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Top Radio News
NAB Names Hellum Radio Board First Vice Chair
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, October 6, 2026 | 10:36am CT |
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The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has named Townsquare Media Chief Operating Officer Erik Hellum first vice chair of the executive committee for the NAB Radio Board, while Salem Media Group CEO Dave Santrella has been appointed to the Radio Board of Directors. Both appointments are effective immediately.
Hellum, a current NAB Radio Board member, oversees Townsquare Media's 336 radio stations and digital marketing services across 74 markets. He currently represents the Southern Texas District on the Radio Board and succeeds Allen Power on the executive committee.
Hellum previously served as president of GapWest Broadcasting before its acquisition by Townsquare in 2010. Earlier in his career, he held management positions with Bonneville International in St. Louis and Phoenix and worked for Katz Radio in several major markets. He later served as vice president of sales for AMFM Inc. and led early cross-platform sales efforts at Clear Channel.
Hellum recently completed a term as chairman of the Radio Advertising Bureau and now serves as the organization's immediate past chair.
Santrella, who became CEO of Salem Media Group in 2022 after 12 years as president of broadcast media, assumes the New England District Radio Board seat previously held by Power.
During his tenure at Salem, Santrella has overseen the launches of the Salem Surround digital platform, Salem Podcast Network, SalemNOW and Salem News Channel. Before joining Salem in 2001, he worked at WMAQ-TV and WBBM-AM in Chicago.
Santrella previously served as chairman of the NAB Board of Directors from 2021 to 2023. He is also a recipient of the NAB National Radio Award and was named a 2026 Giants of Broadcasting and Electronic Arts honoree.
Audacy Index Ranks Markets for NFL Fan Intensity
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, October 6, 2026 | 2:25pm CT |
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Buffalo tops the list of U.S. markets with the most avid NFL fans, according to new research from Audacy examining where football fandom is strongest and how highly engaged fans consume sports content.
Audacy's "NFL Attention Index" measures fandom across three areas - avidity, engagement and performance - to examine the amount of time, energy and attention fans devote to the NFL and how that engagement can translate for advertisers.
Buffalo leads the index with a score of 135, followed by New Orleans at 120 and Cincinnati at 119. Dallas-Fort Worth and Kansas City tie at 115, followed by Baltimore, Milwaukee and Harrisburg-Lancaster-Lebanon-York at 113. Philadelphia scores 111 and Columbus, OH, rounds out the top 10 at 110.
The research found that highly engaged NFL fans devote significant time to sports beyond watching games. Nearly one-quarter spend at least six hours each week following sports content, including 15% who spend six to 10 hours and 7% who spend 11 hours or more.
Audacy said audio attracts a particularly high concentration of avid sports fans, providing an outlet for discussion and analysis throughout the week when games are not being played.
The study found 47% of avid NFL fans follow news about their favorite teams at least weekly. On game days, 43% watch pre- or post-game programming on television or streaming services, 24% simultaneously follow social media and 14% use a second or multiple screens. Another 16% tailgate.
Fan engagement also continues away from games, with 41% following athletes or influencers on social media and 61% saying they enjoy having "inside knowledge." The research found 41% engage in sports betting at least monthly.
NFL fandom also plays a role in personal identity for many of those surveyed. Sixty-nine percent said being a fan makes them feel part of a community, while 61% said their love of sports is a major part of who they are.
Audacy also cited Nielsen Commspoint analysis examining the effect of radio advertising on NFL "super fans." Among those exposed to radio advertising, the analysis attributed a 56% impact on awareness, 49% on consideration, 51% on purchase and 41% on loyalty.
According to Audacy, radio advertising moved NFL super fans through each stage of the purchase funnel more effectively than advertising on television, Facebook, YouTube and connected TV.
The company said the findings illustrate that the opportunity for advertisers extends beyond reaching fans during games to connecting with highly engaged audiences consuming NFL-related content throughout the week.
Read the full Audacy Insights article here.
Broadcast Communications to Acquire WOGG, WPKL
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, October 6, 2026 | 2:00pm CT |
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Broadcast Communications, Inc. has agreed to acquire WOGG-FM (Froggy 94.9) and WPKL-FM (Pickle 99.3) from Forever Media for $995,000.
WOGG, licensed to Oliver, PA, operates at 94.9 MHz with 1.95 kW and airs a Country format as Froggy 94.9. WPKL, licensed to Uniontown, PA, operates at 99.3 MHz with 3 kW and airs Classic Hits as Pickle 99.3. Both stations serve areas in the Pittsburgh region.
Broadcast Communications is headed by Bob Stevens, while Forever Media is led by Lynn Deppen.
Michael J. Bergner of Bergner & Co. served as exclusive broker for the transaction.
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Surround Launches 'The Design Drop' Podcast
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, October 6, 2026 | 3:37pm CT |
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Surround Podcast Network has launched "The Design Drop," a new podcast offering career advice and guidance for emerging professionals in the architecture and design industry.
Hosted by Caroline Murphy, FutureGen Engagement Lead at Sandow Design Group, the podcast debuts with a first season sponsored by Haworth. New episodes will be released weekly.
"The Design Drop" is designed to move beyond traditional career advice by exploring the mistakes, lessons and unwritten rules encountered while building a creative career. Each episode begins with Murphy addressing questions facing young creatives before she sits down with guests for conversations about their experiences and lessons learned.
Topics include navigating professional feedback, advocating for yourself and defining individual career success.
The first season's guest lineup includes interior designer and content creator Clare Sullivan; Kelly Cooper of Universal Music Group; Mazzarini & Co. Founder and Principal Dan Mazzarini; HOK Senior Principal Kay Sargent; O. Labs Founder and CEO Jessica O. Matthews; and Haworth Senior Design Studio Manager Nicolai Czumaj-Bront.
Surround describes Murphy's approach as "big-sister advice," combining personal stories with practical career takeaways from professionals inside and outside the architecture and design industry.
Wave Adds 'Bad Friends' to Podcast Roster
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, October 6, 2026 | 3:48pm CT |
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Wave Sports & Entertainment has struck a deal to oversee advertising sales and distribution for "Bad Friends," the weekly comedy podcast hosted by Andrew Santino and Bobby Lee.
The agreement expands Wave's relationship with Santino, whose solo podcast "Whiskey Ginger" joined the company's roster earlier this year. Under the new deal, Wave will handle advertising sales and distribution for "Bad Friends" across YouTube, podcast platforms and social channels.
Launched in 2020, "Bad Friends" features Santino and Lee's unfiltered conversations, comedy and roasting. The show currently generates more than 38 million monthly views across platforms.
"Bad Friends has always been about two friends getting together trying to make each other laugh," Santino said. "We're so excited to continue to have full comedic freedom with Wave. I've had such a great experience with them on my other show 'Whiskey Ginger' and we can't wait to keep making comedy for our fans for many years to come."
Lee added, "We know we're in good hands. Mostly, we're just excited to keep making the show we love, at a heightened scale and bringing our fans along for the ride."
Wave Chief Content Officer Mack Sovereign said the company's experience working with Santino on "Whiskey Ginger" led naturally to expanding the relationship.
"We're thrilled to welcome Bobby to Wave, and are excited to support the next chapter of their singular show," Sovereign said.
The addition continues Wave's expansion into comedy and long-form programming. The company said its content generated more than six billion impressions over the past year.
New episodes of "Bad Friends" are released Mondays on YouTube, Spotify, Apple and other podcast platforms.
Urban One Dallas Realigns Three-Station Lineup
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, October 5, 2026 | 2:00pm CT |
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Urban One Dallas has announced a programming realignment across its three-station Dallas-Fort Worth cluster, including new and returning personalities at KBFB (97.9 The Beat) and KKDA (K104) and a new music direction for 105.7 KRNB.
At 97.9 The Beat, Radio Hall of Famer Rickey Smiley returns to the station to anchor mornings beginning at 5am. Jazzi Black will handle middays from 9am-3pm, followed by Bryhana Monegain in afternoon drive. "Posted on the Corner with Incognito and DJ Misses" will air in evenings.
KRNB is introducing what Urban One describes as a new audio identity, featuring a mix of R&B from the 1990s, 2000s and today.
K104's lineup continues to feature DeDe McGuire and "DeDe in the Morning" in mornings. Michael Shawn moves into middays from 10am-3pm, Hollywood Bay Bay handles afternoon drive and Lil D transitions to evenings.
"This strategic realignment strengthens Radio One Dallas' ability to serve the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex with exceptional entertainment, engaging personalities, and compelling content that connects with our audiences," Operations Manager Yonni Rude said.
Vice President and General Manager Maurice Potts said the programming changes are intended to better reflect the cluster's audience and the direction of its brands.
"Rebranding 105.7 gives us an opportunity to create an even stronger, more distinctive connection with our audience while delivering the music and personalities they love," Potts said. "These changes reflect our commitment to keeping our stations fresh, relevant, and focused on serving our listeners."
Urban One acquired KRNB and KKDA as part of its expansion in the Dallas-Fort Worth market and says it continues to build its multimedia platform serving the market's urban music audience.
K-Love Closes $2M Purchase of Former KBAY-FM
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, October 5, 2026 | 3:21pm CT |
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K-Love Inc. has closed on its $2 million acquisition of the 94.5 FM signal in Gilroy, CA, serving San Jose from Connoisseur Media, completing a transaction first announced in July. The former KBAY-FM has adopted the new call letters KJNV-FM. K-Love acquired the signal to expand its Christian radio service in the San Jose market.
The transaction involved only the 94.5 FM facility, with Connoisseur retaining the KBAY intellectual property and Country format. Ahead of the closing, Connoisseur moved Bay Country from 94.5 to the stronger 98.5 FM signal, formerly occupied by Classic Rock KUFX.
The move expanded KBAY's coverage throughout the South Bay and surrounding communities while retaining its Country programming and air personalities, including Danny Miller, Tony Michaels and Emily Harlan.
Connoisseur Founder and CEO Jeff Warshaw said when the transaction was announced that K-Love had approached the company about acquiring the frequency as part of an effort to expand its Christian programming in San Jose. Connoisseur subsequently developed a plan allowing it to sell the 94.5 signal while retaining Bay Country.
KUFX's KFOX Classic Rock programming moved to KUFX-FM-HD2 and continues to be available online.
Connoisseur Media is led by Warshaw, while K-Love parent Educational Media Foundation is headed by CEO Thomas Stultz.
Michael J. Bergner of Bergner & Co. served as exclusive broker for the transaction.
Study: Broad Ad Reach Key to Driving Brand Growth
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, October 5, 2026 | 11:01am CT |
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New marketing research suggests advertisers looking for long-term growth should focus on reaching a broad audience rather than concentrating heavily on consumers who are already in the market to buy. The findings are highlighted in a new Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group analysis from Pierre Bouvard, drawing on marketing effectiveness research and a new book from James Hurman, along with a new study from Les Binet and Will Davis.
At the center of the research is the "95/5 rule," which holds that only about 5% of consumers are in the market for a particular product or service at any given time, while the remaining 95% represent potential future customers.
According to the analysis, advertisers have two primary jobs: converting existing demand among consumers currently in the market and creating future demand by building their brands among those who are not yet ready to buy.
The research suggests marketers devote about 40% of their efforts to reaching in-market consumers and 60% to building future demand. While tightly targeted advertising can help convert existing demand, reaching the much larger group of future buyers requires broader media exposure.
That approach favors what the report calls "big media," including AM/FM radio, television and out-of-home advertising.
Research cited by Bouvard indicates campaigns targeting new buyers or the entire market are two to three times more effective than campaigns focused primarily on existing customers. Over longer periods, companies employing broad-reach strategies were also significantly more likely to report substantial profit growth.
The analysis also challenges marketers' perceptions about the importance of targeting. A survey of 300 advertising decision makers found marketers and agencies estimated targeting was responsible for 22% of sales impact. Consumer purchase measurement firm Circana puts the actual contribution at 11%.
Another advantage cited for mass-reach media is memorability. Research from Amplified Intelligence's Karen Nelson-Field found more than 85% of online ads fail to reach the 2.5-second "attention-memory threshold," the point at which active attention begins making a meaningful difference in how long a brand remains in memory.
The research also found advertising in AM/FM radio, television and outdoor media can generate stronger perceptions of brand quality, popularity and trust than digital advertising. When measures including quality, financial strength, confidence, popularity, success and trust were combined, big-media advertising scored 40%, compared with 29% for digital media.
Bouvard argues this is particularly important because much of advertising's role occurs well before a consumer is ready to make a purchase. Research cited in the analysis found 84% of purchases are effectively decided before shopping begins, making long-term brand awareness critical.
The findings also challenge the traditional concern about advertising "waste" - reaching consumers who are not currently in the market. Instead, the analysis argues that reaching those consumers is necessary for future growth because brands need to be known before they are needed.
Read the full Audio Active Group blog here.
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MIW, NABLF Expand LAUNCH Mentorship Eligibility
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, October 6, 2026 | 0:01am CT |
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Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio (MIW) and the National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation (NABLF) will open applications October 6 for the 2026 LAUNCH Mentorship Program, with eligibility expanded this year to women working for broadcast technology partners and vendors.
The year-long program, sponsored by Mr. Master, previously focused on women working directly for broadcasters. The expanded eligibility is designed to reach more women pursuing careers across the technical side of the broadcast industry.
Launched in 2023, LAUNCH supports women pursuing careers in broadcast engineering, audio production and technical operations. The program pairs a rising professional with an experienced industry leader for one-on-one guidance, professional development and greater exposure to broadcast technologies and operations.
The selected mentee will receive exposure to areas including FCC compliance, RF systems, EAS, IP-based broadcast systems, automation and network operations. The program also covers IT, remote broadcasting, digital audio, streaming and systems integration.
The recipient will also have an opportunity to attend the 2027 NAB Show in Las Vegas.
"As technology continues to transform every part of the broadcast business, we need more women building, operating and leading the systems that will take our industry forward," MIW Board President Sheila Kirby said. "Expanding LAUNCH to include women working with our technology partners and vendors allows us to reach talented professionals across a much broader part of the broadcast ecosystem."
NAB Leadership Foundation President Michelle Duke said expanding eligibility will allow the program to reach more professionals whose technical expertise is important to the industry's operations and evolution.
"We are proud to continue partnering with MIW to provide meaningful mentorship, industry exposure and opportunities that help women grow their careers and become leaders in broadcast technology," Duke said.
Applications for the 2026 LAUNCH Mentorship Program will be accepted October 6-30. Apply here.
HMC Raises Concerns Over Transfer of SBS
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, October 5, 2026 | 4:26pm CT |
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The Hispanic Marketing Council (HMC) is urging the FCC to closely examine the public-interest implications of the proposed transfer of control of Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS), citing the potential impact of a change in ownership on Hispanic audiences and communities served by the broadcaster.
In comments filed with the Commission in MB Docket No. 26-240, HMC said the proceeding involving SBS and a related petition concerning ownership represents an opportunity for regulators to examine the broader implications of the proposed ownership structure.
HMC, a national trade organization representing marketing, communications and media companies serving the U.S. Hispanic community, said its concerns extend beyond the circumstances of SBS or the transaction itself.
The organization pointed to SBS's operation of several major Hispanic radio stations in key U.S. markets, saying those outlets provide news, information, emergency communications, entertainment and opportunities for community engagement to millions of Americans.
"Accordingly, a change in ownership has the potential to affect the audiences, programming, services, and communities served by the licenses involved," HMC said. The group added that Spanish-language media can play an especially important role in connecting audiences with information and their local communities.
HMC said the FCC proceeding should not be viewed solely as a question of who owns the media company, but also how the public-interest responsibilities associated with SBS's broadcast licenses would continue to be fulfilled. Those responsibilities include providing Spanish-language news and information, emergency communications and community service.
The organization urged the FCC to conduct a "thorough and careful review" of the proposed ownership structure before making a final determination and to provide sufficient opportunity for investigation, discussion, public input and analysis of its potential effects.
HMC Executive Director Horacio Gavilan said the Commission should give appropriate consideration to the interests of millions of Americans who rely on Spanish-language media for information, connection and community engagement.
Radio Ads Reach Consumers Ready to Act
| RADIO ONLINE | Sunday, October 4, 2026 | 10:27pm CT |
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Consumers influenced by radio advertising are more likely to be planning purchases and activities across several high-value categories than consumers influenced by advertising overall, according to a new analysis from Katz Radio Group.
For its latest "Sound Answers" report, Katz analyzed Nielsen Scarborough data examining activities consumers plan to pursue during the next 12 months and compared the indexes of those influenced by radio advertising with consumers influenced by advertising in general.
The largest difference was among consumers planning to visit an indoor water park. Those influenced by radio advertising registered an index of 218, compared with 131 among consumers influenced by advertising overall, an 87-point advantage.
Sports betting also showed a sizable difference. Radio ad-influenced consumers posted an index of 195 for plans to participate in sports betting, compared with 117 for the broader advertising-influenced group, a 78-point difference.
Katz found similar results involving major purchases. Consumers influenced by radio advertising indexed at 134 for plans to purchase a motorcycle, 148 for buying a luxury vehicle and 126 for replacing garage doors. In each case, the radio-influenced audience indexed higher than consumers influenced by advertising overall.
Katz said the findings indicate radio advertising can reach consumers while they are considering upcoming purchases and activities, ranging from entertainment and experiences to vehicles and home improvement projects.
The company said radio's combination of reach and its presence throughout consumers' daily routines gives advertisers an opportunity to connect with audiences before they make purchasing decisions.
Read the full Katz Radio Group Sound Answers post here.
Hubbard Launches 'Bull Classics' in Seattle
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, October 2, 2026 | 10:08am CT |
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Hubbard | Media That Connects has launched "Bull Classics," a new Classic Country format airing on KKNW-AM (1150) and KPNW-FM-HD2 (98.9) in Seattle. The format features Country favorites from artists including George Strait, Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks, Brooks & Dunn, Shania Twain and Toby Keith.
"Bull Classics" is designed to complement Hubbard's "98.9 The Bull," which continues to focus on current Country music on KPNW-FM. The company said the two formats give Seattle listeners separate choices for current and classic Country programming at 98.9 and its HD2 channel.
"98.9 The Bull is our home for New Country, and Bull Classics gives us a natural way to expand that offering," said Hubbard Seattle President and Market Manager Nick Beyer. "Whether listeners want today's biggest country songs or the artists and records they've loved for years, we want 98.9 to be a destination for country music in Seattle."
Scott Mahalick, Operations Manager and Brand Content Director for 98.9 The Bull, said the Classic Country outlet provides a connection between today's artists and the genre's earlier stars. "Today's New Country stands on the shoulders of legends," Mahalick said. "Without Reba, Dolly, Garth or Alan, there'd be no Ella, Stella, Luke, Zach or Kasey. Now you have a choice for classics."
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Compass Media Lands Pac-12 Championship Audio Rights
| RADIO ONLINE | Sunday, October 4, 2026 | 10:20pm CT |
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The Pac-12 Conference and Playfly Sports have entered into a multi-year partnership with Compass Media Networks for the exclusive national audio rights to the conference's football and men's and women's basketball championship events.
Under the agreement, Compass Media Networks will produce, broadcast and market pregame, postgame and live play-by-play coverage of the championships across its audio platforms.
Coverage will begin December 4 with the 2026 Pac-12 Football Championship. Compass will also carry the Pac-12 Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament championship games on March 13, 2027 in Las Vegas.
"As we celebrate the Pac-12's next chapter, we are excited to partner with Compass Media Networks and Playfly Sports to deliver high-quality audio broadcasts at a national scale for our championship games in football and men's and women's basketball," said Pac-12 Commissioner Teresa Gould. "Fans across the country will have live play-by-play access to three of our premier events across all audio platforms."
The Pac-12 features Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Gonzaga as a non-football member, Oregon State, San Diego State, Texas State, Utah State and Washington State.
"The Pac-12 Conference is an awesome addition to our play-by-play sports lineup," said Compass Media Networks General Manager of Sports Programming Robert Blum. "We look forward to working with the Pac-12 Conference and Playfly Sports to build excitement for these iconic matchups."
Connoisseur to Sell WQCM to Family Life Ministries
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, October 2, 2026 | 9:54am CT |
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Connoisseur Media has reached an agreement to sell WQCM-FM, licensed to Greencastle, PA and serving the Hagerstown-Chambersburg market, to Family Life Ministries. The transaction is subject to FCC approval and is expected to close during the fourth quarter. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Connoisseur Media founder and CEO Jeff Warshaw said Family Life approached the company about acquiring the station as part of its effort to expand its Christian programming into the Hagerstown-Chambersburg area.
"We already have three other strong stations serving the market, so we were open to discussions," Warshaw said.
Family Life Ministries President and CEO Rick Snavely said the acquisition will expand the organization's coverage in south-central Pennsylvania and complement a recently acquired signal in Hershey.
"Family Life is excited to expand its coverage in south central PA as WQCM will be a nice addition to our recently purchased signal in Hershey," Snavely said.
Michael J. Bergner of Bergner & Co. served as exclusive broker for the transaction. Wilkinson Barker Knauer represented Connoisseur Media, while Hardy, Carey, Chautin & Balkin represented Family Life Ministries.
Seven Mountains to Reacquire WCDI for $300,000
| RADIO ONLINE | Sunday, October 4, 2026 | 10:16pm CT |
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Seven Mountains Media is reacquiring WCDI-FM (100.5) in Elizabethville, PA from Family Life Ministries for $300,000, according to FCC documents. The asset purchase agreement, dated September 25, identifies Family Life Ministries as the seller and Seven Mountains affiliate Southern Belle Media Family as the buyer. The agreement calls for a $300,000 purchase price and makes the transaction contingent on FCC approval.
The deal comes just over a year after Seven Mountains sold the station, then WQBG, to Family Life for $400,000. Prior to that sale, "Bigfoot Country" WQBG simulcast with WRBG (98.3) in Mifflinburg and WCFT-FM (106.5) in Bloomsburg.
WCDI holds a construction permit to change its community of license from Elizabethville to Carroll Township and relocate closer to the Harrisburg market. FCC documents show the permit expires September 9, 2029. Under the new purchase agreement, Family Life is required to continue work toward completing the Carroll Township facilities before closing.
The move comes after Family Life closed on its acquisition of 106.7 WWKL/Hershey, now WCDM, from Cumulus Media, giving the Christian broadcaster another signal serving the Harrisburg area.
WCDI is currently operated as a noncommercial educational station despite being located outside the reserved NCE band. As part of the transaction, Family Life will apply to return the station to commercial status contingent upon FCC approval and consummation of the sale.
Family Life will retain the WCDI call letters, which are specifically excluded from the assets being transferred to Southern Belle.
FCC ownership documentation shows Southern Belle Media Family also has attributable interests in WVYV-FM and WLBR-AM in the Harrisburg-Lebanon-Carlisle market. With WCDI, the company would hold interests in two FM stations and one AM in the market, within the FCC's local radio ownership limits.
Dolly Parton to Receive CRB Humanitarian Award
| RADIO ONLINE | Sunday, October 4, 2026 | 10:33pm CT |
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Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB) will posthumously honor Dolly Parton with its 2027 Artist Humanitarian Award, recognizing her lifetime of philanthropy, compassion and service to others. The award will be presented during Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2027, set for March 17-19 in Nashville. CRB said Parton had been notified of her selection and agreed to accept the honor before her death.
Parton's philanthropic efforts included the Imagination Library, which she launched in 1995 in her home county in East Tennessee to provide free books to children from birth through age five. The program eventually grew into an international literacy initiative that has distributed millions of books to children and families.
Through the Dollywood Foundation and her personal giving, Parton also supported education, healthcare, disaster relief and medical research. Her efforts included assistance to families affected by East Tennessee wildfires and investments in educational opportunities and medical research.
"The word 'humanitarian' is nearly synonymous with Dolly Parton," said CRS Executive Director RJ Curtis. "Her decades of generosity and philanthropy speak for themselves, and CRB was honored when Dolly agreed to accept this recognition earlier this year."
"Though she won't be with us in person at CRS, her extraordinary spirit and enduring commitment to making the world a better place will continue to inspire us all," Curtis added.
Established in 1990, the CRB Artist Humanitarian Award recognizes Country artists whose philanthropic efforts have significantly benefited the causes they support. Previous recipients include Jelly Roll, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Kane Brown, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney and Carrie Underwood.
NYSBA Honors Broadcasters Across New York
| RADIO ONLINE | Sunday, October 4, 2026 | 10:23pm CT |
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The New York State Broadcasters Association (NYSBA) has concluded its 2026 Upstate Regional Training Sessions and Awards Luncheons, recognizing broadcasters across the state for industry excellence and community service. The statewide series honored recipients of NYSBA's Excellence in Broadcasting Awards and Serving New York Community Awards.
Each Upstate gathering included a training session led by Swagger Institute President and founder Derron Steenbergen. The sessions focused on practical strategies for broadcast sales and management teams, including the use of AI-powered prospecting.
Awards were presented at seven luncheons across the state. The series began September 17 in New York City, with NYSBA Senior Policy Advisor and longtime former president David Donovan presenting this year's honors.
"It is a privilege to honor the inspiring broadcasters across our state who do so much for the industry and the communities they serve," said NYSBA President and Executive Director Heidi Raphael. "These awards reflect the incredible talent, creativity, and commitment to public service that define New York broadcasting."
Raphael also thanked Steenbergen for providing training to NYSBA members and Donovan for his 15 years of service to the organization and for presenting the awards.
QUU served as the official sponsor of the 2026 regional series.
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