News

(By Deborah Parenti) It was supposed to be a year of reflection and anticipation. Reflection, as we are inclined to do at historic moments, on the 100-year anniversary of radio. Anticipation, as to what its future holds. 

Santa Monica public station KCRW-FM is eliminating 28 jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The station is expecting a 30% reduction in its operating budget due to a big drop in corporate sponsorships.

Two days after Minnesota Public Radio’s Marianne Combs quit her 23-year job, after accusing management of covering for a DJ at sister station The Current, that DJ Eric Malmberg was fired.

The radio industry loves conferences. For decades radio conferences have been a great way to get a few days of relief from the stress of hitting budgets, improve skills, network and meet up with old colleagues. When will the time be right to send an employee out the door, on a plane and into another city?

The staff at Sun Broadcasting's 93X were called in at 11AM and notified they were no longer needed as the station flipped to Trump Country. There are already two country stations in the market (iHeart and Renda). Sun is using a Trump impersonator as its announcer for now. LISTEN

Dakota Woods is the new Townsquare Market Manager in Lawton, Oklahoma. Prior to re-joining Townsquare, Woods was LSM and Digital Sales Manager for Gray Television (KSWO) in Lawton. Previously he worked in sales for Townsquare in Lawton.

The new launch covers the U.S., U.K., Germany, and Japan without any additional cost to users. Customers will be able to stream familiar shows and originals produced exclusively for Amazon Music.

Premiere Networks and Bobby Bones have launched a new iHeartRadio original podcast called Too Much To Say with Kalie Shorr, which will be distributed by Bones’ Nashville Podcast Network. 

Power 93.5 (KDGS-FM) morning co-host Greg "The Hitman" Williams is expected to be back on the air soon. He was recently released from the hospital where he battled COVID-19 and pneumonia.

National Association of Broadcasters innovation initiative PILOT, is continuing its Media Technology and Innovation Scholarships program. Up to four more $2,500 scholarships will be offered in 2021.