Industry News

JVC Broadcasting to Launch Spanish News/Talk Outlet on Long Island

Last week, JVC Broadcasting closed on its acquisition of WLIM, Medford, New York and its FM translator W227CL at 93.3, licensed to Port Jefferson, New York and revealed that it would flip the station from its classic hits format. Now, JVC says that it will debut a Spanish-language news/talk outlet on the signals. JVC CEO John Caracciolo says, “We have a very successful Spanish music station with ‘LaFiesta’ [WBON-FM] run by Ana Maria Carbalo. For over 13 years ‘LaFiesta’ has been a community beacon of information, news,im networking and mostly music. As the Latino community grows in Suffolk County, we found that they have no full-time news and information source, no outlet for them to express their thoughts or hear the talk radio that they want. We knew that we needed a sister station to ‘LaFiesta’ that was dedicated to the community and was their ‘LI News Radio’ or WINS. Ana developed the concept of live, local, community talk radio for this demo and named it ‘En Vivo’ — or ‘Live,’ now all I had to do was find an outlet for this amazing concept she developed. When WLIM 1440 and 93.3 became available we knew we had to make the move and bring them into the JVC cluster.” Carbalo adds, “Long Island ‘En Vivo’ knows today’s decisions affect our community tomorrow and the best tool to drive us to a better future is information. News, politics, finance, sports, entertainment, health & lifestyle – we cover it all. Long Island has a huge Hispanic population that continues to be underserved. That was made abundantly clear during the pandemic. Long Island needed information in Spanish… So now we have a dedicated source that will not only deliver relevant information about what happens in our area but also educates and creates opportunities for the Hispanic population to prosper by providing the tools and resources they need.”

Industry News

Gray Radio Launches FOX Sports 94.7 FM in Augusta, Georgia

Gray Radio, LLC partners with FOX Sports Radio to bring the network’s programming to its new sports station WAAW-FM, Augusta “FOX Sports 94.7 FM,” effective July 3.  The station will carry the entire FOX Sports Radioim lineup including “Two Pros and a Cup of Joe with LaVar Arrington, Brady Quinn & Jonas Knox,” “The Dan Patrick Show,” “The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” and more. Gray president Tony Gray says, “WAAW is extremely excited to bring FOX Sports to local Augusta sports fans. We’re confident that the home of the Masters Tournament will embrace the station’s new format.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

iHeartMedia Treasure Coast announces a new, multi-year deal to become the Miami Dolphins radio broadcast partner for the Fort Pierce market. Beginning this season, live gameday broadcasts will air on WAVE 92.7 (WAVW) and Real Radio 101.7 (WCZR).

Throughout Major League Baseball’s 2023 All-Star Week, SiriusXM will deliver extensive audio coverage to baseball fans around the country. Subscribers will get live broadcasts of the 93rd All-Star Game, the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game, the T-Mobile Home Run Derby, the MLB Draft, and more special programming from Seattle.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (6/28) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The Hunter Biden plea deal and his legal battles with the owner of the computer repair shop that worked on his laptops; the 2024 presidential race and concerns about President Joe Biden’s health; the legal battles facing former President Donald Trump; the thick smoke from Canadian wildfires blanketing almost one-third of the U.S.; the recovery of wreckage from the doomed Titan submersible; Vladimir Putin’s grasp on power in the aftermath of the Wagner Group insurrection and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war; and the brutal heatwave hitting the Southern U.S. were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

TALKERS 2023: Video Posted of “The State of Sports Talk Radio” Panel

During the coming days, videos of all of TALKERS 2023’s numerous sessions conducted June 2 at Hofstra University will be posted, continuing today (6/28) with the panel presentation, “The State of Sports Talk Radio.”im The presentation, sponsored by Backbone Networks, was introduced by John Fredericks, host/owner of the John Fredericks Radio Network (pictured above) and facilitated by WRHU-FM/WRHU.org, Hofstra University, GM, John T. Mullen (pictured at right). The panelists (pictured below left to right) included Mark Chernoff, sports reporter, “107.1 The Boss,” Long Branch, NJ/sports talent coach; Grace Blazer, VP, national NTS brand coordinator, director of news and AM programming Florida region, iHeart Radio; and Spike Eskin, VP programming, WFAN, New York and CBS Sports Radio. See the video here.

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Industry News

BIA Advisory: U.S. Local Ad Revenue Estimate Lowered

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Due to “a mixed start in the economy this year and the tempered growth in digital advertising,” BIA Advisory Services is lowering its estimated U.S. local advertising revenue for 2023 to $161.7 billion – down from its original estimate of $165.7 billion. The company says that after looking at the first six months of the year, it decided the reduction was necessary. Vice president of forecasting and analysis Nicole Ovadia says, “After years of double-digit growth, we are seeing some headwinds that will have a significant impact on digital local advertising.” BIA is now expecting digital media revenue for 2023 to be $78 billion (down from its earlier estimate of $81 billion). Radio digital revenue – ex political – is expected to rise by 4.1% over 2022. “When examining the top spending sub-verticals, BIA advises that later in the year, growth is expected in Auto, and the company is raising expectations for Tier 3 – New Car Dealers, and Automotive Repair Services. Other important verticals for local advertising where BIA is raising expectations include Savings/Credit Institutions and Other Loan Services, Plumbers and HVAC, and Realtors.”

Industry News

Keely Byars to Lead NRG Media Omaha

Media executive Keely Byars is named general manager for NRG Media’s Omaha station group that includes news/talk KOIL-AM and sports talk KOZN-AM “The Zone” plus five music brands. NRG COO Jim Smith says, “Byars is an energetic leader with a broad base of experience in media, digital innovation, content development,im and operations. She is a native Nebraskan who is passionate about local media and the Omaha community. Byars understands our commitment to excellence, and we are thrilled to have her join our talented team in Omaha.” Byars has served in leadership positions with Lee Enterprises, Berkshire Hathaway Media, and the Omaha World-Herald. She comments, “Radio has such a positive impact on so many of our listener’s lives, the local businesses we serve, and the community partnerships we form.  Joining the team at the radio stations that I grew up listening to is such an honor to me and I am excited to build upon the stations’ legacies.”