Headlines

Media Monitors released its update on the primary election that will be taking place in South Carolina. They have been tracking the political radio spots in Greenville-Spartanburg, Columbia, and Charleston, South Carolina as the focus markets. All the data is from January 1 to February 7, 2016.

Andrew Jeffries, Steve Geofferies, Tony Coles, Thea Mitchem, and Meg Stevens­ are moving up at iHeartMedia, with all taking the title of Division EVP/Programming for the iHeartMedia National Programming Group. They all formerly held the title of SVP of Programming. A sixth division EVPP is already in place, Gene Romano, and all six report to iHeartMedia National Programming Group EVP/GM Brad Hardin.

Last week we told you about the impressive growth of SiriusXM's paid subscriber base when the company reported Q4 2015 earnings. Tuesday afternoon, at the Country Radio Seminar, Edison Research made a presentation that broke down exactly what some of those subscribers actually listened to in their automobiles.

Alpha Media, Peoria’s 104.9 The Wolf (WXCL) announced that John and Jaymie’s St. Jude Radiothon raised $64,881 and brought in 127 new Partners In Hope. This was the 26th year of John and Jaymie’s Radiothon for St. Jude.

He said they are not cute, harmless, or in any way useful. FCC Commissioner Michael O'Rielly told a group of radio executives at CRS Tuesday that pirate radio operators are an attack on the integrity of the airwaves. "An attack that must be confronted and defeated on no uncertain terms, lest it continue to push forward." O'Rielly said his office has nearly completed a new policy with enforcement goals to take down pirates all across the country.

Those are the words of FCC Commissioner Michael O'Rielly responding to a question about the FCC's review of the 1996 Telecom Act. Originally, Congress mandated the Commission review the Act every two years. That was revised to every four years to give the Commission some breathing room. The Commission hasn't even been able to meet the four-year goal and O'Rielly says that distresses him.

SONY Music Nashville and Radio Ink magazine honored the 2016 Radio Ink Top 30 Program Directors in Country Radio Tuesday night at an event in Nashville hosted by SONY. Cox Media Group's Johnny Chiang (KKBQ-FM/Houston) was voted the number one Country PD in America.

"I will always believe it starts with you guys, playing our music -- getting it out to the fans." Luke Bryan on what Country radio means to him just before playing at the Ryman Tuesday afternoon at the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville.

Midwest Communications has agreed to buy the assets of WNFN-FM/Nashville from Joule Broadcasting. Top 40 "I-106" is licensed to Millersville, TN. Midwest President/CEO Duke Wright said, "We love Nashville and are delighted to be able to add WNFN to our growing Midwest Family. We have enjoyed measurable success since entering the Nashville Market and have no doubt that WNFN will be a terrific complement to our existing radio brands, WJXA and WCJK."

Alejandro Nieto Molina, who was just appointed SVP and GM of Univision Radio in late January, died suddenly of a heart attack at age 48. Univision EVP/Technology, Operations, and Engineering John Eck, who is also the company's chief local media officer, said in a statement, "We are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden loss of our colleague. He was new to the Univision family, but many of us knew and respected him. His family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers."