Brad Polston is out as iHeart Media’s local market manager after 14 months of leading the cluster of stations that includes WFBQ-FM 94.7 and WNDE-AM 1260. His replacement has been working in billboard ad sales.
After less than a year on the air, the local drive-time show has been replaced by a nationally syndicated program. Ratings indicate it struggled to gain ground on a rival broadcast.
The Indianapolis-based media company reported a money-losing quarter as radio revenue continued to slump.
WRWM-FM 93.9 once again is changing its format—and its call letters. Despite some listener discontent, Cumulus officials say they are confident in the change.
The public radio station plans to create a new arts-focused program and an arts-and-culture desk in its newsroom, giving such coverage similar weight as education, health and economic issues.
The company, whose Indianapolis holdings include WFMS-FM 95.5 and WJJK-FM 104.5, said station operations will continue as normal as it seeks to shed more than $1 billion in debt.
Chris Wheat, a radio executive for more than 40 years, was general manager of Q95 during the station’s run of ratings and revenue dominance.
Emmis said it used the $82.8 million sale of Los Angeles radio station KPWR-FM to drastically slash its debt obligations.
In the wake of devastating hurricanes, FCC Chaiman Ajit Pai is urging Apple to enable its iPhones as FM radio receivers. If Apple complies, that would give Emmis’ NextRadio operation a big boost.
Michael Grady, a sports reporter at WRTV-TV Channel 6 and public address announcer for the Indiana Pacers, has taken a position as sideline reporter for the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets.
It’s one of the few stations in Indiana where listeners can hear—in the same hour—old-timer Bob Dylan, up-and-comer Imagine Dragons, superstar Adele and an unknown basement band.
Revenue declines were expected because Emmis sold off four radio stations and most of its publishing assets over the past year.
Radio revenue fell from $36.5 million to $34 million and publishing revenue dropped from $14.2 million to $9.2 million in the period.
KPWR-FM, which Emmis has owned for 32 years, has long been one of the most popular stations in the massive Los Angeles media market. Emmis shares soared after the announcement.
“Chicks on the Right” and “Hammer & Nigel” are changing time slots. Abdul-Hakim Shabazz’s weeknight show is going off the air. And local listeners will get more Tony Katz.
Under the terms of a newly renegotiated credit agreement, Emmis has until next summer to sell off at least $80 million in assets.
Conservative radio host Greg Garrison plans to retire from his weekday show in June, he announced Monday on the air.
Starting soon, many central Indiana sports-talk fans will no longer be able to hear programming from The Fan on 93.5 FM, where it’s been heard since November 2015.
With the deal, Emmis Communications Corp. has divested all its publishing assets except for Indianapolis Monthly, which it intends to continue to operate.
Off the air, the former IU player is casual, mostly easygoing and affable. But on his radio show on WFNI-AM, he’s a cyclone, often tearing into anything in his way.
