A new economic study finds that free, local radio remains a powerful engine of the U.S. economy, generating $437 billion in annual GDP and supporting more than 909,000 jobs nationwide, underscoring radio's role as essential infrastructure in communities across the country. The analysis, conducted by Woods & Poole Economics with support from BIA Advisory Services More

Drive-Time Congestion Expands Radio's In-Car Reach

Katz Radio Group

As daily traffic congestion rises across major U.S. metro areas, new insights point to an expanding opportunity for brands to reach attentive in-car audiences, with AM/FM radio continuing to dominate in-vehicle audio listening. According to a new analysis from Katz Radio, the More

The Zone Returns to Phoenix as AI-Infused Triple A

KZON-FM-HD2 (94.9 The Zone) Phoenix

Zelus Media Group has partnered with SonicTrek.ai to relaunch The Zone "Where Music Matters" in Phoenix on 94.9 and 103.9 KZON-FM-HD2, marking the format's return as a 24/7 AI-infused Triple A station. The revived Zone will blend artificial intelligence with licensed human voices, including format More

Audacy Details How AI Is Redefining Local Search Visibility

Audacy Insights

In a new Audacy Insights article, Audacy is warning that rapid changes in AI-powered search are reshaping how consumers discover local businesses - and that traditional search strategies may no longer be enough. In "Dominating Local Search in the Age of AI," Jenny Sutton, Jenny Sutton, Senior Vice More

Cumulus Media Appoints Carol Flaton to Board

Carol Flaton

Cumulus Media has appointed Carol Flaton to its Board of Directors, effective January 15. Flaton's appointment follows the resignation of Joan Hogan Gillman, who is stepping down after eight years on the board. Chairman Andrew W. Hobson said Flaton brings more than 30 years of experience in financial More

Huntsville TX LPFM Outlet Spirit 94.3 FM Launches

KHSP (Spirit 94.3) Huntsville TX

KHSP-LP (Spirit 94.3 FM) officially signed on the air at midnight on January 1, launching a new low-power FM Christian radio service in Huntsville, TX. The station began its inaugural broadcast with prayer, marking the new year by dedicating the station, its mission, and the Huntsville community to More

Dan Proft Extends AM 560 Morning Show Through 2027

Dan Proft

Salem Media Group has reached a new two-year contract extension with Chicago morning talk show host Dan Proft, keeping him on News/Talk WIND (AM 560 The Answer) through the end of 2027. Proft has hosted Chicago's Morning Answer since 2015 and is the longest-running morning talk show host in the Chicago More

Matt Scarano Named Beasley Detroit VP/Market Manager

Matt Scarano

Beasley Media Group has named Matt Scarano Vice President and Market Manager of its Detroit operations, effective January 14. In the role, Scarano will oversee Beasley's Detroit station brands -- WRIF, WCSX, WDMK-FM, and WMGC-FM. Scarano brings more than two decades of senior leadership experience in radio More

Audacy Brings 670 The Score to FM With 104.3 Simulcast

104.3 The Score Chicago

Audacy has announced the launch of "104.3 The Score," an FM simulcast of Sports WSCR-AM (670 The Score), bringing the station's programming to FM listeners in Chicago for the first time beginning February 2. The move displaces Classic Hip Hop WBMX-FM (104.3 Jams), while The Score will continue to broadcast More

Salem Promotes Carolyn Cassidy to VP, Regional GM

Carolyn Cassidy

Salem Media Group has promoted Carolyn Cassidy to Vice President & Regional General Manager, expanding her role on the company's Senior Leadership Team. In her new post, Cassidy will continue to oversee Salem's operations in Columbus, Tampa, Orlando, and Miami. Cassidy has been with Salem for several More

Radio Reaches Two-Thirds of Financially Optimistic Adults

The Media Audit

New research from The Media Audit suggests radio remains a powerful channel for reaching consumers most likely to keep spending after the holidays, a period that typically challenges retailers. According to the study, 31.8% of U.S. adults age 18 and older describe themselves as More

Audiospace Wins Deal to Build 240 U.S. Radio Platforms

Audiospace

Swiss digital radio technology provider Audiospace, a product of Brands Are Live AG, has secured a major U.S. contract following a competitive pitch, winning the mandate to develop 240 digital radio platforms. The deal is part of a broader collaboration with Connoisseur Media, led by CEO Jeff Warshaw. More

AdLarge Acquires Inlet Media Assets, Names CTO

AdLarge

AdLarge has acquired the assets of Inlet Media, a technology platform it has used for nearly two years to support onboarding, distribution, and monetization of audio and video content. The deal further integrates the platform into AdLarge and the fwd. network, advancing their technology-first approach to More

NAB Supports House Push to Update FCC Ownership Rules

National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is backing a renewed call from House leaders for the Federal Communications Commission to modernize broadcast ownership regulations, including lifting the national television ownership cap. In a statement, National Association of More

Bryan Reeder Promoted to GM at HEH Communications

Bryan Reeder

HEH Communications has promoted Bryan Reeder to General Manager of its Southeast Texas radio outlets. Reeder joined HEH Communications in 2015 as Operations Manager for its stations serving Huntsville, Willis, and Conroe. Prior to his promotion, he co-hosted the "Wake-Up Morning Show" on KSAM-FM and oversaw More

Gracie Awards Extend Entry Deadline to January 29

Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF)

The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF) has extended the submission deadline for the 51st Gracie Awards, giving entrants additional time to submit their work. The extended deadline is January 29, while the regular deadline -- without an additional fee -- remains January 22 More

Audiobook Listening Hits Record High in Share of Ear

Edison Research

Audiobook listening in the U.S. has reached its highest level on record, according to year-end 2025 data from Edison Research's Share of Ear study. The research shows that 8% of Americans age 13 and older now spend at least some portion of their daily audio time with audiobooks, up from just 3% in 2016. That More

Audacy, Next Net Partner to Launch AI Discoverability Tool

Next Net

Next Net has announced a strategic partnership with Audacy to launch NextNet AI, a new AI-powered search and discoverability solution aimed at helping local and regional businesses remain visible as consumer search behavior shifts toward AI-driven experiences. The new offering is designed to address the More

Nicole Osei Joins KERA News as Morning Edition Host

Nicole Osei

KERA Dallas-Fort Worth has named Nicole Osei as the new Morning Edition host on KERA News 90.1, bringing a familiar North Texas voice back to local radio. Osei will anchor weekday mornings from 5:30-10am, guiding listeners through national and international coverage from NPR and the BBC, alongside local More

Premiere Launches ''Married to the Music'' Podcast

Married To The Music

Premiere Networks has announced the launch of a new weekly podcast, "Married to the Music," hosted by Nashville-based iHeartMedia and Premiere Networks producer and country music reporter Hanley Riggs. Timed for Valentine's Day, the podcast will debut Friday, February 13, and be distributed by More

Court Blocks Nielsen Tying Policy in Cumulus Suit

Cumulus Media and Nielsen

A federal judge in New York has issued a preliminary injunction barring The Nielsen Company from enforcing policies that tie national radio ratings data to the purchase of local market ratings, handing an early win to Cumulus Media New Holdings in a closely watched antitrust dispute. In a January 8 More

Radio Mercury Awards Open 2026 Call for Entries

Radio Mercury Awards

The Radio Mercury Awards has opened its Call for Entry for the 2026 competition, marking the 35th annual edition of the awards program dedicated exclusively to radio and audio creative. The competition will honor work across 17 categories, along with a Best of Show distinction. More

Changes & Moves

Dan Proft

Salem Media Group has reached a new two-year contract extension with Chicago morning talk show host Dan Proft, keeping him on WIND More

Report: Local Radio Drives $437 Billion GDP

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Report: Local Radio Drives $437 Billion GDP

Follow us on:

Copyright © 1989-2026 RADIO ONLINE ®

Copyright © 1989-2026 RADIO ONLINE ^®