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Top Radio News
NPR Names Thomas Evans as Editor in Chief
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, September 11, 2025 | 9:53am CT |
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NPR appoints Thomas Evans as Editor in Chief and Marta McLellan Ross as Chief of Staff. Evans will oversee NPR's global newsroom, shaping editorial standards and coverage across broadcast, digital, and emerging platforms. He most recently served as Managing Editor, Editorial Review, where he led an Editorial Enhancements program that tightened newsroom workflows and added an independent "backstop" review process for every NPR story.
Evans joined NPR in 2024 after nearly eight years with CNN, where he was Vice President and London Bureau Chief, overseeing operations in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. Earlier in his career, he worked extensively as a field producer in war zones and ran CNN's bureaus in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
"NPR's mission is as important today as it ever has been," Evans said. "Its value is built on the finest journalists in the nation, and I am proud to have been asked to lead this newsroom at this crucial time as we continue to serve our listeners and the pursuit of truth."
McLellan Ross, who has led NPR's Policy and Representation team since 2021, will now serve as Chief of Staff. In that role, she will work with NPR's CEO and senior leadership to drive strategy, strengthen collaboration, and support long-term goals. She has been a key advocate for public media and press freedom with lawmakers at the federal, state, and local levels.
Her career includes more than a decade in legislative and public service roles, including Director of Legislative Affairs at the Defense Logistics Agency and Acting Director of Congressional Affairs at the U.S. Agency for Global Media. She also served as a senior policy advisor to two U.S. Senators and has expertise in East Asian security policy, including a Council on Foreign Relations Hitachi Fellowship. A Harry S. Truman Scholar, she has been recognized for her commitment to public service.
"NPR and public radio play a vital role in American public life," McLellan Ross said. "I look forward to supporting the organization in transforming its service to the public and connecting more people to its trusted work."
Broadcasters Rally to Support Broadcasters Foundation
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, September 11, 2025 | 3:18pm CT |
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The Broadcasters Foundation of America (BFOA) 2025 Celebrity Golf Tournament earlier this week raised much-needed funds that will go to helping anyone in broadcasting who has been impacted by critical illness or disaster and who qualifies for aid.
Broadcasters from CBS/Paramount, Audacy, Gabelli Investments, Katz, Good Karma, NBC, Fox, Disney, and more rallied in support of the BFOA's mission. The event was held on Monday, September 8 at the Arcola Country Club in Paramus, NJ.
For information about the Broadcasters Foundation, including how to make a donation or apply for aid, please visit broadcastersfoundation.org.
NY Festivals Opens 2026 Radio Awards for Entries
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, September 11, 2025 | 3:39pm CT |
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The New York Festivals (NYF) 2026 Radio Awards are now open for submissions, continuing a nearly seven-decade tradition of honoring creative excellence in global audio storytelling.
Launched in 1957, the competition recognizes innovation across every audio genre and platform. For 2026, entries are welcomed in 14 category groups, spanning News Programs, Documentaries, Talk Programs, On-Air Talent, Craft, and Entertainment. Specialized categories highlight Digital, Podcast, and Audio Book content, while Programming Formats and Promotion/Open & ID showcase the creative standards of radio.
Reflecting the industry's rapid evolution, the Radio Awards have introduced a new category this year: Video Podcast, acknowledging the growing influence of visual storytelling in audio-driven media.
"For nearly seven decades, NYF's Radio Awards has championed the art of storytelling across every platform," said Rose Anderson, Executive VP & Executive Director of New York Festivals Radio Awards. "Each year we're inspired by the creativity and innovation that push audio forward, and with the addition of new categories like Video Podcast, we're proud to continue celebrating the evolving ways storytellers connect with audiences worldwide."
The competition continues its partnerships with organizations that emphasize the societal role of storytelling. JusticeAid collaborates with NYF to honor creators whose work in investigative journalism, nonfiction series, and social justice content highlights individual actions and resilience. The National Press Club Award, established in 2023, recognizes the top-scoring news program across Breaking News, Continuing Coverage, Nonfiction Series, and News Podcast categories. Last year, Master Plan (The Lever) received the award for investigative journalism.
The 2025 Storytellers Gala was held virtually from Central Park on May 22, showcasing winning entries and acceptance speeches from around the globe. The 2026 Storytellers Gala will take place in May, 2026.
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iHeart Launches Curse of: America's Next Top Model
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, September 11, 2025 | 3:44pm CT |
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iHeartPodcasts and Glass Podcasts, a division of Glass Entertainment Group, are teaming up on a new original investigative series, Curse of: America's Next Top Model. The podcast, hosted by award-winning producer and storyteller Bridget Armstrong, premieres September 16 on the iHeartRadio app and all major podcast platforms.
The series takes listeners behind the scenes of America's Next Top Model (ANTM), the long-running reality TV franchise that ran for 24 seasons and became a cultural touchstone with phrases like "smize" and viral moments that defined early 2000s television. While the show promised fame and fortune, the podcast explores claims of manipulation, exploitative contracts, and unfulfilled promises from contestants.
Armstrong's reporting revisits infamous moments such as Tyra Banks' "We were all rooting for you" outburst, winner Adrianne Curry's revelation about a missing Revlon contract, and allegations tied to All-Stars champion Angelea Preston's stripped title. Featuring new interviews, archival audio, and insider accounts, the series aims to balance nostalgia with a hard look at the darker realities behind the glamour.
Curse of: America's Next Top Model will release new episodes every Tuesday, offering both a cultural retrospective and an expose of reality TV's hidden costs.
C31 Media Partners to Launch New Internet Stations
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, September 11, 2025 | 3:54pm CT |
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C31 Media Partners is set to debut two new internet radio stations, Wally FM and 98-7 Sky FM, on Friday, September 26, bringing fresh formats to East Texas listeners and a global streaming audience.
Wally FM positions itself as a Modern AC-leaning Adult Hits station, blending guitar-driven pop, rock, and crossover tracks from the '80s through today. Its mix includes artists such as Matchbox Twenty, Alanis Morissette, Pink, Imagine Dragons, and Harry Styles. Unlike traditional Adult Hits outlets, Wally FM emphasizes contemporary sounds while maintaining a foundation of familiar favorites.
98-7 Sky FM will serve as a young AC outlet that sits between Mainstream AC and Hot AC. Its playlist features a balance of pop, pop-rock, and rhythmic crossovers with chart-toppers from the past two decades, including Adele, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, and Maroon 5. The station targets a 25-54 demographic, offering more variety than standard AC with a cleaner approach than Hot AC.
"As a company, we believe in giving listeners formats that feel alive again," said Justin Walters, Program Director for C31 Media Partners. "Wally FM and Sky FM were built from the ground up to serve audiences who have been overlooked by corporate playlists. These stations are about freedom, variety, and re-imagining what Adult Hits and Adult Contemporary can sound like in 2025."
Both stations stream worldwide but are locally rooted in Tyler and Longview, TX.
Charlie Kirk Fatally Shot During University Event
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, September 10, 2025 | 11:53pm CT |
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Conservative activist and Salem Radio Network host Charlie Kirk died Wednesday, September 10 after being shot while hosting an event at Utah Valley University. He was 31.
President Donald Trump announced Kirk's death on Truth Social, writing, "The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!"
The Guardian reported that Kirk was speaking under a white tent at a Turning Point USA event on campus when a bullet struck him in the neck. Video from the scene showed Kirk collapsing as attendees scattered. Witnesses said security at the outdoor, ticketed event was minimal. He was transported to a hospital, where he later died.
Kirk was appearing on the first stop of his "American Comeback Tour" and had posted photos and video from the Utah event just before the shooting. The posts were later deleted.
Utah Senator Mike Lee wrote on X that he was "tracking the situation ... closely," asking followers to join him in praying for Kirk and the students in attendance. FBI Director Kash Patel also posted that the bureau was monitoring the case and would support the ongoing investigation. No suspect has been taken into custody.
Kirk rose to prominence in 2012 after founding Turning Point USA at age 18, building it into one of the largest conservative youth organizations in the country. He hosted The Charlie Kirk Show on the Salem Radio Network and in March was named the successor to Dennis Prager's affiliate stations after Prager suffered a spinal cord injury. Kirk was also a frequent ally of Trump, who appointed him to a commission on "patriotic education" in 2020.
NBC News reported in 2024 that Kirk's podcast was downloaded between 500,000 and 750,000 times daily. He was widely known for his campus debates with liberal-leaning students, which often went viral online.
"Charlie was more than a broadcaster-he was a fearless defender of truth and a faithful servant of God," said Salem CEO David Santrella. "This assassination was not just an attack on Charlie, it was an attack on free speech and on the values Charlie championed every day. His absence leaves a tremendous void, but his legacy of faith, courage, and conviction will continue to inspire generations."
"I have had the privilege of working with Charlie for nearly a decade," said Bradley Parscale, Chief Strategy Officer of Salem Media. "He was part of the Salem family. His voice was fearless, unyielding, and relentless in the defense of faith and freedom. This heinous act of evil was meant to silence him, but as Christians, we know darkness cannot overcome the light. Charlie's influence cannot and will not be silenced."
"Charlie brought passion, insight, and energy to our airwaves, and he connected with listeners in a truly special way," said John Catsimatidis, CEO, WABC Radio. "We extend our heartfelt condolences to Charlie's family, friends, and all who were touched by his work." Charlie will be remembered fondly for his contributions to WABC and to the New York radio community."
Kirk married Erika Frantzve, a podcaster and former Miss Arizona USA, in 2021. They have two young children.
Civic Media Expands in Milwaukee with WZTI-AM Deal
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, September 10, 2025 | 2:14pm CT |
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Civic Media is expanding its footprint in Wisconsin with the acquisition of WZTI-AM (1290) and two FM translators in Milwaukee from the Milwaukee Radio Alliance. Pending equipment installation and engineering coordination, the new outlets are expected to relaunch on Wednesday, September 17.
WZTI, a 5,000-watt AM signal at 1290, covers a wide swath of southeastern Wisconsin, stretching from northern Racine to just south of Sheboygan and delivering strong countywide coverage in Milwaukee. The station had been silent for three weeks following recent flooding, but Civic Media is installing a new transmitter this week and expects broadcasting to resume shortly.
As part of the deal, WZTI-AM (1290) and W297BY (107.3) will simulcast Local News and Timeless Hits from WRJN in Racine, extending that brand's reach north into Milwaukee County and Sheboygan and south into Waukegan, IL. Additionally, WAUK will launch a new FM translator on 100.3, providing enhanced coverage in downtown Milwaukee and the eastern suburbs, complementing its existing WMYX (101.1) signal in Waukesha.
WZTI's most recent format was oldies. Civic Media says it will continue the Local News and Timeless Hits format to serve that audience.
"We're thrilled to expand our presence in Milwaukee, our largest market in the state," said Civic Media Regional President Chris Moreau. "These acquisitions allow us to better serve listeners across southeastern Wisconsin with our commitment to local news coverage and quality programming. The extended coverage area creates exciting opportunities for both our audience and advertising partners."
Civic Media Vice President of Programming Aaron Carreno added that enhancements are in the works for WAUK's listening experience: "Our goal is to provide Milwaukee area listeners with the local focus and familiar programming they've come to expect from Civic Media."
The transaction is subject to FCC approval.
Radio Still Dominant in Cars Despite Growth of CarPlay
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, September 10, 2025 | 2:04pm CT |
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A new Share of Ear report highlights that AM/FM radio continues to command the largest share of in-car audio listening among Americans 13+, even as connected car platforms such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto gain traction.
As of the second quarter of 2025, just over one-third of Americans now have CarPlay or Android Auto available in their primary vehicles. Edison Research data shows that 83% of adults 18+ with access to these systems use them regularly, signaling a shift in consumer listening habits.
Despite that shift, traditional broadcast radio remains the leading in-car audio choice. Among drivers with CarPlay or Android Auto, AM/FM still accounts for 47% of daily listening time. Streaming audio and SiriusXM are the primary beneficiaries of the new dashboard technologies, each capturing 20% of listening in equipped vehicles.
Interestingly, the report also finds that podcast listening in the car remains relatively steady, with no significant spikes in usage despite the growing popularity of on-demand content in other contexts.
The latest findings underscore radio's enduring role in Americans' audio routines, particularly behind the wheel, even as digital platforms reshape the broader listening landscape.
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FCC Issues Six-Figure Fines Against MA, NJ Pirates
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, September 10, 2025 | 2:39pm CT |
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The Federal Communications Commission has levied significant penalties against two unlicensed radio operators in separate enforcement actions, continuing its crackdown under the PIRATE Act.
In Massachusetts, the Commission proposed a $60,000 fine against Radio Energy, Inc. and its president Pelege Marcellin for operating unauthorized AM stations in Mattapan and Brockton under the name Radio Energy Boston. Agents from the FCC's Boston Field Office traced signals on 1620 kHz and 1640 kHz to commercial buildings where antennas and transmission lines exceeded legal limits for unlicensed use. Both signals carried programming that matched the online stream of Radio Energy Boston.
Marcellin, listed as the sole officer of Radio Energy, Inc., had publicly promoted his ownership of the outlet as a hub for Haitian music. The FCC found that both he and the company "willfully and knowingly" engaged in pirate radio broadcasting. The proposed forfeiture includes upward adjustments due to the simultaneous operation of two separate unauthorized stations, which the agency said increased the risk of interference with licensed broadcasts and public safety alerts.
Separately, the Commission finalized a $920,000 forfeiture against Masner Beauplan of Middletown, NY, for operating Radio Leve Kanpe on 91.7 MHz in Irvington, New Jersey. The fine reflects 46 days of illegal broadcasts between November 16, 2023, and January 8, 2024. The FCC said Beauplan did not respond to its earlier Notice of Apparent Liability, leading to adoption of the full penalty.
In its order, the FCC emphasized that pirate radio threatens the integrity of the spectrum and can disrupt authorized broadcasts and Emergency Alert System transmissions. If unpaid, the Beauplan case may be referred to the U.S. Department of Justice for collection.
The actions reflect the Commission's continued enforcement of the Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement (PIRATE) Act, which raised maximum fines for unlicensed broadcasting to $100,000 per day and $2 million in total.
WHMI-FM to Host First Annual ''WHMI Cares'' Radiothon
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, September 10, 2025 | 2:55pm CT |
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WHMI-FM is launching its first annual "WHMI Cares" Radiothon on Thursday, October 9, with proceeds benefiting several local organizations dedicated to helping those in need across Livingston County. The thirteen-hour event will run from 6am to 7pm from the station's Howell, MI studios. Morning hosts Chuck Edwards and Madison June will lead the broadcast, joined by local dignitaries and community members throughout the day.
Funds raised will support four area nonprofits: Livingston County United Way, Salvation Army, Gleaners Community Food Bank, and Lacasa Center. Each organization plays a vital role in assisting families facing financial hardship, food insecurity, and other challenges.
"We don't have to look too far down the street to find someone having a harder time than ourselves," said WHMI morning host Chuck Edwards. "Our area is blessed to have an action-oriented community that deeply cares for our neighbors."
The Radiothon marks WHMI's latest effort to rally the community behind local causes and is expected to become an annual tradition.
iHeartPodcasts & Campside Media Launch ''Model Wars''
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, September 10, 2025 | 2:50pm CT |
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iHeartPodcasts and Campside Media have teamed up to debut Model Wars, a 10-part documentary podcast exploring the high-stakes world of the fashion industry in the 1980s and 1990s. The series is hosted by journalist and Campside co-founder Vanessa Grigoriadis and executive produced by Rachel Winter of Hollywoodland and Adam Hoff.
Model Wars examines the rise of powerful modeling agencies during a time when fashion's influence surged worldwide -- and when controversial figures including then-real estate mogul Donald Trump and financier Jeffrey Epstein became involved in the business.
At the center of the story is Paul Fisher, a straight-A student from California's San Fernando Valley who unexpectedly entered the modeling industry after meeting an alleged mobster. Backed by $1 million in questionable financing and no prior experience, Fisher set out to compete with industry giants such as Eileen Ford and John Casablancas, a battle that evolved into a "model war" that reshaped fashion.
Grigoriadis, a National Magazine Award winner and contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine and Vanity Fair, brings her investigative storytelling to the series. She is also known for hosting Infamous: Inside America's Biggest Scandals and Run Bambi Run, and co-creating the podcasts Chameleon and Fallen Angel.
The first episode of Model Wars is available now on the iHeartRadio app and across all major podcast platforms. New episodes will be released every Wednesday.
''Legally Brunette'' Expands Into Stand-Alone Podcast
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, September 10, 2025 | 3:02pm CT |
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iHeartPodcasts has officially spun off "Legally Brunette" from its series "Two Ts In A Pod," making the legal-themed program a stand-alone weekly podcast. The show, hosted by Emily Simpson of Bravo's "The Real Housewives of Orange County" and her attorney husband Shane Simpson, has quickly gained traction as a breakout success.
Each episode of "Legally Brunette" takes listeners inside high-profile trials and celebrity courtroom dramas, breaking down charges, plea deals, appeals, and verdicts. The Simpsons use their legal expertise to explain complex cases in a way that resonates with both casual fans and courtroom insiders.
"Emily may bring the receipts on television, but in this series, she and Shane bring the cold, hard evidence," the press release notes. Backed by their law degrees, the couple dissects true crime stories and legal headlines, providing what the creators describe as a "front-row seat to trials around the world-minus the legal fees and jail time."
Produced and distributed by iHeartPodcasts, "Legally Brunette" is now available with new episodes dropping weekly on the iHeartRadio app and across all major podcast platforms.
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Asheville Media Group Launches Year of Revival Auction
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, September 10, 2025 | 4:19pm CT |
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One year after the remnants of Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, local families and businesses are still struggling to recover. To help meet that need, Asheville Media Group has partnered with nationally known artists to present the Year of Revival Auction, a weeklong fundraiser benefiting the Marshall Relief Alliance.
The online auction, presented by John McClung Roofing, opens Wednesday, September 18 and runs through Thursday, September 25 at 5pm. All proceeds will support ongoing relief and long-term recovery in Madison County, where flood damage left residents displaced and businesses shuttered.
Auction items include signed guitars, rare vinyl, and exclusive memorabilia donated by artists such as Tyler Childers, Billy Strings, Rob Thomas, Joan Jett, Shawn Mendes, Bruno Mars, MJ Lenderman and many others. Winning bidders will pick up their items at Asheville Media Group, with the option to hold items for up to a year for those traveling from outside the area.
"When Helene swept through our mountains, radio became a lifeline," said Tom Davis, Market President of Asheville Media Group. "The Year of Revival Auction is our way of honoring that spirit and continuing to stand with our mountain communities as they rebuild."
Tasha Pumphrey, Executive Director of the Marshall Relief Alliance, emphasized that recovery is far from complete. "Families are still displaced, businesses are still working to reopen and the need is still great. Every bid in the Year of Revival Auction helps us rebuild lives and give our community the chance to heal."
Presenting sponsor John McClung added, "We believe every home and every person matters, which is why we're honored to support Marshall Relief Alliance in their ongoing recovery efforts through this auction."
Items can be previewed now at YearofRevivalAuction.com.
A Kids Co. Launches Parenting Podcast ''Raising Us''
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, September 10, 2025 | 4:25pm CT |
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A Kids Co., the publisher behind the A Kids Book About series, is expanding into the parenting space with the debut of its first podcast for adults, Raising Us, launching September 9.
Hosted by journalist and author Elise Hu -- known for TED Talks Daily and Forever 35 -- the new series aims to equip parents with tools to navigate the tough questions kids often ask about the world around them. Topics will range from race and fairness to body changes, laws, and democracy, presented through a mix of expert insights and personal stories from doctors, educators, and public figures.
"From day one, our mission has been rooted in trust, trusting kids to ask big questions, and trusting grownups to show up with real answers," said A Kids Co. founder Jelani Memory, who also authored A Kids Book About Racism. "That's what Raising Us is all about."
The show's first episode will tackle fatphobia and body image with model and activist Tess Holliday and journalist Virginia Sole-Smith. Future episodes will explore subjects such as neurodiversity, puberty, and democracy, with guests including actor and author Lake Bell, pediatrician Dr. Cara Natterson, and educator Sharon McMahon. Other featured voices will include W. Kamau Bell, Negin Farsad, Baratunde Thurston, and Jason Reynolds.
Alongside the podcast, A Kids Co. will offer curated reading lists from its children's series, downloadable Conversation Starter Kits, and additional resources to help families continue discussions at home.
"This show is about giving grown-ups the confidence to learn, reflect, and then lead conversations with their kids," Hu said. "Every time we show up for our children, we're not just raising thoughtful kids, we're raising us too."
The inaugural season of Raising Us is sponsored by Nugget, the kids' play furniture brand known for fostering creativity. The podcast will be available September 9 on the iHeartRadio app, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.
Orbyt Media Launches ''Nothin' but the 90s'' with McCoy
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, September 10, 2025 | 11:59pm CT |
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Orbyt Media has introduced "Nothin' but the 90s" with Jason McCoy, a two-hour weekend program spotlighting the hits and stories from Country music's 1990s era, available now to Canadian radio stations. Hosted by Canadian country artist Jason McCoy, the show promises an upbeat mix of stadium anthems and honky-tonk singalongs, paired with first-person context from McCoy's own career during the decade.
McCoy broke out in the 1990s with multiple charting singles and JUNO Awards as a solo act before founding The Road Hammers, billed as the best-selling Canadian country group.
"The 90s were more than just an era in country music-they were an attitude," McCoy said, noting he plans to share backstories behind major hits alongside the songs themselves.
Heidi Baiden, Senior Manager at Orbyt Media, said the series is designed to deliver "a mix of nostalgia, personality, and star power" tailored for Canadian broadcasters and audiences.
"Nothin' but the 90s" with Jason McCoy is offered nationwide to stations for cash or barter via Orbyt Media.
Victor Giacomelli Returns to Emmis/New York as MP
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, September 9, 2025 | 10:05am CT |
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Emmis/New York appoints Victor Giacomelli as Market President to lead La Exitosa 98.7 FM (WEPN & WLIB-AM). La Exitosa serves the bilingual Hispanic audience there, and he'll oversee efforts to expand both audience reach and revenue growth. Giacomelli previously held senior leadership roles including Senior Vice President of Revenue at Emmis, Senior Vice President of Operations at MediaCo, and Vice President of Sales at Corus Radio in Canada.
"I'm excited to be back with Emmis and to build La Exitosa 98.7FM," said Giacomelli. "This station resonates with listeners, and there is so much potential and opportunity ahead."
"We're thrilled to welcome Vic back to the Emmis family," said Patrick Walsh, Emmis president and chief operating officer. "La Exitosa 98.7 has taken the New York market by storm with nearly one million listeners that marketers can't find on other Spanish-language stations in the market. We are rapidly advancing in the station ranker and becoming a must-have option for key agencies and advertisers."
Walsh credited the station's momentum to a multi-channel launch and marketing campaign led by Rick Cummings and Mike McVay, along with the addition of popular Spanish-language hosts such as Gloria B, George Mier, and Gino Latino. A team of seasoned account executives has also been assembled to support advertisers.
"With Victor now leading the team, we're committed to moving La Exitosa 98.7 up New York's 25-54 ranker," Walsh added.
FCC to Review Local Radio Ownership in Quadrennial Review
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, September 9, 2025 | 2:51pm CT |
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The Federal Communications Commission will take up its long-delayed 2022 Quadrennial Regulatory Review at its September 30 Open Commission Meeting, with a focus on whether to retain, modify, or eliminate key broadcast ownership rules. Among them is the Local Radio Ownership Rule, which restricts the number of AM and FM stations a single entity can own in a given market.
The review, required every four years under the Telecommunications Act of 1996, will consider whether these limits remain "necessary in the public interest as the result of competition." The Commission is seeking comment on whether the current tiered ownership caps - which vary based on market size and include separate AM and FM subcaps - should be loosened, tightened, or eliminated altogether. It is also asking whether the definition of the "audio marketplace" should expand to include satellite radio, streaming platforms, podcasts, and other digital competitors, or continue to treat broadcast radio as a distinct market.
For local radio, potential changes could reshape ownership consolidation across markets. The Commission noted it is particularly interested in how the rules affect competition, localism, and viewpoint diversity, as well as whether they should be adjusted to provide relief for smaller or struggling stations.
The National Association of Broadcasters praised the move. NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt said in a statement, "We commend Chairman Carr for jump-starting the long-overdue 2022 Quadrennial Ownership Review. Outdated rules have held broadcasters back for too long. Modernizing them means stronger local journalism, more investment in communities and the live sports fans count on. Broadcasters welcome this long-awaited step forward."
The NPRM (MB Docket No. 22-459) also covers the Local Television Ownership Rule and the Dual Network Rule, but the debate over radio ownership caps is expected to draw significant attention from broadcasters facing intense competition from digital audio platforms.
Public comments will be accepted following publication in the Federal Register, with reply comments due 60 days later.
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