News

(By Randy Lane) I was a new PD at Q101 in Chicago in the early ‘80s when I noticed a strange phenomenon. At 3 p.m. all of the radios in the offices switched over to (competitor) WLS-FM to hear Steve and Garry. What was going on with Steve Dahl and Garry Meir to attract so much attention?

(By John Garziglia) With a further relaxation of radio ownership rules, an existing local broadcaster will be put into the position of either being bought out by a large radio group, or watching as its competition is bought out and then competing against a national group that owns all of the other radio stations in the market. Unfettered ownership may help large radio groups compete with Google and Facebook, but to the extent smaller broadcasters do not sell out, it will decimate them.

(By Bob McCurdy) I was speaking last week with a client whom I had not previously met, and right after the introduction pleasantries, her first question was, “OK, so tell me something I don’t know.” We ended up having a productive conversation and I believe, at the end, she bought into the fact that she was not speaking with a chipmunk.

ESPN New York 98.7FM has reached multiyear contract extensions with local radio icons Michael Kay and Don La Greca to continue as host and co-host of the weekday afternoon drive show The Michael Kay Show (3-7 p.m.). They will continue to work alongside Peter Rosenberg.

Federal judges in Los Angeles and New York have ruled that Ed Stolz, owner of KFRH-FM, KREV-FM, and KRCK-FM in California, must pay ASCAP $1.5 million in license fees, costs, attorneys’ fees and statutory damages. ASCAP says Stolz failed to pay ASCAP license fees over several years.

The third annual Hubbard Radio Talent Institute starts this afternoon at Central Washington University with Hubbard CEO Ginny Morris taking the opening session. “Compelling and relatable on-air talent is what separates local radio from all other audio entertainment services. Our investment in the National Radio Talent System at Central Washington University is an extension of Hubbard Radio’s commitment to do our part to nurture and grow the talent pipeline for the industry."

(By Ronald Robinson) Sometimes, especially when the whining from radio’s ownership and management cranks up an extra 10 dB while taking on the tonality of a horse dentist’s drill, radio’s workforce gets ever more agitated and twitchy. Some are slipping fast, going berserk on occasion — without notice.

(By Mark Ramsey) The Star Wars spinoff Solo: A Star Wars Story was a disappointment in terms of ticket sales — but why? Was it Star Wars fatigue that was to blame, or Disney’s mistakes? Tom Asacker and Mark Ramsey dive right in and discuss.

The Interactive Advertising Bureau unveiled the roster for the fourth annual IAB Podcast Upfront which will be held in New York City September 6. The full-day event helps brands and media buyers learn about the latest podcast advertising opportunities from content creators. Here's the roster of companies that will attend...

Paul Corvino (left) has been named Region President for Detroit and Nick Gnau for Philadelphia. Gnau was most recently the Region President for Detroit, where he oversaw Detroit, Grand Rapids, Toledo, and Muskegon. Corvino joins iHeart Detroit from Clear Channel Outdoor Americas, where he was Regional President for the Midwest.