News

The Broadcasters Foundation of America has taken a step towards the future, unveiling a new logo (pictured at left), redesigning its website, and launching new social media sites. It’s all part of a rebranding campaign to make it easier for broadcasters to find help and give back.

In a memo to staff, CBS News VP/Radio Harvey Nagler said this is the "right time to sign off," and that he will be retiring to move into consulting work. His last day at CBS will be January 6. Nagler writes, "I feel very confident that I am leaving our network in the most capable of hands."

Westwood One COO Charles Steinhauer has created a centralized operational group with the changes effective immediately. The company is integrating the Business Operations and Research Teams and, as part of the restructure, the company has promoted Tim Seymour to SVP, Operations.

And Miami’s CHR Top 40 radio station, WFLC / HITS 97.3 has brought her in to soothe those stressed drivers. Kimmy started her radio career at COX Media’s WEDR/99 JAMZ in 2004. She was promoted to Morning Show Co-Host of the DJ Laz Morning Show in August 2014.

The Portland station (KWEE) is bringing in Promotion Director StarChile, On-Air Talent Sara G., and Producer/Mixer DJ Heat. StarChile is a prominent figure on the Portland Hip Hop scene and joins KWEE after a stint with KXJM. Sarah Gilmore is a master socialite of the Portland scene and was Miss Black Oregon 2015. DJ Heat has spent the last six years with WBLK.

Back in September, a judge ruled that fractional licensing is permitted under BMI's anti-trust consent decree. The Department of Justice, which has taken the position that the consent decrees for both BMI and ASCAP require 100 percent licensing, has appealed that Second Circuit decision.

(By Radio Ink Chairman Eric Rhoads) Today, and over the following days, you, the sellers of radio, will be faced with some difficult conditions. No matter who won the election, 50 percent of your customers were going to be depressed and upset, and 50 percent were going to be elated.

BMI President and CEO Mike O'Neill said in a statement he's "not surprised" that the Department of Justice has filed a notice of appeal against a judge's ruling that BMI has the right to engage in fractional licensing of works. He said, "It is unfortunate that the DOJ continues to fight for an interpretation of BMI's consent decree that is at odds with hundreds of thousands of songwriters and composers, the country's two largest performing rights organizations," and more.

Entravision has announced that it will host its third annual "Noche de Locura con Erazno y La Chokolata" on Tuesday, November 15, 2016. The event will take place at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, and will honor Las Vegas declaring November 23 as the official Erazno y La Chokolata Day, and celebrate the show's 13th anniversary.

If, as the leaks suggest, radio’s own Laura Ingraham is appointed to the role of press secretary once Donald Trump assumes the presidency, it will be noteworthy for radio. The conservative talk show host would be only the third woman to hold the position – which dates back to 1929 – and the first since Dana Perino (2007-2009).