News

New FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has been one of the biggest proponents of AM radio. However, former FCC Chairman Wheeler didn't seem to have the same level of passion for saving the old frequency, so much of what Pai wanted to get done to help AM broadcasters simply fell by the wayside.

On Thursday, SiriusXM reported Q4 2016 revenue and revenue for the full year. Q4 revenue was a record $1.3 billion, up 9% over 2015, and for the full year revenue was $5.0 billion, up 10% over 2015.

Thursday, Feb. 9 is the deadline to enter the prestigious 2017 Edward R. Murrow Awards. Early bird rates end Friday, February 3, after which the full rate will apply. The entry prices shown online will switch over to the full rate after Friday.

Fox8.com is reporting that former Cleveland radio personality Joseph Spooner has been sentenced for profiting from a fundraiser intended for a woman with cystic fibrosis. It’s a story Radio Ink began covering in late December, and it hasn’t ended well for Spooner.

After a radio career spanning four decades, Bob Benson died on Sunday, January 29. He was 74. Benson got his start in radio in high school and spent many years of his career with ABC.

The established, married morning show stars Chadd & Kristi debut at their new digs on Monday, February 6. The program will air 5 a.m.–10 a.m., Monday through Friday. Beasley Media Group Tampa kicked off the new Mainstream Adult Contemporary station with 10,000 songs in a row, on January 5.

The programming and on-air veteran is the new Assistant Program Director and Afternoon Drive Host for Classic Hip Hop station, 105 the Vibe/WGVX-FM in Minneapolis, MN. His show debuted on Monday, January 30, 2017, and airs weekdays from 4 p.m.-7 p.m.

Lars Larson of Alpha's FM News 101 KXL in Portland was the first Skype caller to ask a question during a White House briefing. When President Trump took over, The White House said four reporters would be chosen for “Skype Seats,” aimed at allowing hosts outside Washington to participate in the briefings. Last night, we spoke to Larson about the call.

Even the U.S. government gets hacked these days, so it's not inconceivable that your station might somehow be hacked. Just ask Lake Keowee Broadcasting President Frank Patterson. His station in Salem, SC was hacked and an obscene song about the President was played for 20 minutes. If this happens to you, and a listener complains, are you liable? We turn to Broadcast Attorney John Garziglia for the answer.

The Radio One Compensation Committee agreed to pay out bonuses to several Radio One executives for their performance in 2016. CEO Alfred Liggins will receive $1.25 million and founder Cathy Hughes receives $500,000, which represents a 100% payout of their bonus potential. Who else did and didn't get bonuses?