, “105.9 Krazy Country” KRAZ, has received approval from the FCC to be transferred to new owners. Read moreKUHL To Go Silent As Knight Broadcasting Closes Shop.
As broadcasters fight to keep AM radio in vehicle dashboards, BIA shines on a light on the strength of the legacy band with a breakout chart of the top AM radio stations based on revenue. The top 10 billers account for more than $225 million in annual revenue, demonstrating the staying power that well programmed, carefully managed heritage AM brands continue to command more than 100 years after the birth of AM radio. Read moreWith $225 Million In Combined Revenue, Top Billers Show Staying Power Of Strong AM Radio Brands.
Inside Radio salutes the 2024 nominees for induction to the Radio Hall of Fame — and reminds our readers of their legacies of excellence. Today: Matty In The Morning, which enjoyed a 41-year run on “Kiss 108” WXKS Boston, and DeDe McGuire, host of the nationally syndicated DeDe in the Morning Show. Read moreMeet The Radio Hall Of Fame Nominees.
The bumps in the road that the podcasting business experienced last year are increasingly in the rearview mirror, and a new survey of more than 50 chief executives across the industry finds most of their companies are having a stronger year. Dwnload Media says 72.5% of the CEOs it surveyed said 2024 revenue is outpacing last year. Read moreSurvey: Most Podcast CEOs Are Seeing Business Improve In 2024.
After fighting to hold onto his stations and taking multiple legal paths to do so, Ed Stolz’s Royce International Broadcasting is no longer a radio owner. In a pair of closings, the last of its stations sold at a bankruptcy auction have now passed into the hands of new owners. Read moreFinal Royce International Stations Turned Over To New Owners.
It’s official: Rich Shertenlieb will debut in mornings on iHeartMedia classic rock WZLX Boston on Monday. Shertenlieb will be joined by Boston TV personality/sportswriter Michael Hurley and a rotating cast including three-time Super Bowl Champion and former New England Patriot Ted Johnson; Fox Sports, ESPN, and Sports Illustrated alumni Charlotte Wilder; and NFL Network alumni Mike Giardi. Read moreShertenlieb To Bring Sports-Talk Feel To Mornings On WZLX Boston.
Radio companies will again be among the entertainment brands at June’s Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, and they’ll be bringing some of the talent that’s powered their stations. Urban One will include a performance by Ludacris, while iHeartMedia and MediaLink’s annual dinner will feature Lenny Kravitz. Read moreRadio At Cannes: Ludacris To Perform At Urban One Event; iHeart To Feature Lenny Kravitz.
It could be that inflation and high interest rates are finally slowing down the U.S. consumer. According to the Census Bureau, retail sales were unchanged in April versus March, which was revised down to a 0.6% rise from 0.7%. Economists expected an increase of 0.4%. Read moreAre Consumers Pulling Back? Retail Sales Flat In April.
When an employee buys their radio station, it’s usually the general manager. But in Minnesota it is the news director who has reached a deal to buy the small-market station where he’s worked for the past four years. Also this week, EMF cuts its station count in half in one Ohio market. And Royce International deals in Las Vegas and Palm Springs, CA close. Check out the details in this week’s Deal Digest. Read moreDeal Digest: From News Director To Owner In Minnesota.
Midwest Communications names Fritz Moser OM for its Peoria, IL. Moser most recently served as VP/GM at Reising Radio Partners in Columbus, IN. He had previous programming stops with Emmis Communications, Cumulus Media Indianapolis, and Susquehanna Radio. Read moreFritz Moser
Dick Summer, a popular Boston radio personality in the 60s and 70s, has passed away. He was 89. Summer hosted the overnight show “Nightlight” on WBZ-AM (1030), where he championed up-and-coming artists including Tom Rush, Jose Feliciano, and Harry Chapin. Summer was the first morning host at WNEW-FM New York when the station started its progressive rock format, He also worked at the former WNBC New York. Read moreDick Summer
Steven Keller is named PD of Florida Institute of Technology adult alternative WFIT Melbourne (89.5). Keller, who previously programmed the State University of New York’s variety WCVF Fredonia, NY (88.9), most recently has been involved with the Space Coast Music Festival. He also hosts “Keller Radio” on Mondays from 7-9pm. Read moreSteven Keller
Mary Lucia, who hosted afternoons at Minnesota Public Radio adult alternative “The Current KCMP Minneapolis (89.3) for 17 years before her April 2022 exit, has joined the University of Minnesota adult alternative “Radio K” KUOM-AM/FM (770/106.5) as a Program Advisor. Read moreMary Lucia
