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From Radio Online: Legal and true crime network Lawandamp;Crime announces the next installment in its trial-focused podcast productions with the release of "Murder on My Mind," available on Wonderyand#43;. The new series, hosted by Paula Barros of Cold Case Files, details the multiple trials of rap prodigy Jamell "YNW Melly" More...

From Radio Insight: It?s been clear for a while that older music has an advantage in pop culture. New songs are interpolations of older songs, or, very occasionally, outright remakes like ?Fast Car.? Even the ?current? chart hits might be a four-year-old Taylor Swift LP cut or even a decade-old unreleased track. A TV synch can make ?Running Up That Hill? the hit it almost became in 1985. TikTok can propel a 60-year-old Lesley Gore album cut into pop culture. On radio, the ratings of current-driven formats struggle, except for Country and Christian AC. More than ever, Classic Rock and Classic Hits are becoming all-ages formats, prompting the theory that even younger audiences care about radio only for older music. Streaming alone can?t guarantee that everybody will know a song. But increasingly, there is a greater gulf between the CHR airplay charts, where Sabrina Carpenter?s ?Feather? was just No. 1, and the Billboard Hot 100,where its highest position is No. 26. The odds are portrayed as particularly stacked against new music in a recent New York Times guest essay, Marc Hogan?s Same Old Song: Private Equity is Destroying Our Music Ecosystem.Hogan posits that the recent investment in artist and writer catalogs, and the myriad related uses ? movies, ad synchs, new interpolated hits ? has led to a ?markedly blander music scene, as financiers cannibalize the past at the expense of the future.? I hadn?t really thought of new music?s challenges in those terms before. But the diminished interest in radio by some record labels, along with layoffs across radio-promotion departments, has been a consistent topic here, made worse by a seemingly mutual antipathy by some broadcasters. When Universal Music Group decided to pull its music from TikTok in a royalty dispute, it was Spotify, not radio, with whom UMG wanted to create a greater partnership. If your definition of a hit song is that shared experience that everybody knows (even if they barely follow popular music) and everybody hears everywhere, there are fewer hits now, but that doesn?t seem to bother anybody nearly enough. Radio was, for many years, a major investment for every single song, even when you didn?t hear about reporting stations demanding an artist concert, or a fax machine, in exchange for adding a song. Labels are happy to make the lesser streaming or TikTok investment in hopes that a 30-second ?sound? will break itself, and, unlike with radio, there?s a performance royalty for every spin. Old music has an advantage under a system that lets AC radio report to the Hot 100, even at Christmas time. Old music has an advantage because, as Edison Research?s Larry Rosin has noted, now every stream of a song counts. When I bought ?Just What I Needed? by the Cars and played it for several hours straight, it added one sale to the chart tally. Now the 30-or-so consecutive spins would each count. If there is a conspiracy against new music, how do we respond? Leaning more heavily on the music of the last 20 years has not yet been a consistently winning strategy after several years of throwback formats and CHR dominated by gold titles. Beyond Country, current-based formats have less music to choose from and less of a footprint with which to break it. Here are some thoughts on how we can give new music a better chance. Play it all day. Giving any new CHR music the bulk of its airplay in nights and overnights is a strategy left over from a very different time ? when Top 40 controlled teen listening, when nights were a station?s biggest daypart, and when there were numerous nighttime showcases for new music (?make it or break it,? ?top 8 at 8,? etc.).* The need for all-day airplay is particularly notable for some of the songs that could be adding variety and adult appeal to pop radio. Even under the old paradigm, a song like Shinedown?s ?A Symptom of Being Human? would have been an adult balance record of particular value in middays. Shinedown Music?s Lou Rizzo says that when there?s daytime airplay, the difference in the song?s metrics is ?staggering.? (He also thinks that would be the case for any song, not just his pop/rock record.) All-day airplay is a risk we?ve trained ourselves not to take over the years. But a lot of CHRs have nothing to lose at this point, and might benefit from a deeper pool of songs to draw from during the day, rather than having to rely on one more spin of ?Replay? by Iyaz. There also aren?t a lot of PDs who believe that mood by daypart is significantly different now, as evidenced by the Classic Hits PDs who would have no trouble with ?Paradise City? at 9 a.m. Any PD who reads this and pulls back on new music at night too is misunderstanding my intent. I don?t think it?s possible to truly know if something was a hit without daytime play. Make It Multi-Format. ?Feather? is a record receiving plenty of all-day CHR airplay. It is also the No. 11 record at Hot AC. But it doesn?t have the multi-format penetration of Teddy Swims?s ?Lose Control,? the song that succeeded it at No. 1 CHR, and is also No. 1 at Hot AC with significant airplay at Triple-A, Adult R&B, and Rhythmic Top 40. While it?s too much to expect every song to have that sort of wide appeal, ?Feather? could benefit on the Hot 100 from having major-market AC spins as well. The rise of streaming means that there?s less time for songs to make their way from format to format before being judged on their response. In addition, some songs are likely to be supported by different formats in different places. Any song being worked to Hot AC now should also be worked to WIXX Green Bay, Wis. (which played Shinedown when Hot AC played it); WKRZ Wilkes-Barre, Pa.; WAEZ Johnson City, Tenn.; WNCI Columbus, Ohio, etc. Stations that happen to have relatively similar stations in their cluster should be thinking in those terms, too. It wasn?t good for CHR, Hot AC, and AC to be so close to each other in the early ?00s as a result of PPM measurement and CHR?s dominance. But it would be healthier for all three formats if Alternative shared more with both Active Rock and CHR. Be a little ?over the top? in your support. When radio noticed streaming?s inroads, it responded, briefly, with stagers emphasizing ?new music discovery.? Those sweepers were often in front of fourth singles or songs that were many weeks old, even on that particular station. Once that battle seemed lost, I stopped hearing much beyond a new-music stager, sometimes artist-voiced. (It?s worth noting that Country is the format that makes the most and most effective use of artist stagers.) For years, I?ve suggested ways that radio could better champion new music on the air. Make your Program or Music Director the ?music supervisor? and make them an ongoing on-air presence throughout the day, especially when new titles are playing. And while I?d prefer that this stewardship take place in real time, there?s no reason in the voice-tracking era that every spin of a new song can?t be endorsed by a personality, even if it?s not one actually on the air during that shift. I?ve also felt that there?s an opportunity for stations to champion new music beyond their airwaves. Recently, I wrote that the UMG/TikTok split meant that radio stations should encourage listener-created videos either on their own websites or on their YouTube channels. There should probably also be DJ-created videos on YouTube, TikTok (when possible), and elsewhere. Radio?s value is greater if it can create streaming stories, not just reflect them. We need one more chart. The Hot 100 reflects a streaming universe with many influences, no central motor, and seemingly no shared experience. Airplay-only charts don?t have consumer-press currency right now and seem to reflect an increasingly isolated universe. I would like to see a new chart that combines radio and streaming, but in different proportions.* Finally, anybody who knows me knows that I?m not upset when great music resurfaces.* Songs I love have always had equal currency with me, even when they?re not current. I liked ?Murder on the Dance Floor? the first time, and I never heard it enough on the radio to get sick of it. I?m not unhappy that Kate Bush finally had a hit; I would have liked it even better if she had followed it with a brand new one.* I?m glad some content creators found a cover of ?Misty? by Lesley Gore momentarily amusing. This one of hers is far better.* I find the current emphasis on interpolated hits exhausting, until there?s one as clever as Doja Cat sampling ?Walk On By.?* If you?re an artist who frequently turns to the past for inspiration, I?ll always think a little more favorably of you if we like some of the same records. But if you surprise me with something different, I?ll really respect you. I own somewhere around 40,000 singles. If the new music pipeline got any worse, there are indeed plenty of them waiting to be rediscovered. But the shared experiences that we?ve had over the years need to continue. That?s particularly true of Song of the Summer. I?m already seeing a few candidates start to line up. (We?ll handicap them around May 23.) It?s time for radio and labels to conspire to make Summer 2024 a great one.* more

From Radio Insight: The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) today announced the 10 winners of the 37th annual NAB Crystal Radio Awards. Since 1987, the NAB Crystal Radio Awards have recognized radio stations for their exceptional year-round commitment to community service. The 2024 NAB Crystal Radio Award recipients listed below were chosen from more

From Radio Online: The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) today announced the 10 winners of the 37th annual NAB Crystal Radio Awards. Since 1987, the NAB Crystal Radio Awards have recognized radio stations for their exceptional year-round commitment to community service. The 2024 NAB Crystal Radio Award More...

From Radio Online: iHeartPodcasts, together with Jennie Garth, announce an all-new weekly podcast entitled "I Choose Me with Jennie Garth." The premiere episode is set for release on April 30. Jennie Garth, an actress, entrepreneur and designer, made her mark on American culture playing Kelly Taylor for ten seasons of "Beverly More...

From Radio Online: iHeartMedia flips CHR WWPW (Power 96.1) in Atlanta to "96.1 The Beat," the new home for Hip Hop, Randamp;B and the Breakfast Club. The all-new 96.1 The Beat will play artists including Drake, Latto, 21 Savage and Cardi B. The station will also feature Atlanta-based Hip Hop stars like Lil Baby, Offset and More...

From Radio Online: The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF) has announced that legendary entertainer Carol Burnett will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 49th Annual Gracie Awards Gala on May 21 at the Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills. The Gracie Awards' Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a More...

From Radio Online: Super Hi-Fi, a provider of AI-powered radio services for broadcast and digital media companies, and Audacy ink an enhanced partnership to drive operational innovation and efficiency across Audacy's digital ecosystem. The partnership will streamline Audacy's digital content programming, production and More...

From Radio Insight: Audacy has partnered with Super Hi-Fi to power five of their HD subchannels utilizing their digital content programming, production, and broadcasting processes. “WAAF” 104.1 WWBX-HD2 Boston, “Star 102.5” 107.7 WLKK-HD2 Buffalo, “KIKK” 100.3 KILT-HD3 Houston, “Roq of the 80s” 106.7 KROQ-HD2 Los Angeles, and “KNRK 2” 94.7 KNRK-HD2 Portland are now utilizing Super Hi-Fi?s “Program Director Radio Operating System” with localized content. Through the partnership, the companies also operated “Audacy Innovation Radio” on 94.1 KMXB-HD2 Las Vegas through the NAB Show utilizing Super Hi-Fi?s suite of tools to program rotating formats across the day. Dayparts were hosted by some of Audacy?s national talent using Super Hi-Fi?s “Voicetrack Fusion”. The playout was cloud-based, delivered directly to the transmitter via Orban?s Optimod 5950: Super Hi-Fi Edition. ?As the nation?s second-largest radio broadcaster, we?re always integrating cutting-edge technologies into our stack to deliver the best experiences for our 200 Million monthly listeners and more efficiencies to our business,? said Sarah Foss, CTO of Audacy. ?This partnership underscores our commitment to building the future of digital Audio, and we?re thrilled to see it start coming to fruition.? ?We?re excited to work with Audacy as they re-imagine HD radio for their listeners,? said John Bolton, CBO of Super Hi-Fi. ?This partnership brings us one step closer to realizing our vision to transform Radio for optimal digital consumption.? more

From Radio Insight: iHeartMedia will flip CHR “Power 96.1” WWPW Atlanta to Hip Hop “96.1 The Beat” at 12pm today. The flip will move the programming currently heard on “105.3 The Beat” WRDG Bowdon including The Breakfast Club in mornings, Way Up with Angela Yee in middays, Ferrari Simmons in afternoons, and The JoJo & Big Homie Show at night. ?I am thrilled to announce The Beat Just Got Bigger! 96.1 The Beat is the new home for Hip Hop, R&B and the Breakfast Club! Heard all over the A-T-L. By switching to a more expansive frequency, we?re not just amplifying the sound of Hip Hop and R&B in Atlanta ? we?re amplifying the voices and stories of our community reaching even more listeners in Metro Atlanta,? said Vladimir Scott, Program Director. ?This enhanced reach gives our amazing on air talent a larger platform to connect with listeners and celebrate the culture that defines Atlanta.? ?What an extraordinary opportunity! Atlanta has a robust and flourishing economic business environment, a fascinating community of people from every part of the world and an incredible music culture and heritage,? said Spencer Bynes, iHeartMedia Atlanta Metro President. ?This expansion signifies a powerful connection with the community, and 96.1 The Beat is poised to become the heartbeat of Hip Hop and R&B in Atlanta.? WWPW’s CHR format fell to a 1.8 share in the March 2024 Nielsen ratings trailing Cumulus Media’s “Q99.7” WWWQ’s 3.0. WRDG rose from a 1.2 to 1.8 in a crowded Hip Hop field that includes Audacy’s “V103” WVEE at a 4.5 share, Radio One’s “Hot 107.9” WHTA at a 3.1, and Core Communicators’ “Streetz 94.5” WWSZ at a 1.2. There is no word yet on what will replace “The Beat” on 105.3 more

From Radio Insight: iHeartMedia continues to roll out the Conservative Talk “Your Morning Show with Michael DelGiorno” to more markets. The show debuted on Monday on 720 WGST Hogansville GA, 1410 WDOV Dover DE, 1450 WILM Wilmington DE, 1470 WJDY Salisbury MD. It will also launch on 550 KFYI Phoenix later this month. After launching in Nashville, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa last October, DelGiorno added four additional markets in March. DelGiorno previously hosted 9am-12pm at Cumulus Media?s ?99.7 WTN? WWTN Nashville from 2007 until departing in March 2023. He spent much of his early career in Tulsa as host at 1170 KFAQ, OM of Clear Channel?s cluster and morning host at 1430 WTBZ, and Program Director/afternoon host at 740 KRMG. He has also spent time in his career in New Orleans, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Kansas City, and Oklahoma City. more

From Radio Online: Donna B. Hall, former publisher of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and a veteran media executive, has come out of retirement to lead the executive coaching firm Robertson Lowstuter. The firm was recently acquired by The Center for Sales Strategy (CSS), and Hall will now lead the newly acquired division as More...

From Radio Insight: Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc. (MIW), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of female leadership in radio broadcasting, proudly announces the remarkably deserving Erica Farber, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Radio Advertising Bureau as the recipient of its inaugural ?Impact Award.? This prestigious new accolade is dedicated to honoring a woman who has effected positive change on multiple fronts. A true champion of service, this individual actively engages with impactful organizations, generously contributing their time, wisdom, network, and resources. They are deeply involved, consistently doing the work necessary to drive meaningful change. For over 12 years, Erica has served as President and CEO of the RAB (Radio Advertising Bureau). Her advocacy for the broadcasting industry has helped drive business, grow advertising revenue, and communicate Radio’s digital transition. Prior to the RAB, Farber was the CEO of the radio consulting and Internet service provider, The Farber Connection LLC, a firm she founded in 2010. During her fifteen-year tenure at Radio & Records, Farber held various positions including COO, President, Publisher, and CEO. Farber has held nearly every position in Radio Sales & Management including rising through the ranks at the INTEREP Companies and serving as Executive Vice President/Radio Development Director. During the early years of her career, she held positions at KRTH-FM, KABC-TV, and KIIS-AM in Los Angeles. Her radio management career grew quickly when she was appointed General Sales Manager and General Manager of WROR-FM in Boston in the same year. Her success then led to an appointment as Vice President/General Manager of WXLO-FM, In New York. In 2021, Farber was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame, marking a pinnacle achievement in a career dedicated to excellence and innovation in the radio industry. Erica is a founding member of Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio Inc, and is an active and integral member of the board. Going forward, recipients of this honor will be awarded with The Erica Farber Impact Award, as the award will carry her name far into the future. Said MIW Board President Ruth Presslaff,* ?What more can be said about Erica that hasn?t yet been said? She is a strategic thinker and true trendsetter who gives generously of her time and wisdom. MIW is*a better organization because of her.* The industry has been enriched in countless ways because of her. What an impact this woman has made!? ?I am deeply honored,? Erica stated. ?Being recognized by such influential women in the industry is incredibly meaningful and humbling to me. I owe immense gratitude to the mentors and inspirational women who have supported and uplifted me along the way. They are the foundation of my success. My heartfelt thanks go to Ruth and the MIW Board, and to all of you who share my passion for radio and the impactful work we are privileged to do every day.? more

From Radio Online: Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio (MIW) announces Erica Farber, President andamp; Chief Executive Officer of the Radio Advertising Bureau as the recipient of its inaugural "Impact Award." This new accolade is dedicated to honoring a woman who has effected positive change on multiple fronts. A true champion of More...

From Radio Online: Urban One reported has received a letter from the listing qualifications department of Nasdaq notifying the company that it was not in compliance with requirements of its listing rule. This after not having timely filed its annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended More...

From Radio Online: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick ink a partnership with sports media brand Jomboy Media to add the "Jimmy's Three Things" and "Wake N' Jake" podcasts to The Dan Patrick Podcast Network, effective immediately. "Jimmy's Three Things" and "Wake N' Jake" -- individually hosted by Jomboy More...

From Radio Online: Entravision flips KDVA-FM/Phoenix to "Fuego 106.7 FM," a curated combination of Latin Urban beats and Musica Mexicana rhythms. The new format will feature Latin hits from artists such as Peso Pluma, Karol G, Xavi, Anitta, Fuerza Regida and Bad Bunny -- targeting Arizona's Latino bilingual and bicultural More...

From Radio Insight: Nielsen begins its monthly release of PPM ratings with today’s Day 1 update including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco, Houston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Long Island, Riverside/San Bernardino, San Jose, and Middlesex/Somerset/Union. All the numbers can be found at RadioInsight.com/Ratings. New YorkiHeartMedia AC “106.7 Lite-FM” WLTW New York climbs 7.7 – 8.4 – 8.6 to expand its lead and rises to what Ratings Expert Chris Huff notes is its largest ever non-Christmas music share. iHeart Classic Rock “Q104.3” WAXQ holds at a 6.9 share, while sister CHR “Z100” WHTZ is off 5.6 to 5.2. Audacy Classic Hits 101.1 WCBS-FM is up 4.6 to 4.9 followed by News 1010 WINS/92.3 WINS-FM up 4.5 to 4.6. Public News/Talk 93.9 WNYC-FM is down 4.7 to 4.0. Red Apple Media Conservative Talk 770 WABC is up 3.5 – 3.8 – 4.0. Los AngelesAudacy Classic Hits “K-Earth 101” KRTH maintains its lead holding at a 6.0 share. iHeartMedia AC 103.5 KOST trends down 7.0 – 6.0 – 5.6. iHeart Talk 640 KFI inches up 5.4 to 5.5. iHeart Hot AC “104.3 My-FM” KBIG is down 5.0 to 4.5. Univision Spanish AC “107.5 K-Love” KLVE rises 3.7 to 4.2 to tie Audacy Rhythmic AC “94.7 The Wave” KTWV as it dips 4.3 to 4.2. Univision Spanish Adult Hits “Recuerdo 98.3/103.9” KRCD/KRCV rises 3.4 – 3.9. Audacy Variety Hits “93.1 Jack-FM” KCBS-FM is down 3.8 to 3.3. ChicagoiHeartMedia Soft AC “93.9 Lite-FM” WLIT maintains its lead up 6.7 to 6.8, while Hubbard Classic Rock “97.1 The Drive” WDRV holds at a 6.6. iHeart Adult R&B “V103” WVAZ is up 5.1 to 5.5. Audacy News 780 WBBM/105.9 WCFS holds at a 5.4, while AAA 93.1 WXRT is steady at a 5.0. Cumulus Media Classic Hits 94.7 WLS-FM trends up 3.3 – 3.5 – 4.0 for what Huff notes is its largest share since November 2021. Audacy Gold CHR “B96” WBBM-FM slowly climbs 1.5 – 1.7 – 1.9. Public News/Talk 91.5 WBEZ slides 2.7 – 2.4 – 2.0. Dallas/Fort WorthUnivision Regional Mexican “Que Buena 94.1” KLNO continues to trend up 3.2 – 4.3 – 4.9 – 5.1 to lead the newly minted Market #4 for the second straight month. Service Broadcasting Adult R&B “Smooth R&B 105.7” KRNB moves 4.8 to 4.7 to tie for second with Audacy Classic Hits “98.7 The Spot” KSPF as it rises 4.2 to 4.7. Audacy Variety Hits “100.3 Jack-FM” KJKK continues to gain 3.5 – 3.7 – 4.1 – 4.5 for its largest share since March 2022. Public News/Talk 90.1 KERA-FM gains 4.0 to 4.2, which Huff notes ties its largest share ever set in December 2023. Tying for fifth is iHeartMedia AC “Star 102.1” KDGE down 4.8 to 4.2. Cumulus Media Sports “The Ticket” 1310 KTCK/96.7 KTCK-FM falls 4.9 to 3.6. Salem Christian AC 94.9 KLTY is down 4.3 to 3.6. Hope Media Group Christian AC “89.7 Way-FM” KAWA jumps 1.9 to 3.1. Radio One Adult R&B “Majic 94.5” KZMJ is up 1.8 to 2.4. San FranciscoBonneville AC 96.5 KOIT holds its lead down 8.7 to 8.4. Public News/Talk 88.5 KQED-FM slides 7.9 – 7.6 – 7.2. Audacy News 740 KCBS/106.9 KFRC is off 6.7 to 6.5. Bonneville CHR “99.7 Now” KMVQ slips 6.1 to 5.6. iHeartMedia Hot AC “Star 101.3” KIOI rises 3.7 to 4.4 to tie sister Soft AC “98.1 The Breeze” KISQ as it dips 4.6 to 4.4. iHeartMedia Hip Hop 106.1 KMEL jumps 3.4 to 4.2. Cumulus Classic Rock “107.7 The Bone” KSAN trends up 2.6 – 2.9 – 3.1. Houston/GalvestonHope Media Group Christian AC 89.3 KSBJ is down 7.7 to 7.3, but that is enough to move to the top spot in Houston for just the second monthly in its history. iHeartMedia AC “Sunny 99.1” KODA continues its post-holiday slide 8.2 to 7.0. Radio One Classic Rock “107.5/106.9 The Eagle” KGLK/KHPT is up 5.3 – 5.6 – 5.9. Radio One Adult R&B “Majic 102.1” KMJQ rebounds 6.1 – 5.2 – 5.6. iHeartMedia Alternative “94.5 The Buzz” KTBZ-FM climbs 3.4 – 4.9 – 5.1 – 5.5. Radio One Country “93Q” KKBQ slides 5.8 – 5.2 – 4.8. Estrella Media Norteno “107.9 El Norte” KQQK is down 4.5 to 3.9. AtlantaCox Classic Rock “97.1 The River” WSRV holds at a 7.8 share and is followed by sister News/Talk 750 WSB/95.5 WSBB rising 7.3 to 7.7 and AC “B98.5” WSB-FM up 6.6 to 6.9. Radio One Adult R&B “Majic 107.5/97.5” WAMJ/WUMJ slides 7.9 – 7.4 – 6.3 and Gospel “Praise 102.5” WPZE is down 5.4 to 5.0. Audacy Hip Hop/R&B “V103” WVEE is up 4.0 to 4.5. Cox Adult R&B “Kiss 104.1” WALR drops 5.2 to 4.5. Cumulus CHR “Q99.7” WWWQ is up 2.5 to 3.0, while iHeartMedia CHR “Power 96.1” WWPW continues its slide 2.0 to 1.8, which Huff notes matches its record low set in January 2021. PhiladelphiaBeasley Classic Rock 102.9 WMGK retains its lead down 9.1 to 8.5. iHeartMedia Adult R&B 105.3 WDAS-FM rises 6.8 to 7.5. Beasley Rock 93.3 WMMR is down 8.0 to 7.3. Audacy AC “B101” WBEB is down 6.3 to 5.8 to tie News 1060 KYW/103.9 WPHI as it is down 6.0 to 5.8. Radio One R&B Oldies “Classix 107.9” WPPZ continues its trend up 2.1 – 2.6 – 2.9 – 3.4 – 3.7. Nassau/SuffolkCox Classic Rock 102.3 WBAB/95.3 WHFM extends its lead up 6.9 to 7.1. Connoisseur Media Soft AC “98.3 K-Joy” WKJY inches up 5.1 to 5.2. iHeartMedia CHR “Z100” WHTZ dips 5.5 to 5.1. Audacy Classic Hits 101.1 WCBS-FM rises 4.4 to 5.0. Audacy News 1010 WINS/92.3 WINS-FM is off 5.1 to 4.9. iHeartMedia AC “106.7 Lite-FM” WLTW rises 2.8 to 3.6. SBS Spanish Tropical “Mega 97.9” WSKQ gains 2.0 to 2.7. After its flip from Classic Hits “103.1 Max-FM” WBZO to Country “103.1 The Wolf” WWWF in the final weekly of the month, the station dips 2.4 to 2.3. Riverside/San BernardinoAnaheim Broadcasting Classic Hits 99.9 KOLA-FM is down from its record 11.7 share to 10.4. Audacy Country “95.1 K-Frog” KFRG holds at a 5.0 share. iHeartMedia Hot AC “104.3 My-FM” KBIG jumps 2.5 to 4.5. Entravision Spanish Adult Hits “Jose 97.5” KLYY dips 4.5 to 4.2. Univision Spanish Adult Hits “Recuerdo 98.3/103.9” KRCD/KRCV trends up 2.4 – 3.0 – 3.7. San JoseBonneville CHR “99.7 Now” KMVQ leads the publicly visible stations down 6.2 to 5.9. Sister AC 96.5 KOIT holds at a 5.5 share, while Classic Rock “98.5 K-Fox” KUFX drops 6.5 to 5.4. Univision Regional Mexican “Que Buena 98.9/99.1” KSOL/KSQL rises 4.1 to 4.9. Audacy News 740 KCBS/106.9 KFRC dips 5.4 to 4.7. Alpha Meida Hot AC “Mix 106.5” KEZR jumps up 3.3 to 4.4. iHeartMedia Hot AC “Star 101.3” KIOI slips 4.4 to 3.9. SBS Regional Mexican “La Raza 93.3” KRZZ rises 2.1 to 3.1. Middlesex/Somerset/UnionTownsquare Media Talk/Classic Hits “New Jersey 101.5” WKXW reclaims the top spot up 7.2 to 7.5. iHeartMedia Classic Rock “Q104.3” WAXQ slides 8.0 to 7.1. iHeartMedia CHR “Z100” WHTZ (5.7 to 5.8) and Audacy Hot AC “New 102.7” WNEW (5.4 to 5.8) tie for third. iHeart AC “106.7 Lite-FM” WLTW is up 4.4 to 4.8. SBS Spanish Tropical “Mega 97.9” WSKQ rises 3.8 to 4.3. more

From Radio Online: The FCC has levied a proposed fine of $8000 against Spanish Broadcasting System's KXOL-FM in Los Angeles for failing to conduct a contest in accordance with its announced terms and to deliver a prize to the winner in the prescribed time under the contest's terms. Despite being required to deliver prizes to More...

From Radio Online: While local advertisers have a lot of different marketing options, a new analysis from Nielsen reveals that the most effective media plan consists of a base buy of AM/FM radio and digital solutions. This week's Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group blog examines how advertising works and why AM/FM More...

From Radio Online: Amanda Valentine is named afternoon host for Country WNNF-FM (Cat Country 94.1) in Cincinnati. She debuts on Monday, April 22 and can be heard weekdays from 3-7pm. Valentine, a CMA Award-winning personality, also hosts the popular podcast "Pound This." She previously aired in afternoons on Cincinnati's More...

From Radio Online: The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has released new broadcast station self-inspection guides for FM and television stations. These two guides assist broadcasters in conducting a self-inspection of their stations. Guides for AM, low-power and translator stations are expected to be released soon. More...

From Radio Online: Pillar Media appoints Sarah Roberts as the newest member of the Digital Team. She comes to the company from the Shine.FM Media Network where she served as Director of Concerts and Events, as well as Social Media Coordinator. In her new role, Roberts will manage Digital Operations for all of Pillar Media, More...

From Radio Insight: The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has released new broadcast station self-inspection guides for FM and television stations. These two guides assist broadcasters in conducting a self-inspection of their stations. Guides for AM, low-power and translator stations are expected to be released soon. NAB joined with the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) to provide up-to-date, standardized guidance toward compliance with FCC rules and policies. Up until 2003, the FCC published self-inspection checklists, but has ceased updating them although rules and policies have changed since that time. The guides are also intended to be used by contract inspectors who are part of the Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program, which are contracted by most state broadcaster associations. Availability of the self-inspection guides will be announced at NAB Show at a joint NAB/SBE session on Tuesday, April 16, 3:30 ? 4:30 p.m. at the Connect Zone Conversation Corner (LVCC West Hall, W3943), ?FCC Enforcement ? New Self-Inspection Guides Can Help Your Station Avoid Fines.? Representatives from NAB, the National Alliance of State Broadcasters Association (NASBA) and SBE will present the new guides and will be available to answer questions. The guides will initially be a free member benefit to NAB and SBE members. The guides will be available for download from the NAB website under the Membership / Member Tools / Member Downloads tab as well as from SBE. ?NAB is excited to announce these self-inspection guides as a benefit to both NAB and SBE members,? said Robert Weller, vice president for spectrum policy at NAB. ?The success of this project was possible through close collaboration between our organizations and demonstrates the commitment of broadcasters to proper station operation.? more

From Radio Insight: Global Music Rights has announced a settlement has been reache in its multi-million dollar lawsuit against Lyndonville VT based Vermont Broadcast Associates for “the station group?s repeated and willful infringement of copyrighted songs licensed by GMR”. GMR and VBA state “they are pleased to have reached an agreement, which includes a long-term GMR license entered into between the parties, as well as settlement of past alleged infringements”. Vermont Broadcast Associates owns seven stations in northeastern Vermont. In the lawsuit, GMR had stated that “Prior to filing the lawsuit, GMR repeatedly offered a license to VBA. When GMR received no response, GMR sent a cease-and-desist letter to VBA. VBA blatantly ignored the license offers and cease-and-desist letter and continued to knowingly play popular songs by GMR?s clients without a license. GMR?s outside counsel, O?Melveny & Myers, subsequently sent VBA infringement notices. VBA took no action to stop performing the GMR songs, settle its prior infringements, or enter into a license with GMR. Left with no other recourse, GMR filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against VBA this week to protect the rights of GMR?s songwriters and composers.” GMR?s General Counsel, Emio Zizza, commented, ?We are dedicated to protecting the rights of GMR songwriters and composers, and ensuring entities publicly performing their works are appropriately licensed. Through this lawsuit, we have accomplished those endeavors, and look forward to our go-forward licensing relationship with VBA.? more

From Radio Online: Key Networks names network radio sales veteran Ron Russo as President of Sales. He'll lead the Key Networks' ad sales team and work directly with its clients, including Bloomberg Radio, to create new sales opportunities and revenue streams for the company. Russo brings over 20 years' national media sales More...

From Radio Online: Audacy appoints Ryan Hurley as the new Brand Manager of WFAN-FM andamp; AM in New York along with the Infinity Sports Network. Hurley succeeds Spike Eskin, who is departing for WIP-FM (SportsRadio 94WIP) in Philadelphia, as the lead content executive for both brands. Hurley spent the last two decades at ESPN New More...

From Radio Insight: Connoisseur Media Country “103.1 The Wolf” WWWF Bay Shore NY has introduced its first on-air staffer with the addition of Alexa Neo in middays. A Long Island native, Neo began her radio career at Nassau Community College’s 90.3 WHPC Garden City and also has worked part-time at Cox Classic Rock 102.3 WBAB Babylon and CHR 106.1 WBLI Patchogue. This is her first full-time position in radio. more

From Radio Insight: Key Networks` has announced the addition of Ron Russo as its President of Sales. Russo most recently served as President of Sales for Westwood One from 2015-23 and has previously held role as SVP of Sales for iHeartMedia New York, Senior Account Executive for CBS Radio New York, and Broadcast Media Supervisor for Macy’s. Key Networks CEO Rob Koblasz stated, “Ron Russo is highly respected in the radio industry and across the agency community, having run sales for the second largest radio network in the country. This is a significant addition to our executive leadership team and brings deep experience, tenure, and valuable industry and agency relationships to our bench at Key Networks. We thank outgoing President of Sales, Jason Wilberding, for his contributions and wish him well in the real estate endeavors he is leaving to pursue.? Russo commented, ?I?m excited to jump in with the team and build from the success they have experienced over the past several years. With its innovative focus and fresh mindset, Key Networks is well positioned to excel in this evolving marketplace.? more

From Radio Insight: Cumulus Media’s “Cat Country 94.1” WNNF Cincinnati has announced the addition of Amanda Valentine as afternoon host. Valentine most recently co-hosted afternoons at Hubbard Country “B105” WUBE Cincinnati from 2015 to 2019 before departing to become a personal trainer and nutrition coach. She also has spent time in her career co-hosting mornings at BiCoastal Media Country “Q100.3” KRWQ Medford OR, afternoon show producer/co-host at “Alice 105.9” KALC and morning show producer/co-host at 98.5 KYGO Denver, morning show producer/co-host at CHR WPXY Rochester, APD/morning co-host at WNKI Elmira NY, and at stations in Paducah KY and Biloxi MS. She stated, “With 20 years of radio experience behind me, I’m thrilled to return to the business after nearly five years away. Radio isn’t just a job?it’s been a love and passion of mine. I’m eager to reunite with listeners in Cincinnati, creating memorable moments, making a positive impact on the community, and having lots of fun!? WNNF Program Director Chris Elliott added, ?We are thrilled to welcome Amanda to the Cat Country family and can’t wait to get her back on the air and out in the community connecting to the incredible Country music fans in Cincinnati.?. Cumulus Cincinnati VP/Market Manager Chris Elliott stated, “Amanda is a strong addition to our growing team. In addition to her on-air experience, Amanda comes with impressive brand marketing skills.” With the arrival of Valentine to WNNF, Chris Elliott will host afternoons on Classic Rock “92.5 The Fox” WOFX-FM, while Sean Kelly moves from there to afternoons on Rock “96 Rock” 96.5 WFTK-FM. more