News

When was the last time a listener mailed you a letter about your programming? When was the last time a listener came to your radio station and asked to see your public file? It's probably been awhile. You are well aware that the FCC still requires you to keep all correspondence from the listening public in a paper file. Did you know that rule is now over 40 years old?

Slacker Radio unveiled a new version of its app that gives top billing to Slacker's exclusive original shows. With hundreds of episodes now available, Slacker is building an archive of content based on interactive storytelling from its hosts and top artists.

In a letter to staff, Wednesday, ABC Radio VP and GM Steve Jones announced that veteran political reporter Ann Compton will be on convention duty this summer. Compton is being brought in to cover both the Democratic and Republican conventions. She has 41 years’ experience covering the White House.

The station in Kerrville, Texas, which is about 65 miles from San Antonio, is owned by the Ranch Radio Group. Police say 52-year-old KRNH employee Sherry Ruth Francis was killed in a random act of violence in the station parking lot.

Merle Haggard lives on. This Memorial Day weekend The Country Oldies Show will be honoring the life and legacy of legendary musician Merle Haggard, and over 100 stations around the country will be carrying the broadcast. The weekly radio show, hosted by veteran personality Steve Warren, will feature Haggard’s biggest hits along with stories and memories of his life.

The 41st annual Gracies Gala was held last night in Los Angeles. The awards program celebrates contributions by and about women in all forms of media. ABC Radio's Cheri Preston was one of the award recipients for a report called "Paris Under Attack. Pictured here from the event: Entravision's Angie Balderas, Radio Ink Publisher Deborah Parenti, Preston and Jason Bailey and Kristofor Sentel from The Sun Broadcast Group

Judge Stryker (pictured) couldn't have made it more clear that the transfer iHeart made of 100 million shares of Clear Channel Outdoor to Broader Media was allowed based on the evidence she heard last week. She said this ruling was necessary to "prevent imminent and irreparable harm to iHeart."

And this elegant cover features a great success story of the team that makes up the leadership at AdLarge Media, Cathy Csukas and Gary Schonfeld. Having worked together at MediaAmerica, Jones MediaAmerica and Westwood One, Csukas and Schonfeld sketched out their business plan and launched in 2011. Read the entire cover story HERE

Advertising Age has the details about the massive "buy with dozens of partners, the largest of which is Google." The campaign will include premium digital video, mobile video, and high-impact placements that show up in prominent spots on Web pages, some of which are in Spanish-language media.

A company called Podtrac is now releasing a monthly ranking of podcasts based on unique monthly audience in the United States and unique downloads globally. NPR's 32 podcasts topped the April ranker.