Headlines

Larry Wilson is Radio Ink Magazine's Radio Executive of The Year. The issue, in which Wilson appears on the cover, is out this week. The Alpha Media CEO is in the midst of creating his second large radio company, which will consist of 252 stations in 54 markets once the deal with Digity closes (which is expected soon). His first big company was, of course, Citadel which he sold to Forstmann Little back in 2001 for $1.2 Billion. Wilson and his team created a culture in radio that many people loved to work for at Citadel and that has carried over to Alpha. Here's an excerpt from our cover story with Wilson where we ask him to tell us why people love to work for him.

As radio's largest company deals with over $20 billion in debt, it is now in a battle with some of its lenders. iHeartMedia filed a lawsuit Monday to affirm it has the right to contribute stock to a subsidiary called Broader Media. That lawsuit was then followed by default notices from some of its lenders. iHeart is asking for a temporary restraining order that would prevent the holders from declaring their debt due and payable immediately.

And that includes keeping Ronn Owens in his original timeslot (minus one hour) and not moving him to KSFO. Cumulus says the change in plans was due to "listener outcry."

Haven’t you had it with sneaky little advertising agencies snapping up your local direct accounts? You know, those people who used to work for your station, but now they have their own “advertising agency”? The ones who go to your clients and tell them they can buy commercials on your station for less than the client would pay if they dealt with you directly?

(By Loyd Ford) Often I tell clients about the most amazing social media book ever written. We might be talking about ratings or strategic direct mail or telemarketing campaigns or even their direct social media campaigns. This book is good for a lot of people

iHeartMedia's Thea Mitchem is kicking you-know-what and taking names in a world dominated by men: programming radio stations. Mitchem is iHeart's Executive Vice President of Programming for the Northeast Division, and Program Director for the influential Power 105.1 in New York City. She's been in radio for 21 years, programming for 15. Mitchem will appear on Radio Ink's 2016 Best Program Directors in America list, which comes out on May 9.

(by John Garziglia) This Thursday, the FCC is voting on extending online local public file requirements to radio. As you may recall, several years ago, television stations were required to convert over to an FCC web-based local public file for most local public file materials. So, what does all of this mean for you?

(by John Garziglia) A week ago Friday, on January 29, a small but significant slice of broadcast station owners, engineers, and lawyers went wild, filing some 416 or so FM translator modification applications on Day 1 of the 250-mile move filing window.

Is there a battle brewing among AM broadcasters thanks to The FCC? Those struggling to survive want the FCC to give them every opportunity to make a comeback in this era of intense competition for both ears and ad dollars. Broadcasters who are now running some of the most successful radio brands may have to pay the price for the little guys to have a chance to thrive again. At least that's what the FCC has up its sleeve.

(by Wayne Ens) I’m angry at radio’s resolve to take a back seat to digital. While I don’t deny the powerful role of digital in marketing, digital budgets should be coming from print, direct mail, and yellow pages, not from radio. In fact, radio should be perfectly positioned for revenue increases.