Headlines

Local advertising spending in New York City will exceed $11.5 billion in 2018, spread across TV, cable, direct mail, radio, mobile, and nine other media, according to BIA. Radio's over-the-air piece of that $11.5 billion pie will be $769.7 million, according to BIA. That's down from $780 million in 2017.

BMI says it has once again broken revenue records by generating $1.199 billion for its fiscal year that ended June 30. From that revenue, BMI distributed and administered $1.118 billion in royalties to its songwriters, composers, and publishers, an increase of $95 million (9%). So where did all this new revenue come from?

The big question is who would want to purchase a ratings firm. A Wednesday morning press release states that all options are now on the table regarding the company, "including continuing to operate as a public, independent company; a separation of either Nielsen's Buy or Watch segment; or a sale of the company." Read the full release HERE.

Thanks to Jeff Bentoff for sharing this great community service event the station pulled off. Students at a school assembly received more than 7,000 supplies, including 2,500 crayons and 1,600 pencils thanks to Radio Milwaukee's "No Empty Backpacks" drive which collected more than 50,000 supplies to benefit eight schools.

If you want to get a deal on registration to attend the 50th Anniversary of Country Radio Seminar (CRS 2019), you have until Tuesday, Sept. 18 to get the discounted rate of $549. Starting Sept. 19, the price will increase to $599.

Well, at least for an inning next week. As the Yankees and Red Sox continue their long-standing rivalry, Entercom is adding a twist to next Tuesday’s game at Yankee Stadium.

Continuing our spotlight on how radio is preparing for this massive storm staring down the east coast, today we hear from two more managers who are putting everything possible in place to keep their people safe, stay on the air and provide listeners all the information they'll need if the storm hits their community.

Yesterday, we spoke with Ken Carson from LM Communications in Charleston, SC, about how his stations were preparing for Hurricane Florence. Today, we move up the coast to North Carolina and hear from Curtis Media President and COO Trip Savery about how this monster storm will affect his team. Trip tells Radio Ink Thursday and Friday are the big days.

The Broadcasters Foundation of America is preparing for an influx of emergency grant applications in the wake of Hurricane Florence. Broadcasters whose personal lives or property are affected by Hurricane Florence are encouraged to find out if they quality for an emergency grant.

Broadcast attorney David Oxenford has posted a new blog with very helpful information for stations about to be impacted by Hurricane Florence. He says broadcasters should remember their obligations when it comes to airing emergency information and may also want to consider a few of the benefits the FCC can offer in an emergency. Check out Oxenford's full blog HERE.