News

Speaking at the 2017 Hispanic Radio Conference in Fort Lauderdale, FCC Commissioner Michael O'Rielly advocated for a rule modernization that is sure to get broadcast media companies talking. He wants to get rid of the FCC’s current subcap rules for AM/FM ownership and he brought that topic up again this week in Las Vegas.

Radio Ink Publisher Deborah Parenti announced our cover subject for the upcoming Most Influential Women in Radio issue on June 18. In fact, it was a surprise announcement made in Las Vegas at the NAB show and here's a video of exactly how it went down...

Univision and TED, the nonprofit devoted to ideas worth spreading, have joined forces to launch TED en Español, a podcast that will make Spanish-language TED Talks available for free in audio form. The podcast launches April 26 and will be hosted by Gerry Garbulsky.

Entercom is launching Spanish-language sports station El Zol Deportes on 1580 AM (WJFK-AM) and 107.9 HD-2 (WLZL-FM) in Washington DC. The station will be a mix of locally produced and nationally syndicated sports-talk programming from ESPN Deportes, as well as a full slate of live Spanish-language play-by-play.

Alpha Media, Cameron-Bethany, MO, raised over $15,000 for Camp Quality, a camp for kids battling cancer, during the 33rd Annual Roy Eagan, Sr., Camp Quality Radiothon. The radiothon was held on Wednesday, March 28, with accompanying activities held throughout the week.

(By Gary Krantz) From the 1940s through 1998, WALL-AM was the “go to” station for New York’s Hudson Valley. Yet for almost 20 years, its original home, Middletown, was without live, local programming. That is, until Bud Williamson of Neversink Media Group resurrected the heritage station.

Our thanks to Beth Mann, President and CEO of WKDZ and WHVO in Cadiz, Kentucky for introducing us to Senior AE Cindy Allen Lax (left). Lax is celebrates 25 years with Mann's company and we spoke to her and the owner of Hancock’s Neighborhood Market, Mallory Lawrence, who has built her business using local radio. (Our weekly Advertiser Success Stories are sponsored by Sun & Fun Media).

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai visited Flinn Broadcasting in Memphis late last week specifically to continue his commitment to the preservation and growth of AM Radio. Flinn Broadcasting Owner George Flinn discussed the simplification of radio rules and the continued availability of FM translators as well as exposing the medium to those who may be unfamiliar with AM radio.

According to Digital Trends, Spotify may be working on an in-car controller or even a standalone music player. An announcement may be coming April 24 on the new device, Spotify's first piece of hardware. Some Spotify customers received an announcement regarding the official Spotify Car Player.

(By Bob McCurdy) Competitive advantage is becoming increasingly difficult, not only to achieve but to maintain. This is true in any business, as the time required to neutralize a competitors’ technological breakthroughs, product enhancements, or tactical adjustments is continually shrinking. In sales there are several ways we can go about achieving competitive advantage.