News

(By Bob McCurdy) Does big reach or heavy frequency produce a better ROI? It’s a question that’s been asked for decades. The answer we've uncovered just might surprise you!

(By Jeff McHugh) Across the US, Mexico, and Canada, radio shows use a wide variety of news. Some air in-depth five-minute newscasts twice an hour, while others do quick 45-second updates. We have observed seven things that all great newscasts have in common, regardless of geography, format or style.

(By Ronald Robinson) There are many small- and medium-market radio stations that are doing quite well. They are, I presume, thoroughly engaged in their communities while maintaining worthwhile relationships with local advertisers. Genuine human beings manage many of these organizations. Some have staffs that proudly fly the station’s colors. And yet, they have not begun to realize their own potentials.

Nathan Fast will join KVIL-FM 103.7 (Dallas-Fort Worth) as the station’s new morning host beginning today. Fast joins 103.7 from Southern California, where he was most recently the nighttime host at KHTS-FM in San Diego and a weekend host on KIIS-FM in Los Angeles.

El Cucuy de la Mañana – or just El Cucuy – is one of Spanish radio’s most beloved and successful wake-up media personalities, and he has a new show on Lazer Broadcasting’s “La Mexicana” in Southern California, starting Monday, January 9. El Cucuy is premiering first in Oxnard-Ventura market (KOXR 102.1FM/910AM) for the morning drive, 6 – 9 a.m. Monday through Friday.

San Jose will wake up to a new voice, starting January 17. Bruce Scott joins BAY FM from KOST in Los Angeles. Alpha Media VP of Programming and Bay FM PD Ronnie Stanton said, “It’s very exciting to add Bruce to the refreshed sound of Bay FM. He brings years of experience and a great radio brain to create an upbeat and fun morning show with the greatest hits of all time for the Bay Area."

Mele Apana and Shannon Scott, known as Da Kolohe Krew, reunited earlier in 2016 doing Saturday mornings on KINE Hawaiian 105. But what started as a casual gig has grown into a highly popular show. So now the pair have been rewarded with the 5 a.m.-12 Noon slot, Monday to Friday.

The on-air personalities for Country station KVET FM’s morning program, The Bama, Rob and Heather Show, have a new multi-year agreement to get their Austin listeners entertained. The program broadcasts on weekday mornings from 6 – 10 a.m. CST.

Copyright could be one of radio's biggest issues of 2017. In the fight between Irving Azoff's GMR and the radio industry, two days ago, the RMLC withdrew its motion for a preliminary injunction against GMR. The injunction was withdrawn due the temporary agreement that was announced between the two organizations in late December.

Not only were the months of September, October, and November disappointing to Emmis CEO Jeff Smulyan, the only revenue visibility he provided about 2017 was, "I'd like to be hopeful." That seems to be the norm for radio these days, work hard at grabbing as much revenue as you can and hope for the best at the end of the quarter.