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Top Radio News
Digital Ads Reach $2.3 Billion, Stabilizing Radio Revenue
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, February 9, 2026 | 12:30pm CT |
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Digital advertising revenue totaled $2.3 billion in 2025, accounting for nearly one-quarter of all radio industry ad sales and helping stabilize overall revenue, according to the 14th Annual Digital Benchmarking Report from Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB), produced by Borrell Associates Inc.
The report found digital sales represented 24.4% of total radio revenue nationwide last year. On average, individual stations generated $511,873 in digital revenue in 2025, while the typical market cluster produced $2.26 million.
Borrell forecasts digital revenue will continue to outpace prior growth, rising 9.5% this year to approximately $2.5 billion, compared with 7.8% growth in 2025. Since 2022, digital revenue has increased at a compound annual rate of 8.3%, largely offsetting a 2.2% decline in core radio advertising over the same period.
RAB President and CEO Mike Hulvey said advertisers increasingly view digital offerings as a core part of radio's marketing mix, reflecting broader shifts in how marketers reach audiences across platforms.
Borrell Associates CEO Gordon Borrell said digital has evolved from a supplemental product into a primary growth engine for radio, noting that roughly three-quarters of radio advertisers have yet to adopt station digital products -- suggesting room for continued expansion.
The report also showed significant performance gaps among broadcasters. The top 5% of radio clusters generated three to four times more digital revenue than similarly sized peers, though results are becoming more evenly distributed as more stations refine their digital strategies.
According to Marketron CEO Jimshade Chaudhari, stations seeing the strongest results are prioritizing advertiser outcomes over individual products and investing in the operational discipline and technology needed to deliver integrated campaigns at scale.
The study highlights changes in the local advertising landscape as well. Local businesses now employ significantly more in-house marketing professionals than sales representatives, a reversal from a decade ago. While advertisers continue to value radio's branding impact, budgets are increasingly shifting toward channels that combine branding with measurable performance, including streaming audio, streaming video and other digital campaigns.
Radio managers cited sales training as the most critical driver of digital revenue growth. Stations that outperform peers typically train sales teams more frequently, require digital products in proposals, and see stronger performance in video and streaming offerings.
The report also notes rapid adoption of artificial intelligence tools within radio sales organizations, improving efficiency in prospecting and client communications. However, many managers expressed concern that AI-driven media recommendations could disadvantage radio unless stations continue to strengthen their digital positioning and measurement capabilities.
MARC Radio Expands Florida Footprint With Five Stations
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, February 9, 2026 | 5:52pm CT |
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MARC Radio has expanded its Florida presence with the acquisition of five mid-coastal radio stations stretching from Melbourne to Stuart, extending the company's reach to more than 100 miles along Interstate 95.
The deal brings MARC Radio's total station count to 16 and adds a mix of AC, Country, and News/Talk formats serving Florida's Space Coast and Treasure Coast regions. The newly acquired properties include AC WGYL-FM (93.7), WJKD-FM (99.7), and WOSN-FM (97.1), Country WPHR-FM (94.7), and News/Talk WTTB-FM (105.7) and WTTB-AM (1490).
"As a Florida-based company, we've had our eye on this market's potential," said Scott Miller, Chief Revenue Officer of MARC Radio. Miller cited population and economic growth moving north from the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area as a key factor in the purchase.
He added that the company plans to invest in the stations to support their growth and better serve both listeners and advertisers. According to Miller, MARC Radio takes a selective approach to acquisitions, focusing on properties it believes will contribute to the company's long-term growth strategy.
Stewart Named SVP of Programming at iHeartMedia Tucson
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, February 9, 2026 | 12:05pm CT |
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iHeartMedia Tucson has named Bill Stewart Senior Vice President of Programming, effective immediately. In his new role, Stewart will oversee programming for all eight iHeartMedia Tucson brands across music, talk, and news formats, including 93.7 KRQ. He will report to Tony Manero, Area Senior Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia's Southwest Area, and work closely with Southwest Area President Steve Earnhart.
Stewart joins the Tucson market from iHeartMedia's Spokane cluster, where he most recently served as Senior Vice President of Programming. He will continue some of his responsibilities there, including on-air duties at 98.9 KKZX-FM, as well as hosting mornings at KYMG-FM (Magic 98.9) in Anchorage.
"I'm excited to work with the Tucson team," Stewart said. "These stations are trusted voices in Southern Arizona, and my focus is on delivering great music and engaging local content that reflects the spirit of the community."
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iHeartMedia Las Vegas Flips KYMT-FM to NEON 93.1
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, February 9, 2026 | 2:34pm CT |
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iHeartMedia Las Vegas flips Rock KYMT-FM (93.1 The Mountain) to NEON 93.1, a new high-energy format that launched immediately across the Las Vegas market. Branded to mirror the city's fast pace, NEON 93.1 features a broad, hit-driven mix spanning pop, rock, and hip-hop.
The playlist includes artists such as Green Day, Bruno Mars, Imagine Dragons, Nelly, Coldplay, No Doubt, and Eminem. Programming elements include 93-minute music marathons and continuous blocks of familiar hits throughout the day.
MoJoe Roberts, Senior Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia Las Vegas, said the new station is designed to reflect the city's personality, calling the format "bold, unpredictable and exhilarating."
Glynn Alan, Area President for iHeartMedia Las Vegas, said the launch creates a new platform for advertisers seeking large-scale reach and engagement in the market, adding that the company expects NEON 93.1 to deliver strong results for marketing partners.
Local Storm Center Partners with WBBX-FM 106.1
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, February 9, 2026 | 11:56am CT |
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Local Storm Center has announced a new partnership with WBBX-FM (B106.1 - Delmarva Gold) Pocomoke City, serving Maryland's Lower Eastern Shore and the broader Delmarva Peninsula.
Under the agreement, Local Storm Center will provide locally focused, market-specific weather forecasts tailored to WBBX-FM's coverage area. The forecasts will be produced by Local Storm Center's team of broadcasters and weather communicators, with an emphasis on accuracy, clarity, and local relevance.
Johnny Caudle, owner and lead voice of Local Storm Center, said the partnership reflects the importance of weather information in the region. He noted that conditions affecting coastal areas, inland travel, and agriculture make reliable local forecasts especially important for listeners.
WBBX-FM 106.1 operates with a Classic Hits and Oldies format, serving communities in Worcester, Wicomico, and Somerset counties in Maryland, along with nearby areas of Delaware and Virginia. The station operates in association with Maryland Media One, led by President and CEO Steve Clendenin.
The addition of WBBX-FM marks continued expansion for Local Storm Center, adding another East Coast affiliate to its growing roster of stations using live-voiced, locally written forecasts rather than automated or generic weather services.
NextKast Launches Built-In Traffic, Billing System
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, February 9, 2026 | 12:13pm CT |
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NextKast has announced the launch of NextTraffic, a new built-in traffic and billing system designed to streamline operations and reduce costs for independent radio broadcasters.
Fully integrated into the NextKast OnAir platform, NextTraffic is positioned as a complete alternative to third-party traffic systems, while still supporting seamless integration with external traffic software for stations that prefer to maintain existing workflows. NextKast says that flexibility has been a core platform feature for more than a decade.
NextTraffic automates the advertising workflow from order entry through proof-of-play and invoicing, eliminating the need for separate traffic software, exports, and manual reconciliation. By consolidating these functions into a single system, the company says stations can reduce staff workload while maintaining accurate scheduling and billing.
"For independent broadcasters, traffic and billing are often the most time-consuming and frustrating parts of the business," said Winston Potgieter, Founder and Lead Developer of NextKast. "We built NextTraffic so stations can spend less time managing ads and more time growing revenue."
At the center of the system is a patent-pending Traffic Tag System that embeds scheduling and billing data directly into each commercial file. The tag includes advertiser and campaign details, air dates, rates, and frequency, allowing spots to automatically schedule, verify, and log themselves once received by the station. A single tagged ad can be distributed to multiple stations and scheduled automatically based on its campaign parameters.
Each playback is logged and audited automatically, providing stations with proof-of-play and accurate billing without manual logs or spreadsheets. According to NextKast, the system is especially suited for broadcasters operating multiple stations or regional networks, replacing what previously required multiple systems and extensive coordination.
Megan Medley, a former traffic director and co-owner and manager of Star Country 104.5 in Pueblo, Colorado, a NextTraffic beta-testing station, said the platform has simplified order entry, scheduling, and invoicing for both local and national accounts, while reducing time spent on administrative tasks.
Nebraska Broadcasters to Induct Four Into Hall of Fame
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, February 9, 2026 | 3:20pm CT |
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The Nebraska Broadcasters Association will induct John Knicely, Kevin Kugler, Steve Lundy, and Ken Siemek into the association's Hall of Fame on August 11 during the NBA Annual Convention in Lincoln. Established in 1972, the Hall of Fame will expand to 127 members with the addition of this year's honorees.
Kevin Kugler brings the most extensive play-by-play resume of any Nebraskan, with a career that continues to grow on the national stage. Kugler began his broadcasting career at KAWL in York and later hosted programs on Nebraska Educational Television and Omaha's KOZN. He has served as the radio voice of the UNO Mavericks and, since 2008, has been the radio voice of the NCAA Men's Final Four. Kugler currently calls NFL games, college basketball, and other major events for FOX and Westwood One Sports, while also working college basketball broadcasts for the Big Ten Network.
With a career approaching 50 years, Steve Lundy is being honored for his long-standing impact on Nebraska radio. Lundy began his on-air career in 1977 at KHUB in Fremont and went on to work at several major Omaha stations before joining Lincoln's KLIN and later Omaha's KXKT in 2004. He currently co-hosts "Steve & Gina in the Morning." Beyond his on-air work across multiple formats, Lundy is recognized for his commitment to community service, including reading to elementary school students and supporting at-risk youth.
John Knicely is being recognized for a broadcast career spanning five decades, including 34 years as a news anchor at Omaha's WOWT-TV. Beginning as a television sportscaster, Knicely became a trusted presence in Nebraska's most competitive television market, known for his focus on public safety, government accountability, and community-centered reporting. His calm delivery guided viewers through major events ranging from tornado outbreaks to the COVID-19 pandemic. Knicely also earned a loyal following through features such as "John at Work" and "Knicely Done," while mentoring young journalists on professionalism and ethical reporting before retiring in 2025.
Also being inducted is veteran meteorologist Ken Siemek, who retired in 2025 after 44 years at KOLN-TV in Lincoln and KGIN-TV in Grand Island. Siemek led the stations' weather departments through decades of technological change while providing life-saving coverage during major weather events, including the 1997 snowstorm, the 2004 Hallam tornado, the 2019 floods, and the 2024 Arbor Day tornado outbreak. Known for his steady presence during severe weather, Siemek also mentored colleagues and young journalists, emphasizing compassion and clarity in broadcast journalism.
The 2026 inductions will be formally celebrated during the Nebraska Broadcasters Association's Annual Convention in Lincoln.
Gunn Joins Inrush as Director of Project Management
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, February 9, 2026 | 3:35pm CT |
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Inrush Broadcast Services has appointed Andy Gunn as Director of Project Management and Process Engineering, a newly created role aimed at strengthening the company's ability to deliver complex broadcast technology projects.
In the position, Gunn will focus on standardizing how Inrush plans, tracks, and executes initiatives across its service lines. His initial priorities include process engineering for the company's managed services, including InrushVoice and the Inrush Network Operations Center, which provides 24/7/365 monitoring and support for member stations.
"As the opportunities to serve the industry widen, we're increasingly focused on scaling without sacrifice," said Shaun Dolan, Senior Vice President of Emerging Technologies at Inrush. Dolan said Gunn's engineering background and operational approach will help build repeatable processes and support consistent delivery as the company grows.
Gunn brings experience in systems design, documentation, and operational planning. He previously held engineering leadership roles at WAMU in Washington, DC, where he helped develop technical systems and operational practices focused on reliability and long-term maintainability. He holds a B.S. in Computer Engineering from Columbia University and has worked across radio and wireless technology environments.
"Inrush has earned a reputation for solving real-world broadcast problems with a pragmatic, service-first approach," Gunn said. "I'm excited to help strengthen how projects move from idea to on-air and to support consistent, scalable service for broadcasters."
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Auditory FX Releases Sonic Survival Kits V2
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, February 9, 2026 | 3:44pm CT |
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Auditory FX has announced the release of Sonic Survival Kits V2, the latest audio imaging library from the upstart brand focused on effects and production tools for radio.
Created by nationally recognized voiceover artist and audio producer Steve Stone, the new release builds on the success of the original Sonic Survival Kits, which debuted in 2019. Stone said the brand was born out of a deep passion for sound and a desire to deliver distinctive, affordable tools for today's radio imaging producers.
"Sonic Survival Kits V2 adds another massive library to our growing audio brand," Stone said. "It's everything you need to survive and thrive in your daily sonic battles."
The Sonic Survival Kits V2 library includes 309 tracks, featuring more than 100 music beds with cutdowns and separate mix-outs, along with over 200 production-ready sound effects. The package includes a buyout, royalty-free license, instant download access, and high-resolution audio files.
The new library is available now from Auditory FX. More information is available at auditoryfx.com.
New Podcast Revisits 1969 Morehouse Student Uprising
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, February 9, 2026 | 3:28pm CT |
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iHeartPodcasts and Imagine Entertainment have announced the launch of The A Building, a new documentary podcast examining the 1969 student uprising at Morehouse College-a pivotal episode in the history of student activism and Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Premiering last Friday, February 6, the series revisits a two-day protest in which Morehouse students barricaded themselves inside the administration building, commonly referred to on HBCU campuses as "The A Building," and held members of the Board of Trustees hostage while demanding curricular reform and improvements to student life. The confrontation unfolded amid nationwide unrest tied to the civil rights movement, opposition to the Vietnam War, and calls for broader social change following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
Among those caught inside the building was Martin Luther King Sr., then president of the Board of Trustees. One of the student organizers was Samuel L. Jackson, years before his rise in Hollywood. The podcast details how students planned the takeover as a deliberate act of protest aimed at institutional change.
Co-created and produced by Menelek Lumumba and Hans Charles, The A Building blends reenactments, archival research, and firsthand accounts to examine the risks taken by the students, the consequences they faced-including expulsions-and the longer-term impact on higher education. The series also traces the aftermath of the protest, including Jackson's eventual return to Morehouse and the academic shift that led him toward acting.
The A Building will be released weekly on Fridays and distributed by iHeartPodcasts, with availability on the iHeartRadio app and other major podcast platforms.
Cumulus Names Trey Dolle VP/Market Manager in Cincinnati
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, February 6, 2026 | 12:17pm CT |
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Cumulus Media has appointed Cincinnati media veteran Trey Dolle as Vice President and Market Manager for its five station cluster in Cincinnati. Dolle brings 30 years of experience in the Cincinnati media market. Most recently, he spent 11 years as Vice President/General Sales Manager for Bally Sports/Fox Sports Ohio, following three years as National Sales Manager for Fox Sports Ohio.
Earlier in his career, he held national and local sales leadership roles at Hearst Television Cincinnati's WLWT-TV (NBC) and began in radio as an account executive for WUBE-FM and WKRQ-FM. He holds a B.A. in Communication Arts from Hillsdale College.
Dave Milner, President of Operations at Cumulus Media, said Dolle's deep market knowledge and community ties position him to lead the Cincinnati cluster and drive growth.
Dolle said he is looking forward to working with the local team and leveraging the company's radio brands and digital offerings to deliver results for clients.
Active in the community, Dolle has served as a board advisor to the Southwest Ohio Council on Child Abuse, as athletic commission president at Cardinal Pacelli School, and as a football coordinator for three area grade schools. He lives in the Cincinnati area with his wife and has four adult children.
Connoisseur Names Lieberman as West Coast Natl. Sales Lead
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, February 6, 2026 | 12:27pm CT |
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Connoisseur Media has appointed Deidra Lieberman as Regional Manager of National Sales for the West Coast. In the role, Lieberman will oversee national sales efforts in Portland OR, San Francisco, San Jose, Palm Springs, and Anchorage AK. Lieberman will report to Tina Murley, Senior Vice President/Western Region and Market Manager for San Francisco and San Jose.
Lieberman brings more than 20 years of broadcast sales experience to the position, with prior roles including Director of Sales, General Sales Manager, and Vice President of Sales. She has been recognized by the San Francisco Business Times for her influence in radio and the Bay Area business community.
Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Lieberman will lead national sales strategy across Connoisseur Media's western markets, working with local market leadership to expand revenue opportunities and strengthen relationships with national and regional advertisers.
"I'm honored to join Connoisseur Media as Regional Manager of National Sales for the West Coast," Lieberman said, citing the company's focus on driving national revenue through local radio.
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92.9 The Wave Rebrands as Yacht Rock for Coastal Virginia
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, February 6, 2026 | 12:48pm CT |
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Max Media of Coastal Virginia has rebranded WTWV-FM (92.9 The Wave) to "Yacht Rock for Coastal Virginia," effective Thursday, February 5. The format shift moves the station toward a curated blend of soft rock and pop from the 1970s and 1980s, spotlighting artists such as Michael McDonald and The Doobie Brothers, Toto, Kenny Loggins, Steely Dan, and Christopher Cross.
Operations Manager Jay West said the music resonates across age groups, citing renewed interest in artists and sounds from the era. "These songs have the ability to bridge generations," West said, adding that the 1970s and 1980s are seeing a resurgence.
Keith Barton, Vice President and General Manager of Max Media of Coastal Virginia, called the rebrand a natural fit for the market. He said the format aligns with listener preferences for recognizable hits and reflects the relaxed character of the region.
The station said listeners can expect a playlist that includes well-known Yacht Rock titles as well as tracks that are less commonly heard on radio, hosted by established local personalities. Programming will also feature coastal-themed promotions, events, and giveaways.
WTWV-FM's rebrand continues Max Media's strategy of aligning formats with audience demand while maintaining a focus on heritage music and local presentation.
McVay & SuiteRadio in New Representation Agreement
| RADIO ONLINE | Sunday, February 8, 2026 | 4:04pm CT |
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Consultant Mike McVay, a 2025 Radio Hall of Fame inductee, has joined with SuiteRadio as a strategic advisor to help popularize the company's full line of original broadcast programming. McVay will also help evaluate new talent to further expand the SuiteRadio line up with shows that get noticed.
McVay said, "The level of high-quality content and multiplatform approach of SuiteRadio is unique and that excites me. Add to that the creativity of their leadership team and how they view media, and this opportunity is going to be groundbreaking, and that makes it magnetic."
SuiteRadio COO Pat Fant added, "We are fortunate to have top talent like Rowdy Yates in the SuiteRadio tent. As Talent Wrangler, Rowdy has identified new voices that we are about to bring into syndication. Mike will be key to our rolling out these strong new daypart shows that cross into several new format lines. SuiteRadio is committed to content that's compelling, and not cookie cutter."
SuiteRadio President Cruze commented, "I'm beyond excited about adding Mike McVay to our team and RFC and SuiteRadio. His invaluable experience and knowledge of radio and audio streaming are a perfect match for us."
Podtrac Releases January 2026 Podcast Rankings
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, February 6, 2026 | 3:23pm CT |
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The January 2026 Top U.S. and Global Podcast Publishers & Networks rankings have been released by Podtrac, offering a snapshot of audience performance to start the year.
According to Podtrac, overall momentum improved month-to-month among many ranked participants. Fourteen U.S. ranking participants recorded increases in Unique Monthly Audience (UMA) in January compared with December, while twelve saw gains in U.S. streams and downloads over the same period.
Growth was more mixed in the global rankings. Six global participants posted month-over-month increases in UMA, and four reported gains in U.S. streams and downloads in January.
Brynna Rogers Makes Super Bowl Broadcast History
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, February 6, 2026 | 3:20pm CT |
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Brynna Rogers, a broadcast engineer for Bonneville Seattle, will make history Sunday as the first woman to engineer a Super Bowl play-by-play radio broadcast in the NFL. Rogers, who works on Seattle Sports 710 AM and KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM, is currently the league's only female play-by-play broadcast engineer. Her milestone comes as the Seattle Seahawks take the field on football's biggest stage.
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Rogers said. "I have to stop every once in a while, look around, and take it in-to remind myself that this is really cool and that not many people get to do this."
As play-by-play broadcast engineer, Rogers is responsible for mixing announcer microphones and managing audio quality in real time, a role that requires constant precision and split-second decision-making to ensure a seamless listening experience for fans.
Throughout the 2025 season, Rogers has engineered Seahawks broadcasts featuring longtime radio voice Steve Raible, helping deliver each game to listeners across the Pacific Northwest with clarity and consistency.
Rogers said she hopes her visibility during the Super Bowl broadcast will encourage more women to pursue careers in broadcast engineering and other STEM-related fields.
"It's a really hard field to get into for women, and when you add the STEM aspect, it's even harder," she said. "It feels like I got my foot in the door -- and now I want to hold that door open for everyone behind me."
Rogers began working with the Seahawks in 2017 as the broadcast engineer for the team's pregame show on KIRO Newsradio and Seattle Sports, a role she held for eight seasons. The 2025 season marked her first year as the team's play-by-play broadcast engineer, traveling with the Seahawks and contributing to all 20 games, including postseason play.
"Brynna's achievement is extraordinary, not just for our organization, but for the entire industry," said Cathy Cangiano, Senior Vice President and Market Manager for Bonneville Seattle. "Her talent, poise, and commitment to excellence have elevated every Seahawks broadcast this season. We are incredibly proud of her, and we hope her historic moment inspires young women everywhere to see themselves in roles like this."
iHeartMedia Promotes Matt Ginn to Division President
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, February 5, 2026 | 12:07pm CT |
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iHeartMedia has promoted Matt Ginn to Division President of Community Markets, effective immediately. In the role, Ginn will oversee 30 markets across the Midsouth, South Carolina, Georgia, the Southwest, and Texas.
His responsibilities include supporting local sales teams with tools, training, and best practices aimed at improving operational efficiency and delivering measurable results for advertisers. Ginn will report to John Karpinski, President of Community Markets.
Ginn joins iHeartMedia from TEGNA, where he served as Head of Sales Enablement and Business Development, focusing on enterprise revenue strategy and sales process modernization.
In a related move, iHeartMedia named Wayne Jones as Metro President for the Texas Community Markets. Jones will oversee operational sales efficiency in Beaumont, Corpus Christi, Waco, McAllen, and Bryan, reporting to Ginn. He joins iHeartMedia from Urban One in Houston, where he spent nine years as Director of Sales and Business Development.
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