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From Radio Insight: Ohio Midland Newsgroup Classic Country “Big Willie 105.5” WBGI-FM Bethlehem/Wheeling WV has added a simulcast of Dimitri Vassilaros’ “Dimitri – Live & Dangerously Local” from sister Conservative Talk “River Talk” 1290 WLYV Bellaire OH/100.1 W261DH Wheeling and 1430 WEIR/100.9 W265ED Weirton WV. Vassilaros’ show airs on WBGI-FM from 7-9am weekdays. Prior to joining “River Talk”, Vassilaros spent time at stations including WWVA Wheeling, WFLA Tampa, WWWE Cleveland, KSDO San Diego, WPTI Greensboro, and WTAE and KDKA Pittsburgh. WBGI-FM had moved from current based Country as “Biggie Country 105.5” to Classic Country in September 2022. With the addition of Vassilaros, WBGI-FM has also repositioned the station to “Your Country” with the addition of more 2000s music. more

From Radio Online: WTMX (101.9 The Mix) in Chicago teamed up with Friends of the Chicago River this past Saturday for the annual Chicago River Day, bringing station staff and listeners together to support the cleanup and restoration of the city's vital waterway ahead of the summer season. The More...

From Radio Online: Audacy's WPHT-AM (Talk Radio 1210 WPHT) in Philadelphia has added the syndicated "Verdict with Ted Cruz" to its weekend schedule. Effective immediately, the one-hour show will air Sundays from 2-3pm ET. Hosted by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and veteran personality Ben Ferguson, "Verdict with Ted Cruz" analyzes More...

From Radio Online: The NAB Leadership Foundation (NABLF) has named BELFOR Property Restoration and its CEO Sheldon Yellen as the recipients of the 2025 Corporate Leadership Award. The honor recognizes BELFOR's enduring commitment to helping Americans rebuild after disasters and will be presented during More...

From Radio Online: Syndicated radio personality Delilah, known as the most-listened-to woman on radio, marked Mother's Day with a trio of high-profile features highlighting her decades-long commitment to love, connection, and community. Delilah appeared on NBC Nightly News in a "Good News" segment with correspondent Hallie More...

From Radio Online: After more than three decades of distinguished service, Kent Dunn, Vice President and Market Manager of Beasley Media Group's cluster in Augusta, GA, has announced his retirement. Dunn's final day with the company will be Friday, June 6. Dunn's tenure with Beasley began in 1991, and he has since served More...

From Radio Insight: The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has announced the results of the 2025 NAB Radio and Television Board of Directors elections. The two-year terms of the elected board members will begin in June 2025. New board members are listed in italics; other board members listed below have been re-elected. NAB Radio Board Elections (Odd-numbered districts) Allen Power President of Broadcast Media Salem Media Group District 1 – New EnglandMichael Dash Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel Audacy, Inc. District 3 – Pennsylvania Dale Thornhill VP/COO Commonwealth Broadcasting District 5 – West Virginia/Kentucky Dave Hoxeng Owner/Manager WNRP-AM/WEBY-AM/WYCT-FM Pensacola District 7 – Florida, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands Nick Martin General Manager, Big River Broadcasting District 9 – Georgia, Alabama Matthew Mnich Chairman and CEO North American Broadcasting Company District 11 – Ohio Julie Koehn President/CEO Lenawee Broadcasting Company and Southeast Michigan Media District 13 – Michigan Kenneth Forte Co-Owner/President R&F Communications, Inc. (WDKN and WDHC) District 15 – Tennessee, Arkansas Dana Withers President, Withers Broadcasting and Dana Communications District 17 – Illinois William Payne Owner/General Manager Payne Media Group District 19 – Oklahoma, N. Texas Nic Anderson Vice President, Government Affairs Salem Media Group District 21 – Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota Felipe Chavez COO Bustos Media Holdings, LLC District 23 – N. California, Alaska Tery Garras VP of Radio Morgan Murphy Media District 25 – Oregon, Washington Additionally, effective immediately, Kelli Turner, president and chief executive officer, Audacy, Inc., will assume the District 16 (CO-NE) board seat that was held by Andrew Sutor of Audacy. NAB Television Board Elections Byron Allen Founder, Chairman and CEO Allen Media Group/Entertainment Studios Michael Biard President and COO Nexstar Media Group Rall Bradley Executive VP ? NPG Broadcast News-Press & Gazette Company Brian Burns President/CEO Morgan Murphy Media Dave Hanna President Lockwood Broadcasting Robert Hubbard President and CEO Hubbard Television Additionally, effective immediately, Mike Steib, president and chief executive officer, TEGNA, Inc., has been appointed to the NAB Television Board seat formerly held by Lynn Beall of TEGNA. more

From Radio Insight: When ?Not Like Us? exploded last spring, I wrote in the ?Song of Summer 2024? preview a few weeks later that it would be even better if we could have new, less combative hits from both Drake and Kendrick Lamar. It may have been an undeniably bravura performance, but at a time with so few crossover Hip-Hop artists, I didn?t particularly want one to humiliate another into early retirement. We needed them both. Somehow, that happened. Lamar & SZA?s ?Luther? is a multi-week CHR No. 1. Drake?s ?Nokia? is top 20 pop, not quite commensurate with its streaming and Billboard Hot 100 activity, but still a significant hit, especially when you consider that Billboard earnestly asked last year if Drake should just quit.* Lamar is also represented at CHR by ?Squabble Up? and ?TV Off.? Along with Doechii?s top-5 ?Anxiety? and top-25 ?Denial is a River,? Hip-Hop is starting to have a footprint again at Top 40. Further down, there?s Bad Bunny?s most CHR-friendly recent record in ?EoO.? There?s Don Tolliver?s first potential CHR hit in ?Lose My Mind,? with the help of Doja Cat.* It’s still a tentative rebound. ?Nokia? is at least in the top 20 with momentum. Each week, Liveline host and Mason?s Observations columnist Mason Kelter points out other streaming/request stories that Top 40 is resisting, particularly Lil Tecca?s ?Dark Thoughts? and BigXThaPlug f/Bailey Zimmerman?s ?All the Way.? * Those songs are at least on the board. Tyler, the Creator?s ?Like Him,? a song that The Hit Momentum Report?sMatt Bailey regularly champions, has almost no CHR spins. Sometimes it?s hard to tell whether the objection to any of the songs is sonic, or if it?s the depth of titles that is the issue now. ?Like Him?s? Burt-Bacha-rap feel doesn?t sound like typical CHR, but it is sort of a piece with ?Ordinary? and ?Die with a Smile.? If playing too many Hip-Hop titles is what PDs are concerned about, my advice is the same as it was during the discussion about Country crossovers over the last two summers. At this moment, there still aren?t so many hits that Top 40 should be missing any. As long as the supply of hits from other genres is good, and there?s available mainstream pop to play in between, it?s actually the balance that signifies a healthy Top 40 format.* I?m happiest when Hip-Hop crossover presents itself as ?Anxiety? ? tempo, melody, familiar sample ? rather than a ballad, but I?d be happy to hear tempo anywhere on our charts now. I?m happy about ?Luther? for other reasons, particularly giving Luther Vandross his second posthumous No. 1 pop record, and bringing back Cheryl Lynn to the radio while she can appreciate it, as well as another go-round for ?If This World Were Mine.? Over the years, I?ve found myself writing both the ?why isn?t there more R&B and Hip-Hop?? column and the ?why isn?t there more mainstream pop?? column. I?ve never regarded that as a contradiction. In recent weeks, I?ve felt better about the mainstream-pop supply as streaming legitimizes Sombr?s ?Undressed? or Role Model?s ?Sally, When the Wine Runs Out.? The only reason not to put either of those songs next to ?Dark Thoughts? is because it kind of fits in that pool, too, sonically. I hope the increased supply of Hip-Hop hits and big-name artists is a good thing for R&B/Hip-Hop radio as well. In recent years, that format has responded to the rise of ?TikTok rap? by leaning more heavily on ballad and midtempo R&B than any time in the last 35 years, the time before the radio station most committed to Hip-Hop always won. Whether it?s because of streaming, lost earbuds listening, or something else, R&B/Hip-Hop radio is waiting for its rebound, too. It?s impressive that streams have given us as many Hip-Hop Hot 100 hits as it has so far, but we?ll see even more if the format?s reach improves, and CHR will get more lateral support on more types of music, not just Country. With the Song of Summer 2025 field taking shape over the next two weeks, it?s interesting to consider whether that song could come from Hip-Hop, or whether, as with ?A Bar Song (Tipsy)? last summer, it will be a largely unclassifiable song with Hip-Hop elements (that one ended up taking hold at every format except R&B/Hip-Hop radio, as it happened). Top 40 will be in a good place if it has both options. more

From Radio Insight: Beasley Media Group Augusta GA VP/Market Manager Kent Dunn will retire from the company on Friday, June 6. Dunn joined Beasley Augusta in 1991 and rose to Market Manager in 1993. He would then move to the company’s Tampa FL operations until 2017 when he would return to Augusta. He also previously served as Regional Vice President overseeing the company’s operations in Fayetteville NC. Dunn commented, “After much thought and reflection, I?ve made the decision to retire and begin the next chapter of my life. Beasley Media Group has been more than just a workplace?it?s been my extended family. I feel incredibly fortunate to have spent over 30 years doing what I love, with people I deeply respect and admire. It?s been an absolute privilege to work with late Company Founder George Beasley, Caroline, Brian and Bruce over the years.? Beasley CEO Caroline Beasley commented, “Kent?s contributions to Beasley Media Group?and to the radio industry at large?have been nothing short of exceptional. His strategic insight, collaborative spirit, and passion for radio have guided teams and inspired generations of broadcasters. We are deeply grateful for his decades of service and wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.? more

From Radio Insight: Metro Radio Group Sports “The Ref” 1400 KREF/99.3 K257DA Norman OK is revamping its on-air lineup starting Monday, June 18. Longtime morning host Toby Rowland is exiting the station to join Griffin Media’s KWTV-TV as Sports Director in July, he will be departing his morning show. Rowland, who also serves as radio play-by-play voice for Oklahoma University football, men’s basketball and baseball, previously spent twelve years at KWTV as a sports anchor, reporter and producer. With Rowland’s departure, KREF announced this morning that current 9am to 12pm host Chris Plank will debut as its new morning host. Plank, who also serves as play-by-play voice for Oklahoma softball, has been with KREF since 2015 after previously spending eighteen years at iHeartMedia’s “1430 The Buzz” KTBZ Tulsa. He also has hosted weekends on Premiere Networks’ Fox Sports Radio since 2006 currently co-hosting late Sunday nights with Arnie Spanier and on SiriusXM’s College Sports Radio. Plank will be joined on the new morning show by Blake Gamble. Gamble has been working for the company on its KREFSports.TV high school sports broadcasts and its YouTube channel. Owner Casey Vinyard said, “We are incredibly excited for ‘The Voice of OU Football, Baseball and Basketball’ to hand the reigns to ‘The Voice Of Oklahoma Softball’ for our morning show. We’re extremely confident The REF Army will enjoy starting their day with The Plank Show.” more

From Radio Online: WRR 101.1 FM and KERA in Dallas have announced the addition of Brooke Scholl as the station's new weekend host and Programming Assistant. She'll air Saturdays and Sundays from 1-6pm on WRR. Originally from Washington State, Scholl holds degrees in Cello Performance from Central Washington University, the More...

From Radio Insight: Radio One and Reach Media parent Urban One Inc. issued its 2025 Q1 earnings report this morning. Urban One marked net revenue of approximately $92.2 million, which was down 11.7% from Q1 2024. Operating income was $2.1 million compared to $12.9 million last year. Broadcast and digital operating income fell to $23 million down 28.1% over Q1 2024. Urban One’s net loss was approximately $11.7 million, and adjusted EBITDA2 was approximately $12.9 million. The company noted $32.6 million in revenue from its radio broadcasting segment compared to $36.4 million last year, which the company noted was primarily driven by weaker overall market demand from the national advertisers and lower political revenues. Its Reach Media syndication unit fell from $8.5 million in Q1 2024 to $5.9 million due to decrease in overall demand and attrition of advertisers. Digital dropped by $2 million to $10.2 million, while cable television slid from $48 million in Q1 2024 to $44.2 million in revenue. President/CEO Alfred Liggins III said, “First quarter results were broadly in line with expectations: core radio advertising finished at (12.4)% excluding digital, and Cable TV advertising was (6.3)%. Our cable TV ratings stabilized significantly in the first quarter of 2025 and are performing in line with our 2025 budget. Second quarter core radio advertising pacings have weakened over the past several weeks, and are now (8.7)%. Our first quarter 2025 digital revenues were down (16.1)% driven by expected weakness in streaming and podcasting revenues. Based on our year to date performance, we reaffirm our full year guidance of $75 million in Adjusted EBITDA2. Our cumulative debt repurchases so far in 2025 are $88.6 million at an average price of 53.9%, resulting in reduced gross debt of $495.9 million, and we currently have approximately $79.8 million of cash on hand. In a challenging marketplace, our focus remains on controlling costs, managing leverage and retaining a strong liquidity position.” more

From Radio Insight: Manning Media has flipped Christian AC “Life-FM” 94.3 W232DG Frederick/102.1 W271BV Hagerstown/106.9 WWEG-HD2 Myersville MD to Soft Oldies “Fred-FM“. Positioning as “Your Easy, Feel-Good Escape Station”, “Fred-FM” features a mostly 1970s and 80s centric playlist heavy on yacht rock and R&B. The new format creates a flanker to co-owned Classic Hits “106.9 The Eagle” WWEG. The former Christian AC format launched in October 2023 as “Hope-FM” before quickly rebranding to “Life-FM“ more

From Radio Online: Urban One posted a net loss of $11.7 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, as total revenue dropped 11.7% year-over-year to $92.2 million. The loss compares to net income of $7.5 million during the same quarter last year. Operating income fell sharply to $2.1 million More...

From Radio Online: Flightpath, a predictive analytics platform for on-demand media, has announced a new partnership with Impressions.fm, a rising podcast network known for its creator-first monetization strategy. The collaboration aims to bolster Impressions.fm's growth by integrating Flightpath's forecasting and performance More...

From Radio Online: Benztown has announced that syndicated "The Todd-N-Tyler Radio Empire" is expanding its reach with two new affiliates: Classic Rock KGFK-AM (Rock 95) in Fargo, ND, and Alternative KSPI-AM (Pete 94.3) in Stillwater, OK. The show, known for its bold humor, guy talk, and celebrity interviews, will More...

From Radio Insight: Benztown’s syndicated “Todd-N-Tyler Radio Empire” has added its seventh and eighth affiliates. Leighton Broadcasting Classic Rock “Rock 95” 1590 KGFK/95.7 K239BG Grand Forks ND and Stillwater Broadcasting Alternative “Pete 94.3” 780 KSPI/94.3 K232FI Stillwater OK are the newest affiliates for the show, with both running it in mornings. KGFK Program Director Matt Opsahl said, “Rock 95 is beyond excited to add Todd-N-Tyler to our line-up! This is what Rock radio is supposed to sound like and we are very fortunate they were available in our market!? Stillwater Broadcasting President Robert B. Mahaffey commented, ?Pete 94.3 (That’s for Pistol Pete, for those that don’t follow college sports) is the Classic Alternative channel for Stillwater and Oklahoma State University. We are thrilled to add Todd-N-Tyler to our arsenal – we know they are a great fit, especially for college towns like ours! Listen to Todd and Tyler live mornings 5am to 9am. Glad to be part of the TNT Radio Empire!” Host Todd Brandt said, “We are excited to be on Rock 95 and Pete 94.3. We are looking forward to getting to know the new listeners.? Mike Tyler added, “The college town mentality matches up well with our honest and sometimes slanted look at the world.? more

From Radio Insight: SourceAudio, the platform that powers Alpha Libraries for Radio, has launched Download Studio, “a new AI-powered production tool designed to give radio creatives greater control and flexibility” The company says that Download Studio enables users to isolate stems, mix alternate versions, and create custom promo cutdowns?all without leaving the track page. SourceAudio is fully integrated into Alpha Libraries’ platform and is powered by Music.AI to extract high-quality stem files and flexible audio versions?directly within the Alpha interface. It notes key features as removing vocals from any track, edit a track down to any length, extract and download stems for drums, guitar, piano, and more, and create and remix alt versions online. For more information reach out to Steve Wall at 206-661-5551 or steve@sourceaudio.com. more

From Radio Insight: Nielsen concludes its releases of the March 2025 monthly ratings. Today’s markets are Chattanooga, Huntsville, Jackson MS, and Madison. The April 2025 PPM ratings will be released starting on Monday, May 19. more

From Radio Online: Casey Atkins, Assistant Program Director and PM Drive host at WKML (Country 95.7) in Fayetteville, NC, has exited the station as part of broader job cuts at Beasley Media Group. Atkins shared the news on social media, writing, "Sadly, my time with Beasley Media Group has come to an end. I loved my job, More...

From Radio Online: SourceAudio, the company behind the widely used Alpha Libraries for Radio, has introduced a new AI-powered production tool called Download Studio, now live and fully integrated within the Alpha Libraries platform. Designed to give radio producers and creatives more control and More...

From Radio Online: Bob Lawrence, General Manager and Market Manager for Seven Mountains Media's Parkersburg-Marietta cluster, has announced he is stepping down from his role to pursue a new opportunity. Lawrence shared the news on Facebook, expressing appreciation for his time at the company and hinting at what's next. "So More...

From Radio Insight: iHeartMedia has issued its quarterly earnings report for Q1 2025 running from January through March. iHeart reports Q1 revenue up 1.0% from Q1 2024, which rises to 1.8% when excluding political revenue. Its GAAP Operating loss was $25 million vs. $35 million last year, while consolidated EBITDA was flat at $105 million. The company noted cash used for operating activities of $61 million with the company having free cash flow of -$81 million, cash balance on $168 million, and total available liquidity of $559 million as of March 31. The company notes that although consolidated revenue increased 1.0% by $8.1 million during the first quarter, its broadcast centric Multiplatfom Group revenue decreased by $20.5 million or 4.2% to $473 million which the company claimed was due to “a decrease in broadcast advertising in connection with continued uncertain market conditions.” Broadcast revenue decreased 5.2% by $18.6 million. iHeartMedia’s Audio and Media Services revenue decreased $9.8 million or 14.2% due to nonrecurring contract termination fees earned by Katz Media in 2024 and a decrease in broadcast advertising in connection with uncertain market conditions, partially offset by an increase in digital advertising. Operating expenses rose 4.4% by $15.0 million due to “higher variable content costs, including higher podcast profit sharing expenses and third-party digital costs related to the increase in digital revenues, partially offset by a decrease in employee compensation cost in connection with modernization initiatives taken in 2024.” iHeart’s growth came from its Digital Audio Group rising 16.0% by $38.3 million to $277 million from increases in digital advertising led by podcasting. Podcast revenue alone was up 28% to $116 million. Chairman/CEO Bob Pittman said, ?We are pleased with our Q1 results given the uncertain environment in which we are operating now, and we think these results demonstrate the resilience and relevance of our products and the tremendous growth opportunity we have with our podcast business in particular.? ?In the first quarter, we generated Adjusted EBITDA of $105 million, flat to prior year, consistent with our previously provided guidance, and our consolidated revenues for the quarter were up 1.0% compared to the prior-year quarter, above our guidance of down low-single digits, driven by the Digital Audio Group revenues and Adjusted EBITDA growth of 16% and 28% respectively.? said Rich Bressler, President, COO and CFO of iHeartMedia, Inc. more

From Radio Online: iHeartMedia reported first quarter 2025 results, highlighting year-over-year growth in digital revenue but continued softness in its traditional broadcast segment. For the quarter ended March 31, consolidated revenue rose 1% to $807 million. Excluding political advertising, revenue was up 1.8%. Operating More...

From Radio Online: The Library of American Broadcasting Foundation (LABF) has introduced Past Forward, a new quarterly newsletter designed to celebrate and share the rich legacy of broadcasting in America. Past Forward is offered free to readers and aims to deliver compelling stories from the LABF archives, updates on More...

From Radio Online: Throwback Brands, through its syndication partner, Skyview Networks, announced today the launch of its "Throwback Brands Boot Camp Experience," a scholarship opportunity that will send a participant to the Morning Show Boot Camp in Austin, TX. Working in collaboration with event More...

From Radio Online: The Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB) has announced the next installment of its "Radio Works" live presentation series, focusing on the power of radio in supporting cause marketing initiatives. Entitled "Radio Works for Cause Marketing," the session aims to equip radio sellers and managers with insights into More...

From Radio Insight: La Radio Communautaire Cornwall-Alexandria has closed on its acquisition of the former ?Hot Country 92.5? CHRC-FM Rockland and ?Hot Country 107.7? CKHK-FM Hawkesbury ON and has flipped the pair to Variety Hits “Big-FM“. The company, which owns French Variety ?92.1 GO FM? CHOD-FM Cornwall, agreed to acquire both stations last September after Evanov Communications planned on shutting both down. The new brand launched at 12pm today after a six hour loop of Mitsou’s “Bye Bye Mon Cowboy”. “Big-FM” features imaging voice Derek ‘Watty’ Watson with Derrick Scott serving as Operations Manager and host of “The Big Breakfast”. Scott said, “The stations will remain locally focused, more so than before. We’ll continue to promote/support local events, and charities, provide news from across the region at times ignored by other outlets, while giving listeners a station that is fun to listen to suiting everyone’s music preference.” General Manager Mathieu Manning and General Sales Manager Richard Michel said, “When several local business owners heard about the proposed change, they automatically wanted to partner with the stations given the demographics, and the fact that we are now locally owned. This Big change wouldn’t of happened with input from the stations’ sister station team at GO-FM (CHOD-FM) Casselman, Ontario. more

From Radio Insight: Red Apple Media Conservative Talk 770 WABC New York’s syndicated “The Other Side of Midnight” is on the hunt for a new host as Frank Morano is departing the show after winning a special election to represent Staten Island on the New York City Council. Morano had been off of WABC while running for the seat, but had continued to appear on the national syndication affiliates that include Nexstar’s 720 WGN Chicago and Audacy’s 830 WCCO Minneapolis and 1120/104.1 KMOX St. Louis. Morano had joined Red Apple Media in July 2020 to host late mornings on 107.1 WLIR-FM Hampton Bays NY and overnights on WABC. He would also host a local Sunday night show and a 5-6am newshour as well during his time at the station. He previously served as a producer for Joe Piscopo?s morning show on Salem?s ?970 The Answer? WNYM and at WABC for Curtis Sliwa and Ron Kuby?s morning show in the mid 2000s. Morano said, ?When I was elected, I had expected to continue hosting my radio show until the swearing-in. However, due to concerns about equal-time rules for the upcoming election and uncertainty around what outside work I?ll be allowed to do once I take office, the decision was made that I would no longer host ?The Other Side of Midnight? and would step away from the Red Apple Audio Network for now. This wasn?t a decision I made lightly?or one I made at all, frankly?but I completely understand the reasoning behind it. I?m incredibly grateful to the station?s ownership and management for the opportunity to do a show I loved, with a team I respected, for an audience I adored? I do hope to be back on the radio in some form soon. But for now, I?m off the air. more

From Radio Insight: Throwback Brands through its syndication partner Skyview Networks has announced it will offer the ?Throwback Brands Boot Camp Experience? offering an industry professional, student or content creator the opportunity to attend Morning Show Boot Camp 37 in Austin TX this August. Open to those who never have attended the event, those interested in attending can go to ThrowbackScholarship.com for more information. The winner will be selected and notified on Friday, June 27. Throwback Brands Founder/CEO and Throwback Nation Radio host Tony Lorino said, “?Our industry is unique in that so much of what we learn comes from networking with others. Chris Cruise, Joe Cortese, and I all had that opportunity to network, learn and grow early on in our careers, and we’re excited to give this opportunity to someone else who wants to do the same.? Skyview Networks Director of Affiliate Syndication Ed Moloney commented, “Morning Show Boot Camp is an incredible event that brings together radio talents, programmers and industry experts each year. By giving a lucky participant the opportunity to attend the event for the first time and be surrounded by the top personalities in radio, Throwback Brands is further driving the connections across the industry.? more