Headlines

Just days after one of the most contentious elections in history, Radio Ink presents radio host and best-selling author Sean Hannity as Forecast 2017 keynote speaker. Forecast is the only financial conference for the radio industry and could be the most important for you to attend as we head into 2017.

In another attempt to deal with its debt, iHeart is asking senior debtholders to allow the company the flexibility to increase its debt - in the future if it chooses to - by $500 million to $17.3 billion. If the noteholders agree to the increase, they will receive $8.6 million in return. Read the details in an 8K filing iHeart made Tuesday.

That's according to the latest holiday sales forecast from eMarketer. The research firm says total retail sales will increase 3.3% to $884.50 billion and holiday retail e-commerce sales will jump to $94.71 billion.

They were a mainstay on morning radio at WRIF-FM in Detroit for 10 years, but like all hosts, eventually things come to an end. Luckily, these days there's an easy, if not inexpensive way, to stay connected to your listeners and deliver your content.

Radio imaging company Benztown is gearing up to release its third annual List of 50 Biggest Imaging Voices. The list is based on number of radio station affiliates, station size and market. Voice talent can apply for the Benztown 50 from now through October 21, at www.benztown.com/50.

Michael Dudding is the owner and General Manager of Mikadety Radio Corporation on Denison, Iowa, which he purchased in 1993. It's home to KDSN-AM and FM. Dudding is also on Radio Ink's 2016 Best Managers in Radio list, set to be released on October 24th. Those that nominated Dudding for our list said, "he is the licensee of the most successful small-market broadcast operation in the nation." That is high praise for sure. We set out to find out why he's believed to be one of radio's best and here's what we found out.

This American Life host and creator Ira Glass was the keynote speaker at the Public Radio Program Directors conference in Phoenix. He told the PD's in attendance that creating original programming, specifically podcasts, is key if they want to survive.

Michael Savage tells Radio Ink his show was pulled from WABC Monday for "low-rated Hillary supporters," when he started discussing the Democratic nominee's health.

Kim Guthrie's career continues to soar. She's now been promoted to President of Cox Media Group. The former TV news reporter joined the company in 1998 and is currently Executive VP of National Ad Platforms and President of Cox Reps. She'll take over for Bill Hoffman, who's retiring at the end of the year after a 38-year career.

ABC TV in Tampa is reporting that WQYK morning man Dave Mckay died of a cocaine overdose. The 55-year-old was found dead in his St. Petersburg apartment on August 4 when he did not show up for work. The Medical Examiner's report also showed alcohol and cardiovascular disease contributed to his death, according to ABC.