News

In addition to being heard on 97.1, Emmis' News-Talker KFTK-FM in St. Louis can now also be heard on FM 98.7 and AM 1490. The additions will increase the reach of KFTK-FM to the extended St. Louis metropolitan region. 1490-AM was Yahoo Sports and FM 98.7 is a brand new frequency on a translator.

Veteran executives Erin Callaghan, Jamie Moffat, Curtis Qualls, and Tina Segerstrom have joined the sales division of tech company Futuri Media. All will hold the title of Account Manager.

No press release to make the announcement, just a tweet from CEO Daniel Ek. “40 is the new 30. Million,” was Ek's post Wednesday night. By comparison in the streaming space, Apple Music has 17 million paying users, Tidal said in June it had about 4.2 million paying subs. Pandora hopes to convert many of its 78 million users to paying subs once it joins the pay-to-play streaming space.

Podcasts are becoming so popular, there's a show going national that helps listeners find new podcasts. Starting October 6, NPR will begin distribution of WAMU-FM's The Big Listen. Hosted by Lauren Ober (pictured), The Big Listen introduces listeners to new podcasts they might have never heard of.

Al Payne has been named as the new PD for 105.1 The Bounce/Detroit’s Throwback Hip Hop and R&B station. Payne most recently served as the Director of Urban Programming at Alpha Media’s WGHL, WGZB, and WMJM in Louisville.

STRATA released its second-quarter survey of advertising agencies on Wednesday, which found that agency budgets remain flat as agencies "see looming headwinds." The advertising agencies in the study report to STRATA that 49% of clients are making “considerable” or “minor” budget cuts, while 31% of budgets will remain flat. On the bright side, programmatic buying is increasing big-time.

Alpha Media, Myrtle Beach makes the change from Star 92.1 (WMYB-FM) to Energy 92.1.The station will now focus on top hits. The station was playing Christmas music 24/7 for the past three days.

Sun Broadcast Group and Signature Networks have entered into a partnership that will bring Signature Network’s 24-hour formats to Sun’s General Market lineup. Signature formats include Classic Rock, Classic Hits, Adult Variety, Classic Country and Mainstream Country with more formats planned for the future.

The amount of money paid to Saudi Arabian student Abdulrahman Alharbi was not released and neither party "admits any fault, wrongdoing or responsibility" as part of the settlement.

Funnyman Tony Roberts is bringing his comedy chops to the Bay Area to co-host The Morning Dream Team with Tony Sco and Kimmie Taylor on KBLX-FM, weekdays, 6-10 a.m. PST.