Home Login RADIO ONLINE RSS Facebook
Advertisement

Townsquare, CMP Partner for ''XXL Higher Level Radio''


Townsquare Media and Compass Media Networks
Townsquare Media and Compass Media Networks

Townsquare Media and Compass Media Networks have launched a new syndicated radio show, "XXL Higher Level Radio," tied to Townsquare's XXL Magazine, website and app. The show debuted Monday November 11 and airs 7pm-midnight on nine of its Urban stations. Hosted by DJ Wire of Townsquare's WBLK/Buffalo, the show features artist interviews, hip-hop news from the XXL news desk, DJ mixes and a countdown of top hits. The show's music playlist will largely be driven by data culled from the XXL website, mobile app and social media.

The show will also feature content from the annual XXL Freshman Class, the brand's list of the hottest new artists in hip-hop, whose alumni includes Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, Chance the Rapper, Big Sean, Future, J.Cole, Meek Mill, Wiz Khalifa and Logic.

XXL has been a dominant voice in hip-hop for over 20 years, documenting and influencing the culture and music since 1997. The brand reaches over 6 million unique visitors every month via XXLMag.com and the XXL mobile app, and has amassed over 9 million followers on social media. XXL's YouTube channel has over 3 million subscribers, and Lil Baby and Juice WRLD grace the cover of the current issue of XXL Magazine.

Townsquare SVP of Digital Jared Willig said, "When Townsquare acquired XXL Magazine in 2014, our mission was to expand the iconic brand via social, video, podcasting, events and more while maintaining the core print magazine which is so important to the community. 'XXL Higher Level Radio' is the next phase of that strategy, and like the XXL brand itself, we are excited for it to be influential, interactive and digital-forward."

XXL Magazine Editor-in-Chief Vanessa Satten, who has led the brand for over a decade, added, "'XXL Higher Level Radio' is an exciting extension for us that will both respect and celebrate hip-hop like our website and magazine do. The music comes first and this show will not only highlight who and what everyone is listening to, but showcase stars of the future as well."

"We're thrilled to bring a fresh new show to the Urban weeknight radio landscape," commented Townsquare SVP of Programming Kurt Johnson.

Advertisement

Latest Radio Stories

Local Radio Drives $437B, Supports 909K U.S. Jobs
Wood & Poole Economics and BIA
Wood & Poole Economics and BIA
A new economic study finds that free, local radio remains a powerful engine of the U.S. economy, generating $437 billion in annual GDP and supporting more than 909,000 jobs nationwide, underscoring radio's role as essential infrastructure in communities across the country. The analysis, conducted by More

Drive-Time Congestion Expands Radio's In-Car Reach
Katz Radio Group
Katz Radio Group
As daily traffic congestion rises across major U.S. metro areas, new insights point to an expanding opportunity for brands to reach attentive in-car audiences, with AM/FM radio continuing to dominate in-vehicle audio listening. According to a new analysis from Katz Radio, the More

Three Top 100 Markets Shift Ratings to Eastlan
Eastlan
Eastlan
Three more Top 100 radio markets are moving their audience measurement to Eastlan as the company's expansion continues into 2026. Honolulu, Reno and Tulsa will now be continuously measured by Eastlan, reflecting what the company describes as a broader reassessment by More
Advertisement

AEI Paper Argues FCC Has Outlived Its Purpose
Mark Jamison
Mark Jamison
A new working paper from the American Enterprise Institute contends that the Federal Communications Commission has outlived the economic and technological conditions that justified its creation and should be disbanded. Authored by economist Mark Jamison, the paper argues that the FCC was designed in 1934 More

The Zone Returns to Phoenix as AI-Infused Triple A
KZON-FM-HD2 (94.9 The Zone) Phoenix
KZON-FM-HD2 (94.9 The Zone) Phoenix
Zelus Media Group has partnered with SonicTrek.ai to relaunch The Zone "Where Music Matters" in Phoenix on 94.9 and 103.9 KZON-FM-HD2, marking the format's return as a 24/7 AI-infused Triple A station. The revived Zone will blend artificial intelligence with licensed human voices, including format More

Audacy Details How AI Is Redefining Local Search Visibility
Audacy Insights
Audacy Insights
In a new Audacy Insights article, Audacy is warning that rapid changes in AI-powered search are reshaping how consumers discover local businesses - and that traditional search strategies may no longer be enough. In "Dominating Local Search in the Age of AI," Jenny Sutton, Jenny Sutton, Senior Vice More

Return to Menu

Advertisement

Subscribe to our Newsletter
Radio news and headlines delivered right to your e-mail box -- and it's free.

Advertisement

Advertisement