News

In a letter to the Emmis Board of Directors, CEO Jeff Smulyan is making a play to take the company he founded back in 1980, private. His offer is $4.10 per share, which amounts to approximately $46.5 million. He says it's a very fair offer.

It hasn't been a front page news story with the Summer Olympics and the Presidential Election being so prominent in the news lately. However at least 13 people are dead and 40,000 homes damaged because of flooding in Louisiana. The Red Cross calls it the worst disaster since Hurricane Sandy four years ago and estimates damage so far at $30 million.

Vilnord Simon is caught again for operating an unlicensed station at 103.1-FM in North Miami. The Commission says it warned Simon in writing that operation of this unlicensed station was illegal and that continued operation could result in further enforcement action. His repeat offender status has earned him a $15,000 government fine.

On Thursday afternoon, Entercom's Sports Radio WEEI announced that long-time morning personality John Dennis will step away from his co-hosting role immediately. There had been rumors recently that the morning show grind was taking its toll on Dennis. The reason the station gave was so Dennis could address health concerns.

Syndicated morning host Elvis Duran was featured on Foxbusiness.com where he told viewers traditional radio is not going to die. It's going to evolve, he adds, "We are seeing the shift. It’s working in our favor … keep listening. We are always evolving. Evolve with us” Watch the entire Elvis video HERE.

Channel 8 in Des Moines reports that WHO's Jan Mickelson returned Thursday after suffering a stroke in late 2015. Mickelson said he received acupuncture treatment in China that included 2,400 needles. Substitute hosts have been filling his 9-11:30 a.m. show. Mickelson has been with WHO for over 27 years.

In this new partnership, streaming provider StreamGuys will host live streaming, podcasting and monetization services among other options. The goal of the deal is to tighten automation and streaming workflows.

SportsRadio 94WIP in Philadelphia has signed a new agreement with veteran broadcaster and writer Ray Didinger. Other than it being a multi-year deal, no other details were made available. Didinger will continue contributing in several ways to the CBS Philadelphia cluster.

Michele Tafoya will be part of the radio network as an NFL insider for the upcoming football season. Tafoya, a radio and TV sports veteran, will be a featured contributor across NBC Sports Radio programming and will do interviews with affiliated stations.

iHeartmedia's former Mid-Atlantic Region, which consisted of the Washington, DC, Baltimore, and Virginia markets, will be realigned. The DC and Baltimore markets become the new Washington, DC Region and the Virginia markets join the Carolina Region to form the Virginia-Carolina Region. Preacher and Carwile will take new roles.