Headlines

(By Radio Ink Publisher Deborah Parenti) Last week, Radio Ink ran a series of interviews with radio group owners focusing on deregulation; specifically, what they would like to see the FCC consider when it reviews the ownership caps later this year. As we found out in that series, many of Radio Ink's rank-and-file readers believe lifting current ownership caps will simply give more stations to the bigger groups and nothing will really change.

The company officially filed its financials with the SEC Tuesday after an announcement last week that they'd be coming. Revenue from iHeart's radio division was $744.6 million, down 1.7% from 2017, which was $757.1 million. Excluding political, the radio division was down 2% for the quarter, $739.1 million, compared to $754.6 million in 2017.

Salem Media Group announced on Tuesday that it is selling Christian Contemporary Music Station KGBI, 100.7 FM, in Omaha to the University of Northwestern-St. Paul. Financial details of the deal were not released.

The New York Festivals International Radio Program Awards 2018 finalists have been announced. NYF’s Grand Jury selected 353 finalists from entries submitted from 31 countries worldwide. Winners will be announced on June 18 at the annual awards ceremony at Manhattan Penthouse in New York City.

Retire with Integrity is a new investment show on Envision Networks hosted by Brian Bowen and available to affiliates. Bowen and co-host Tug Cowart tackle an array of financial planning topics.

(By Paul Weyland) I still want to know what I don’t know. I’m crazy for information that would make my life and that of my family better, more luxurious, safer. I like learning things that give me more of a competitive edge in life. And so do most other people, including local direct decision-makers.

On Monday, Urban One, Red Zebra Broadcasting and the Washington Redskins announced that Urban One is purchasing WTEM-AM (The Team 980) from Red Zebra. Urban One has five FM and two AM signals in the DC market already. Urban One has also entered into an agreement with the Redskins to continue carrying all the team's games. 

Mexico Media Reps, a division of Media Access Partners, has formed a radio network in Northern Mexico. The Border Radio Network is comprised of radio stations located within and serving the 10 major Mexican border markets.

Beasley New Jersey’s 105.5 WDHA-FM and 1250 WMTR-AM lent their support to raise funds and build an affordable home for a local veteran during a special Beasley Best Day of Caring Hammer for Heroes event in conjunction with the Morris Habitat for Humanity in Morris County New Jersey.

Listeners of the Christian radio network The Light (based in Asheville, N.C.) donated enough money on May 10 to provide 1,426 women with ultrasounds and faith-based support through the station’s “Heartbeat of Hope” campaign.