Radio

Each week, more Americans tune to AM/FM radio than any other platform. What’s more, according to Nielsen’s second-quarter 2017 Comparable Metrics Report, 93% of U.S. adults 18 and older listen to radio every week—more than those watching television or using a smartphone, TV-connected device, tablet or PC.

Entravision Communications Corporation announced that its radio stations in 16 markets will broadcast 53 of the 64 total matches of the 2018 FIFA World Cup including all quarter finals, semi-finals, third place and final matches through a partnership with Futbol de Primera.

Futbol de Primera Radio Network (FDP RADIO) will broadcast its fifth consecutive World Cup on site in Russia with a broadcast team of former soccer legends and coaches.

Lotus Communications President Jim Kalmenson is widely known across the West Coast of the U.S. as the leader of a family-run business with a diverse portfolio of radio stations that includes Classic Rock and Active Rock FMs in Tucson, a Classic Rocker in Las Vegas, and a Farsi-language format targeting Persians across Southern California.  By Adam Jacobson

The 2018 winners of the Medallas de Cortez Awards were announced Tuesday at the annual Hispanic Radio Conference in Miami. The happy winners — seen here with Radio Ink Publisher Deborah Parenti (l) and Jinny Laderer, CEO of Medallas sponsor vCreative (r) represent an array of industry-leading broadcasters, including Lotus Communications (whose president, Jim Kalmenson, took Broadcaster of the Year honors), Spanish Broadcasting System, Univision, Entravision, and iHeartMedia.

The two most talked-about sectors in audio today – podcasting and Smart Speakers – post significant gains in this year’s Infinite Dial study from Edison Research and Triton Digital.

Each year, there are more and more ways to listen to information and entertainment in America. Radio, on-demand streaming, podcasts, digital radio services, satellite radio…the list continues to grow. Furthermore, there is little doubt that we are in a golden age of media overall, as content is available everywhere and across all devices. Yet, according to Nielsen’s second-quarter 2017 Comparable Metrics Report, radio remains the top way to reach consumers across all media platforms.

Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. announced the appointment of Maire Mason as Vice President, General Manager of the New York market, WSKQ-Mega 97.9FM and WPAT-Amor 93.1FM. 

GLR Media Networks announced Subeme La Radio with Jorge Bernal.

Billboard announced that Raúl Alarcόn Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc., tops Billboard’s annual “Power 100”.

Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. (SBS) announced the appointment of Geraldo Arriaga as Vice President, Digital Media Sales of SBS, LaMusica App. In this role, Geraldo will spearhead all of the Company’s digital revenue efforts at the national scale, while working directly with all Digital Sales Managers,Sales Management and divisions in each one of our markets. Mr. Arriaga will ensure SBS’s Digital Media programs are fully integrated into the network’s growing “Original Content Strategy.”

Spanish Broadcasting System announced that it had reached an agreement with Grupo Radio Centro (“Grupo”) to settle the parties’ long-standing lawsuit. SBS filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit in February of 2016 immediately after Grupo hired an on-air radio personality from SBS’s KLAX-FM in Los Angeles, alleging tortious interference and unfair competition.

Entravision Communications Corporation announced format and programming changes to its radio stations in the Los Angeles market. La Suavecita enhances its programming lineup to align the station’s talent to enhance its reach across the greater Los Angeles metro area and Entravision introduces its proven La Tricolor format to Los Angeles.

Entravision has made format changes in twelve markets this morning as it has eliminated the Spanish Adult Hits “José” brand from its portfolio along with its final Spanish CHR “Super Estrella” station.

There’s no question that video is and will continue to be the preeminent media format; all media types, regardless of where they began, now play in the video space, and consumers’ collective appetite for it isn’t slowing down. 

iHeartMedia announced that Pedro Javier González has been named Senior Vice President of Programming for iHeartLatino. González will report to Enrique Santos, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of iHeartLatino and Brad Hardin, Executive Vice President and General Manager for iHeartMedia’s National Programming Group. He will be based out of Miami.

Less than a decade ago, most consumers could not have imagined the plethora of ways they’d have to engage with content. But the rise of technology and smart devices has opened the media option floodgates and consumption and old habits have changed accordingly. Engagement with AM/FM radio has not been immune to these changes. Now, with the click of a button, consumers can access their favorite radio station in sunny San Diego, listen to weather updates in New York or listen to pop music walking to school in Denver.

Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. announced the leadership appointments of Elisa Torres as EVP, Aire Radio Networks and National Radio Sales and Michelle Marino, SVP, Aire Radio Networks and National Radio Sales, effective immediately.

Music is a big part of daily life and special occasions for most Hispanic consumers. According to our annual Music 360 report, 93% of the Hispanic population (age 13+) in the U.S. listened to music in the past year, and 59% consider music important, compared with 51% of the general population.

What impact do new devices such as smart speakers and new ways of listening to music like Spotify have on radio’s long-standing role of introducing the latest new music to listeners?  Do smart speaker owners now turn to Alexa to find out what’s new instead of their local CHR personality?