Headlines

The Independent Broadcasters Association has created a new link on its website for anyone that has lost their job in this year filled with COVID related cutbacks. There is now a talent available link on the IBA website, and it will be free an open to everyone.

Westwood One is serving up a four-hour program for Thanksgiving weekend called “A Thanksgiving Weekend Celebration.” The host will be reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year and multi-platinum artist Thomas Rhett. 

B101.1 (WBEB-FM) in Philadelphia has switched to an all-holiday music format. The station will return to its regular adult contemporary format on December 28.

Entercom has flipped WTVR-FM Mix 98.1 in Richmond to a holiday music format. Market Manager Bennett Zier said, “As Richmond’s original holiday station for over two decades, we’re ready to kick off the season with our community.”

Sunny 106.3 (WJPT-FM ) has rebranded for the holidays as "Southwest Florida’s Official Ultimate Christmas Music Station!" Holiday classics will air until 11:59 PM on Christmas Day.

ESPN Chicago and the Chicago White Sox have signed a multiyear agreement naming ESPN 1000 as the team’s flagship radio station. WGN had been the broadcast home of the team in recent years.

With 2019 revenue at $69.8 million (according to a BIA press release), the Hubbard all-news station in Washington, DC held on to its title as the number one billing radio station in America. iHeartMedia grabbed the next four spots.

Matt Britton, Millennial, Gen Z, and Consumer Trends Expert is returning to Radio Ink's Forecast LIVE. Matt's Keynote presentation will be part of 2020 event, which is now less than one month away.

Popular ESPN host Dan Le Batard said on his radio show that he was "blindsided" when his producer Chris Cote was fired during another round of company layoffs. He called it the greatest disrespect of his career and says he will bring Coat back and pay his salary out of his own pocket.

“Selling air” has always been a battle when your biggest competitors have visuals to show off or data to brag about. Throw in COVID-19, and 2020 may go down as the toughest year to sell radio yet. We turned to several of our 2020 Radio Wayne finalists and asked them what their biggest challenges were (outside of COVID-19) and how they overcame them.