News

The 29th Annual National Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held last week in Chicago. It was hosted by Dave Ramsey who told the crowd “We’re sitting in the midst of greatness tonight.” The inductees were Tom Barnard, Bobby Bones, Joe Field, Bill Handel, Sean Hannity, John Landecker, Robin Quivers, and Bob Sievers.

Gen Media Partners has hired Chuck Bortnick to the newly created position of Senior VP, Integrated Platforms. Bortnick will help GMP grow revenue across all of its platforms -- national, network, digital, and out-of-home. Most recently, Bortnick operated his own business intermediary/brokerage firm.

Hot AC WBQB (B101.5) broadcast the 4th Annual Careathon to benefit Children’s National Health System, October 26 and 27, live at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC. During the 28-hour event, B101.5 listeners and sponsors pledged $131,543, exceeding last year’s $118.386.50 total.

It’s criminal that the richest country in history still has a severe hunger problem. But not everybody is taking it lying down. WhyHunger's Hungerthon tradition kicks off Thursday, after a record-breaking year raising $1.1 million to help end hunger in America. And radio is well represented.

Craig Carton has listed his New Jersey mansion for $2.4 million. Carton resigned from the highly rated Boomer & Carton show last month after the feds accused him of being part of a ponzi scheme to pay off millions in gambling debts.

(By Jeff McHugh) The FCC just eliminated the main studio rule. Look for more local studios to close and for more layoffs among local programming staff in the coming year. Change will also create opportunity for talented performers. Here are some ideas to consider...

(By Ronald Robinson) The most recent (cynical) FCC ruling paved the way for broadcasters to literally abandon their local communities and move their facilities to a central location – so far out of town that even a robust carrier pigeon might not make it back to headquarters with an emergency message.

(By Bob McCurdy) I came across an article written by Shelly Palmer, a well-respected marketing and technology maven. It got me thinking. Hoping it will do the same to you. Palmer’s article put forward a lot of ideas about the future -- which caused me to raise questions relevant to our careers.

CBS Radio Chicago has appointed Brian Peck to the midday slot beginning Monday, November 6. He will be heard from 10 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. on WJMK, 104.3 “K-Hits.” Current midday personality Jeffrey T. Mason will move to the new afternoon drive slot of 2:30-7 p.m. following the departure of six-year host Gary Spears.

The two companies announced Thursday that Alpha Media stations in 50 markets have begun rolling out on the iHeartRadio app.