Radio

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Emmis to Sell Power 106 to Meruelo Group

Power 106

Emmis Communications has announced an agreement to sell Los Angeles’ hip-hop radio station Power 106 to an affiliate of the Meruelo Group for $82.75 million. The transaction, which is subject to closing adjustments and prorations, pending FCC and other regulatory approvals, is expected to close later this year.

Chairman and CEO of Emmis Communications Jeff Smulyan said in the press release:

“Power 106 has been part of the Emmis family for more than 32 years, so this day is bittersweet, but I am confident that the station and our team are in good hands … The Meruelo Group will be great owners of this historic brand, and take it to even greater heights.”

A Local Marketing Agreement (LMA) will begin promptly following the expiration or early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.

Meruelo Group’s Chairman and CEO Alex Meruelo also issued a statement:

“The acquisition of Power 106 is a game changer for our group and our media division. As a fan and someone who has had a business relationship with this station for more than 30 years, I understand the importance of Power 106 to this community. We are committed to bringing the resources, talent and passion necessary to make this legendary brand the #1 radio station in Los Angeles.”

The Meruelo Group, whose Meruelo Media affiliate acquired Los Angeles TV station KWHY-22 in 2011 and radio station KDAY-FM in 2014, is the largest minority-owned media group in California.

Related: Ex-Power 106 Host Big Boy Given Green Light to Work at Rival Real 92.3

| Music Industry
Power 106, Radio,
Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Stretch and Bobbito Announce New Podcast on NPR

Stretch and Bobbito

Stretch and Bobbito
Stretch and Bobbito (Photo credit: Gio Reda)

Hip-hop radio icons Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito have announced their return after a 19-year hiatus. Starting in summer, the pair will host an interview-based podcast on NPR that will cover an array of topics, including music, film, sports, and politics.

The duo rose to fame in the ‘90s with their groundbreaking program, The Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show. The program, which aired on New York’s WKCR, helped introduce the world to some of hip-hop’s biggest artists, including The Notorious B.I.G., Jay Z, Nas, and Eminem. It later became a proving ground for rappers, who would freestyle live on air.

“You weren’t [sh#t] until [you were featured on the show],” legendary rapper and producer El-P says in the trailer for the podcast.

Stretch and Bobbito add, “As you and I have evolved as men, our interests have grown out way beyond the confines of hip-hop, and so it’s a blessing that NPR has invited us to return.”

The podcast won’t be the duo’s first collaboration with network. In 2015, NPR screened a documentary about them called Stretch and Bobbito: Radio That Changed Lives.

Watch the trailer below and stay tuned for the debut episode.

Related: Watch the Trailer for the Stretch and Bobbito Documentary

| Music Industry, Videos
Radio, Stretch and Bobbito,
Sunday, January 15, 2017

Norway Becomes First Country to Eliminate FM Radio

FM radio

FM radio
Source: CNNMoney/Shutterstock

Norway has become the first country to phase out FM radio, a process that began last week and will be completed by the end of 2017.

The Nordic country is switching from FM to Digital Audio Broadcasting, a.k.a. DAB, because digital offers more channels and better audio quality at a lower cost.

“The main reason that Norway is the first is because of the Norwegian landscape, which has deep fjords, high mountains and scattered communities,” the government said in a statement. “This makes it particularly expensive to operate the Norwegian FM networks compared with other countries.”

However, critics say the switch is premature, as millions of Norwegians do not have digital radios or adapters.

While Norway has become the first country to ditch FM, the UK says it will consider phasing out FM radio once 50 percent of listeners use DAB. According to Gizmodo, the figure is currently at 35 percent.

Switzerland is also considering a switch.

Related: iHeartMedia Launches New Latin Division, iHeartLatino

| Music Tech
Radio,
Friday, September 9, 2016

iHeartMedia Launches New Latin Division, iHeartLatino

Enrique Santos
Enrique Santos (via Facebook)

iHeartMedia and Hispanic radio personality Enrique Santos have launched a new Latin music division, iHeartLatino. According to Billboard, “this would be the first time a mainstream radio company — in this case the biggest radio company in the country — creates a Latin division.”

Santos will serve as chairman and CEO of iHeartLatino and will anchor iHeartMedia’s new Spanish-language station, TÚ 94.9. The station will be the new home of his weekday morning show starting in October. In addition, Santos will be responsible for developing new Latino-focused programming and content, as well as identifying new talent. He will also play a role in iHeartRadio Music Awards and the iHeartRadio Music Festival.

Santos told Billboard:

“Words cannot describe how ecstatic and how proud I am for the future of Latinos in radio. We have a media group that respects Latins and is giving us, in a very special and historic moment in history, this super highway to create, to elevate and to pave the path for our music our people and culture.”

Santos was born in Illinois to Cuban parents and has been on the air for 20 years. He was previously at Univision Radio, where he hosted the nationally syndicated Enrique Santos Show for nine years.

Related: Roc Nation Launches Roc Nation Latino, Names Romeo Santos as CEO

| Music Industry
Enrique Santos, iHeartLatino, iHeartMedia, Radio,
Friday, September 2, 2016

Crisco Kidd Moves to Mornings on Phoenix’s Power 98.3

Crisco Kidd

Crisco Kidd

Phoenix’s Power 98.3 and 101.9 has moved night host Crisco Kidd and the Crisco Kidd Block Party show to the morning slot.

Crisco replaces MC Magic, who stepped down because of vocal cord issues, according to AllAccess.com. His partner, Dee Garcia, has moved to Power 98.3’s sister station, Hot 97.5. Jules, who was the third voice on the morning show, will stay on mornings with Crisco.

Crisco is a long-time member of the DJcity team. He has spent over 15 years in the radio industry in markets such as Los Angeles, Houston, and Dallas.

The Crisco Kidd Block Party airs weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Those outside of the Phoenix area can stream the show on Power 98.3’s website.

Related: Crisco Kidd’s Radio Show Debuts in Dallas

| Music Industry
Crisco Kidd, Power 98.3, Radio,
Saturday, February 13, 2016

Hot 97’s DJ Enuff Reflects on His Career

dj enuff
 
Hot 97 and Shade 45 personality DJ Enuff recently sat down with ItsTheReal’s A Waste Of Time podcast to discuss his lengthy career. The veteran New York DJ spoke about touring with The Notorious B.I.G., starting the Heavy Hitters DJ crew and how Kanye West became a member of it, working with Angie Martinez, “button pushing” DJs, and more.
 
Listen to the full interview below.
 

 
Related: Hot 97’s Peter Rosenberg: ‘If You Don’t Have Turntables, You Are Not a DJ’

| DJ Culture
A Waste Of Time, DJ Enuff, Interview, Radio,

Popular