Bongino’s Return Shakes Up Triton’s February Podcast Ranker
Triton Digital released its February 2026 US Podcast Ranker covering February 2 through March 1. The iHeart Audience Network led the Sales Network chart with 70.8 million average weekly downloads. Dan Bongino’s comeback propelled Cumulus Podcast Network into the top three podcasts, while Pod Save America reclaimed the #1 podcast slot. New entries such as In Touch Ministries, Audioboom’s Drop Dead Serious, and Lemonada Media’s kids‑focused show broadened the ranking landscape.
Connoisseur Eyes Market Domination As NRG Preps Lincoln Exit
Connoisseur Media has agreed to purchase six Lincoln-area radio stations from NRG Media, including KBBK, KLIN-AM, KLNC, K233AN, K257GN and KFGE. To complete the acquisition, Connoisseur is seeking an FCC waiver that would allow it to own 11 stations in...
Radio Holds 64% of Registered Voter Share of Ear In Ad-Led Audio
Radio commands 64% of ad‑supported audio time among U.S. registered voters 18+, far outpacing streaming services. Podcasts are the next biggest share at 21%, while ad‑free platforms hold the remaining 47% of daily audio. Over half of voters’ audio consumption...
Brand Like a Rock Star: Lessons From Steve Jones
Radio executive Steve Jones argues that stations achieve legendary status by delivering a rock‑star experience, not just a better product. In his book *Brand Like a Rock Star*, he maps music‑industry branding tactics—memorable identity, authentic storytelling, and fan‑centric engagement—to radio,...
Three Headlines, One Message: Radio’s Old Model Is Out of Time
Three major radio companies—Cumulus Media, Beasley Media Group, and Paramount Global—have each taken drastic steps: Cumulus filed a pre‑packaged Chapter 11, Beasley announced a debt refinancing and governance overhaul, and CBS News Radio was shut down after a century of operation....
Audacy Crowns Kenyon As Its Latest Regional President
Audacy has promoted Detroit market manager Debbie Kenyon to Regional President for its Central U.S. markets, adding Chicago, Cleveland, Madison, Milwaukee and Minneapolis to her portfolio. The move is part of Audacy’s ongoing “Content‑First” restructuring aimed at leveraging scale while...
Beasley Media’s Augusta Cluster Gets A Star Turn With New PD
Adam Star has rejoined Beasley Media Group as Program Director for its Augusta, Georgia cluster, overseeing five stations including WGAC, WKXC, WHHD‑HD2, WHHD, and WDRR. Star previously served as Operations Manager for Beasley’s Fort Myers cluster until its $18 million divestiture...
Marks and Marden Complete New Morning Band at NYC’s Q104.3
iHeartMedia’s New York station Q104.3 has refreshed the Jim Kerr Rock & Roll Morning Show by adding Christin Marks and Trevor Marden as co‑hosts. The move follows Kerr’s five‑year contract renewal earlier this year. Marks arrives with a Boston‑originated radio...
MediaCo Takes Hot 97 From Radio to Broadcast TV in New York
MediaCo is launching Hot 97 TV on New York’s WASA‑TV broadcast platform on March 31, marking the first over‑the‑air television extension of the iconic Hip‑Hop radio station. The new channel will air the station’s on‑air talent—including Kid Mero, Funkmaster Flex and Nessa—alongside music videos,...
SFN, Del Nin Offer Objections To Warshaw Document Request
Connoisseur Media founder Jeffrey Warshaw is suing Audacy Corp’s controlling interest holder, and the case has entered a new discovery phase in Fairfield County Superior Court. Defendants Soros Fund Management (SFN) and Michael Del Nin have formally objected to a third...
Pull The Radio Listener Along
Jeffrey Hedquist argues that radio ads succeed when they pull listeners with a story rather than push commands. He outlines a classic narrative arc—opening, conflict, climax—that creates an itch the advertiser can satisfy. By leveraging audio’s ability to evoke sight,...
Martin To Exit As A Key Audacy Radio Programming Leader
Senior Vice President of Programming and head of music initiatives Michael Martin announced he will step down from Audacy effective May 1, ending a 17‑year tenure that began at CBS Radio in 2009. Martin, who launched Audacy’s annual *We Can Survive*...
Help Radio Ink Name The Most Influential Women In Radio
Radio Ink has opened nominations for its 2026 Most Influential Women in Radio list, a prestigious award that has highlighted female talent since 1999. The deadline is Friday, April 17, at 8 p.m. Eastern (5 p.m. Pacific). The list celebrates women across...
¡Viva Cachorros! Spanish Play-by-Play Goes HD
The Chicago Cubs Spanish-language broadcast returns to TelevisaUnivision’s TUDN Radio Chicago on WPPN‑FM 106.7 HD2, covering every home game starting with the 2026 season. The deal revives a partnership that began in 2009 after a 14‑year hiatus. Veteran announcer Miguel Esparza will handle...
Miami Marlins Return to Home Plate with WQAM Reunion
The Miami Marlins have signed a multi‑year broadcast and streaming agreement with Audacy, designating Sports Talker WQAM‑AM/FM as the team’s new flagship across South Florida. The partnership replaces WINZ‑AM 940, whose nighttime power is being reduced, and restores the Marlins...
America250 Prepares For ‘Celebration’ As iHeartMedia Partners Up
America250 has appointed iHeartMedia as the official audio partner for the United States’ semiquincentennial, streaming July 3‑4 festivities via the iHeartRadio app and over‑the‑air broadcasts. With more than 800 radio stations, iHeartMedia can reach roughly 90% of Americans each month, promising...
A Trio-Led Program Coming To Atlanta’s Morning Drive
Cumulus Media is debuting a new morning drive program, "The Q Morning Crew," on Atlanta’s CHR station WWWQ (Q99.7) this Monday, filling the void left by The Bert Show’s 25‑year run. The show is hosted by Joe Breezy, returning from...
Famed L.A. Morning Duo Get A Syndicated Path
The Heidi & Frank Show, a long‑running morning program on Los Angeles’s KLOS‑FM 95.5, has secured a national syndication deal through Superadio and Toad Hop Network. Superadio will distribute the show to affiliates across the United States and manage national...
RRC Goes With Nielsen Vet For Dual Client Services Role
Radio Research Consortium (RRC), the nonprofit that supplies Nielsen Audio audience estimates to non‑commercial radio, announced the hiring of Brian Stauffer as Dual Client Services Manager effective April 1. Stauffer arrives with sixteen years at Nielsen, split between audience insights, policy...
What Qualities Matter Most in Radio’s Next Generation of Leaders?
Radio Ink surveyed the Top 20 leaders in radio to uncover the traits they deem essential for the next generation of executives. The consensus emphasizes a deep love for radio, strong character, and a blend of creativity, curiosity, and collaboration....
NuVoodoo: Country Gold Preferred By Audio Streamers
NuVoodoo’s latest research presented at the 2026 Country Radio Seminar reveals a clear split between traditional Country radio listeners (P1s) and heavy music streamers. While 65% of radio P1s are enthusiastic about new releases, only 47% of heavy streamers share...
Women To Watch: Brittany Butryn
Radio personality Brittany Butryn anchors the noon‑to‑3 pm slot on WKXD “106.9 Kicks Country” in Cookeville, Tennessee, while also hosting weekend mornings on Christian station WCTL‑FM 106.3 in Erie, Pennsylvania via remote voice‑tracking. Her career spans markets in Oklahoma City, Pensacola and...
Urban One Selects Its ‘Latino’ PD In D.C.
Urban One has rebranded Praise 104.1 to Latino 104.1, a Spanish‑language format aimed at the rapidly growing Hispanic audience in the Washington, D.C., region. The change includes a simulcast on 87.7 MHz and marks the company’s first dedicated Latino station in the market....
Cumulus’ Indy Head Adds Oversight Of Muncie, Kokomo FMs
Cumulus Media has promoted Darlene Park from Vice President/Market Manager of its Indianapolis stations to Regional Vice President of Central Indiana. In her expanded role, Park will now oversee two additional country stations—WWKI‑FM in Kokomo and WMDH “NASH FM 102.5”...
Milwaukee Radio Alliance Completes Its Civic Duty
On September 10, 2025, the Milwaukee Radio Alliance sold its last remaining audio property, WZTI‑AM 1290 and two FM translators, to Civic Media for $465,000. The stations, currently silent under FCC special temporary authority, were previously owned by a liberal‑leaning...
A Validation of ZoneCasting Performance Arrives From India
GeoBroadcast Solutions' Geo Global unit announced that an independent study by India’s public broadcaster Prasar Bharati has validated the performance of its MaxxCasting and ZoneCasting technologies. The research, conducted at All India Radio’s FM station in Bengaluru, demonstrated enhanced Single...
David Tyler Connects with Hoss Management Group
Veteran voice talent David Tyler, known for CTV News and iconic Canadian and U.S. radio stations, has joined Hoss Management Group as a radio imaging and voice‑over representative. With a four‑decade portfolio that includes Subaru, Boeing, Johnson & Johnson and the NCAA,...
Superadio Amplifies ‘Essential Ebro’ in Distribution Deal
Superadio Networks' Amplified Voices has signed a digital distribution agreement with Dad Life LLC to launch “The Essential Ebro Laura Rosenberg Show,” a daily series of curated clips from the trio’s commentary. The partnership gives Amplified Voices exclusive rights to...
National Black Radio Hall of Fame Reveals 2026 Class
The National Black Radio Hall of Fame announced its 2026 class, honoring 19 inductees from 19 states across a range of categories. The ceremony will be held on September 19 in Charlotte, featuring awards such as the Talented Sisters and Brothers...
The Upside Of Audio Ads? Bigger ROI Through Repetition
Upside app advertisements topped iHeartMedia’s Media Monitors data for the week ending March 22, registering the highest number of radio play counts nationwide. The brand out‑performed heavyweight advertisers such as Progressive and Morgan & Morgan in spot frequency. The “Love Trapped” podcast also...
Audacy/Philadelphia Head David Yadgaroff To Retire
Audacy announced the retirement of David Yadgaroff, its senior vice‑president and market manager for Philadelphia, ending a 36‑year career in radio. Yadgaroff joined the company in 2015 after a long tenure at CBS Radio, where he oversaw KYW‑AM, WYSP‑FM and...
A Faded Star In Suburban Chicago Gets a Classic Pop Rebirth
Connoisseur Media has rebranded WSSR‑FM 96.7 in suburban Chicago as “The 9‑6‑7: Chicagoland’s Classic Pop,” shifting from its previous adult contemporary mix to a classic pop format focused on 1990s‑early‑2000s hits. The new lineup targets listeners in their 40s to early...
Yung Joc Gains A St. Louis Platform In ‘Takeover’ Effort
Yung Joc, the Atlanta‑based hip‑hop artist turned radio host, is expanding his nationally syndicated morning show to St. Louis via Audacy’s KEZK‑HD2 and translator K254CR, branded as Hot 98.7. The program, "Yung Joc & The Streetz Morning Takeover," features co‑hosts Mz....
A Beasley Debt Refinancing Plan Emerges
Beasley Media Group signed a Transaction Support Agreement with holders of its senior secured first and second lien notes, launching an exchange offer that will halve the outstanding second‑lien debt and raise its coupon to 10%. The company also proposes...
Key U.S. House Committee To Review 1996 Telecom Act
On March 26, the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology will hold a hearing to evaluate the Telecommunications Act of 1996, marking its 30th anniversary. The session, chaired by Rep. Richard Hudson and attended by Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie,...
As Real As It Gets
Christian radio, long dismissed as niche, is now one of the fastest‑growing formats in U.S. broadcasting. Nielsen data show a 34.5% increase in average quarter‑hour (AQH) share for Contemporary Christian music among adults 25‑54 from 2022 to 2025, while streaming...
Radio Ink Helps Link Country Music and Motorsports At CRS
Radio Ink partnered with Beasley Media Group, Big Machine Records, and Performance Racing Network to stage “Full Throttle: Acoustic Social,” a live acoustic showcase linking country music and motorsports during CRS Week in Nashville. The event at Big Machine Distillery...
A Country Countdown Icon Gets A Dedicated Streaming Hub
iHeartRadio has launched Bob Kingsley’s Countdown Classics, a dedicated streaming station that streams original episodes of the late broadcaster’s Country Top 40 countdown. The channel, created in partnership with the Kingsley Estate and the Country Music Hall of Fame, serves...
Focus 360 Names Pettersen to Director Role
Focus 360 has hired Becky Pettersen as its new Director of Sales Planning, succeeding her five‑year tenure as VP/Director at Katz Media Group. Her role will oversee the company’s expanded campaign‑management dashboard, built on Counterpoint’s planning system and the Focus...
Don’t Look at the Ratings
Radio managers are moving away from hiding Nielsen ratings, yet the volatility of those numbers can distract talent. The article borrows coach John Wooden’s philosophy, urging broadcasters to focus on effort, fundamentals, and team chemistry rather than the scoreboard. By...
A Golden Move Is A Win For Scott Wiggins
Scott Wiggins has been appointed General Manager of Golden Isles Broadcasting, overseeing four stations in the Brunswick, Georgia market, including WRJY‑FM, WSSI‑FM, WXMK‑FM and WBQO‑FM. He joins the company after a stint as revenue‑strategy lead at Nexstar Media Group and...
Introducing the Country Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2026
The Country Radio Hall of Fame announced its Class of 2026 on March 18, honoring seven industry veterans. The on‑air personality inductees are Chris Carr, Michael J, and Rick Jackson, while Marci Braun, Phil Hunt, Bruce Logan, and John Marks...
Hope Media Group Adds Simmons to the Talent Pool
Jillian “JJ” Simmons, known for “JJ On the Mic” and the “My Pastor Said” podcast, has joined Hope Media Group’s flagship station KSBJ‑FM in Houston and its national Worship 24/7 network. The hire follows Hope Media’s recent expansion of its Creative...
RAB to Demo Nielsen Audio’s mSurvey in Webinar
The Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB) will host a live demo of Nielsen Audio’s mobile‑enabled diary methodology, mSurvey, on April 1 at 1 p.m. ET. The hour‑long session will present the platform’s design, test results, and its slated Spring 2026 launch. mSurvey aims to...
What Keeps Radio’s Believers Believing?
Despite ongoing skepticism, radio has demonstrated resilience over the past year, buoyed by winter storms that sent listeners back to the medium for real‑time information. Advertisers are reporting return‑on‑investment figures that outpace every other channel they buy, reinforcing radio’s value...
MIWs, CRB Partner Again For Radio Mentorship
Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc. (MIW) has teamed up again with Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB) to launch the third‑annual Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Country Radio program. Applications are open until April 17, 2026, and only one full‑time female professional...
The Bubble Bursts Onto the Scene At Connoisseur Columbia
Connoisseur Media has rebranded Columbia’s WARQ 93.5 as “93.5 The Bubble,” a feel‑good station that blends classic hits with today’s top tracks. The new format is aimed at thirty‑something women, a demographic the company says was underserved locally. Weekday programming...
Back Then Again: Charlie Nance on Radio Nostalgia and Kyle Petty
Charlie Nance and his wife Debbie, veteran Beasley Media hosts, have completed the first year of "Kyle Petty’s Back Then Again Country Countdown," a syndicated show that pairs NASCAR legend Kyle Petty with a nostalgia‑driven 1980s country music countdown. The concept, born...
SBS Misses Debt Deadline, In Creditor Standstill After Default
Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS) missed its March 1 deadline on $310 million senior secured notes and entered a 30‑day creditor standstill. Majority holders of the 9.750 % notes have agreed to forbear while negotiations explore new financing, term extensions or restructuring. SBS reported...
5 Simple Ways To Boost Your Sales 10% By the End of the Month
Radio sellers can add roughly 10% more revenue before month‑end by focusing on speed and leveraging existing advertiser relationships. The article outlines five practical levers: re‑engage current accounts, sell urgency‑focused packages, chase recent "almost buyers," expand single campaigns, and use...
