Industry News

iHeartMedia Expands Partnership with Magnite

iHeartMedia and independent sell-side advertising company Magnite are launching a marketplace that brings together iHeartMedia’s broadcast radio, streaming radio and podcast assets for inclusion in omnichannel programmatic media buys. Built from a custom implementation of Magnite’s SpringServe ad serving technology, the marketplace enables advertisers to transact with a data-driven approach viaim real-time-bidding across iHeartMedia’s broadcast and digital audio inventory through a single activation channel. iHeartMedia chief data officer and president of revenue strategies Brian Kaminsky says, “With today’s consumers spending a third of their media time with audio, expanding programmatic’s access to iHeart’s audio assets is imperative for the industry. Not only are we expanding what role programmatic can play for advertisers, we are also improving the efficacy of their campaigns by allowing them to use real-time data to message their audience in the most engaging way possible, in an environment of trust and interest. We’re excited to expand our partnership with Magnite because they have proven expertise in programmatic and the ability to build technology fit for the unique needs of audio advertising to take its place in omnichannel.”

Industry News

iHeartPodcast Awards to Emanate from SXSW in March

iHeartMedia announces that its iHeartPodcast Awards will take place live and in-person during the SXSW Conference and Festivals in Austin at the Fairmont Hotel on Monday, March 11 at 8:00 pm CT.im The awards “honor the best and most innovative industry podcasts and creators of 2023.” The ceremony will broadcast live on select iHeartMedia radio stations nationwide, through the iHeartRadio app and via a video stream in partnership with YouTube on iHeartRadio’s YouTube Channel. iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group CEO Conal Byrne comments, “Each year we look forward to celebrating the podcast industry’s most groundbreaking and innovative voices as the medium continues to evolve and explode. Over the past few years, SXSW has become a dynamic and effective setting for us to host many of our interactive podcast panels, discussions, and experiences. There’s no better location to bring this celebratory industry event back, live and in person, than Austin at South by Southwest.”

Industry News

Seth Pitkin to Lead iHeartMedia Des Moines

Sales pro Seth Pitkin is named market president for iHeartMedia’s Des Moines station group. He was most recently vice president of sales for Dealer X. iHeartMedia area president Taylor Walet states, “We are extremely excited to have Seth lead our highly successful team in Des Moines to new levels of performance using iHeart’s many results-focused assets. Seth brings over 20 years’ experience in radio, television, print and digitally focused companies to iHeartMedia.”

Industry News

Monica Wittkopp Named Market President for iHeartMedia Madison

iHeartMedia names Monica Wittkopp market president for iHeartMedia Madison, effective immediately. Wittkopp has been serving as vice president of sales for the Madison operations since 2021. As marketim president she’ll continue to lead the sales efforts and is adding oversight of programming and general operations for iHeartMedia Madison, working closely with Dan Lenz, SVP of sales at iHeartMedia Milwaukee. She reports to Jeff Tyler, metro president for iHeartMedia Wisconsin. He says, “I have been nothing but impressed with Monica’s command of company goals and assets and the respect she has earned from every member of the iHeartMedia Madison team. She will be a valuable addition to the overall leadership team of iHeartMedia and a smart, creative partner for our advertising and vendor partners.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

News/talk WGDJ, Albany and owner Paul Vandenburgh are the subjects of an interesting piece by Chris Churchill in the Times-Union. Vandenburgh has been the owner of the standalone station (it also broadcasts on W254DA at 98.7 FM) for 17 years. In addition to owning and running the ship, he also hosts the local morning program. His success – Vandenburgh says the station is in the black – bucks the trend of consolidation. Read the full story here.

Cumulus Media announces that “The Ed Mylett Show” joins the Cumulus Podcast Network. The program showcases interviews with the greatest peak performers across all industries – including business, health, collegiate and professional sports, politics, entrepreneurship, science and entertainment – sharing their journeys, knowledge and thought leadership to help inspire listeners to become their best selves.

ABC News Radio adds Hubbard Broadcasting’s WTOP-FM, Washington, DC as its newest affiliate station. ABC News Radio says, “This new partnership will support WTOP-FM by providing the station access to live two-ways with ABC News correspondents, including chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl, White House correspondent Karen Travers, national correspondent Steven Portnoy and many others.

iHeartMedia Connecticut adds FOX Sports Radio to the lineups at WUCS-FM, Hartford “97-9 FM” and WAVZ-AM, New Haven. Stations programmer Ben Darnell comments, “We’re thrilled to now have FOX Sports Radio’s powerful lineup on 97-9 and on 1300AM. This addition, along with ‘The Rob Dibble Show,’ play-by-play and the UConn Sports Network, will continue our position as the broadcast sports leader in Connecticut.”

FOX News Media promotes Scott Wilder to EVP of production and operations. In this capacity, Wilder will oversee all technical, field and production operations of FOX News Media’s special events and breaking news coverage, including the 2024 presidential election.

Industry News

Nielsen Releases December 2023 PPM Survey Data

imOver the Christmas and New Year’s holiday break, Nielsen Audio released data from the December 2023 ratings period for all 48 PPM markets that covered November 9 through December 6. TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from all PPM markets. Some of the notable ratings stories from the December 2023 period include in New York City, Red Apple Media’s news/talk WABC falls two-tenths to a 2.8 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) good for the #11 rank, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk WOR also dips two-tenths to a 1.1 share and remains ranked #22. In Washington, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WMAL-FM, sheds 1.1 shares for a 3.5 share finish that leaves it ranked #9, while Hubbard Broadcasting’s all-news WTOP-FM falls a half share to a 6.9 share but remains ranked #3. In Seattle, Bonneville’s news/talk KIRO-FM loses six-tenths for a 4.1 share finish and falls to the #9 rank, while the company’s sister news/talk KTTH-AM is steady with a 1.6 share good for the #22 rank, and Lotus Communications’ talk KVI-AM, rises one-tenth to a 1.6 share and ties for the #22 rank. In San Antonio, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WOAI falls four-tenths to a 2.7 share but remains ranked #14, while Alpha Media’s news/talk dips two-tenths to a 2.0 share that leaves it ranked #19. In Orlando, iHeartMedia’s talk WTKS-FM loses three-tenths for a 3.6 share finish but remains ranked #10, while Cox Media Group’s news/talk WDBO-AM sheds four-tenths for a 3.2 share and stays locked in the #13 rank. And in Milwaukee, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WISN finishes its third month in a row at #1 even though it lost 1.1 shares to finish with a 9.6 share, while Good Karma Brands’ news/talk WTMJ-AM is down one-tenth for a 7.6 share that pushes its back to the #3 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s Ratings Takeways from all 48 PPM markets here.

Industry News

iHeartMedia Expands James T. Harris and Garret Lewis Shows in Phoenix and Tucson

iHeartMedia announces that talk shows “The Conservative Circus with James T. Harris” and “The Afternoon Addiction with Garret Lewis” will air on both KFYI, Phoenix and KNST, Tucson, effectiveim immediately. “The Conservative Circus with James T. Harris” will air from 6:00 am to 10:00 and “The Afternoon Addiction with Garret Lewis” moves from morning drive to the 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm daypart on both stations. iHeartMedia market president Linda Little comments, “James T and Garret have die-hard fans on im550 KFYI in Phoenix and 790 KNST in Tucson. Combining James and Garret on both stations puts the two biggest conservative voices in Arizona in prime dayparts to better serve both markets.” Company area president Steve Earnhart adds, “Garret Lewis has been the number one conservative host in southern Arizona for over a decade. His large following and political impact will only grow with this move. We’re thrilled to welcome James T. Harris back to Tucson. This one-two punch of top-tier talent will make 790 KNST bigger and better than ever – for listeners and clients.”

Industry News

KFI, Los Angeles’ Pastathon Raises $1.3 million and 81,000 Pounds of Pasta & Sauce

iHeartMedia’s news/talk KFI, Los Angeles raised more than $1.3 million and 81,000 pounds of pasta and sauce to benefit Caterina’s Club during its “KFI PastaThon” that took place took from November 15 through December 3. Caterina’s Club provides more than 25,000 nutritious meals every week to childrenim in need in Southern California. The charity also helps families get back into stable home environments and teaches teens the skills they need to work in the hospitality industry. This year, all 168 Wendy’s restaurants in Southern California continued their partnership and offered customers the opportunity to donate. KFI program director Robin Bertolucci says, “Once again, the KFI audience has come through with incredible generosity and kindness. This is our 13th year and every year we are touched by the giving spirit of KFI listeners. A huge thank you to them and to our partners, Smart and Final and Wendy’s for giving our listeners another way to give back to the community.”

Industry News

Danny Bonaduce to Retire from Radio

Morning drive radio personality Danny Bonaduce announces he’s retiring from his gig hosting the morning show on iHeartMedia’s classic rock KZOK-FM, Seattle, effective this Friday (12/15).  While Bonaduce worked mostly at music-formatted stations as a host, he worked at KLSX-FM, Los Angelesim during its time as an FM talk station. KZOK says in its announcement of Bonaduce’s retirement, “Danny’s career in the limelight began at an early age, starting with appearances on ‘Bewitched’ in 1969 that landed him the role of Danny Partridge on the ‘Partridge Show’ from 1970 to 1974. Later, Danny would appear in Corvette Summer with Mark Hamill and many cameo appearances on TV and movies over the years.” He says, “I am the luckiest guy in entertainment. I joined the actors union at age three and with little interruption, I have worked in the industry I love for 60 years. I loved almost every minute of it. I want to thank the loyal fans who have followed me throughout my career, including the last 12 based in Seattle. Thank you to iHeartRadio for believing in me, to my on-air partner Sarah for putting up with me. My thanks to Paul Anderson, my agent for decades who has been my steady guide and business partner.”

Industry News

New Titles and Responsibilities as iHeartMedia Realigns Markets Group

iHeartMedia realigns its Markets Group – part of the company’s Multi Platform Group segment –  that “takes advantage of iHeart’s unique scale and multiple platforms; leadership in audio; and its expertise in consumers, monetization and data.” In 2020, iHeart announced that it would group its markets by common needs and characteristics into three different divisions – Region, Metro and Community – to make sharing of resources and experiences easier and more targeted.  The company now names five new division presidents:  Bernie Weiss and Paul Corvino for the Region Division, and Kristin Foley, Chris Soechtig and DJ Hodge for the Metro Division. Tom McConnell, formerly a Metro Divisionim President, will also become a Region Division president. In addition, Nick Gnau, formerly a Community Division president, will become a Metro Division president, and Shosh Abromovich and Dan Lankford will add Nick’s former Markets to their responsibilities as the Community Division presidents. Amy Leimbach, who served as senior vice president of sales for Austin, Dallas and San Antonio, will become president of those Markets. The company also announces changes that will enable it to increase its focus on a number of high-growth opportunities. Kevin LeGrett, president of the iHeart Sports Network, makes the transition from his role as division president of Los Angeles to now focus exclusively on leading and growing the company’s leading Political and Sports platforms. Additionally, Tony Coles, president of BIN: Black Information Network, now leads all multicultural efforts as the president of multi-cultural business and development.  The new division presidents will report directly to Hartley Adkins, president of the iHeartMedia Markets Group, and Coles and LeGrett, as well as Adkins, will report to Rich Bressler, iHeart’s president, COO and CFO and CEO of the iHeartMedia Multi Platform Group. The company will be making this transition over the next few weeks.

Industry News

Round Three of November PPMs Released

imThe third of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s November 2023 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Columbus. The survey period covered October 12 through November 8. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Portland, Alpha Media news/talk KXL-FM is flat with a 6.9 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) but rises to the #2 rank, while iHeartMedia’s crosstown news/talk KEX-AM dips one-tenth to a 1.6 share and remains ranked #21. In San Antonio, iHeartMedia news/talk WOAI adds three-tenths to finish with a 3.1 share but falls back to the #14 rank, while Alpha Media’s news/talk KTSA declines four-tenths to a 2.2 share and slips to the #17 rank. In Salt Lake City, Bonneville news/talk KSL-AM/FM loses eight-tenths and wraps the survey with a 6.1 share that leaves it ranked #4, while iHeartMedia news/talk KNRS-AM/FM rises a full share to a 3.9 share and leaps to the #9 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Industry News

Round Two of November PPMs Released

imThe second of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s November PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis. The survey period ran from October 12 through November 8. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Washington, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WMAL-FM is up six-tenths for a 4.6 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) finish that lifts it to the #6 rank, while Hubbard Broadcasting’s all-news WTOP-FM declines seven-tenths to a 7.4 share as it falls to the #3 rank after 10 months at #2. In Seattle, Bonneville’s news/talk KIRO-FM adds half a share to finish with a 4.7 share that lifts it to the #6 rank, while Lotus Communications’ all-news KNWN-AM/FM rises four-tenths for a 2.6 share good for the #18 rank. In Phoenix, iHeartMedia news/talk KFYI falls seven-tenths to a 3.3 share that leaves it ranked #11, while Bonneville’s news/talk KTAR-FM tacks on three-tenths for a 2.7 share finish that lifts it to the #14 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Industry News

Round One of November PPMs Released

imThe first of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s November PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island), Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, San Jose, and Middlesex-Somerset-Union (New Jersey). The November 2023 survey covered October 12 – November 8. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In New York, Red Apple Media’s news/talk WABC dips one-tenth for a 3.0 share finish and remains ranked #11, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk WOR adds one-tenth to finish with a 1.3 share and rises to the #22 rank. In Los Angeles, iHeartMedia’s news/talk KFI rises six-tenths to a 5.1 share that lifts it to the #4 rank. In Chicago, Nexstar Media’s news/talk WGN falls two-tenths to a 3.4 share good for the #10 rank, while Cumulus Media’s news/talk WLS-AM is steady at a 1.5 share but rises one notch to the #23 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Industry News

iHeartMedia Expects $100 Million in Proceeds from BMI Deal

iHeartMedia, Inc announces that in connection with the previously announced acquisition of Broadcast Music, Inc (BMI) to a shareholder group led by New Mountain Capital, LLC, it expects to receiveim approximately $100 million of proceeds related to its equity interest in BMI, subject to approval of the transaction by BMI shareholders and customary regulatory approvals. iHeartMedia says it plans to use the proceeds for general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of debt. The transaction is expected to close by the end of Q1 2024.

Industry News

WTVN, Columbus Unveils New Morning Program

iHeartMedia’s Columbus news/talk WTVN-AM launches a new 5:00 am to 9:00 am show called “Columbus’ Morning News” hosted by station program director Mike Elliott. Contributors to the program include sports director Matt McCoy, news reporter Scott Jennings, traffic reporter Johnnyim Hill, and producer Michael Campana. The station says, “Thirty-year market veteran, Elliott, who started at WTVN in 1999 as the producer for Columbus radio legend Bob Conners, will continue to serve as program director for 610 WTVN. ‘Columbus’ Morning News’ will also feature timely guests and newsmakers to wake up information-hungry listeners with the local and national news they need to start each day in Ohio’s Capital City. Elliott adds, “I’ve done everything on WTVN except host my own show, and now I get that chance. I’m grateful to be working with the most talented team in the business every morning to bring the news to the best audience out there!”

Industry News

KFI, Los Angeles Presents 13th Annual PastaThon

Los Angeles news/talk outlet KFI announces the 13th annual “KFI PastaThon” event to benefit Caterina’s Club – a local charity that provides more than 25,000 nutritious meals every week to childrenim in need in Southern California. The charity also helps families get back into stable home environments and teaches teens the skills they need to work in the hospitality industry. On ‘Giving Tuesday’ (11/28), the iHeartMedia station will host a live, all-day broadcast at the Anaheim White House featuring station personalities Bill Handel, Amy King, Gary & Shannon, John & Ken, Tim Conway Jr and Mo Kelly during which they’ll ask listeners to collect money and pasta and sauce donations for Caterina’s Club. 100% of donations collected go directly to Caterina’s Club. Also, from November 15 through December 3, Smart & Final locations in California, Arizona and Nevada and Wendy’s restaurants in Southern California will offer customers an option to donate to the “KFI PastaThon.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

UK radio and outdoor firm Global inks an exclusive platform distribution and ad sales deal with iHeartMedia in which Global and iHeartMedia will license, distribute and represent each other’s podcast portfolios.

The Philadelphia Eagles and Audacy announce a multi-year extension to their 30-year partnership through the 2028 NFL season. As part of the new agreement, “SportsRadio 94WIP” will continue to serve as the team’s official flagship radio partner. The broadcast team is led by Eagles Hall of Famers Merrill Reese and Mike Quick in the radio booth and longtime 94WIP personality Howard Eskin on the sideline.

iHeartMedia chairman and CEO Bob Pittman & president COO/CFO Rich Bressler will participate in a question and answer session during the Wells Fargo TMT Summit on November 29 at 3:45 pm ET. A live webcast of the session will be available to the general public at the start of the session through a link on the Investors homepage of iHeartMedia’s website.

PodcastOne acquires the exclusive sales and distribution rights, as well as certain ownership and IP/derivative rights, to true crime podcast, “Lost In Panama.” PodcastOne president and co-founder Kit Gray comments, “We continue our stated strategy of rolling up the fragmented podcast industry to deliver the best podcast library with the lowest cost per acquisition. We are excited and look forward to more announcements in the near future.”

Industry News

KFI, Los Angeles’ Ken Chiampou Announces Retirement

According to numerous Los Angeles-area media reports, Ken Chiampou (right) – one half of the iHeartMedia station’s “John & Ken Show” afternoon program – announced to listeners on Monday (11/13) that he willim retire from the station on December 6. After his departure, John Kobylt (left) will continue in the daypart as a solo host. He quipped, “I am saying goodbye. After very little thought, this is what I’m gonna do.” The duo rose to prominence during their time at WKXW-FM, Trenton “New Jersey 101.5” beginning in 1988. They moved to KFI in 1992 and briefly went into national syndication in the late 1990s. That move drove a wedge between them and then-KFI owner Cox Communications and they left to do mornings at crosstown Disney-owned KABC, Los Angeles. That didn’t last long, and they returned to KFI where they’ve flourished since 2001. Read the Los Angeles Daily News’ coverage here.

Industry News

Simon Conway Adds Orlando Morning Show to Hosting Duties

iHeartMedia news/talk radio personality Simon Conway is assuming the lead host role on the morning show on the company’s Orlando talk station WFLF-AM “Newsradio WFLA.” Conway – who continues his role hostingim the afternoon drive show based at WHO-AM, Des Moines and syndicated to WMT-AM Cedar Rapids and WOC-AM, Quad Cities – takes over the new morning show role from Bud Hedinger, who retired from the station after 20 years. Conway says, “It is such an honor to have been given the keys to this amazing morning drive show in the heart of Central Florida. We have a great crew and we are aiming to be hard-hitting, fun and entertaining all at the same time.”

Industry News

WRKO, Boston Raises Over $172k for Disabled Vets

iHeartMedia’s news/talk WRKO, Boston raised more than $172,000 during its eighth annual “DAV Radiothon” to benefit the Disabled American Veterans Department of Massachusetts last Friday (11/10). Over 13 hours, WRKO’s on-air personalities Jeff Kuhner, Chuck Zodda, Mike Armstrong, Graceim Curley and Howie Carr encouraged listeners to donate and raise funds for the DAV of Massachusetts’ homeless shelter and transportation programs. iHeartMedia Boston director of operations, news, talk and sports Bill Flaherty says, “Year after year, the WRKO listeners overwhelm us with their generosity. This year, they have helped to raise $172,852 for the DAV of Massachusetts. It’s an honor to dedicate a day of programming to those who have given so much of themselves for this country.” Since 2016, the “DAV Radiothon” has raised over $1,058,000 to benefit veterans in the community.