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Top Radio News
Cox Urges FCC to Ease Local Radio Ownership Rules
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, August 17, 2026 | 3:26pm CT |
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Cox Media Group is urging the FCC to eliminate or significantly reform its local radio ownership limits, arguing that the regulations no longer reflect the competitive environment facing broadcasters.
CMG Radio President Rob Babin, Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel Alysia Long and Corporate Counsel Taylor Lamb met separately on August 11 with staff representing FCC Commissioners Olivia Trusty and Anna Gomez as part of the Commission's pending 2022 Quadrennial Review of its local radio ownership rules.
According to ex parte notices filed with the FCC, the CMG executives met with Trusty Senior Legal Advisor Marcus Maher and Gomez Chief of Staff and Legal Advisor Deena Shetler.
CMG argued that the existing radio ownership restrictions are remnants of a substantially different media marketplace and no longer reflect the competition local radio broadcasters face. The company pointed to streaming audio, podcasts, satellite radio, social media and major digital advertising platforms as competitors that operate without comparable structural ownership restrictions.
The broadcaster also told the FCC that what it described as an imbalance between legacy regulation and today's competitive marketplace is limiting local radio companies' ability to grow audiences and attract advertising.
CMG argued that those pressures can also affect broadcasters' ability to maintain local programming, emergency coverage and other community investments. It cited the movement of advertising dollars toward digital platforms with potentially unlimited reach as another reason for the Commission to reconsider the ownership rules.
CMG ultimately called on the FCC to either eliminate or substantially reform the local radio ownership restrictions, saying changes would allow broadcasters to compete on more even terms with digital and other audio platforms.
The meetings come as the FCC continues its 2022 Quadrennial Review, which includes consideration of the Commission's local radio ownership rules.
Alissa Pollack Named President of Mediabase
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, August 17, 2026 | 2:12pm CT |
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RCS Worldwide has promoted Alissa Pollack to President of Mediabase, expanding her leadership responsibilities across the music data and analytics company. Pollack will retain her current role as President of Global Music Marketing at iHeartMedia while leading Mediabase's strategic direction, global expansion, product innovation and commercial growth.
In her new role, Pollack will oversee efforts to expand Mediabase beyond its airplay charts into a broader global music intelligence platform serving record labels, broadcasters, artists, managers, publishers, streaming platforms, agencies and brands.
Pollack has spent much of her career developing music data and analytics platforms, multi-platform marketing programs and artist-brand partnerships. Her work has focused on combining music intelligence with audience data to help labels, broadcasters and advertisers measure performance and develop marketing strategies.
"Alissa has spent her career at the intersection of music, data, and relationships, which is exactly where Mediabase lives," said RCS Worldwide CEO and President Susan Larkin. "This promotion is a recognition of everything she has already built and a reflection of our confidence in where she will take Mediabase next."
Pollack said her Mediabase and iHeartMedia responsibilities complement one another through their shared emphasis on using data and insights to guide industry decisions.
"Mediabase has earned its reputation as the gold standard in music data, and I see an incredible opportunity to build on that legacy by expanding our global reach and delivering intelligence that helps our partners not just discover what's happening now but shapes what happens next," she said.
As one of her first initiatives, Pollack said Mediabase is making more of its chart data publicly available through its updated website. The Top 50 charts across every format in the U.S. and Canada are now available to music fans, artists and industry professionals.
Study: AM/FM Radio Adds Reach Across Media Plans
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, August 17, 2026 | 2:18pm CT |
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AM/FM radio can generate significant incremental audience reach when added to digital, social media and television advertising campaigns, according to an analysis of new data from MRI-Simmons, Edison Research and Nielsen.
The findings are examined by Cumulus Media and Westwood One Audio Active Group Chief Insights Officer Pierre Bouvard, who argues that mass reach remains one of the primary drivers of advertising effectiveness and brand growth.
According to Nielsen, Edison and MRI-Simmons data cited in the analysis, AM/FM radio is the leading mass-reach medium among adults 25-54. Nielsen's Q1 2026 Audience Insights report also shows radio reaching 81% of adults 18-34 weekly, placing it ahead of other measured media among the demographic.
MRI-Simmons' Spring 2026 study indicates radio can also expand the audience reached by social media campaigns. Adding AM/FM radio produces a 34% incremental reach increase to Facebook, a 60% increase to Instagram and 2.1 times the reach of TikTok alone.
Similar results were found for YouTube, with MRI-Simmons reporting that adding AM/FM radio to a YouTube media plan generates a 46% lift in incremental reach.
Bouvard also points to Edison Research's Q2 2026 "Share of Ear" study to illustrate the difference between digital and broadcast audio reach. According to the analysis, the combined daily reach of ad-supported Pandora and Spotify among adults 18 is 12%. Adding podcasts increases digital audio's combined reach to 32%.
When AM/FM radio is added, the combined net daily audio reach climbs to 72%, more than twice that of digital audio alone. Radio reaches an additional 40% of Americans who are not reached by digital audio on a typical day, according to the analysis.
Radio also provides incremental reach when combined with television. Nielsen's Q1 2026 Audience Insights data indicates adding AM/FM radio increases TV reach by 23% among adults 18 , with the gains becoming larger among younger demographics.
Among adults 25-54, adding radio increases TV reach by 32%, while the lift reaches 45% among adults 18-49 and 65% among adults 18-34.
Bouvard says the findings reinforce marketing research that emphasizes reaching broad groups of category buyers rather than relying heavily on frequency or narrowly targeted audiences. The strategy is designed to build "mental availability," or the likelihood that consumers will remember and consider a brand when making a purchase.
The analysis concludes that AM/FM radio's broad reach allows it to complement digital audio, social media, YouTube and television campaigns by reaching consumers those platforms miss.
Read the full Audio Active Group blog here.
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Bobby Bones to Host 2026 Radio Hall of Fame Ceremony
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, August 17, 2026 | 10:59am CT |
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The Museum of Broadcast Communications has named Bobby Bones as Master of Ceremonies for the 2026 Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony, set for October 8 in Chicago. Bones, who was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2017, will host the 38th annual ceremony at the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park. The event will honor the Radio Hall of Fame's 2026 class of inductees.
Bones hosts the nationally syndicated "The Bobby Bones Show" for iHeartMedia and "Bobby Bones Presents: The Bobbycast" on Netflix. His radio career began while he was in college, with stops in pop, hip-hop and sports radio before he eventually moved into the Country format.
"The Bobby Bones Night Show" launched in Little Rock in 2002 before Bones moved to Austin in 2003, where the program became a top-rated morning show. Originally syndicated in the CHR format, the show transitioned to Country in 2013. A year later, Bones received the Academy of Country Music Award for National On-Air Personality of the Year.
Now based in Nashville, "The Bobby Bones Show" has grown into one of Country radio's most prominent nationally syndicated morning programs. Outside radio, Bones has worked as a stand-up comedian, author, recording artist, television personality and philanthropist.
"Bobby Bones is one of radio's most dynamic personalities, and we're thrilled to have both his love of radio and passion for our industry on full display as this year's Master of Ceremonies for the Radio Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony," said Radio Hall of Fame Co-Chair Dennis Green.
Co-Chair Kraig T. Kitchin added, "Bobby Bones brings a level of excitement and enthusiasm for radio wherever he goes and whenever he speaks. I'm thrilled he's agreed to bring his energy to this year's Induction Ceremony and Celebration."
Tickets for the October 8 ceremony are now on sale through the Radio Hall of Fame.
Westwood One Launches The Bongino Report PM
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, August 17, 2026 | 11:05am CT |
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Westwood One will launch "The Bongino Report PM with Dan Bongino (pictured) and Shawn Farash," a new nationally syndicated three-hour weekday radio program, on Monday, August 24. The show will air weekdays from 3-6pm ET, combining a live first hour hosted by Farash with two hours featuring Bongino. The program will focus on breaking news, politics, current events, culture and other topics driving the national conversation.
Farash will host the opening hour live, offering reaction to the day's headlines, listener interaction and commentary. Bongino will take over for hours two and three with his analysis and perspective on political and cultural issues.
The new program marks Bongino's return to Westwood One and expands the syndicator's spoken-word lineup with a new offering targeted to afternoon drive.
"I'm excited to partner with Shawn to bring listeners a daily program focused on the stories that matter most," said Bongino. "Our goal is simple: deliver honest analysis and keep our audience informed and engaged. Radio remains one of the most powerful ways to connect directly with people, and I'm excited to be back on Westwood One!"
Farash called the show "an incredible opportunity" to connect with listeners nationwide. "Working alongside Dan and the team at Westwood One allows us to bring a fresh, energetic approach to afternoons while staying focused on the stories our audience cares about most."
Westwood One President Collin Jones said the pairing creates a new destination for afternoon radio.
"Dan Bongino and Shawn Farash each bring a passionate following, and we are thrilled to offer affiliates a dynamic program that delivers timely content and engages listeners in afternoon drive," Jones said.
Townsquare Partners With Midlands Media Group
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, August 17, 2026 | 11:28am CT |
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Townsquare Media has entered into a strategic digital advertising partnership with Midlands Media Group, a Columbia, SC-based multimedia company, through its Townsquare Ignite digital advertising division.
Under the agreement, Townsquare will provide Midlands Media Group with its digital advertising technology, data-driven strategies and execution capabilities to develop customized campaigns for local, regional and national advertisers.
Midlands Media Group operates two radio outlets along with a digital news service, digital ticketing provider, discount certificate site and digital advertising platform in the Columbia market, ranked No. 90 among U.S. MSAs.
"Midlands Media Group has built a highly local portfolio of radio and digital news brands with engaged audiences and a strong market presence, making them an ideal partner for our digital platform and services," said Townsquare Ignite Chief Revenue Officer Shaun Collignon.
Townsquare launched its Media Partnerships division in 2024 to make its digital advertising services available to other local media companies on a white-label basis. The Midlands agreement becomes the division's 16th strategic alliance, extending Townsquare's digital reach into 41 markets beyond its owned-and-operated footprint.
Townsquare said digital operations now account for more than half of the company's total revenue and profit. "Midlands Media Group is very excited to partner with Townsquare Ignite to further expand our digital solutions capabilities," said Midlands Media Group President and CEO Keith Stover. "After extensive evaluation and industry experience, we believe Townsquare Ignite is best-in-class and fully committed to digital growth."
Midlands Media Group COO Marie Stover said adding Townsquare Ignite's digital capabilities to the company's radio and news products will allow it to offer more fully integrated advertising campaigns to local businesses.
Cumulus Revenue Falls 9.7% in Second Quarter
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, August 14, 2026 | 3:37pm CT |
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Cumulus Media reported second quarter 2026 net revenue of $167.9 million, down 9.7% from $186.0 million a year ago, as declines in its broadcast radio business continued to weigh on results. The company posted a net loss of $9.2 million, compared with a loss of $12.8 million in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted EBITDA declined 28.3% to $16.0 million from $22.4 million.
Broadcast radio revenue fell 13.2% to $102.9 million during the quarter. Spot revenue declined 10.6% to $81.4 million, while network revenue dropped 21.5% to $21.4 million. Digital revenue was essentially flat, slipping 0.3% to $38.7 million, while other revenue decreased 8.4% to $26.3 million.
For the first six months of 2026, Cumulus reported net revenue of $332.4 million, down 11.0% from $373.4 million in the same period last year. The company's six-month net loss narrowed to $26.1 million from $45.2 million, while Adjusted EBITDA declined 27.7% to $18.7 million.
First-half broadcast radio revenue declined 16.3% to $203.6 million, including a 13.3% decrease in spot revenue and a 23.6% decline in network revenue. Digital revenue fell 4.2% to $72.3 million, while other revenue increased 3.4% to $56.5 million.
The results come as Cumulus works toward emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company and certain subsidiaries filed voluntary prepackaged Chapter 11 petitions in March, and the Bankruptcy Court confirmed its reorganization plan on April 15. The plan's effective date remains subject to conditions that include FCC approval and other necessary regulatory approvals.
"We are pleased to report our second quarter earnings," said Cumulus Media President and CEO Mary G. Berner. "With our plan of reorganization confirmed by the court and the FCC approval process well underway, we are positioned to emerge from Chapter 11 with a stronger balance sheet to capitalize on future market opportunities."
Cumulus ended the quarter with $61.1 million in cash and cash equivalents, down from $82.0 million at the end of 2025. Capital expenditures totaled $3.2 million during the quarter, compared with $5.5 million a year earlier.
Legendary Radio Personality Barry Richards Dies at 83
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, August 17, 2026 | 0:01am CT |
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Veteran radio and television personality, programmer and music promoter Barry "The Reazar" Richards died Saturday, August 15, following complications from a recent series of strokes. He was 83.
Richards built a decades-long career spanning radio, television, concert promotion and record promotion. During his years behind the microphone, he became a highly rated personality in markets including Los Angeles, Washington, DC/Baltimore, New Orleans, Fresno and Spokane.
Known for his energetic on-air style and passion for music, Richards also became an early innovator in music television. He created and hosted local television programs built around various music genres, helping bring contemporary artists and performances to TV audiences before music-oriented television became commonplace.
Richards later expanded his career into concert promotion and music promotion, working with some of the industry's biggest artists. He helped secure radio airplay for recording artists across the country, specializing in Top 40/Mainstream, Top 40/Rhythmic and Urban formats.
Throughout his career, Richards maintained close ties to both the broadcasting and recording industries, combining his experience as an air personality with his knowledge of programming, promotion and popular music.
Richards is survived by his wife, Debra; sons Gary and his wife Anne, and Paul and his wife Sivan; and grandchildren Riley, Steven, Capri and Walker. His son Steve died in 2004.
The family said Richards died peacefully surrounded by family and thanked friends and colleagues for their support.
A private family ceremony will be held, with a Celebration of Life planned for the coming weeks. Additional details will be announced later.
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Jasmine Sadry Named President of AWM Dallas-Fort Worth
| RADIO ONLINE | Sunday, August 16, 2026 | 3:41pm CT |
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Veteran broadcaster and media executive Jasmine Sadry has been named President of the Dallas-Fort Worth Affiliate of the Alliance for Women in Media (AWM). In her new role, Sadry will lead the organization in expanding membership, strengthening industry partnerships, increasing educational programming and creating new opportunities for media professionals throughout North Texas.
Sadry brings more than two decades of experience across television and radio, including sports talk, music, entertainment and news formats. Her career has included roles with FOX Sports Radio, KDGE (102.1 The Edge), KLLI (Live 105.3), KRLD-FM (105.3 The Fan), KSCS (New Country 96.3), ESPN San Antonio, WKDF in Nashville and Absolute Radio Country in the UK. Her television experience includes KVUE-TV in Austin and KDFW-TV (FOX 4) in Dallas-Fort Worth.
Sadry currently works as a media executive, growth strategist and advisor, helping media companies, content creators and brands develop programming, grow audiences and build advertising and partnership opportunities across broadcast, podcast and digital platforms.
"Media is evolving faster than ever, but one thing hasn't changed: relationships matter," said Sadry. "I'm honored to lead an organization that has spent generations investing in women across our industry, and I look forward to helping build an even stronger community for the next generation of media leaders."
The Dallas-Fort Worth affiliate is part of the national Alliance for Women in Media and provides professional development, networking, education and leadership opportunities for women working throughout the media industry.
Compass Media Extends Big Ten Audio Rights
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, August 17, 2026 | 0:01am CT |
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Compass Media Networks has signed a multi-year extension with the Big Ten Network for exclusive national audio rights to the TIAA Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament and Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game. The agreement also expands the relationship to include the Allstate Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament.
Compass will continue to produce, broadcast and market all rounds of the men's basketball tournament and the Big Ten Football Championship Game across its terrestrial network of hundreds of sports radio stations, as well as satellite radio and digital platforms.
The company has held the men's basketball tournament and football championship audio rights since 2010, coinciding with the inaugural Big Ten Football Championship Game.
Under the expanded agreement, Compass will add exclusive national audio coverage of the Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament, beginning with the championship game on March 7, 2027.
"We are thrilled to renew this partnership and especially happy for our partners and fans who will continue to have full access to these broadcasts nationwide," said Big Ten Network SVP of Programming and Digital Media Michael Calderon. "We are especially pleased to debut national audio coverage of the Women's Big Ten Tournament's Championship Game this coming March."
Compass Media Networks General Manager of Sports Programming Robert Blum said the company is honored to continue the partnership and looks forward to adding the women's tournament to its Big Ten coverage for the first time.
"The Big Ten Conference has been a tremendous partner for many years, and we so much appreciate the value this partnership delivers to our sponsors," added Compass Media Networks President of Sales and Marketing Paul Gregrey. "We cannot wait for the upcoming season."
AdLarge Names Nicole Leyden VP, Brand Partnerships
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, August 17, 2026 | 0:01am CT |
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AdLarge has appointed Nicole Pezzola Leyden as Vice President of Brand Partnerships, where she will focus on developing strategic sponsorship opportunities and integrated marketing programs across AdLarge and the fwd. network.
Leyden will concentrate on the automotive, financial services and emerging advertising categories, working with advertisers on campaigns spanning podcasts, streaming audio, video, social media, live experiences, newsletters and creator-led content.
She brings more than two decades of media and entertainment experience, having developed partnerships and revenue programs for companies including TED, Scripps Networks, Discovery and the NHL.
During her tenure at TED, Leyden secured partnerships with brands including Verizon, Facebook/Meta, Bose, Toyota, Ford, Honda/Acura, Intuit, JPMorgan and Charles Schwab. She also developed programs across TED Conferences, experiential events, digital media, OTT, podcasts, social campaigns and custom content. A custom podcast partnership with Morgan Stanley received industry recognition in consecutive years.
Previously, Leyden held leadership positions at Scripps Networks Interactive, overseeing revenue growth and monetization across its digital portfolio, including mobile, premium video, VOD and TV Everywhere platforms. She also helped develop General Motors' first large-scale lifestyle branded content initiative, which earned an Emmy Award.
"Nicole has an outstanding reputation for developing innovative sponsorships that deliver real value for advertisers," said David Cohn, Chief Revenue Officer of AdLarge and the fwd. network. "She knows how to connect brands with the right content, the right creators, and the right audiences, and we're thrilled to have someone with her experience and relationships joining our team."
"The most successful partnerships are the ones that create value for everyone involved; brands, creators, and audiences," added Leyden. "That's what AdLarge and the fwd. network do so well. I'm excited to join the team and help advertisers develop integrated sponsorships that bring those connections to life."
2026 National Edward R. Murrow Winners Announced
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, August 13, 2026 | 2:46pm CT |
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The winners of the 2026 National Edward R. Murrow Awards have been announced, recognizing outstanding achievements in broadcast and digital journalism. The annual honors recognize reporting that informs communities, holds those in power accountable and demonstrates excellence in journalism.
In the Network Radio division, CBS News Radio received the Overall Excellence award. The network also won Newscast for its "CBS World News Roundup: Plane Crash at DCA."
NPR collected several national honors, including Breaking News Coverage for "The Election of Pope Leo," Digital for its coverage of the Trump administration's dismantling of immigration courts, Excellence in Sound for "Making Music from the Sounds of War," Excellence in Writing for "Bombs, Drugs, and Bones: Clearing the Detritus of War" and Feature Reporting for a report examining concerns over advances in artificial intelligence.
NPR also won News Series for "The State of the First Amendment: The Right From Which All Other Rights Flow," while NPR and KCRW shared Excellence in Innovation for their California wildfire investigations.
ABC News earned four Network Radio awards. Its coverage of the Texas floods won Continuing Coverage, "Start Here: Inside El Salvador's Mega-Prison" received Hard News honors, "Devil in the Desert" won Podcast and "Start Here: The F1 of Sailing" was honored for Sports Reporting.
Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting won News Documentary for "The Landlord Gutting America's Hospitals" and Excellence in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for "Will the National Parks Survive Trump?" Reveal also shared the Investigative Reporting award with The New York Times and Mississippi Today for "Abuse of Power: Beyond the Goon Squad."
In the Large Market Radio division, WBUR/Boston received Overall Excellence along with awards for Digital and Sports Reporting. Other winners included KIRO Newsradio/Seattle for Breaking News Coverage, WCCO Radio/Minneapolis for Continuing Coverage, KNX News/Los Angeles for Newscast and KYW Newsradio/Philadelphia for Hard News.
WBEZ/Chicago won Excellence in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for "Chicago's Death Gap" and shared the News Documentary award with the Chicago Sun-Times for "Becoming Bovino." KUT/Austin won Excellence in Writing, while Texas Standard/Austin received Excellence in Sound.
KUNC News/Greeley-Fort Collins, CO, was named the Overall Excellence winner in the Small Market Radio division. WATD/Marshfield, MA, won Breaking News Coverage for the Karen Read murder trial, while Alaska Public Media, KYUK and KNBA received Continuing Coverage honors for their reporting on Typhoon Halong.
Other Small Market winners included Connecticut Public for Excellence in Innovation, NHPR for Excellence in Writing and Hard News, North Country Public Radio for Excellence in Sound and Sports Reporting, and Marfa Public Radio for News Series.
The national winners will be honored at the Edward R. Murrow Awards Gala on October 12 at Gotham Hall in New York City.
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Saga Q2 Revenue Falls 6.5% to $26.4 Million
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, August 13, 2026 | 3:58pm CT |
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Saga Communications reported second quarter 2026 net revenue of $26.4 million, down 6.5% from $28.2 million in the same period a year ago. Station operating income fell 50.6% to $3.0 million.
Station operating expenses increased 5.4% to $23.4 million, or 3.9% excluding non-cash rent expense. Operating income declined to $623,000 from $1.4 million a year earlier. Net income was $960,000, compared with $1.1 million in the second quarter of 2025, while diluted earnings per share were $0.15.
For the first six months of 2026, net revenue declined 6.0% to $49.3 million from $52.4 million. Station operating income dropped 53.7% to $3.8 million. Saga posted an operating loss of $2.6 million and a net loss of $1.4 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, for the six-month period.
Saga said its results include the impact of the October 2025 sale of 24 telecommunications towers and related assets at 22 sites for approximately $10.7 million. The company retained long-term access to the assets and is recording non-cash rent expense and non-cash interest income associated with the transaction. During the second quarter, Saga recorded $352,000 in non-cash rent expense and $381,000 in non-cash interest income.
The company paid a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share on June 12, totaling approximately $1.6 million. Saga said it has returned more than $145 million in dividends to shareholders since paying its first special dividend in 2012 and intends to continue paying regular quarterly cash dividends.
Saga had $27.8 million in cash and short-term investments as of June 30. That figure stood at $22.9 million as of August 10, with the decrease primarily attributed to repayment of the $5 million outstanding under its revolving credit facility. The company expects capital expenditures of approximately $3 million to $3.5 million for 2026.
Texas Radio Hall of Fame Names 2026 Inductees
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, August 14, 2026 | 0:01am CT |
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The Texas Radio Hall of Fame has announced its Class of 2026, with voting members selecting 20 radio professionals for induction, including honorees in the organization's new "Small Markets/Big Voices" category.
The Class of 2026 includes Doug Abernethy, Brenda Adriance-Fox, "Lisa Lisa" Bonnani, Bruce Buchanon, Jay Creswell, Dave E. Crockett, Diane Day, Anna De Haro, Paris Eley, Jimmy "JD" Gonzalez, Jojo & Patches, Joyce King, Kevin Kline, Eric Raines, Clyde "Kooter" Roberson, Chrissie Roberts, JD Rose, Dr. J. Thomas Smith, Pam Wells and Barry Wolverton.
All 20 will be honored during the Texas Radio Hall of Fame's annual induction ceremony on Saturday, November 7, at the Texas Broadcast Museum in Kilgore, TX.
Jerry and Wanda Hanszen, who were recognized when the Small Markets/Big Voices category was introduced during the 2025 induction ceremony, will also be formally inducted this year.
In addition, five heritage broadcasters will be posthumously inducted as "Lone Star Legacies," a category introduced in 2025. The honorees are David Anderson, Frank Hicks, Mona Parker, Jack Sellmeyer and Ted Stecker.
The Texas Radio Hall of Fame said all of this year's honorees will receive the full honors, rights and privileges accompanying induction into the organization.
Nick Rivers Joins Beasley Charlotte as Assistant PD
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, August 13, 2026 | 2:14pm CT |
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Beasley Media Group has named Nick Rivers Assistant Program Director for Country WSOC-FM (Country 103.7) and AC WKQC-FM (K104.7) in Charlotte, effective August 24. Rivers will also host afternoon drive on Country 103.7, filling the opening created by Charlie & Debbie's recent move to mornings.
Rivers joins Beasley after spending the past six-and-a-half years with Hubbard Radio in West Palm Beach. Most recently, he served as Assistant Brand Manager and Music Director for Country WIRK and AC WEAT while hosting afternoons on WIRK. He also hosted nights on WUBE in Cincinnati.
His nearly two decades in radio include previous programming positions in Greensboro, NC; Brunswick and Savannah, GA; and Charlotte.
"We're excited to have Nick Rivers coming on board," said Beasley Charlotte Vice President and Market Manager Mac Edwards. "After an extensive search, Cameron, Jack and I agreed Nick's programming expertise, on-air creativity, fresh ideas and energy made him the perfect fit for this key role on our Charlotte team."
Beasley Chief Content Officer Justin Chase added, "His experience, creativity and passion for great radio will be tremendous assets to WSOC and WKQC. We look forward to his leadership as we continue creating meaningful connections with our listeners and serving the Charlotte community."
The appointment marks a return to Charlotte for Rivers, who began his radio career in the market nearly 20 years ago. "Nearly 20 years after my career began in Charlotte, I'm coming home," Rivers said. "The opportunity to be closer to my daughter, Charleigh, while contributing to the legacy of WSOC and WKQC makes this homecoming all the more significant."
Rivers also thanked Hubbard Radio executives Grover Collins, Elizabeth Hamma, Greg Strassell and Bruce Logan for their support and investment in his development during his time with the company.
Lee Harris Exits WABC, Worldwide News Network
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, August 13, 2026 | 10:50am CT |
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Veteran broadcaster Lee Harris is leaving Red Apple Media less than three months after joining the company to help launch the Worldwide News Network.
Harris joined Red Apple Media in May as Vice President of News for the Worldwide News Network, which launched May 23 following the shutdown of CBS News Radio. The new audio news service was created to help fill the void left by the longtime network's closure.
Less than six weeks after his arrival, Harris was promoted to Senior Vice President of News and Programming, expanding his responsibilities to include programming strategy and content development for 77 WABC/New York and Red Apple Audio Networks.
"I had a fantastic time working for John Catsimatidis getting the Worldwide News Network up and running," Harris said. "He's a brilliant entrepreneur who sees opportunity where others don't. I've decided to go back to work on my suite of tech products for audio and news because, like John, I am devoted to the success of this industry."
Harris is a Radio Hall of Famer with more than three decades of broadcasting experience. He is best known for his 30-year tenure as morning newscaster at 1010 WINS/New York and was among the station's journalists providing live coverage of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
His career has also included serving as Director of Integrated Operations and New York Bureau Chief for NewsNation, consulting broadcasters in Europe and Asia, helping launch Kommersant FM in Russia and lecturing in China through the University of Missouri School of Journalism.
K-LOVE Inc. Closes on Acquisition of WZBA in Baltimore
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, August 13, 2026 | 3:52pm CT |
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K-LOVE, Inc. has closed on its previously announced acquisition of Classic Rock WZBA-FM (100.7 The Bay) and two associated FM translators serving the Baltimore market from Shamrock Communications.
The transaction includes WZBA-FM (100.7 MHz) licensed to Westminster, MD, along with translators W261CD (100.1 MHz) in Baltimore and W298CG (107.5 MHz) in Bel Air. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
WZBA-FM operates with 25,000 watts at 689 feet HAAT, while the translators operate with 2 watts and 250 watts, respectively.
Shamrock Communications is a Pennsylvania-based broadcaster led by Acting CEO Diane Sutter. In addition to the Maryland stations, the company owns radio properties in the Scranton, PA, and Las Vegas, NV.
The buyer, K-LOVE, Inc., is a Tennessee-based nonprofit organization headed by CEO Tom Stultz. The company owns or operates radio stations in all 50 states and is one of the nation's largest Christian radio broadcasters.
Kalil & Co., Inc. served as the exclusive broker for the transaction.
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