Headlines

(By Randy Lane) In a recent discussion, Service Broadcasting Head of Content and syndicated show DeDe in the Morning General Manager, George "Geo" Cook, coined the phrase, “Feelings over Facts.”

(By Mike McVay) The Radio Ink 40 Most Powerful People in Radio issue is a little more than a month away. That realization led me to think about commonalities among successfully programmed radio stations and to share 40 Tips to Program a Great Radio Station.

Steve Harvey and Premiere Networks have worked out a new and extended agreement. The long-term agreement keeps The Steve Harvey Morning Show on the network and he will continue his work on development of new programs, promotions and charitable events.

It’s a piece of proposed legislation that all of radio is keeping an eye on. And now three more members of the House have joined as cosponsors. Adding their support for the Local Radio Freedom Act in the House are Reps. Ted Budd (NC-13), Liz Cheney (WY-AL), and Austin Scott (GA-8). The Act now has 168 cosponsors in the House and 21 in the Senate.

(By Gary Berkowitz) New music is at a low point. Right now is not the time to be aggressive with new, unfamiliar songs in AC radio.

CEO Mary Berner said the company is focused on maximizing the value of Cumulus' great collection of assets, however, she added the company's massive debt continue to be a problem. "Our heavy debt load continues to constrain both our ability to do business in the short-term and achieve our full potential in the long term."

iHeartMedia announced on Friday that it has extended the deadline on an offer to bondholders to exchange $625 million in notes that are due next year. The offer had been set to expire last Thursday night and will now expire at 4 p.m. today.

The NAB Leadership Foundation revealed that award-winning actors, television hosts and a country music star will appear at The 2020 Celebration of Service to America Awards. The program will air on local stations nationwide August 22 and will also be accessible online.

The 30th annual Radio Ink Radio Wayne Awards will be held in Miami at the Radio Masters Sales Summit, September 22 and 23. Every day, up until the show, we'll be highlighting one of our Radio Wayne finalists. Today, we feature Beasley Media General Sales Manager Marta DeLisi. Our awards are sponsored this year by Quu.

Authorities are investigating why the homes of New Hampshire Public Radio News Director Dan Barrick and reporter Lauren Chooljian are being vandalized. One theory is they are being targeted because of their reporting.