Newly released data from the latest Smart Audio Report delivers good news for broadcasters: the share of time spent listening to AM/FM radio on a smart speaker rose to 24% in 2019, up from 18% in 2018. The latest numbers are derived from Edison’s ongoing Share of Ear survey, which employs a 4,000-person national sample of persons 13+ and has been conducted online and offline since 2014. Read more
Entercom says it has reached a multiyear contract extension with the Texas Rangers to serve as the flagship station for the team’s radio network. The new deal calls for “105.3 The Fan” KRLD-FM Dallas to continue its role as the flagship station for the Texas Rangers Radio Network and the team’s English language radio play-by-play broadcasts. Read more
SiriusXM VP of Pop Music Programming Kid Kelly has exited after nearly two decades at the satellite broadcaster. Kelly also handled day-to-day programming of the “Hits 1” and “Venus” channels. SiriusXM Vice Presidents Alex Tear and Lou Simon will assume Kelly’s programming responsibilities. Read more
New York Festivals Radio Awards will celebrate 100 years of radio with the inaugural “Storytellers Gala” Tuesday, April 21 at the NAB Show in Las Vegas. The call for entry for the NYF Radio Awards, which include categories from news and music shows to podcasts and audiobooks, is now open with winners celebrated at the gala. Read more
The iHeartMedia trifecta of Chairman/CEO Bob Pittman, President of Entertainment Enterprises John Sykes and Chief Programming Officer/National Programming Group President Tom Poleman, share honors with Cumulus Media President/CEO Mary Berner and Entercom Chairman/President/CEO David Field on the Billboard 2020 Power List. The annual list also includes SBS Chairman/CEO Raúl Alarcón Jr., Entercom’s Pat Paxton and Univision’s Jesus Lara. Read more
Programmers from iHeartMedia, Cumulus Media, Entercom and Beasley are among participants for the Programmers Mentoring Breakfast at CRS 2020, February 19-21 at the Omni Nashville Hotel. Mentors have also been announced for the Women’s Mentoring Breakfast, along with the Digital and Streaming and Label Mentoring breakfasts. Read more
Radio’s 2019 closed out with more than two dozen call letter changes. The monthly tally from the FCC shows 26 full- and low-power radio stations adopted new call signs, some brought by sales, others by format changes. The list includes some calls that date back nearly 68 years. Read more
WKNY Kingston moving into new location which includes a performance space and community media center… Westwood One’s Jim Gray talks about years of interviewing New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady… “Titus and Tate” podcast will be distributed by Westwood One Podcast Network with video on Fox Sports. Read more
John Malone may have eyes for Univision, according to a new report. Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter, says the billionaire’s Liberty Global—with the help of Hemisphere Media Group—is considering a bid for Spanish-language broadcaster Univision. Read more
Kathy Vogel will host mornings on Rubber City Radio’s recently launched modern AC “107.3 JenY FM WNWV Cleveland, effective Jan. 27. Vogel segues to WNWV from the company’s classic rock WONE-FM Akron (97.5), where she was midday personality. Read more
Bonneville news/talk KIRO-FM Seattle (97.3) discontinues the “The Candy, Mike and Todd Show,” which debuted in afternoons a year ago. The program, which consisted of Candy Harper, Mike Lewis and Todd Herman, replaced Ron Upshaw and Don O’Neill. Read more
SummitMedia country KFDI-FM Wichita (101.3) morning co-host Tim Burger exits. “After an incredible 3 year run I am no longer a part of the morning show on KFDI,” Burger wrote in a Facebook post. “I am so grateful I was able to be part of a heritage radio station that the people in Wichita have turned to for over 50 years. Read more
Chuck Sullivan is named Senior VP/Market Manager for Entercom Denver, effective Feb 3. Sullivan, who succeeds the recently retired John Fullam, was most recently Senior VP/Market Manager for the company’s Milwaukee and Madison properties. Read more
