We Need To Fix Our Spots Problem
Ben Downs is responsible for 10 stations in Texas for Bryan Broadcasting, where he's been for 26 years as Vice President and General Manager. When we asked Downs, as part of our Independent Warrior Special Report, what he'd like to see radio doing better, he said radio has three problems that would improve how the world sees the industry. He details them all here but says none of them are easy to fix.
Moody’s Upgrades Entercom
It's been five years since Moody's last changed its rating on Entercom. The investors service has upgraded its rating on the company. Moody's said the upgrades "reflect Entercom's good, free cash-flow generation, allowing for further improvement in credit metrics and improved leverage since Moody's last rating action at the end of 2011." Moody's says Entercom's outlook is stable and expects the company to generate organic revenue growth in FY2016.
Man Spends Hours on KTLA Radio Tower
The L.A. Times has the details about 55-year old man who caused a stretch of Sunset Boulevard to close because he climbed the iconic 160-foot KTLA radio tower late Wednesday. He was eventually coaxed down after being promised a hug from a member of his church. Police took the man into custody for a mental evaluation. Picture courtesy L.A. Times
iHeart Louisville Rocker Moving To HD
Louisville Active Rocker "The Fox WTFX-FM" moves over to 95.7 WQMF HD 2. All the air-staff at WTFX will remain with the station. The Fox launched on 100.5 in 1991. It moved to moved to 93.1 in 2005. See the next story for the new format.
And The Reason The Rocker Gets Moved To HD…
Because iHeart launched"93.1 The Beat - The Ville’s Hip Hop and R&B" in Louisville to compete with Alpha's WGZB-FM (B96.5) which has been in the market for over 20 years. Alpha carries The Rickey Smiley Morning Show while iHeart plans to launch The Beat with 10,000 songs in a row, with mornings anchored by Premiere's The Breakfast Club, featuring DJ Envy, Angela Yee, and Charlamagne Tha God. That show will launch June 13.
Forever Closes Sale of Two Towers
Broker Michael Bergner tells Radio Ink the company led by Kirby Confer and Donald Alt completed the sale of two towers, one in Murray, Kentucky, and one in Bowling Green, Kentucky, to Vertical Bridge Holdings, for somewhere between $1 million and $2 million.
Someone Needs To Step Up And Speak For Radio
That's the advice from Community Broadcasters founder and operating partner Bruce Mittman as we continue our series focused on independent operators. Mittman runs the 10-year-old company with former Pilot Communications executive Jim Leven. Community Broadcasters now owns 44 signals, in Watertown, NY, Ogdensburg, NY, Elmira-Corning, NY, and Olean, NY. They're also in Florence, Sumter, and Orangeburg, South Carolina. Like our other independent operators, we asked Mittman what he believes the radio industry must improve upon in the coming months and years.
Townsquare Q1 Revenue Jumps 6.7%
The company reported performance was solid across all divisions. CEO Steven Price said, "We grew pro forma net revenue 6.7% and saw particular strength in many of our local markets." Local advertising net revenue increased 4.4%, political revenue was $1.4 million in the quarter, and other media and entertainment net revenue increased $3.4 million, or 45.3%, to $11.0 million. Townsquare's other revenue is generated from digital, community fun runs, craft beer events, and community expos. The company's live event business decreased 2.2% due to the timing of specific events.
iHeart Chicago To Salute Doug Banks
iHeartMedia Chicago's 107.5 WGCI-FM, V103, and Inspiration 1390AM will remember syndicated radio star Doug Banks in a "Public Salute" to his life and legacy Saturday morning. The event will be held at the Harold Washington Cultural Center in Chicago and hosted by V103's Joe Soto and Ramonski Luv, and former Doug Banks Show co-hosts DeDe McGuire, DeeDee Renee, and Bonnie DeShong. Banks died in April at the age of 57.
NAB Buys Ad To Thank Congress
The NAB will be running an ad in Capitol Hill newsletters and publications Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday to thank over 250 members of the House and Senate for co-sponsoring the Local Radio Freedom Act. The resolution, which was introduced in Congress in February 2015, has 230 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives and 26 in the Senate.
Our Print Magazine: Radio Ink
Lifetime Leadership Award Honoree Harvey Nagler
The $250 Question: Inflation and Contesting
