Headlines

According to Cumulus CEO Mary Berner, podcasting is now a meaningful contributor to Cumulus' top and bottom lines. She says Cumulus podcasts are now being downloaded 67 million times per month and the profit margin for podcasting is better than some of Cumulus' core business products.

CEO Mary Berner was asked a question about ratings during the company earnings call. During the first part of the answer, Berner said Cumulus has gained back most of the ratings shares that were lost from 2012. It was the second part of her answer that needed a little more analyzing.

Backyard Broadcasting has signed a new multi-year agreement for Nielsen's audio measurement. Backyard, based in Williamsport, owns WILQ-FM, WLMY-FM, WWPA-AM, W267BJ, Williamsport; WZXR-FM, South Williamsport; WCXR-FM, Lewisburg, PA; and WBZD-FM, Muncy, PA.

Blarney Stone Broadcasting and the Detroit Lions Radio Network have agreed on a two-year extension of NFL coverage for WLDR/Traverse City, MI, (FM-101.9). The deal is for all four preseason games in August and all 16 regular-season games starting on Sept. 9.

WCMC-FM/Raleigh, NC, (99.9 The Fan) has added SportsChannel8: The Radio Show to its lineup starting Thursday, August 15. The show will also stream audio/video at WRALsportsfan.com and the WRALsportsfan App.

The Power News Radio Network kicks off its 2019 Black College Football coverage Thursday, August 29, with Black College Football Weekly. BCF Weekly is the longest-running network radio program covering Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Football.

On Wednesday we told you about a story Rolling Stone published regarding Payola. The magazine cited radio and record industry sources who claim the illegal act of paying DJ's money to air songs was still running rampant in radio. After we ran the story, we received an interesting phone call.

Back in May, Entercom CEO David Field sounded optimistic about business in the second quarter. He said the company was pacing in the low single digits. When he gave that assessment, April was already in the books and it finished strong.

Entercom has acquired Cadence13 and Pineapple Street Media. Entercom had a 45% stake in Cadence13 before buying the rest of the company. Nick Quah is reporting that Entercom will pay $18 million for Pineapple and another $50 million for the balance Cadence13.

The Mentoring & Inspiring Women in Radio Group and Nielsen are now accepting applications for the 3rd Annual MIW-Nielsen Music Mentoring Program. This year’s application window, which opened August 7, will close Wednesday, August 21.