Headlines

Envision Networks is again partnering with the American Forces Network to air The 100 Greatest Christmas Hits of All Time with Wink Martindale. The show will be provided to more than 400,000 American service men and women, Department of Defense civilians, and their families overseas.

Cumulus has over 440 radio stations and thousands of employees. They will wake up this morning to read that their company has filed for Chapter 11 protection. So what should employees expect moving forward? Yes, you will still receive your paychecks.

First, the court has to approve any bankruptcy plan put in place before it becomes effective. Second, we are told by several financial experts that, while it's still early in this process, it appears there was no deal made with Cumulus' junior lenders, so there still could be a fight ahead.

The avalanche of firings continue for men who've been accused of using their power to act inappropriately toward women. Minnesota Public Radio and parent American Public Media have cut ties with former host of A Prarie Home Companion, Garrison Keillor. Both organizations are investigating a report of "inappropriate behavior" with someone he worked with.

More than $1 million was distributed to broadcasters in need by The broadcasters Foundation in 2017, a record amount. Chairman Dan Mason said what’s even more striking is that there are still broadcasters who need help.

(By John Garziglia) In the Radio Ink 20th-anniversary issue, the article “10 Legal Issues to Watch for in the Next 10 Years” speculated on the challenges radio might face through 2022. This article, five years later for Radio Ink’s 25th anniversary, tries to own up to the failures and misplaced clairvoyance of previous predictions, and naively attempts to again forecast the next 10 years.

(By Laurie Kahn) With the many changes radio has seen over the last 25 years, one thing has remained constant: To be successful, you need to have the right people in place. While it may be getting more challenging to find, hire, engage, and retain the superstars you need, it is still doable with the right tools.

As has been widely reported for the past few weeks, ESPN has let go 150 employees. The sports network has been making cuts to try to keep up with declining revenue due to lost subscribers. It doesn't appear any cuts were made on the radio side. ESPN President John Skipper said the cuts were made in studio production, digital content, and technology.

ASCAP has revealed its top holiday songs for 2017. According to an ASCAP analysis of streaming and terrestrial radio data from Aug. 7, 2017 to Nov. 19, 2017, 1994’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” written by Walter Afanasieff and Mariah Carey, is the number one song of this holiday season. Here's a list of ASCAP's top 25 holiday songs from 2017.

That's what Standard Media Index is reporting. We'll certainly see how that month plays out when companies report earnings in early 2018. At the end of Q3 most companies in radio reported limited visibility, certainly nothing like this type of increase.