Headlines

The Mighty 1290 KOIL in Omaha has changed its name to News Talk 1290 to go along with other recent lineup changes in 2016. In January, News Talk 1290 replaced Bob Bruce, who returned to KXEL, with Matt Tompkins weekdays 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Tompkins has years of talk radio experience in Omaha and as a nationally syndicated host on Sirius XM. Sean Hannity has recently returned, leading into Mark Levin in afternoon drive.

This is Part 2 of our interview (read Part 1 HERE) with Randy Michaels. Michaels is a radio encyclopedia, and that includes understanding the history and, perhaps, the future of the AM band. We asked him to give us his opinion on the FCC's plan to let smaller AM stations maintain power at night, which will lead to interference with the larger class A clear channels. He says the band is doomed.

According to the Radio Advertising Bureau, 2015 ad revenue declined 1%, from 2014. Spot revenue was down 3%, network revenue was up 1%, digital was up 5%, and off-air revenue gained 11%. Off-air sales now represent nearly 12% of radio's total revenue.

Professional Services and Health Care were radio's biggest category gainers in 2015, up 9% and 5% respectively. So which advertisers turned to radio more in 2015? Let's take a closer look.

The Radio Ink Hispanic Radio Conference is coming up fast — March 22-23 in Fort Lauderdales — and early-bird registration ends TODAY, March 4. Don't miss your chance to save $200 on registration for this invaluable conference.

Doctors are still unsure what happened to WFSU-FM (Tallahassee) Morning Edition host Ronald Ebben. The Tallahassee Democrat reported Ebben suffered a medical episode while on the air Thursday morning. Listeners reported Ebben had a difficult time forming words, there was then silence followed by music and a National Public Radio feed.

(By Roy Williams) What is the age range of snowboarders? What is the income range of people who do yoga? What is the age and income range of Carolina Panthers football fans? What is the age and income range of Republicans?

(By Wayne Ens) Ad dollars are tight but if you do your homework you can still bring home bacon. Here are 40 tips to help you do just that.

(By Ron Robinson) Unlike so many corporate producers of packaged foods, radio is not knowingly attempting to make consumers fat, sick, and crazy. Radio, however, does depend on consumer gullibility and ignorance to maintain its position as the number-five major media provider. Consumers, meanwhile, are waking up to how they are being skewered by any number of corporate and government organizations.

In 2015, our top five Program Directors were Chris Conley from WLTW at #1, WCBS-FM's Jim Ryan at #2, Kevin Weatherly at KROQ in Los Angeles in the third position, WBLS' Skip Dillard at #4, and WBZ/WZLX Boston PD Mike Thomas. Who will be the best in the programming department this year? Submit your detailed nomination HERE. YOUR DEADLINE TO NOMINATE IS TODAY.