News

Scripps owned KTI Country in Milwaukee has hired Shane to host Afternoon Drive. He joins the New Country station from CBS Radio’s Amp 101.9 (WJHM) Orlando, where he hosted nights.

Alpha Media Louisville has hired Jessica Taylor as the new Director of Urban Promotions for WGHL, WGZB, and WMJM. She replaces 15-year vet, Valerie Sickles, who was promoted to be Alpha Media’s Corporate Marketing Manager.

NewsTalk 1260 WFTW has signed longtime local broadcast personality Rob Brown to host mornings as of January 11. Brown comes to the Cumulus station from local ABC affiliate WEAR-TV.

jacapps says the company's V4 app platform will begin offering support for, and integration of, Google's Android Auto, the connected-car extension to its Android smartphone platform. The new functionality will be available as part of jācapps' App Everywhere product and will enable Android smartphone users with an Android Auto-enabled car to access apps, including radio stations, from their car's infotainment system, and to use voice commands.

LaMusica, MegaTV, and the top-rated radio stations owned by Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. in South Florida – El Nuevo Zol 106.7 FM, La Nueva I95.7FM, Z92.3FM – are giving away more than 1,000 toys to their viewers and listeners

Calling it the "All New 102.7 The Beach," Entercom is relaunching its classic hits station in South Florida. The station will now feature artists such as Pet Shop Boys, Madonna, Duran Duran, Prince, Blondie, Guns and Roses, and others. The station has been playing some form of classic hits for over 25 years, with some songs as far back as the '50s and '60s.

The new format is called “FUN 96.9 FM (KQOB), it's a rock-leaning Classic Hits format featuring a mix of pop and rock hits from the `60s, `70s, and `80’s. Artists now being heard on the station include: The Eagles, Doobie Brothers, Steve Miller, Fleetwood Mac, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, and Journey.

Cumulus in New York also announced that Mike Allan, Music Coordinator for WPLJ, has been promoted to APD at NASH-FM and WPLJ. Meanwhile, Melony Torres (pictured), former Assistant Program Director/Music Director/Middays Host for WRQX in Washington, D.C., is moving to New York to become Late Night Host for 95.5 WPLJ.

It's astonishing to think of how much has changed since attending my first CES in 2008. Our society has become attached to mobile devices, which has created good/bad outcomes and opportunities for many industries (including ours).

Alpha CEO Larry Wilson has been named Radio Ink's Radio Executive of The Year and will appear on the cover of the upcoming issue of Radio Ink magazine. Wilson dominated the past year in terms of the number of stations purchased and has quickly grown his company to the fourth-largest in the industry in terms of stations, behind iHeart, Cumulus and Townsquare. Upon the successful completion of all pending transactions, Alpha Media will own 252 radio stations in 54 markets. The big question now is what's next for Wilson and Alpha? Does he try to go public or wait and operate for awhile until the industry stabilizes? Here's an excerpt from our upcoming cover story interview.