News

The final paperwork continues for Cumulus to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy and erase half of its $2 billion in debt. A 148 page document has been file by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Shelley Chapman confirming Cumulus' reorganization plan.

We reported early this week that long-time broadcaster Dex Allen passed away over the weekend. Services for Allen will be held on Wednesday, May 23, at 11AM at the Village Church in Rancho Sante Fe, CA. Donations in Dex's memory can be made to: The Broadcasters Foundation and Veterans Organization Honor Flight.

That's the big question being debated by NAB members as they try to come up with a plan to present to the FCC as part of the Commission's Quadrennial review. With a very friendly FCC, this may be a rare opportunity for radio to get exactly what it asks for -- if it's united, that is -- and we understand the industry has at least one big player who doesn't want any more deregulation.

Total U.S. digital ad spend reached a record-setting $88 billion in 2017. That's according to the latest Internet Advertising Bureau's latest revenue report released Thursday. That increase represents a 21 percent jump over 2016 ($72.5 billion). It marks the first time digital ad revenues have overtaken television (broadcast and cable combined).

Katz Media Group has appointed Stacey Schulman to Chief Marketing Officer where she will lead a team across both Katz Radio Group and Katz Television Group, responsible for marketing strategy and insights for Katz’s 14 regional offices. Those offices serve over 3,300 radio stations and 800 TV stations.

Steve Giannini is the new GSM at Riviera Broadcasting in Phoenix for Hot 97.5 (KMVA-FM), Power 98.3 (KKFR-FM), and 95.1 The Oasis (KOAI). Previously, he was the GSM at Salem Media Group (KKNT, KPXQ, and KXXT) in Phoenix.

At the tail end of his Thursday morning earnings call, Emmis CEO Jeff Smulyan said now that his company's debt is "close to zero," he'll be looking at a lot of different things, and not necessarily radio. So what's in Smulyan's future?

In Washington, DC, Emily Sklar has been named the new on-air personality for Hot 99.5’s The Kane Show, effective Monday, May 14. Sklar will be on-air weeknights, 7 p.m.–12 a.m.

On Thursday, the FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to streamline FM translator interference complaints. Because they are secondary stations, any interference caused by a translator needs to be taken care of by the owner of that translator or shut it down. Because the FCC has opened the floodgates for translators, there's been a rise in complaints.

Nikki Blades has been named co-host of The Morning Block Party on Top 40/Rhythmic station KWIN-FM in Stockton-Modesto, CA. Blades joins co-host Lucas, weekdays 6-10 a.m., moving to mornings from the midday slot.