Headlines

Bridge Ratings was in Las Vegas at the Consumer Electronic Show this past week where the company conducted five focus groups with the intent of gauging a) podcast consumption patterns among current podcast listeners, and b) if new technology would reduce the friction that has limited podcasting as a reach medium.

Tuesday night at The Ryman in Nashville "The BIG 98" presented Bobby Bones & The Raging Idiots’ Million Dollar Show For St. Jude. Bones' band was joined by country music superstars Craig Campbell, Sam Hunt, Rascal Flatts, Caitlyn Smith, and The Band Perry. The crowd at the Ryman went crazy when Garth Brooks, Brothers Osborne, and Thomas Rhett also took to the stage.

The Palm Beaches’ Real Radio 94.3 partnered with Tito’s Handmade Vodka for the second annual Touchdowns for Charity fundraiser. The season-long program will benefit Florida Atlantic University’s Center for Autism and Related Disabilities.

The 26th Annual Radio Mercury Awards has begun accepting entries for outstanding creative spots, campaigns, and innovative radio work from advertising agencies, radio stations, production companies, colleges, universities, and advertisers.

And it goes on and on. The back-and-forth hate mail between the RMLC and GMR didn't end after Randy Grimmett's backhand slap Tuesday afternoon. RMLC's Ed Christian immediately fired off an e-mail to the RMLC database that included name-calling and more accusations of spreading false information. Is your head spinning yet? The Christian note was short and to the point and here it is...

The number of radio executives attending the annual tech and gadget show in Las Vegas is increasing every year according to our friend Buzz Knight at Beasley Media. In fact, Fred Jacobs took some of those executives on a tour of the massive event this year. Radio Ink spoke to Jacobs about the tour, what new technology will impact the radio industry and what he was most impressed with from the 2017 show. Here's what he had to say.

The San Antonio Express-News is reporting that bondholders have transferred an iHeartMedia lawsuit against them seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in damages from debt default notices last year to federal district court in San Antonio. The suit was being heard in Bexar County state district court where iHeart had won a previous lawsuit.

ICM Partners is a talent agency and Workhouse Media represents many syndicated personalities across all formats. The new partnership states ICM will represent clients of Workhouse Media as content creators and performers in the areas of film, television, publishing, touring, branding, and digital entertainment, while Workhouse Media will represent the interests of ICM Partners’ clients wishing to extend their reach in radio.

Better get your registration for Country Radio Seminar 2017 in! The price increases to $699 on Friday.  Those who have not registered, but are planning to attend, are encouraged to register today at the $599 rate, which is a $100 savings, at www.CountryRadioSeminar.com.

The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation has extended the call for entries for the 42nd annual Gracie Awards to January 18. But it will cost you an extra $50.00 after January 12. The Gracies recognize exemplary programming created by, for, and about women in radio, television, cable and interactive media.