Industry News Bits TUE 8/19/25
Fundraisers this week. .. WCVO/Columbus .. Let us know when your Station Fundraiser takes place… news@hisair.net
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July PPM is complete. Look for August PPM starting 9/8. Go HERE for latest PPM ratings.
Moody Radio announces Community Impact Directors to serve locally in Moody markets. Full Story HERE
WBYO/Sellersville, PA (Word FM) has recently expanded its listener base to include Lancaster, PA at 92.5 FM.
In addition to Lancaster, the station, which is based in Harleysville, Pa., can be heard on nearly two dozen frequencies throughout northwestern Maryland, southcentral Pennsylvania, Bucks County, the Lehigh Valley and northeastern Pennsylvania. Listeners can also tune in online.
WCVO/Columbus (River Radio Ministries) announces the addition of Judah Keith to the River’s Digital team concentrating on video content for the ministry, serving clients, social media, and their on-demand and YouTube Channel, RiverNOW. Judah will be replacing a seat vacated by Eric Stroud who has been with The River for about 4 years. With the retirement of River Board Member, and CMB Board of Directors award winner, Jim Leightenheimer, from Cedarville University, Eric will be taking over as a Professor of Communications at Cedarville University with a concentration in Broadcasting and Audio Production.
Judah joins the team as a recent graduate from Mount Vernon Nazarene University, and he shares, “I am so excited to join the digital team at The River! I love the mission of spreading the Gospel and love of Jesus to Ohio, and getting to be a part of creating content that can inspire and encourage people is a dream come true for me! Telling stories that can uplift is my truest passion, and I can’t wait to get to work with the incredible team at the station!”
In another change, Digital Director Josh Pollock will also be taking on the role Podcast Director, helping refine and grow The River’s collection of Podcast Content.
River Radio Ministries operates 15 signals in Ohio, including the communities of Columbus, Wooster, Canton/Akron, Bellefontaine/Kenton, Newark, Logan and more, and is online at riverradio.com.
KSBJ/Houston PD Randy Fox has been recognized as one of the top programmers by Radio Ink. Randy joined KSBJ in April 2022. Prior to KSBJ Randy served as Program Director at KISS 97.3 & Mix 105.1 in Albuquerque
Fox 20+ years of industry experience included companies like CBS Radio, iHeart Media and American General Media.
Fox succeeded Troy West who exited for the APD position at EMF in Nov 2021.
Salem announced today that it appointed Richard A. von Gnechten as Chairman of the Board, with responsibilities of overseeing Board and Annual Stockholders meetings. Mr. Edward G. Atsinger, III will retain the title of Executive Chairman with responsibilities of overseeing operations of the Company and will remain in this role through December 31, 2025.
BMI has secured its largest-ever radio rate increase through a settlement with the Radio Music License Committee. The new deal, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2022, raises rates from 2.14% in 2022 to 2.20% from 2026–2029, with per-program licenses rising to 0.37–0.38%. A minimum annual fee of $773 will apply to all stations.
BMI President & CEO Mike O’Neill stated, “BMI sought a rate that reflected our market-leading share of the music performed on radio stations across the country.”
HisAir Job Alert – sponsored by FaithSearch Partners
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Sounds Profitable is merging with Podcast Movement in a seven-figure deal, combining research, insights, and advertising expertise with a leading events business. The merger reflects podcasting’s shift from attracting newcomers to serving industry veterans focused on business growth and revenue, with plans for expanded involvement in major media events like Cannes Lions, SXSW, The Podcast Show London, and Advertising Week.
Under the merger, Sounds Profitable founder Bryan Barletta becomes President of Podcast Movement while continuing to lead the Sounds Profitable brand with partner Tom Webster as shareholders. Podcast Movement co-founder Dan Franks will remain President of Event Movement, which produces the conferences and events.
Podcast Movement 2025 (it’s 12th Annual Podcast Movement) returns to Dallas this week.
On Friday evening, August 8th, KJRN/Keene., TX (88.3 The Journey) once again hosted “Faith & Family Night” with the Cleburne Railroaders minor league baseball team.
There was worship on the field before the game, and station manager/morning show host Rich Hooper and his wife, co-host Tanya Hooper and their adult children sang the national anthem. Rich threw out the first pitch. The night was capped off with a fireworks show!
HisAir Industry News TIMELINE – Aug 19, 2022
CCMG artist TobyMac releases his first first full-length project “Life After Death” since losing his son in 2018. Toby says the new album offers songs offering wisdom and hope for those going through similar struggles.
Toby has been busy visiting radio promoting “Life After Death” with interviews. Among those are with KeepTheFaith host Keith Stevens, who gets real with Toby, dissecting the songs that helped him grieve the loss of his oldest son.
Milestones:
Richele 3 years at Rhema 99.7/Warabrook, NSW
Prayer List:
Donna Cruz
Dave Kirby
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 group.
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