With $6 billion in political ad spending forecast for 2020, radio could reap more than just a revenue windfall. The demand will put pressure on inventory, which could drive spot rates up. Non-political advertisers unable to get on TV could heighten the demand for radio even more. “We’re expecting it to be a record-setting political year for radio,” says Entercom’s Weezie Kramer in “Radio Industry Forecast – 2020,” a special series running this week in Inside Radio. Read more
Veteran broadcast executive Jimmy deCastro will step down from his post as Senior VP/Market Manager at Entercom Chicago. deCastro will continue to run his sports marketing company After The Whistle and plans to launch a new sports betting and gaming information venture through his syndication firm The Content Factory. He joined Entercom as the company was acquiring CBS Radio in late 2017. Read more
It was a solid third quarter from a revenue standpoint — with or without political advertising — for Spanish Broadcasting System, which posted its results Thursday. Overall revenue climbed 7% to $36.3 million, and was up 10% to $36.2 million, excluding political. The Miami-based broadcaster said radio revenue rose 7%, including political, in the quarter, and 10% excluding political to $32.5 million. Read more
Entercom inks a multi-year broadcast extension with the St. Louis Cardinals that will keep “News Radio 1120” KMOX as the flagship radio station of the franchise through the 2024 MLB season. The partnership between the Cardinals and KMOX dates back to 1955. The veteran broadcast team of Mike Shannon, John Rooney, Ricky Horton and Mike Claiborne returns for another season. Read more
Thursday’s fatal shooting at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, CA marked yet another agonizing beachhead in modern-day America’s long, painful fight against gun violence. But for local stations serving the victimized Los Angeles suburb, the tragic mass shooting presented an opportunity for radio to provide immediate, up-to-the-minute coverage of rapidly unfolding events. Read more
Expanding its foray into the fast-growing competitive video gaming space, Beasley Broadcast Group announced late Thursday that it has acquired the Overwatch League’s Houston Outlaws Esports team from Immortals Gaming Club. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Read more
A bill that would revise some of the rules governing how the Emergency Alert System operates made quick advancement this week in Washington. A Senate committee unanimously voted in favor of advancing a bill that would, among other things, require radio and TV stations to repeat alerts issued by the President, rather than limit them to their single airing. It would also create a reporting system for false alerts. Read more
Cumulus Media relaunched country WKHX-FM Atlanta as “New Country 101 Five” with a focus on the station’s Georgia roots. JJ Kincaid is paired with station stalwart Dallas McCade in mornings and Lucas Phelan joins for afternoons. The rebuilt station kicked off with an hour of music exclusively from Georgia country artists. Read more
Urban One CEO Alfred Liggins, Premiere Networks President Julie Talbott and Patrick Communications Founder and Managing Partner Larry Patrick represented the radio industry at the 17th Annual Library of American Broadcasting Foundation’s Giants of Broadcasting & Electronic Arts awards ceremony, held Thursday at New York City’s Gotham Hall. Read more
AdLarge Media hires Dave Boretti as Vice President of Midwest Sales. Boretti joins AdLarge from Podcast One where he was Director of Midwest Sales. Read more
Steve Gradowitz, longtime morning man at Owens Broadcasting country combo KUZZ-AM/FM Bakersfield (550/107.9), will retire Dec. 20 after 33 years with the station. Read more
Glenn Kalina joins Entercom classic hits WOGL Philadelphia (98.1) for mornings alongside Marilyn Russell. The Philly market vet has is best known for his long tenure at iHeartMedia CHR “Q102” WIOQ. Read more
Rik Anthony is named afternoon host at Spoon River Media classic rock “Rock 106.5,” which airs on the La Porte, IN-licensed translator W293DR at 106.5 with programming originating from WLOI (1540). Anthony spent twelve years at Hubbard country WIL-FM St. Louis (92.3). Read more
