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Top Radio News
Fred Child Named CEO of All Classical Radio
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, December 10, 2025 | 10:32am CT |
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All Classical Radio in Portland, OR has named broadcaster and arts advocate Fred Child as its next President and CEO, effective January 2. Child will relocate from New York City to take the role, succeeding Suzanne Nance, who stepped down earlier this year after a decade leading the organization. Since July, Greg Arntson has served as Interim CEO.
Child is best known for his 25-year tenure as host of the syndicated classical music program "Performance Today," heard on hundreds of public radio stations across the country. He has also served as the Emmy-winning announcer for PBS's Live From Lincoln Center and hosted NPR's Creators @ Carnegie. Earlier in his career, he was Music Director and Director of Cultural Programming at WNYC New York and spent a decade on air at Oregon Public Broadcasting.
"Fred has been a leader in connecting music-makers with music-lovers, and advancing access to the arts with a passion and approach that is absolutely infectious," said All Classical Radio Board Chair Elaine Durst, noting his experience and vision for public media and arts programming.
Child, who grew up in Portland and studied classical piano and jazz, called the move a homecoming and praised the station's role as a free cultural resource. "It is a joy to return to my hometown of Portland and an honor to join this beloved institution," he said, adding that he looks forward to building on All Classical's work in "great music, outstanding performances, and engaging storytelling."
Child's appointment comes during a period of change for the organization. Last December, All Classical Radio opened its new headquarters, which includes five production studios, the Irving Levin Performance Hall, and the James DePreist Recording Studio. In July, a federal budget rescission eliminated $500,000 in previously approved annual support for the station, prompting a push from community donors to help close the funding gap as the network reassesses its long-term financial strategy.
Beasley Stock Soars Amid Meme Frenzy, Trading Halts
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, December 10, 2025 | 4:08pm CT |
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Beasley Broadcast Group (BBGI) is once again displaying classic "meme stock" behavior, with retail investors and online speculators driving massive, rapid swings in its share price despite ongoing financial challenges at the company.
The stock surged over 256% by late morning, jumping from an opening price of $6.05 -- already sharply higher than yesterday's $4.32 close -- to $14.45 by 11:45am. The explosive rise triggered multiple NASDAQ trading halts for volatility and "abnormal activity."
Analysts and market trackers note that Beasley has increasingly fit the profile of a meme stock, propelled by:
- Extreme intraday volatility, with past sessions seeing moves from roughly $4 to over $20 in a single day.
- Social media-driven hype, particularly from Discord trading groups, Reddit-style communities, and automated AI-generated stock posts.
- Persistent M&A speculation, with online chatter frequently suggesting Beasley as a potential buyout target.
- A low float and elevated short interest, making the shares highly sensitive to coordinated buying pressure.
That dynamic was visible again today. Prominent social media trading promoters highlighted the stock during its early surge. One such poster, "Coach Nick Money," touted that his private Discord flagged BBGI "before its parabolic run," while another trader, Jesse Whiteman, called Beasley "the M&A lottery ticket," claiming hedge funds were positioning for a possible $9-$12 buyout.
Market observers say the pattern aligns with typical meme-stock mechanics: Retail groups pile in, algorithms amplify the buzz, and rising prices force short sellers to cover, accelerating the climb.
For Beasley -- a traditional radio broadcaster operating 112 stations in 87 markets -- the wild trading stands in sharp contrast to its real-world financial pressures. But in the current environment, that may not matter much. As long as online speculation remains high, BBGI continues to be swept into volatile meme-driven cycles.
Most Americans Fear AI Weakens Human Connection
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, December 10, 2025 | 3:08pm CT |
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Edison Research is highlighting new data from SSRS and the Project Liberty Institute showing that many Americans worry artificial intelligence is harming their ability to form meaningful human relationships. According to the October 2025 report from SSRS and Project Liberty Institute, 56% of Americans believe increased use of AI will negatively affect social connection.
Concern is strongest among young adults: 61% of those ages 18-29 say AI will make it harder to build meaningful relationships, far outweighing the 12% who believe it will improve this aspect of life. The findings stand out given that younger Americans are typically more receptive to new technologies.
Qualitative interviews conducted for the study further underscore these concerns. "I think people are social by nature and we need other people," said Christine, 27, a daily AI user. "I think it can make it harder for you to interact with other people if you're just kind of relying on AI for those connections."
The full report also explores how Americans expect AI to influence creativity, problem-solving, and complex decision-making as the technology becomes more integrated into everyday life.
The research was fielded through the SSRS Opinion Panel Omnibus, a national probability-based survey conducted twice each month. A subset of respondents later participated in follow-up interviews to provide deeper insights into public perceptions of AI.
Read the full SSRS report here.
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KTIS Names Aaron ''Toast'' Trost Creative Services Director
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, December 10, 2025 | 10:39am CT |
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98.5 KTIS Minneapolis-St. Paul has appointed Aaron "Toast" Trost as its new Creative Services Director, with his first day set for January 19. Trost joins the Twin Cities station after two and a half years at Northwestern Media's KSLT in Rapid City, SD, where he served as both Morning Show Host and Creative Services Director.
"Toast brings a rare blend of passion, humility, and wisdom," said Ben Holsen, KTIS Program Director. "His insatiable desire to be the best will help elevate the way we connect with real people that have real souls in the Twin Cities. To say that I'm thrilled Toast is coming to Minnesota is an understatement."
Trost said he is equally excited to join the team. "I'm overjoyed, humbled, and beyond blessed to be joining the 98.5 KTIS team. They are filled with so much love and joy for each other and for every person in the Twin Cities. In everything they do, they relentlessly point others to Christ, and I'm honored to be joining them."
98.5 KTIS operates as part of Northwestern Media, a ministry of the University of Northwestern - St. Paul.
MIW Extends Deadline for 2026 Digital Sales Mentorship
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, December 11, 2025 | 0:01am CT |
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Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio (MIW) has extended the application deadline for its 2nd Annual Digital Sales Mentorship Program. Candidates now have until December 29 to apply for the year-long professional development opportunity aimed at advancing women in digital radio sales.
The program is designed to accelerate the growth of emerging female leaders by pairing one selected mentee with a top digital sales expert for personalized, hands-on mentoring. The initiative offers monthly one-on-one coaching sessions and access to subject-matter specialists across the digital ecosystem.
The curriculum includes guidance in key areas such as digital marketing and analytics, streaming audio and podcast advertising, digital video integration, social media strategy, third-party vendor partnerships, CNA strategy, ROI measurement, overcoming client objections, and sales leadership development.
Applicants must be women with at least three years of sales experience in radio or digital media within the United States. Only one candidate will be chosen for the exclusive mentorship.
MIW said the extended deadline provides a final chance for eligible sellers and managers to apply before the window closes.
More information about the program is available at RadioMIW.com.
CT40 Sets Holiday Specials with Fitz & Lauren Alaina
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, December 10, 2025 | 3:12pm CT |
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Country Top 40 with Fitz (CT40), syndicated through Skyview Networks, will close out the year with a pair of holiday and year-end specials featuring host Fitz and country star Lauren Alaina.
The first program, Deck the Hits with Lauren and Fitz, airs the weekend of December 20-21, with optional runs on December 24-25. Alaina joins Fitz to share favorite traditions and introduce holiday classics from some of country music's most iconic artists.
"Join me and Lauren Alaina as we kick off the season with a merry Fitz-mas celebration," said Fitz. "No one gets in the holiday spirit like CT40, and we are excited to deck the halls and sing along to this year's biggest hits as we put a bow on a great 2025, CT40 style."
The second special, Year of Hits with Fitz: The Top 40 Songs of 2025, will spotlight the year's biggest country tracks. It is slated for January 3-4, with additional options to air December 31 or January 1.
"We are excited to close out another great year with Fitz and CT40," said Andrew Kalb, EVP, Strategic Business Operations at Skyview Networks. "Fitz and Lauren are the perfect duo to get affiliates and their listeners into the holiday spirit, and we look forward to rounding out 2025 with two high-energy specials."
Both specials are available to current and prospective affiliates pending market availability. Interested stations can visit skyviewnetworks.com.
PodcastOne Renews Longtime Deal with ''LadyGang''
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, December 10, 2025 | 4:17pm CT |
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PodcastOne has extended its long-running partnership with the podcast "LadyGang," renewing its agreement with hosts Keltie Knight, Becca Tobin and Jac Vanek and solidifying a decade of collaboration that began with the show's 2015 launch.
The creators -- Knight, an E! News host; Tobin, an actress; and Vanek, a fashion designer -- have built LadyGang into one of podcasting's most recognizable brands. They have been featured across major media outlets including Good Morning America, TODAY, People, Variety, Entertainment Tonight, The New York Times, and The Hollywood Reporter.
Earlier this year, they expanded their footprint with their first-ever podcast festival, LadyWorld, featuring appearances from Giggly Squad's Hannah Berner, Stassi Schroeder, Chicks in the Office, Girls Gotta Eat, and others.
The show has also hosted a star-studded roster of guests, including Sharon Stone, RuPaul, Demi Lovato, Paris Hilton, Shania Twain, Bethenny Frankel, Tamron Hall, and Chelsea Handler. Along the way, the brand has cultivated major long-term partnerships with Skims, Vogue, Chanel, Macy's, Marshalls, Hilton, Spanx, Disney, Hulu and Hyundai.
PodcastOne President Kit Gray praised the renewed partnership, saying, "Over the last decade LadyGang has never missed a week in putting out episodic content and we have worked hand in hand with Keltie, Becca and Jac to ensure that LadyGang remains one of the most trusted voices in podcasting. Our last ten years together has been a truly rewarding and creative experience and we look forward to many more years to come."
The hosts called the renewal a meaningful milestone as they enter their 10th year: "LadyGang was built on friendship, chaos, and radical honesty, and ten years later, those pillars are still what make our community special. This year is about honoring where we've been and redefining what comes next."
BPM Names Maxie Jackson New Program Director
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, December 9, 2025 | 10:46am CT |
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Baltimore Public Media has appointed Maxie C. Jackson III as its new Program Director, overseeing content strategy and programming across WYPR-FM (88.1), WTMD-FM (89.7) and Your Public Studios. He most recently served as Executive Director of 88Nine Radio Milwaukee and previously was the first Chief Content Officer for New England Public Media, where he guided cross-platform efforts across television, radio, digital and social media.
Jackson's background also includes programming leadership roles at WETA in Washington DC, WNYC in New York, and earlier positions at WEAA in Baltimore and WCPN in Cleveland.
"We are thrilled to welcome Maxie Jackson to Baltimore Public Media," said Craig N. Swagler, President and General Manager of BPM. "His innovative approach to programming, his dedication to serving diverse audiences, and his proven ability to build meaningful, mission-driven content make him an exceptional fit for this moment in our organization's growth. Maxie's leadership will strengthen our local programming, music, and cultural offerings while deepening our connection to communities across Maryland."
Jackson said he is eager to return to Baltimore and help shape BPM's next chapter. "Public radio is at its best when it reflects the depth, complexity, and creativity of the communities it serves," he said. "I'm honored to join Baltimore Public Media and to work with the exceptional teams at WYPR, WTMD, and Your Public Studios to help shape what comes next for audiences across our region. Baltimore is a city rich with story, culture, and voice. I look forward to building programming that uplifts all of it."
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Paragon Adds Geary Yonker as Sponsorship Consultant
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, December 9, 2025 | 2:13pm CT |
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Paragon has appointed long-time public radio sponsorship Sales Manager Geary Yonker as its new Sponsorship Consultant, expanding the company's efforts to support public radio outlets with strategic and hands-on revenue guidance. Yonker will work directly with Paragon's public radio clients to strengthen sponsorship performance and develop new revenue streams.
"Geary's established role in producing sponsorship revenue for WBEZ Chicago, Sound Opinions, and with events is invaluable for Paragon clients," said Paragon CEO Mike Henry. "Public radio stations need increased sponsorship revenue and new revenue streams to ensure sustainability, and Geary will help them reach their income goals."
Yonker brings more than 25 years of experience raising funds for mission-driven organizations, including major public media brands and nationally recognized podcasts. "I'm thrilled to join the Paragon team and bring my 25 years of experience identifying emerging trends and raising millions of dollars," he said. "We can view this moment either as a catastrophe or as a catalyst for the long-needed changes our industry requires. I see it as an opportunity to push forward."
Based in Chicago, Yonker was recently named Sponsorship Director at VuHaus Group -- where Henry also serves as a Director -- and will continue in that role along with his ongoing work for Sound Opinions. His career also includes helping news organizations build digital sales strategies, managing the Chicago edition of The Onion, founding a music festival that drew more than 400,000 attendees, and playing a national leadership role in podcast sales for programs including This American Life and Serial.
Radio Resources' POD Marks Year of Major Talent Growth
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, December 9, 2025 | 4:00pm CT |
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Radio Resources' Personality on Demand (POD) is closing out a milestone year highlighted by rapid growth, expanded station partnerships, and the addition of several high-profile radio personalities. The company says 2025 brought a surge of new affiliations and talent integrations, strengthening POD's role as a go-to service for stations seeking consistent, connection-driven on-air voices.
Among the year's biggest developments, Jay Beau Jones joined Cumulus WLS-FM Chicago and Beasley WROR Boston, bringing his broad-appeal style to two major-market brands. Jackson Blue continued his strong rise within POD, expanding to more than 20 stations, including SummitMedia's WWST Knoxville, KQCH Omaha, and KSPW Springfield.
POD also added a slate of experienced, market-tested personalities such as Marty McFly, Julian On The Radio, Kendall B, Jess Wright, and Barry McKay. They join returning talent including Danny & Kait, Steve Kelly, Marissa Lanchak, Skywalker, Riley Couture, Miggy Santos, and Bo Corona, giving stations a wide range of formats and styles to choose from.
"We are thrilled to have continued to build out an exceptional talent roster for our radio partners all year," said Rich O'Brien, Chief Development Officer for Radio Resources. "As the year comes to a close, our radio friends should know there is always a great host ready to jump into your market and work for you, creating community and compelling content each day."
POD's flexible model allows stations to quickly integrate personalities for daily shifts, weekends, fill-ins, and special programming, helping boost ratings, strengthen listener engagement, and enhance brand presence across formats.
Nachum Segal Network Taps Zeno Plus for Digital Upgrade
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, December 9, 2025 | 3:55pm CT |
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The Nachum Segal Network (NSN) has tapped Zeno Plus, an AI-powered broadcast and podcast platform from Zeno Media, as its new end-to-end technology partner. The agreement spans podcast hosting, automated production tools, broadcast operations, a redesigned website, and a new subscriber portal offering exclusive content. Zeno Plus will also provide radio consulting to help NSN refine its on-air programming and distribution strategy.
As part of the partnership, NSN will adopt Zeno Plus' AI podcast bot, designed to record, edit, and publish episodes with greater speed and efficiency. The network will also leverage Zeno Media's distribution and monetization capabilities to support growth across its digital channels.
"Zeno Plus was built by listening to what broadcasters actually need - modern tools that don't compromise what makes their brands unique," said Chaim Gross, Chief Product Officer at Zeno Media. "We're excited to support Nachum Segal's team with AI-powered creation, seamless distribution, and new revenue pathways so they can spend more time serving their audience."
NSN President Nachum Segal said the partnership will help elevate the listener experience while simplifying day-to-day production. "From faster publishing to an upgraded website and subscriber offering, this collaboration strengthens our ability to deliver motivating, essential, and timely content, true to our values and our audience," he said.
Zeno Plus provides broadcasters and podcasters with AI creation tools, automated workflows, and multichannel distribution paired with monetization options, offering an integrated platform for both traditional and digital audio operations.
B-Dub Radio Reaches 60 Weekday Affiliates Nationwide
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, December 9, 2025 | 4:24pm CT |
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B-Dub Radio has hit a major milestone, expanding its national footprint to 60 weekday affiliates through syndication partner Skyview Networks. The latest stations to join the lineup include KDZY-FM in Boise ID, KALF-FM in Chico-Redding CA, and KLLL-FM in Lubbock TX, marking continued growth for the independently owned country radio program.
"Hitting 60 weekday affiliates is a big milestone, especially for an independently owned show," said Bryan "B-Dub" Washington, host of B-Dub Radio. "I am beyond grateful for every PD, GM and listener who decided to take this ride with us. We're building something special, and we're nowhere close to done."
"We are thrilled to see B-Dub Radio continue to set itself apart as one of the most dynamic and engaging country radio shows on air," said Andrew Kalb, EVP of Strategic Business Operations for Skyview Networks. He added that each new affiliate enhances the show's value for advertisers while spotlighting Washington's "incredible talent."
B-Dub Radio airs five hours daily across multiple dayparts, Monday through Saturday, and provides stations with customizable and content-only formats. Affiliates seeking more information visit skyviewnetworks.com.
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Big Radio Holiday Auction Raises Record $20,575
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, December 9, 2025 | 4:06pm CT |
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Big Radio Janesville, WI's annual Holiday Charity Auction set a new record this year, raising $20,575 to support local families and community services. The online event, which ran December 1-8, drew nearly 300 bids across 35 donated items, reflecting strong engagement from listeners and area businesses.
Proceeds from the auction benefit two local organizations -- E.C.H.O. and The Salvation Army -- ensuring all funds remain in the community to bolster essential holiday-season support.
"This event shows the incredible power of local radio and its advertisers to come together and make a real difference," said Big Radio's Ben Thompson. "Every bid, every donated item, and every sponsor proves that when local businesses and listeners unite, amazing things happen."
The annual fundraiser continues to highlight the role local radio plays in connecting communities and driving meaningful charitable impact.
SuiteRadio Offers Free ''Long Live Rock'' Holiday Specials
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, December 9, 2025 | 3:45pm CT |
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SuiteRadio is rolling out a fresh batch of complimentary holiday programming designed to give radio staffs a break during the Christmas and New Year season. The network has introduced a new one-hour feature, "Long Live Rock," available now in five themed editions.
The series includes: Songs Turning 50 in 2025, Supergroups, December Birthdays, One-Hit Wonders, and Guitar Gods -- each crafted to bring stations a turnkey dose of rock flavor for the holidays.
Programmers interested in adding the new feature to their lineup can contact Jim Jones for instant download access here.
Rowdy Yates Offers Free 2025 Holiday Country Specials
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, December 9, 2025 | 3:47pm CT |
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Country Radio Hall of Famer Rowdy Yates is offering stations a wide range of free Christmas programming for the 2025 holiday season, with no contracts, barter or fees required.
Yates has assembled multiple long-form music specials, including "A Really Rowdy Christmas" and "A Lone Star Christmas," along with "Ridin' with Rowdy," a plug-and-play feature designed to fit local clocks, formats and spot loads in any daypart over the holiday break.
For the first time, Yates is also making available a special, content-rich edition of "Rowdy on the Rise" that can be used to give morning shows a break while keeping listeners engaged.
Stations interested in accessing the free content can contact Yates directly here.
Cumulus Names Jeremy Price to Lead Stockton-Modesto
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, December 8, 2025 | 2:16pm CT |
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Cumulus Media has appointed veteran sales and management executive Jeremy Price as Vice President/Market Manager for its six-station cluster in Stockton-Modesto, CA. Price steps into the role with more than two decades of experience overseeing radio and digital operations across California markets.
Price joins Cumulus after serving five years as Market Manager for Connoisseur Media (formerly Alpha Media) in Bakersfield. His career also includes leadership posts as President of iHeartMedia/Bakersfield, General Sales Manager for Oldies KMGV-FM (Mega 97.9) in Fresno, and Director of Digital Sales for Peak Broadcasting.
A longtime industry contributor, Price has served on the board of the California Broadcasting Association for more than ten years and is a past recipient of the Radio Wayne Award for professionalism in radio. He is also active in several community organizations, including Rotary International, Royal Rangers and Hume Lake Christian Camp.
"Jeremy is a very special leader and a highly effective manager who will greatly contribute to the success of the Stockton/Modesto cluster," said Patty Hixson, Regional Vice President, Cumulus Media. "We are pleased to welcome him aboard."
Price added, "Cumulus Stockton/Modesto has long been a dominant force in the market and I am humbled to be trusted with these amazing stations."
Edison Q3: AM/FM Radio Leads Ad-Supported Audio
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, December 8, 2025 | 2:02pm CT |
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Edison Research's latest "Share of Ear" study shows AM/FM radio remains the dominant force in ad-supported audio, holding a 64% share in Q3 2025 -- far surpassing all other platforms. The quarterly report, summarized this week on the Cumulus Media | Audio Active Group blog, highlights how traditional radio continues to drive reach, especially when paired with digital audio.
According to Edison's data, podcasts now account for 20% of ad-supported listening, solidifying their position as a major media channel with broad demographic appeal. Meanwhile, ad-supported streaming music services remain relatively small: Spotify holds 6% of the market, Pandora 5%, and both YouTube Music and Amazon Music account for 1% each.
The study also reveals a significant perception gap among marketers and media agencies. An Advertiser Perceptions survey conducted in August 2025 found that buyers believe Pandora and Spotify capture 41% of the audience, relegating AM/FM radio to just 26%. In reality, Edison's measurement shows AM/FM is 2.5 times larger than advertiser estimates -- and 11 times bigger than ad-supported Spotify.
Podcasts continue to expand their audience, particularly among older listeners. Since 2017, the median age of the podcast audience has climbed from 29 to 39, reflecting sizable growth among adults 25-44 and 45-64. Despite the shift, podcasting remains one of the youngest-skewing audio platforms.
Edison also underscores the importance of including AM/FM radio in media plans. Spotify, Pandora, and podcasts combined reach only one-third of Americans. When AM/FM is added, reach more than doubles -- from 33% to 74% -- making it essential for campaigns targeting broad audiences.
In the car, radio maintains its long-standing dominance. AM/FM commands an 84% in-vehicle share across key demographics, including 79% of adults 18-34 and 81% of adults 25-54, reinforcing its place as what the blog calls the "queen of the road."
Read the entire blog post here.
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