Here’s some news that should be absolutely no surprise to Radio Survivor listeners: Randy Michaels’ new FM news station in Chicago WWWN-FM is tanking in the ratings. In fact, the former Tribune chief‘s station sits at number 48, a mere 45 spots below its main competitor, the news-talk stalwart WBBM, which not coincidentally has added […]
Archive | Commercial Radio
We remember Steve Jobs, who changed radio
I’m sure most Radio Survivor readers have already heard about the passing of Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple. Jobs will be rightly celebrated for how his company’s products, directed by his unique vision, changed the way most of us make and consume media. This includes radio. Whether intentionally or not, the introduction of the iPod […]
What is your radio station’s Facebook strategy?
Jacobs Media has an interesting Xtranormal post on YouTube, which suggests that the rock radio consulting firm thinks that radio stations ought to use their Facebook pages in more interactive ways. Two little Xtranormal piggies stand next to a couch and argue. One is presumably a radio station listener, the other a radio station DJ. […]
But does your radio station have its own beer?
Beer advertising is certainly a staple of any radio station aiming at a mostly male demographic, and beer companies sponsor many concerts and radio events. But how many stations actually have their own beer? I was sitting in a nice Chicago tavern that features vintage beer cans displayed on a shelf circling the room. I […]
KUSF Supporters Protest at Entercom Headquarters
At a lunch-time protest outside Entercom’s San Francisco offices yesterday, KUSF supporters reminded their foes that the fight regarding the future of college radio station KUSF is far from over. Around 50 protesters gathered outside Entercom’s Third Street studios, voicing concerns about the corporate radio conglomerate’s role in the complicated deal that led to the […]
10 months after Tribune Randy Michaels is back with FM news stations in Chicago and NYC
When last we heard from Randy Michaels he was exiting the Tribune Tower in Chicago, resigning after news broke that he turned the company’s broadcast division into Animal House. While the architect of Clear Channel’s buy, consolidate and gut approach to broadcasting was busy allegedly throwing poker parties, he shuffled beloved hosts and drove down […]
A live Jam concert from 1980 demonstrates the synchronicity of radio
I’ve written about Chicago “progressive” rock station WXRT-FM before. It’s truly the only commercial music station in the city that I can tolerate listening to for any extended period of time. Sure, its commercial stop sets can be as long and annoying as any other stations, but everything else about the station stands pretty far […]
Does the college/community radio show before yours influence your program?
Are you a college/community/LPFM/unlicensed music show host? Does the show that comes on before you have an impact on your program, or your efforts to cultivate an audience? I ask now because I forgot to mention the question when I moderated a National Federation of Community Broadcasters workshop panel on great music programs. I first […]
Farewell to KUSF Assistant Chief Engineer Mike Schweizer
I’m very sad to report that Mike Schweizer, an important figure in San Francisco Bay Area broadcasting, died on Tuesday, June 14 at the age of 58. Schweizer was the assistant chief engineer for University of San Francisco’s college radio station KUSF and had been with the station for more than 33 years. We met […]
The Past Week In Radio
Catch up on stories you might have missed from the past week in radio. Dirty Money Talk radio’s biggest names are paid millions of dollars to “use a script, outline or set of talking points,” according to a new report. The Heritage Foundation pays roughly $2m for Rush Limbaugh and $1.3 for Sean Hannity. Glenn […]