Most recently serving as president of iHeartMedia’s “Pacific Area,” Steve Darnell transfers to Sacramento as metro president, succeeding Sara McClure (see separate story below). Darnell will report to iHeartMedia division president DJ Hodge, who notes, “After many years of successful leadership in our ‘Pacific Area,’ it was clear early-on that Steve was the perfect candidate to lead our Sacramento market as metro president. Steve is the ideal choice to continue the great work done by Sara McClure.” Darnell comments, “I’m excited for the opportunity to lead our Sacramento team and market-leading iconic station brands. Sacramento is a dynamic, thriving city and I’m thankful that DJ Hodge -among others – entrusted me with continuing our growth in this very important market.” The Fresno State University graduate previously was iHM market president for Fresno, as well as that cluster’s senior vice president of sales. Among the seven stations in iHM’s Sacramento cluster are simulcast news/talk KFBK-AM/FM “News 93.1” and similarly-formatted KSTE “Talk 650.” In Nielsen Audio’s June 2024 sweep, the KFBK simulcast ranks third (7.2, 6+), while KSTE finishes 15th (2.3, 6+).
