News

It's a given: More and more listeners are making user-friendly personal smart speakers (Amazon's Alexa devices, Google Home, etc.) their first choice for audio. Can the industry capitalize on this to expand radio's reach? We are going to answer that question in 14 days.

There's a national campaign to fire iHeartMedia host Bill Handel. The KFI Los Angeles host is being targeted for calling U.S. Rep. Frederica S. Wilson a whore. The group Color of Change is coming after the host. The group has 1.2 million members and has started a petition asking iHeart to fire the host.

The NAB will host a Webcast, Wednesday at 2 p.m., called "Broadcasting in the Age of Alexa: Discovering Opportunities on Voice Platforms." The moderator will be NAB Technology Education and Outreach Senior Director Brian Savoie. The webcast is free for NAB members and $99 for non-members.

Cumulus' WKIM-FM in Memphis is the first station (that we've heard from) that has flipped to holiday music. With Christmas still 54 days away, the station is now called Christmas 98.9 and playing holiday favorites.

Beasley's Oldies 94.7 HD2 in Detroit began airing Christmas music at midnight November 1, making it the second station (that we've heard from) to kick off the holiday season. PD Jerry Tarrants said, “We’re interrupting our normal HD2 programming, which features great oldies’ stars like Elvis and the Beach Boys to bring listeners the very best Christmas music experience."

The previous format at 105.3 in Norfolk was CHR. Market President Angel Brown said, “The opportunity to launch a station like ALT 105.3 in the number one radio company in the country in Hampton Roads is beyond exciting. By analyzing song requests, digital streaming, downloads, and talking to our listeners, we know the area is passionate about Alternative Rock."

ESPN Films’ 30 for 30 podcasts return for a second season, Tuesday, November 14, with five all-new audio documentaries. There will be a new episode every Tuesday, through December 12. Here are the details on the five new episodes.

FOX News Radio will debut The FOX News Rundown, a news-based daily podcast, on Wednesday, November 1. Airing Monday through Friday each week, co-hosts Dave Anthony, Lisa Brady, and Jessica Rosenthal will take listeners behind the headlines.

Next Tuesday we get our first look at Townsquare earnings since the company made major management changes. This month, founder Steven Price transitioned out of the CEO Chair to become Executive Chairman of The Board and Bill Wilson and Dhruv Prasad were promoted to Co-CEO's. The company reports Q3 earnings next Tuesday at 8AM. Saga CEO Ed Christian checks in with his numbers next Tuesday at 11AM. This corrects our Tuesday story that reported these earnings were coming out yesterday.

The veteran media research executive will work closely with Fred and Paul Jacobs to lead the company’s expanding research initiatives in radio, digital media, and beyond. Hollins has spent the entirety of his career in media with Edison Research, including serving nearly 12 years as vice president.