Headlines

One of the reasons CBS stations have under-performed is the lack of research being done at the stations, according to Entercom CEO David Field. This news comes from Strata on Friday. All 117 CBS stations are now available in the Strata software system. This means that these soon-to-be Entercom stations will be available to advertising agencies utilizing Strata.

(Bob McCurdy) As the advertising landscape becomes increasingly complex, it is critical that we elevate our marketing acumen. Here are three articles we all should be familiar with which reinforce the importance of reach and the idea of there being no such thing as a “wasted” ad impression.

This is the most important event of the year....if you want your 2018 to be a success that is. Forecast 2018 is only 48 hours away. If you're attending, you'll be hearing from, and rubbing elbows with, the smartest minds who'll be sharing all of their knowledge to make 2018 your best year ever. Here's exactly who will be in attendance at The Harvard Club in New York City Wednesday.

(By Jeff McHugh) U.S. radio ad revenue is flat at best, some companies are losing money, and 2018 could be another tough year. Today’s successful on-air talent is stepping up the initiative in assisting the sales team in securing advertising sponsorships.  

This is the 16th consecutive year that KOST-FM has provided holiday music to Southern California. KOST Program Director John Peake said, “During the 2016 Holiday Season, KOST 103.5 averaged more than 5.2 million listeners weekly, making KOST one of the most listened to radio stations in the country during that period.”

Christmas Music in now playing on MAJIC 95.1 (WAJI-FM) in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The station also sponsors the city’s Holiday Fest, featuring the “Night of Lights” where the community lights up Downtown Fort Wayne with the Santa and his reindeer. 2017 is the 30th Anniversary of the event.

Those are words we haven't heard up until now, from Cumulus CEO Mary Berner and CFO John Abbot, but they are hardly unexpected, as the company negotiates with lenders to try pull the company out from under $2 Billion of debt.

The decline in Q3 revenue is being blamed on a soft advertising environment and political comps. Over 70% of Cumulus' revenue comes from its radio stations which saw revenue drop from $206.1 million in Q3 2016 to $202.9 million in Q3 this year. Excluding political, radio was down 1.2%. Cumulus took in $9 million of political advertising in 2016.

As expected, The FCC has issued its order approving Entercom's deal to merge with CBS Radio. It has done so with conditions that Entercom divest stations, which the company is already in the process of doing. Entercom has a special shareholder meeting planned for Wednesday to seal this deal.

In a press release following the Entercom/CBS merger approval by The FCC, Entercom CEO David Field says the company is energized and excited by the announcement. "The Commission’s approval marks a significant milestone on our path toward completing the transformational combination of Entercom and CBS Radio."