Industry News Bits TUE 3/17/26
Fundraisers this week .. KCBI/Dallas .. WMIT/Asheville .. WRBS/Baltimore .. KSLT/Rapid City .. WCIF/Melbourne .. KSNW/Duluth .. WNWC/Madison .. WCSG/Grand Rapids .. GoMix/Goldsboro, NC .. Let us know when your Station Fundraiser takes place… news@hisair.net
Christian Radio Ratings on HisAir.Net are sponsored by Dunham+Company.
JAN Nielsen PPM release is complete. Go HERE for latest PPM ratings. Feb PPM arrives starting March 23rd.
AQH Share for Persons 12+, Mon-Sun 6AM-Mid JAN 26
KWHVK/Huntsville – 1.7
WHLH/Jackson – 11.3 (#1)
WJLV/Jackson – 6.8 (#4)
WOAD/Jackson – 1.2
WNWC/Madison – 2.6
K
KNWI/Des Moines (Life 107.1) morning co-host Kristy Heilman announced today she will exit the station soon as her family plans to relocate to the Atlanta area.
Kristi says. “Being part of this team, and part of the morning show with Taylor, has been beyond amazing. Such a gift!”
Kristi has been on “The Breakfast Blend.” morning show on KNWI with co-host Taylor Hohulin since July 2024. She first joined KNWI in June 2022 as a part-time announcer. In November 2022 she was hired full-time for evenings and Creative Services Assistant.
The Wright Media Group announces expansion and declares “Radio’s Greatest Opportunity Starts Now” The firm announced a major expansion this week, assembling what President Brian Wright calls a “street-level alliance team” designed to help broadcasters increase ratings and revenue in what he believes is radio’s most critical and opportune moment in many decades.
“For the last few years I have been looking for the right timing and the right people,” Wright said. “All of this came together within the last few months.”
Wright didn’t hedge on the industry outlook. “We all believe local radio has its greatest opportunity, starting right now. While others debate the challenges, WMG is conquering them. We build custom plans that help stations reach their highest levels of ratings and revenue. Many radio stations are moving away from what makes radio great. We do just the opposite.”
The expansion brings together nearly two centuries of combined experience across programming, ownership, sales leadership, marketing, newsroom management, and digital strategy.
The new team includes: Scott Meier: A 50+ year industry veteran with experience in markets ranging from 2,000 to 17 million. Ownership, management, and strategic growth leadership across radio and television. Kevin Walker: A 30+ year broadcaster with senior leadership experience in programming and sales. Background spans multiple markets plus video production and podcasting, aligning programming and revenue in today’s evolving audio ecosystem.
Wes Bleed: A 30+ year broadcaster including the legendary WGN Radio in Chicago. Wes is a specialist in podcasting, video & Marketing & Communications. Wes brings executive-level media strategy and brand clarity expertise. Rebecca Wildeboer: Client Relations Director specializing in integrated marketing strategy, community positioning, and measurable engagement growth.
Wright says the firm’s philosophy is simple: Strategy without execution doesn’t move ratings or revenue. “Our industry does not need more commentary,” Wright said. “It needs leadership, precision, and belief. Local radio wins when it decides to win.”
Contact Wright Media Group at 616-498-2651 or brian@wrightmediagroup.net. Website: wrightmediagroup.net
HisAir Job Alert – sponsored by FaithSearch Partners
Our Engagement Director & On-Air Host at Life 101.9, serves as a key ambassador for the station by growing audience reach and strengthening listener relationships through compelling on-air content and meaningful community engagement. In this role, you’ll help shape the station’s impact by planning and executing outreach initiatives, promotions, digital and social media efforts, and live appearances, while supporting marketing, press, and audience database growth.
If interested in this opening go HERE
Bill Gaither’s 90th birthday on Homecoming Radio will air as two, one-hour specials on stations around the world the weekends of March 20th and March 27th, 2026.
Born on March 28, 1936, William J. Gaither transformed childhood dreams into countless treasured moments of the Christian “singing faith” all around the world. Acknowledging God’s guiding hand every step of the way, Bill was surprised recently in the studio by wife Gloria and show co-hosts Tori Taff, Kevin Williams, Gene McDonald, Woody Wright, Lauren Talley, Pat Barker, Mark Bishop, & Daniel Britt to celebrate nine decades of fun and heartwarming memories. Enjoy sweet stories, songs from the archives, and a few surprises along the way!
Featured guests include: Chuck Swindoll, Franklin Graham, Joni Eareckson Tada, Steve Brown, Mark Lowry, The Voices of Lee, Gordon Mote, Adam Crabb, Wes Hampton, & more! Plus hear from some great voices from the past, including Eva Mae LeFevre and The Statler Brothers.
Tallahassee based Faith Radio is selling two AM / FM translator combinations covering Panama City and much of Bay County, FL. Both are available for immediate purchase. The stations are currently on the air, have excellent equipment, and are well-maintained. Both of these stations have excellent coverage. Asking price is $180,000 for each combo or $325,000 for both. You must say you saw this on HisAir to get the special price.
Complete equipment lists and coverage maps are available from Scott Beigle, 850-201-1070 or by email: scott@faithradio.us.
Stay up to date with Christian Radio & Records Industry news with HisAir.Net.
Sign up for HisAir.Net email industry updates.
Go HERE to get email updates.
A little known fact about WPOZ/Orlando (Z88.3) evening personality Paco Lopez is that he’s actually “part” Irish.
HisAir Christian Radio & Records Industry News TIMELINE – March 17, 2025
Salem Media Group announced today the sale of their remaining radio stations and digital assets in Honolulu, Hawaii to Malama Media Group. Malama intends to keep all radio stations in their present formats.
Salem CEO, David Santrella, said, “While Salem closes our chapter in Honolulu, I am thrilled to know that these stations are going to a buyer that has a shared passion for the formats we have there and plans to keep those formats intact, particularly the Christian Teach and Talk and Conservative News Talk formats.”
Milestones:
Brittney Ciciora 3 years at WBGL/Champaign
Todd Woods 4 years at EMF
Stan Ellingson 12 years at Faith & Friends Radio/Dayton
Stu Epperson 28 years at Truth Broadcasting Network/Winston-Salem
Steve Swanson (WAFJ/Augusta) passed 2 years ago
The HisAir Prayer group is a place where the Christian Radio & Records industry can post prayer requests, and pray for others.
Go HERE to join the private HisAir Prayer Group group.
Submit news items HERE
