As the radio industry looks to regain revenue in the re-opening phase of the pandemic, data is playing a crucial role. Understanding which categories are experiencing increased consumer demand and how radio performs with these purchase intenders is one savvy way to prioritize targets. It involves matching up heavy radio listeners with categories where spending is on the upswing. Read more

A new study from Westwood One and MARU/Matchbox on the subject of brand awareness underscores the boost that’s provided by AM/FM radio. In an analysis of 86 brands, consumers 18+ saw an increase from 19% to 22%, with awareness gains also made nearly across the board: 35-49, 60-64, 65+, men and women. Read more

Every day is a step closer to July 13, 2021 – the date that so-called Franken FMs must go off the air. But the companies that own low-power television stations that program to radio listeners at 87.7 FM have come up with a plan to keep broadcasting. They say testing has shown that adding a “supplementary audio signal” to their new digital TV broadcast could allow them to remain on the radio dial. Read more

More than one of every five podcast advertising revenue dollars comes from shows in the News genre. That is according to the Interactive Advertising Bureau’s annual IAB Podcast Ad Revenue Report. Based on the $708.1 million industry tally for last year, the News category had total revenue of roughly $156 million. Comedy was second, with 17% of podcast industry revenue from shows that make you laugh. Read more

SiriusXM says its Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.01331 per share of common stock. It’s payable in cash on Aug. 31 for stockholders as of the close of business on Aug. 7. The satcaster has also given the green light to another $2 billion of stock buybacks. Meanwhile, the company has appointed Jonelle Procope as a new independent member of its Board of Directors. Read more

A new study by analysts at Bank of America has determined that national restaurant chains have largely survived the economic devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. But for the rest of the industry — notably small chains and independent eateries — it’s a different story altogether. Read more

The fate of a Pennsylvania FM is in doubt after the FCC reversed course on its approved sale of oldies “QZ-93” WQZS, Meyersdale, PA after owner Roger Wahl pleaded guilty this month to charges tied to an alleged sex crime. Wahl had filed to sell the radio station to his daughter. But the FCC says in light of the criminal case, the Media Bureau will now conduct a review to see whether the sale should be allowed – or Wahl should be forced to surrender the license. Read more

The latest evidence that podcast listening habits are returning to normal comes from Libsyn. It has released May listening download data for the more than 69,000 podcasts it hosts, and the numbers show an uptick in mobile downloads as more of America reopens. At the same time, desktop listening ticked lower after a small upturn while stay-at-home orders were in full force in many states. A new in-car opportunity is also developing. Read more

Gow Media’s SB Nation Radio is re-branding as SportsMap Radio Network, effective July 27. Houston-based Gow Media has owned the network for ten years, when it acquired the assets of Sporting News Radio. Through various partnerships, the network has rebranded as Yahoo Sports Network and, for the last four years, as SB Nation Radio. “Strategically, it is important to build our own brand,” CEO David Gow said. Read more

The recently launched 24/7 news source devoted to the Black community, Black Information Network (BIN) recruits acclaimed journalist Roland S. Martin, who will serve as a commentator. Martin will produce custom commentary segments for BIN to be broadcast daily throughout the network’s 24-hour news feed. Additionally, “RolandMartinUnfiltered” will now be carried on the iHeartPodcast Network. Read more