CBA Names Station of the Year Winners at Denver Gala
The Colorado Broadcasters Association (CBA) held its Awards of Excellence Gala in Denver, drawing over 400 industry professionals and a record 546 radio entries. Station of the Year honors were awarded across four market tiers, with Eagle Country 104.1 (KBVC) winning Small Market, Krystal 93 (KYSL) Medium Market, 98.9 Magic FM (KKMG) Major Market, and Colorado Public Radio’s KCFR taking Metro Market. CBA President Justin Sasso highlighted trust as the sector’s core asset and cited recent bipartisan support for the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act. The event also recognized emerging talent through Future Broadcaster Awards for students from Rampart High School and Colorado State University.
Vince Richards Rocks Back Into PD Role With iHeart Dallas
iHeartMedia Dallas has appointed veteran programmer Vince Richards as Program Director for 97.1 The Eagle (KEGL) and Lone Star 92.5 (KZPS). Richards leaves Audacy after an eight‑year stint, bringing a 30‑year broadcast résumé that spans DFW, Sacramento, Kansas City, New Orleans and...
KISR Kisses 93.7 Goodbye For New Home Frequency In Arkansas
After 55 years on 93.7 MHz, Baker Media’s KISR will relocate to 93.1 MHz in Fort Smith this summer, pending FCC approval. The move follows Pearson Broadcasting’s purchase of the 93.7 frequency to expand ESPN Arkansas’s sports‑talk network. KISR will also broaden its...
Lee Rayburn Taking Over WPR Middays From Larry Meiller
Larry Meiller will step down after more than 13,000 broadcasts, ending his tenure on Wisconsin Public Radio’s midday call‑in show at the end of June. Lee Rayburn, a Madison native who joined WPR in 2019, will take over the multi‑topic...
CURRENT ISSUE: April 13, 2026
Radio Ink’s April 13, 2026 issue spotlights MediaCo CRO Brian Fisher in its cover story, exploring his strategic vision for the company. The issue also publishes the annual Radio’s Top 20 Leaders 2026 list, ranking the most influential radio executives....
Breck Kinsey Adds Weekends at Saginaw’s Core
Radio host Breck Kinsey, known for her midday show on Connoisseur Media’s country station 94.5 The Moose (WCEN), will also host Saturday and Sunday middays on the alternative outlet 106.3 The Core (WGER). The move expands her on‑air presence across two formats—country...
Pop-Up Station Aims To Boost College Radio Scholarships
WVYL Vinyl Radio, a pop‑up station, launched a 120‑hour marathon on Monday to raise scholarship funds for aspiring radio professionals. The stream, hosted on Live365, features one‑hour programs from college, community and commercial broadcasters worldwide, plus specialty vinyl content. The...
Radio Loses Ground in Q1 as FCC License Decline Continues
U.S. radio licensing fell in Q1, the first overall decline in more than a year, according to the FCC’s quarterly count. AM stations dropped 32 to 4,310, extending a five‑quarter slide that has erased over 70 stations. Commercial FM also...
Cumulus Reports $200M Loss for 2025 as Chapter 11 Continues
Cumulus Media reported a $200.7 million net loss for 2025, an improvement over the $283.3 million loss in 2024. Total revenue fell 10.3 % to $741.7 million, with the fourth quarter down 14 % year‑over‑year. The results were released five weeks after the company filed...
Pillar Media’s Stockman Lays Out How Radio Out-Programs Spotify
Matt Stockman, Pillar Media’s brand director, highlighted research showing radio playlists closely resemble streaming habits, with listeners maintaining roughly 66 active titles and 5‑15 core artists. He warned that shrinking panel sizes in streaming research distort chart data, contrasting Nielsen’s...
OUT MONDAY: Radio Ink’s Leaders Issue
Radio Ink’s April issue spotlights the people shaping radio’s future, from multicultural growth to policy advocacy. The cover story features MediaCo CRO Brian Fisher outlining a market‑by‑market strategy to build a national network anchored in multicultural broadcasting. The magazine also...
Katz: 77% Would Consider New Auto Insurer After Radio Exposure
A Katz Radio Group case study of 600 auto‑insurance decision‑makers found that 77% would consider a new insurer after hearing a radio campaign. The research shows 82% of the 25‑54 target audience tunes AM/FM radio weekly, giving advertisers consistent reach...
Zach Sang to Headline BEA Fireside Chat with Radio Ink in Vegas
Zach Sang, the former teen‑radio prodigy turned syndicated host, will headline a fireside chat at the Broadcast Education Association’s 2026 conference in Las Vegas. The session, co‑hosted with Radio Ink editor Cameron Coats, runs on April 20 from 3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. PT...
8 Ways To Make Talent Endorsements Work
Radio and podcast hosts can wield endorsements that rival personal recommendations, but only if they feel authentic. The article outlines eight practical rules—starting with only promoting products the host would use, and ending with aligning deals with long‑term brand values....
CMB Names 2026 Award Finalists Ahead of May’s Momentum
Christian Music Broadcasters (CMB) announced the finalists for its 2026 awards, set to be presented at the Momentum ceremony on May 29 in Orlando. Six industry leaders vie for the Industry Achievement Award, while stations from Duluth to Washington, D.C., compete...
WRNR Adds Fisher, Jimi Haha, and Hootie’s Mark Bryan
Cortona Media’s 93.5 WRNR is bolstering its Saturday schedule by bringing back veteran host Rich Fisher and adding two Maryland music icons, Jimi Haha and Mark Bryan. Fisher, who spent 14 years on the station, returns for Saturday afternoons after WRNR’s 2022...
Vegas’s Neon 93.1 Glows with Sammi Tempesta Addition
iHeartMedia Las Vegas revamped Neon 93.1 from classic rock to a Variety Hits format in February and has now bolstered its lineup by appointing UNLV graduate Sammi Tempesta as the afternoon drive host and assistant programming director. Tempesta arrives after a...
Women To Watch: Timisha Collins; 94.1 The Beat, Savannah
Timisha Collins is a Savannah‑based radio personality who anchors "The Saturday Beat Brunch" on 94.1 The Beat and Real 96.3, while also hosting the astrology‑focused podcast "The Cosmic Wake Up Call" on iHeartRadio. Her on‑air style blends music, storytelling, and...
Ford & Fleming Rally Cantrell & Rutherford for Q2 Sales Convo
Rainmaker Pathway Consulting Works is hosting “The Encouragers: The Radio Rally” Q2 sales roundtable on April 9, 2026. The free event, streamed on Apple, Audible and Spotify, features industry leaders Kristen Cantrell of Seven Mountains Media and Dean Rutherford of Stingray...
BIA Raises Radio’s 2026 Local Ad Forecast On Political Strength
BIA Advisory Services raised its 2026 U.S. local advertising forecast to $184.5 billion, reflecting an 8.1% year‑over‑year gain. The combined revenue outlook for radio—both over‑the‑air and digital—is now $12.4 billion, with over‑the‑air at $10.08 billion and digital at $2.38 billion. Political spending is expected...
Multiple Regional Leaders Out At iHeartMedia In Latest Layoffs
iHeartMedia is executing a $100 million cost‑reduction program that includes a second $50 million savings wave starting in Q2. The latest round has removed at least four regional leaders – Metro Division President Nick Gnau, Area President Jason Wilson, Denver Region President...
All-News Radio Leads Cable on Political Balance, Research Says
Audacy’s research shows its All‑News radio format, exemplified by New York’s 1010 WINS, delivers a more politically balanced listening experience than major cable news networks. The station scores 103 among Democrats and 112 among Republicans, far closer to parity than Fox...
Central Florida Public Media Adds Elections Reporter
Central Florida Public Media has hired Sam Stockbridge as its new elections reporter, bringing experience from Texas redistricting coverage at Reform Austin and a five‑year stint at Alaska’s Ketchikan Daily News where he earned four state press awards. Stockbridge will...
KSE Scores Two Executives to Lead Commercial, Analytics
Kroenke Sports & Entertainment announced two senior hires: Lacy Ekert will join as Chief Commercial Officer on May 1, and Curran Raclin will serve as Senior Vice President of Strategy and Analytics. Ekert arrives from the Cincinnati Bengals, where she oversaw...
Christian Radio Reaches Far Beyond the Faithful, Data Shows
Christian radio reaches 98% of U.S. adults, but retention, not distribution, is the sector’s primary hurdle. Pew’s study, based on FCC records, a 5,000‑person survey and 440,000 broadcast hours, shows 45% of adults listen regularly, with a strong shift toward...
Cumulus Bankruptcy Faces Objections Over Royalties, Release
Cumulus Media’s prepackaged Chapter 11 plan, filed on March 5, seeks to reduce debt while keeping its radio stations operating, but two objections threaten its approval. The U.S. Trustee challenges the plan’s third‑party release structure, arguing it violates the Supreme Court’s 2024...
Why Smart Radio Sellers Chase Auto Dollars Outside Their Signal
Radio sales teams often limit themselves to the geographic reach of their signal, assuming listeners outside the coverage area are irrelevant. However, modern car buyers prioritize price and are willing to travel long distances, especially when online tools reveal better...
Kid Mero, Don Cheto Join Sigma Audio Networks’ National Lineup
Hot 97’s *Mornings with Mero* is moving from a New York‑only slot to a national audience through MediaCo’s Sigma Audio Networks, which also secured Spanish‑language star Don Cheto for broader distribution. The deal centralizes syndication and advertising sales for both...
NABLF Vegas Mixer To Let Employers TAP Into New Hiring Pool
NABLF and NAB Pilot are hosting the second Technology Apprentice Program mixer on April 18, 2026, at the Las Vegas Convention Center during the NAB Show. The hour‑long event will feature about 70 apprentices from the foundation’s workforce‑development tracks and invite...
Hannah Lane Heads to Dallas After Making Her Mark in Mississippi
Radio Ink 30‑Under Superstar Hannah Lane is leaving her morning‑drive role at New South Radio’s US 96.3 in Jackson, Mississippi, for a night‑time position at Cumulus Media’s New Country 96.3 (KSCS) in Dallas‑Fort Worth. Her last day in Jackson is April 10. Lane began...
Dodge CEO Floats Radio-Free Cars as AM Act Remains in Limbo
At the 2026 New York International Auto Show, Dodge and Chrysler CEO Matt McAlear suggested eliminating radios from entry‑level vehicles, urging a “back‑to‑the‑basics” design with analog gauges and Bluetooth speakers only. His remarks echo a broader industry shift, highlighted by...
Marketron Expands Traffic as a Service for Broadcasters
Marketron announced an expansion of its Traffic as a Service (TaaS) program, offering outsourced traffic professionals to broadcast stations. The move responds to a widening talent gap and increasingly complex ad‑revenue workflows. Marketron now operates one of the industry’s largest...
You’re The Winner!
Radio contests are seeing a surge in listener interest, driven by economic uncertainty and rising living costs such as $4‑per‑gallon gas. While national contests offering $1,000 prizes attract attention, research shows that local, high‑perceived‑value offers like $50 gas cards generate...
K-Bear, K-Whale Raise $101K for St. Jude in Anchorage
Connoisseur Media’s Anchorage rock and country stations partnered for their annual St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital radiothon. Over two days, the event raised more than $101,000, driven by on‑air storytelling and talent‑led appeals. K‑BEAR (KBRJ) and K‑WHALE (KWHL) anchored the campaign,...
The Conclave at 50: Virtual Toast Previews Final Conference
The Conclave, a five‑decade‑old nonprofit for radio programmers, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a virtual toast on April 17. The online event will feature industry veterans and Community Marketing Revolution founder Seth Resler, offering reflections on the organization’s history and a...
HRC 2026 Session To Plot Digital Future for Hispanic Radio
The Hispanic Radio Conference (HRC) 2026 will host a dedicated session on "Digital Platforms for Hispanic Radio Stations," addressing the rapid shift toward online audio. Recent data shows 81% of U.S. adults (about 233 million) listened to online audio last month,...
Broadcasters Foundation Plots Four-City Media Mixer Run for 2026
The Broadcasters Foundation of America unveiled its 2026 Media Mixer tour, kicking off in Los Angeles on April 23 with a free networking event hosted by Fox 11 anchor Marla Tellez. The series will visit four cities—Los Angeles, New York, Cleveland and Arizona—expanding the foundation’s...
13 Ways Solo Morning Hosts Can Sound Like a Team
Radio stations transitioning to solo morning hosts must recreate the energy of a multi‑person team by turning listeners into co‑hosts. The article outlines 13 practical tactics—ranging from frequent phone‑line promotion to trivia games, audio pattern disruptors, and curated caller panels—to...
RAB Extends 2026 Radio Mercury Awards Entry Deadline
The Radio Mercury Awards has extended its 2026 entry deadline to April 17, giving audio creators extra time to submit work across 17 categories plus a Best of Show. The 35th annual competition introduces new categories such as Single Placed Spot:...
Lisa Varner Rises to GM at Saga’s Ocala Cluster
Saga Communications has promoted Lisa Varner to vice‑president and general manager of its North Central Florida Media radio cluster, succeeding retiring GM Howard Tuuri. Varner previously served four years as director of sales for the three‑station Ocala group, which includes...
LA’s Woody To Be Honored with MSBC’s ’26 Kidd Kraddick Award
Woody, the host of the syndicated The Woody Show on iHeartMedia’s ALT 98.7 in Los Angeles, has been named the 2026 recipient of the Kidd Kraddick Award at Talentmasters’ 38th Annual Morning Show Boot Camp, to be presented in Cleveland from August 5‑7. The...
NYC Organizer Fernando Mateo Gets Sunday Show on 77WABC
Former NYC mayoral candidate Fernando Mateo is launching a new Sunday‑night talk show, “No Excuses,” on Red Apple Media’s 77 WABC. The program targets the tri‑state area’s Hispanic community, featuring policy discussions, listener calls, and interviews with government, business, and grassroots...
Audacy Phasing Out Market Manager Role in Sales Restructure
Audacy announced a sweeping sales reorganization that eliminates the Market Manager role across all of its clusters. The company will replace those positions with Senior Vice Presidents of Sales and ten new Regional Vice Presidents who will oversee multi‑city territories....
Former P&G Exec Bill Sontag Joins Beasley Media as HR VP
Bill Sontag, a veteran of Procter & Gamble’s human‑resources division with more than three decades of experience, has been appointed Vice President of Human Resources at Beasley Media Group. He previously guided Beasley through a critical transition from TriNet to...
Steve Jones Takes Ownership of Skyview Networks In Buyout
Steve Jones has completed a buyout of Skyview Networks, the Scottsdale‑based audio technology and syndication firm he has led for seven years, assuming the roles of President, CEO, and Chairman. Founder Ken Thiele and key shareholders supported the transition and will...
Cumulus, Saga, Beasley To File Late on Annual Financial Reports
Cumulus Media, Saga Communications, and Beasley Media Group have each filed for extensions to their 2025 SEC annual reports. Cumulus, in Chapter 11 bankruptcy, awaits court approval to retain PwC as auditor and projects $741.7 million in revenue with a $200.7 million loss....
Former NRG Omaha Cluster Ushers in New Leadership
Usher Media Group has appointed three Omaha veterans to senior roles after acquiring the former NRG Omaha cluster. Stacie McElligott, a 14‑year NRG veteran, becomes Assistant General Manager. Megan Rieder is promoted to Program Director of Sweet 98.5, while Alyssa Siebken takes the Program...
After 15 Years, Philly’s WRNB Welcomes Back Michael Shawn
Michael Shawn is returning to Urban One Philadelphia’s 100.3 RNB (WRNB) for a weekend show debuting on April 4, marking his first on‑air appearance at the station in 15 years. He originally hosted the Michael Shawn & the Takeover Legends Night Show...
One Of Marketing’s Toughest Execs Says Radio ‘Still Killing It’
Jessica Reyna, CEO of Kill Your Competition, praised radio as the only traditional medium still delivering strong results, rating it "always" while dismissing newspapers, TV, and outdoor. She emphasized that radio’s effectiveness hinges on format fit, timing aligned with customer...
Jamie Cutburth Moves From NBC to iHeart as EVP of Marketing
iHeartMedia has hired former NBCUniversal executive Jamie Cutburth as its Executive Vice President of Marketing. Cutburth leaves NBC after more than 11 years, where he oversaw B2B marketing and brand partnerships for flagship shows like Saturday Night Live and The...
