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Top Radio News
Katz: Brands Missing Key Consumers by Overlooking Radio
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, June 12, 2025 | 2:34pm CT |
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A new analysis from Katz Radio Group, based on Nielsen Scarborough data, highlights a major blind spot in media buying strategies: consumers who are under-engaged with both television and the internet -- but still highly reachable through AM/FM radio.
According to the study, 40% of U.S. adults 18 and older are considered "light users" of both TV and internet, making them unlikely to see or hear ads placed solely on those platforms. However, radio reaches 9 out of 10 of these overlooked consumers, offering advertisers a valuable path to fill critical gaps in campaign exposure.
"This is a missed opportunity that brands don't need to accept," Katz said in the report. "Radio remains a powerful, underutilized tool to reach Americans who are otherwise invisible to digital and TV advertising."
The analysis breaks down the reach advantages of radio across key demographics:
- Adults 18-34: 6 in 10 are light TV users -- yet radio reaches 80% of them.
- Adults 35-49: Nearly half are light TV users -- radio delivers 90%.
- Black Adults 18+: 51% are light internet users -- radio reaches 92%.
- Hispanic Adults 18+: Roughly half are light users of both TV and internet -- radio bridges the gap.
- Adults 50+: Almost half are light internet users -- radio connects with the majority.
Katz emphasized that radio's ubiquity -- across car rides, workplaces, and daily routines -- provides advertisers access to consumers when and where other media cannot. In these environments, digital and TV platforms struggle to gain traction, while AM/FM radio continues to offer consistent exposure and engagement.
The findings reinforce the value of integrated campaigns that use radio alongside traditional and digital channels to close exposure gaps and boost incremental reach.
"Smart advertisers know that adding radio isn't just additive -- it's essential," the report concludes. "It delivers access to audiences no one else can."
CPB Warns of Impact as House Votes to Cut Public Media Funds
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, June 12, 2025 | 3:57pm CT |
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The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) has issued a strong response to the U.S. House of Representatives' approval of a rescissions package that would eliminate $1.1 billion in previously appropriated funding for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The package now advances to the Senate for consideration.
CPB President and CEO Patricia Harrison said the move would severely impact public media nationwide, particularly in communities lacking access to broadband, cable, or streaming services.
"Public media delivers unmatched value to the American taxpayer. It serves every family in every part of America," Harrison said. "Cutting off federal funding to public media will not only damage local stations, it will be disruptive for millions of Americans who rely on it for news and information that helps them make decisions about their lives and participate in their communities."
Harrison emphasized that federal support is foundational to public media's funding model. "Every dollar from CPB brings nearly seven more from state, local, and private donors - the kind of return any taxpayer would insist upon," she said.
The proposed clawback includes funding previously allocated by Congress, raising concerns about long-term stability for public broadcasting infrastructure and programming, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
The Senate has not yet scheduled a vote on the measure.
Westwood One Welcomes Back Matt Pinfield to ''Flashback''
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, June 12, 2025 | 10:35am CT |
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Westwood One has announced that legendary Rock journalist and MTV veteran Matt Pinfield will return to the syndicated radio show "Flashback With Matt Pinfield" this Father's Day weekend, following a months-long recovery from a life-threatening stroke.
Pinfield, known for his encyclopedic knowledge of music and decades-long presence in the Rock world, will resume hosting duties on Flashback beginning Saturday, June 14, and Sunday, June 15. The program airs on stations nationwide and is distributed by Westwood One, with production by Benztown.
"I am so excited to be back hosting my show, Flashback, and I am so proud to be here in my 13th year," said Pinfield. "I'm so grateful to be alive and back with my great family at Westwood One. Thank you to the amazing Leslie Fram, who has been covering for me since my stroke. I am getting better every day and am ready to be back on the air doing what I love."
Flashback takes listeners on a sonic journey through Rock history, blending music from icons like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, AC/DC, and the Eagles with era-defining news clips, movie soundbites, commercials, and comedy. Pinfield's deep well of insider stories and artist connections has made the show a staple among Classic Rock fans.
Brian Philips, Chief Content Officer at Cumulus Media and Westwood One, praised Pinfield's resilience: "The indestructible Matt Pinfield is one of the most beloved storytellers in Rock, and we are grateful to have him back in good form. We know doctors have characterized his recovery as 'miraculous'. Matt is a warrior, and a true friend to all music lovers."
Philips also acknowledged Leslie Fram, Co-Host of 99X's morning show in Atlanta, for stepping in during Pinfield's absence: "Leslie enabled us to keep the great shows coming for Flashback fans around the world."
Flashback is offered to radio stations in both two-hour and four-hour formats for weekend programming.
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WWI to Air Every Game of Men's College World Series
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, June 12, 2025 | 2:21pm CT |
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Westwood One, in partnership with the NCAA Radio Network, will once again deliver full live coverage of the NCAA Division I Men's College World Series Championship Finals from Charles Schwab Field in Omaha. The best-of-three championship series begins Saturday, June 21 at 6:45pm ET.
The network's broadcast team returns, with Kevin Kugler set to call his 21st consecutive College World Series for the NCAA Radio Network. Veteran announcer Scott Graham joins Kugler in the booth for the 14th straight year. New to the broadcast this year is Connor Happer, who will serve as the field reporter.
In addition to the Championship Finals, Westwood One and NRG Media's KOZN-AM (1620 The Zone) will also air the full slate of preliminary games, which follow a double-elimination format. The two teams that emerge from their respective brackets will face off for the national title.
Fans can listen to every pitch on terrestrial radio affiliates nationwide, as well as on SiriusXM. The broadcasts will also be available to stream for free at NCAA.com/MCWS, westwoodonesports.com, and through the Westwood One Sports app, The Varsity Network app, and the NCAA Men's College World Series app.
Copper Thieves Knock Memphis Station Off the Air
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, June 12, 2025 | 4:40pm CT |
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Regional Mexican WGSF-AM (Ambiente Radio 1030 AM) in Memphis -- the city's first Hispanic radio outlet -- was forced off the air after thieves stripped its transmission site of copper wiring in a brazen daylight burglary last month. The damage, estimated at $160,000, has left the long-standing station inoperable and its future uncertain.
Station owner Sergio Butron of Butron Media discovered the theft on Sunday, May 18, after the station's signal suddenly went silent. When he inspected the transmitter towers on Jackson Avenue, he found copper cables and components had been ripped from both above and below ground, and several doors had been forced open.
"The thieves broke through the chain-link fence and the locks to access the equipment. They even busted down the doors to the tower 'dog houses,'" Butron said. "It's infuriating. It feels helpless, but above all, it's frustrating to see years of work reduced to nothing."
The station, which has served the Memphis Hispanic community for 30 years, has not been able to resume broadcasting. Butron says repairs are underway and security at the site has been reinforced, including the installation of surveillance cameras monitored by Memphis Police.
Thanks to tips from the public, police were able to track down the suspects. A day after the burglary, witnesses reported seeing masked men dragging copper cables through the neighborhood. On Tuesday, May 20, more tips led officers to a yard just half a mile from the transmitter where three men were allegedly caught burning the stolen copper in a makeshift fire pit.
Butron expressed gratitude for the community's support and quick action, saying, "We passed along the information to MPD, and when neighbors saw the burning, we alerted police again. That led to the arrests."
Despite the setback, Butron remains committed to restoring the station's signal and continuing its legacy.
FCC Grants Renewal for WMUD-FM Following Consent Decree
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, June 12, 2025 | 6:24pm CT |
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The FCC has granted a renewal of license for 350W Americana WMUD-FM, licensed to Mud Radio in Brandon, VT, after the station reached a Consent Decree with the FCC's Media Bureau over a missed license renewal deadline. According to the order released today, the station's license renewal application was due on January 2, 2025, but Mud Radio did not submit the required filing until February 6, 2025. WMUD acknowledged the error and attributed the delay to "an inadvertent oversight."
To resolve the issue, the FCC and Mud Radio agreed to a Consent Decree, which includes the implementation of a formal Compliance Plan and a voluntary contribution of $2,250 to the U.S. Treasury. The plan is designed to ensure the licensee's future adherence to FCC rules, specifically Section 73.3539 of the Commission's Rules, which governs timely submission of license renewal applications.
Under the terms of the agreement, Mud Radio must establish internal procedures, provide training to relevant employees, and file a compliance report within 12 months. The agreement also terminates the FCC's investigation into the missed filing, stating there are no substantial or material questions regarding Mud Radio's qualifications to hold an FCC license.
Albert Shuldiner, Chief of the Audio Division at the FCC's Media Bureau, signed the order adopting the Consent Decree, concluding that "the public interest will be served" by its approval and the grant of the renewal application.
RAAN Syndicates ''Moore Money with Steve Moore''
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, June 12, 2025 | 10:48am CT |
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Red Apple Audio Networks has announced the nationwide syndication of "Moore Money with Steve Moore," hosted by noted economist and commentator Steve Moore. The program, which currently airs Saturdays from 1-3pm ET on 77WABC in New York, is now available to stations across the country, with the first hour (1-2pm ET) offered for syndication.
"Steve brings a wealth of knowledge to the topics of money and government," said John Catsimatidis, Owner and CEO of Red Apple Media and 77WABC. "His unique insider's perspective on how government policies and the economy are intertwined are valuable insights for radio listeners. We're delighted to offer Moore Money with Steve Moore to radio stations across America."
Moore describes the show as an accessible and engaging look at economics and finance. "On the Moore Money show we make the world of economics and finance easy to understand, fun and entertaining. And it's all about how listeners can make MORE money," he said.
Moore's background includes serving as Senior Economic Advisor to Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, Chief Economist at The Heritage Foundation, and a member of The Wall Street Journal editorial board. He also co-founded The Club for Growth, a conservative political advocacy organization, and is a recipient of the Ronald Reagan "Great Communicator" award.
Salem Media Launches ''The Word Miami'' in South Florida
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, June 12, 2025 | 11:08am CT |
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Salem Media Group has expanded its Christian Teaching and Talk radio presence with the launch of "The Word Miami." The new format, airing on AM 670 WWFE and simulcast on AM 1550 WRHC, is also heard on FM translators 103.1 FM in Miami and 98.7 FM in Miramar. With a signal footprint stretching from Vero Beach to the Florida Keys, the station serves listeners across Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe counties.
"This is more than a station launch -- it's a calling fulfilled," said Salem Media Group CEO David Santrella. "Miami has long been underserved by strong, consistent Christian broadcast content. Salem was called to fill that gap. This expansion is a bold step in our mission to proclaim the Good News through every available channel."
This marks Salem's first new Christian Teaching and Talk format launch in over a decade and underscores the company's renewed effort to grow its Christian media footprint in major underserved markets.
Branded "The Word Miami," the station offers 24/7 Christian programming from many of the most prominent voices in the faith community, including: David Jeremiah, Jim Daly, John MacArthur, J. Vernon McGee, Greg Laurie, Jack Hibbs, Robert Jeffress, Rick Warren, Michael Youssef, Allen Jackson and Jack Graham.
Local content includes "Truths That Transform" with Rob Pacienza, Senior Pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, airing weekday mornings -- a revival of the program originally founded by D. James Kennedy. Weekend programming features Keep the Faith, Boundless with Lisa Anderson, and City of God with Rob Pacienza.
Live streaming is available at TheWordMiami.com and through platforms like iHeartRadio, Audacy, TuneIn, and smart speakers via the command "Play The Word Miami." The station also carries hourly updates from SRN News.
"We are deeply committed to planting the flag of biblical truth wherever we can," said Christopher Gould, Salem's SVP of National Programming & Ministry Relations. "This isn't just business, it's ministry. Miami is a global city, and we are honored to bring the Word of God to it more consistently and powerfully than ever before."
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iHeartPodcasts Launches ''San Diego FC: Behind the Flow''
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, June 12, 2025 | 11:00am CT |
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iHeartPodcasts has announced the debut of "San Diego FC: Behind the Flow," a new podcast documenting the formation and rise of Major League Soccer's newest expansion club. Co-produced by COPA90 and Message Heard, the podcast launches June 19 and will feature new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.
Hosted by sports broadcaster Adrian Garcia Marquez, "Behind the Flow" kicks off with a 10-episode documentary series offering an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at San Diego FC's journey to field its first team. From the club's inception to its debut match, the series explores the challenges of building a franchise from scratch in a competitive sports market.
"Sports fans have proven they're hungry for behind-the-scenes insights into their favorite team that go beyond field performance," said Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts. "SDFC has the potential to become one of the MLS' most backed teams, and we're excited to help broaden and engage their audience through iHeart's industry-leading reach."
The podcast will also spotlight SDFC's Right to Dream (RTD) Academy -- a mixed-gender program committed to scouting and developing top talent across North America, including trips into Mexico to recruit aspiring young players. Following the initial documentary arc, the podcast will transition into a dynamic sports talk format covering the remainder of SDFC's inaugural season.
"From day one, our mission has been to create a Club that's deeply connected to San Diego and authentic in everything we do," said Tom Penn, CEO of SDFC. "Behind the Flow captures the spirit, ambition, and purpose driving our journey."
Seth Bacon, Executive Vice President of Media at MLS, added, "This collaboration reflects MLS' commitment to storytelling that brings our league closer to its communities, clubs, players and fans."
Jake Warren, CEO of Message Heard, called the podcast "a first in podcasting" and "a testament to the power of audio to connect fans with the heart and soul of a club."
"San Diego FC: Behind the Flow" will be distributed by iHeartPodcasts and available on the iHeartRadio app and all major podcast platforms. COPA90 is serving as a promotional partner for the series.
Draper Media to Acquire Five Stations from Forever Media
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, June 11, 2025 | 9:54am CT |
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Draper Media has announced a deal to acquire five radio stations from Forever Media, expanding its broadcasting footprint across Delaware and Maryland. The acquisition includes News/Talk WDEL-AM (1150) & WDEL-FM (101.7) and Hot AC WSTW-FM (93.7) in Wilmington, DE; Country WXCY-FM (103.7) in Havre de Grace, MD; and AC WCEI-FM (96.7) and Country WINX-FM (94.3), which serve Maryland's Mid-Shore region.
"We're excited to add these stations, each with a long history of serving their local communities, to our company," said Molly Draper Russell, CEO of Draper Holdings Business Trust, the parent company of Draper Media. "The addition of these stations fits perfectly into our late founder, my father, Thomas H. Draper's motto that it is our moral obligation to serve our audience and advertising partners."
Lynn Deppen, President of Forever Media, praised the stations' legacy and voiced confidence in their new owner. "We are proud of the legacy these stations have built in their communities and grateful to our dedicated teams who have served listeners with passion and professionalism. We are confident that Draper Media shares our commitment to local broadcasting."
The deal strengthens Draper Media's portfolio, which includes radio and television properties across the Delmarva Peninsula, by adding several well-established stations known for local news, entertainment, and community-oriented programming.
RAB Celebrates Success of 2025 Radio Talent Programs
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, June 11, 2025 | 1:59pm CT |
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The Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB), in collaboration with the Georgia Association of Broadcasters (GAB), GAB Education Foundation, and the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation (IBF), announced the successful completion of two key talent development programs aimed at cultivating the next generation of broadcasters.
The GAB Radio Talent Institute made its return to the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia in Athens from May 12-17, while the inaugural Illinois Broadcasters Foundation's Audio Media Career Academy was held during the same week at the Hilton Doubletree hotel in Bloomington-Normal, IL.
Both initiatives are part of the National Radio Talent System (NRTS), a division of RAB focused on workforce development in the broadcast industry. Each six-day incubator experience immerses college students in broadcasting fundamentals and emerging media, led by experienced professionals from media, advertising, and content creation sectors.
Participants engaged in hands-on training across broadcast radio, digital media, podcasting, social media, talent coaching, and media sales. Every student also received an RAB sales certification, marking an important step toward a professional career in the industry.
"One of our key objectives at RAB is around workforce development - specifically supporting initiatives to attract new talent to the industry while impacting talent retention through resources and shared best practices," said Mike Hulvey, president and CEO of RAB. "The National Radio Talent System is an example of our efforts around this focus and with strategic partners like GAB and IBF, we were able to evolve our programming and test out new elements."
Randy Gravley, president of GAB and underwriter of the Georgia program, called the 2025 GAB Radio Talent Institute "an incredible culmination of aspiring broadcasters with dedicated industry professionals."
Dennis Lyle, president and CEO of both the Illinois Broadcasters Association and Foundation, added, "The Illinois Broadcasters Foundation is committed to developing future broadcasters and we were just delighted to see our vision come to fruition and we look forward to seeing the program grow."
Since acquiring NRTS in 2020, RAB has built out new leadership with a dedicated board committee chaired by Kristin Cantrell of Seven Mountains Media and a workforce development committee led by Julie Koehn of Lenawee Broadcasting, both helping to shape future recruiting and retention strategies in the radio broadcast field.
Audiobook Industry Surges as Sales Hit $2.22 Billion
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, June 11, 2025 | 1:47pm CT |
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Audiobook sales in the U.S. soared to $2.22 billion in 2024, marking a 13% year-over-year increase and signaling a strong return to double-digit growth for the industry, according to the Audio Publishers Association (APA). The gains are largely fueled by digital audiobooks, which now account for 99% of total revenue and posted a 14% annual increase. The findings are part of the APA's annual Sales Survey conducted by Toluna, alongside a Consumer Survey conducted by Edison Research.
More than half of American adults (51%) -- approximately 134 million people -- have listened to an audiobook, the highest figure ever recorded by the APA. Notably, interest among those who haven't yet listened is climbing. In 2025, 38% of spoken word audio listeners who have not tried audiobooks expressed interest in doing so, up from 32% in 2024. The percentage of those "very interested" nearly doubled to 18%.
"This year's data not only reflects continued sales momentum but shows widening awareness and curiosity about audiobooks among new audiences," said Michele Cobb, Executive Director of the APA.
Piracy on the Rise, Especially via YouTube
However, the growth is tempered by growing concerns over piracy. The APA notes that 35% of audiobook listeners have consumed titles via YouTube -- a significant jump from 27% in 2023. Among those, 76% cited cost-free access as their reason, despite the fact that much of the content is pirated.
Access and Content Trends
Accessibility remains a major driver for consumption. Seventy-two percent of listeners said availability on their preferred platform is important, and 63% value access through library apps. Fiction continues to dominate genre sales, with General Fiction leading the way and increasing by 16% over 2023. Romance, Children's & YA, and Sci-Fi/Fantasy recorded the strongest year-over-year growth at 30%, 26%, and 21%, respectively.
AI Narration Sees Mixed Results
While more audiobooks are now being created with AI narration, consumer interest in AI-voiced content is waning. Willingness to try AI-narrated audiobooks dropped from 77% in 2023 to 70% in 2025.
The consumer data comes from an online survey of 1,700 U.S. adults conducted by Edison Research in February 2025.
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iHM Extends Partnership with Washington Commanders
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, June 11, 2025 | 10:08am CT |
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The Washington Commanders and iHeartMedia DC have announced a multi-year extension of their flagship broadcast partnership, ensuring continued coverage of Commanders football across the Washington, DC region through WBIG (BIG 100.3 FM) and the iHeartRadio app.
The renewed agreement builds on a successful collaboration that began with the 2022 NFL season, offering fans live gameday broadcasts, archived game content, behind-the-scenes access, and programming throughout the year.
"We are thrilled to extend our dynamic audio partnership with the Washington Commanders, building on the momentum and shared success we've achieved together the past three seasons," said Aaron Hyland, Region President for iHeartMedia D.C. "By harnessing the power of audio across BIG 100 and our iHeartMedia platforms, we're excited to deliver even more access, energy, and unforgettable gameday moments to Commanders fans throughout the region."
In addition to live broadcasts, the agreement includes expanded programming across iHeartMedia's DC station network and digital platforms, including fan-favorite team content, interviews, and community updates. A dedicated Washington Commanders channel on iHeartRadio will continue to host archived broadcasts and exclusive audio content.
The partnership also extends to community engagement, with continued collaboration on in-person events such as Commanders Draft Parties, Training Camp experiences, and iHeartMedia's signature local events like HOT 99.5's Jingle Ball, WMZQ Fest, and WASH-FM's Radiothon for Children's National Hospital.
"Extending our partnership with iHeartMedia D.C. is an exciting step toward the future we're building for Commanders fans," said Jim Rushton, Chief Partnerships Officer for the Commanders. "Together, we're not only delivering dynamic gameday coverage - we're laying the groundwork for even more innovative programming that will deepen our connection to the community and expand our engagement with our valued fans."
Benztown Releases Audio Tribute Honoring Brian Wilson
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, June 11, 2025 | 2:16pm CT |
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Benztown has released a special audio tribute honoring Brian Wilson, the legendary founder, songwriter, producer, and singer of The Beach Boys, who passed away at the age of 82. The tribute can be heard at here.
Born on June 20, 1942, in Inglewood, CA, Wilson launched The Beach Boys in 1961 at just 19 years old, teaming up with his brothers Carl and Dennis Wilson, cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. The band quickly became one of the most influential and commercially successful groups in pop music history, selling over 100 million records worldwide.
Wilson was the creative force behind many of the group's iconic hits, including "Surfin' USA," "I Get Around," "Help Me, Rhonda," "California Girls," and "Good Vibrations." The group's 1966 release, Pet Sounds, is widely regarded as one of the greatest albums ever recorded.
In 1988, The Beach Boys were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, cementing their place in music history.
The Benztown tribute, voiced by Darren Silva and written and produced by Peter Murphy, celebrates Wilson's lasting legacy and musical genius.
Seven Mountains Media Launches New App Platform
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, June 11, 2025 | 11:28pm CT |
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Seven Mountains Media has partnered with audio technology company Audiospace to launch a fully integrated mobile and digital app experience across its 175 radio frequencies in four states. The move is designed to streamline distribution and enhance listener engagement through platforms including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, smart speakers, and the web.
The new app suite, developed by Audiospace, merges live audio, podcasts, video content, local news, sports, contests, and real-time DJ interaction into a single digital environment. Listeners can now access station content seamlessly across connected devices and in-car infotainment systems.
"Our vision was to craft a richer, more engaging listener experience, making it easy for our audience to listen live, find information, interact with our live DJs, and dive into our on-demand podcasts, videos, contests, news, sports, and original content," said Dave Taylor, Chief Content Officer at Seven Mountains Media. "Partnering with Audiospace was key; their innovative approach was exactly what we needed to elevate the listener experience and create new ways to monetize our content."
Audiospace, based in Zurich, Switzerland, began its global expansion three years ago and has since built a presence across the North American broadcast industry, focusing on unifying digital touchpoints for radio stations.
RTDNA Condemns Targeting of Journalists at LA Protests
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, June 11, 2025 | 2:38pm CT |
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The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) is speaking out against what it calls the dangerous and indiscriminate targeting of journalists covering recent immigration-related protests in the Los Angeles area. This week, RTDNA joined more than two dozen press freedom and civil liberties organizations in signing a joint letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
The letter condemns the treatment of journalists by federal law enforcement during protests surrounding immigration raids, citing multiple reports of forceful and injurious actions against members of the press.
"A number of reports suggest that federal officers have indiscriminately used force or deployed munitions such as tear gas or pepper balls that caused significant injuries to journalists," the letter states. "In some cases, federal officers appear to have deliberately targeted journalists who were doing nothing more than their job covering the news."
A similar letter is expected to be sent to local police departments alleged to have also been involved in targeting journalists.
RTDNA Advocacy Advisory Council member Adam Rose, who also serves as Press Rights Chair at the Los Angeles Press Club, has been actively documenting these incidents. His reports are available at Adam Rose's BlueSky page.
RTDNA and its partners continue to call for accountability and protection for journalists, reiterating that freedom of the press is essential to a functioning democracy -- especially in times of public unrest.
Futuri Revives Listener Driven Radio Name in Rebrand
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, June 11, 2025 | 3:52pm CT |
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Futuri has officially rebranded its interactive programming platform Tether, bringing back its original name: LDR (Listener Driven Radio). The name change reflects Futuri's recommitment to the platform's core mission-putting listeners in the driver's seat of their audio experience.
Launched in 2010, LDR introduced real-time audience engagement, allowing radio listeners to shape on-air playlists by voting for their favorite songs. While the platform later evolved under the name Tether, the return to the LDR brand emphasizes its foundational goal: transforming traditional radio into a more dynamic, interactive experience.
"LDR represents our belief in the power of listener engagement," said Futuri in the announcement. "This rebrand reaffirms our dedication to helping stations foster deeper connections with their audiences."
Key features of LDR (Listener Driven Radio) include: crowdsourced song voting, personalized notifications, customizable branding, and enhanced audio imaging.
Futuri confirmed that current clients will experience no service disruptions, as the rebrand impacts only the platform's name and not its features or performance.
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