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| Before news breaks, it must bend... and that’s where we come in. |
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Is iHeart Sirius About A Merger?
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| Bloomberg News was first to report that iHeartMedia and SiriusXM have held preliminary talks to discuss a possible merger, which would combine iHeart's 860+ broadcast radio stations and large podcast network and SiriusXM's satellite programming and expansive podcast network, among other audio and media services.
Sources told Variety that veteran music industry mogul Irving Azoff and Apollo Global Management have offered their assistance with any such deal, that, if consummated, would combine the nation's largest radio company, iHeartMedia, with satellite radio provider SiriusXM, creating a radio and streaming powerhouse.
Variety's sources also said that the objective of combining the companies would be to provide greater scale and partner with artists to create platforms. "However," Variety noted, "it is clear that, with both terrestrial and satellite radio losing listeners and influence as streaming and multiple other options become increasingly available, the companies would be stronger together than apart."
When contacted by RAMP, iHeartMedia's communications rep said, "We don't comment on rumors or speculation." Apparently we should all stay tuned.
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Shertenlieb Joining WEEI/Boston?
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| That's the word from Barstool Sports' own in-the-know Mike Mutnansky, who posted this on Friday: "As WEEI prepares to announce its new afternoon show on Monday, all signs point to Rich Shertenlieb returning to Boston sports radio as part of the revamped lineup." The official announcement is expected later this morning.
Last week, Audacy terminated two of WEEI's three afternoon co-hosts, Andy Hart and Nick "Fitzy" Stevens, leaving former New England Patriot linebacker Ted Johnson, Jr. flying solo.
Shertenlieb has been a well known quantity on Boston Sports-Talk radio since 2006, thanks to his lengthy run as half of Toucher & Rich, first on the late WBCN, followed by Beasley's WBZ-FM (98.5 The Sports Hub) from 2009 until his departure in October 2023. Shertenlieb has been off local radio since his abbreviated stint in mornings on iHeartMedia Classic Rock WZLX/Boston ended in Nov. 2024 during a round of corporate restructuring. The announcement will reportedly be made this morning at 9 ET.
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Jones Named VP/A&R At Big Machine
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| Big Machine Records/Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment has named industry veteran Allison Jones as Executive Vice President of A&R. Now, under the label's new era, Jones leads all A&R efforts across the roster, which includes Riley Green, Rascal Flatts, The Band Perry, Aaron Lewis, Cole Goodwin, The Jack Wharff Band, Greylan James and more.
"Allison is the consummate A&R executive," said Scott Borchetta, Big Machine Founder, Chairman & CEO. "She knows every artist, every song, and every publisher, and is obsessed with being on the sharp end of pop culture. Big Machine simply would not be what it is today without Allison by my side, and I'm so thrilled that we get to continue together in this new season."
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| Jones joined Big Machine in 2008 and has been a key player in signing top level acts including Thomas Rhett, Florida Georgia Line, The Band Perry, Riley Green, Carly Pearce and Midland, while contributing to the development and success of Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Lady A and Taylor Swift.
"I've worked with Scott since 1997, when we opened DreamWorks Nashville together, and have spent the past 18 years at Big Machine in the trenches making history (with lots of celebrations and core memories made!)," says Jones. "I'm incredibly proud of the music we've created. It's been an honor to be part of building one of the most impactful and successful labels in the history of the music business. Scott is a true visionary who never settles for anything less than winning. I'm incredibly excited and proud to do it all over again as we rebuild the new Big Machine!" A more in-depth version of this story is posted at RAMP247.com.
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| • Audacy's mighty WFAN/New York turned Night 1 of the NFL Draft into something uniquely New York. From the new penthouse rooftop at Audacy's HQ at 345 Hudson, WFAN hosted its first-ever exclusive draft party with all the station's on-air talent reacting live to every pick -- all while the New York Knicks, Yankees, and Mets were playing simultaneously. The result? Pure, unscripted sports chaos -- in the best way possible.
Even NFL Redzone host Scott Hanson took notice, comparing the scene to RedZone's iconic "witching hour," when everything is happening at once and every moment matters.
Pictured, hovering high atop NYC, (l-r): WFAN's Gregg "Gio" Giannotti, Jerry Recco, Evan Roberts, Tiki Barber, Boomer Esiason, Shaun Morash, Chris McMonigle, and Craig Carton.
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| • Dateline: Twin Cities -- SKOR North's Purple Daily podcast -- the most-listened-to Minnesota Vikings podcast in America, produced by Hubbard Radio, hosted its annual Purple Daily Draft Party on Thursday night. Rabid Minnesota Vikings fans packed the sold-out Hop House Sports Bar at Mystic Lake Casino for the live YouTube broadcast that followed Round One of the NFL Draft.
Purple Daily podcast hosts Phil Mackey, Judd Zulgad and Declan Goff hosted the live event that also featured Thor Nystrom, SKOR North's draft expert and host of Thor Talks Purple and Football Takes, along with Jeremiah Sirles, former Vikings Lineman and co-host of the O-Line Committee.
The multi-media event has already hit 60,000 views on YouTube and reached thousands more through the on-demand podcast and social media. [Special thanks to Dan Seeman]
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| • Audacy Country KMLE/Phoenix keeps it in the family when securing its new morning co-host -- say hello to Ms. Gabe Mercer, who most recently co-hosted mornings on sister KKWF (100.7 The Wolf)/Seattle, who is headed to Phoenix, and teaming up with Niko Petrou, starting today. Mercer replaces Cheyenne Davis, who left last week. Watch Mercer's poignant "I Love You Seattle" video montage posted to Instagram.
Mercer is already a familiar voice to KMLE listeners, as she earlier tracked middays on the station via remote. More recently she and her former KKWF morning co-hosts Matt McAllister and "Captain Ron" Koons had also been tracking afternoons at KMLE until McAllister's departure from Audacy earlier this month.
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| • 'How Nashville Became Music City' -- The University of New Haven Nashville Study Away Program is hosting a free live event at the Nashville Entrepreneur Center this Wednesday, April 29. Mark Montgomery, one Nashville's original pioneers in the music/tech space and program's Music Entrepreneurship Instructor, will interview author/historian and multimedia journalist Robert K. Oermann on "How Nashville Became Music City." Complimentary beer and wine will be served.
Come hear the story of how Nashville became Music City, as told by author and historian Robert K. Oermann. This presentation has been given over the years to major corporations, to CEOs, to the community via both Leadership Music and Leadership Nashville. The story spans 100 years of music entrepreneurship in the City and is considered a "must see and hear" event that is not to be missed. Doors open at 5pm, and the presentation begins at 5:30! Did we mention the free beer and wine?
After the presentation, Oermann will share his origin story, and take questions from the audience. This event is FREE. Get your tickets HERE. [Special thanks to Michele Rhoades]
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Amazing Opportunities: Toledo & Columbia, SC
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| • Cumulus Toledo is now in the hunt for an OM/PD as Jerry Mac exits after eight years.
The company is seeking a battle‑tested, winning Program Director for Country WKKO (K100), and who is also ready to run point as Operations Manager for the cluster, which includes Classic Hits WRQN, Classic Rock WXKR (94.5 XKR), Hot AC WQQO (Q105), Classic Country WMIM (98.3 NASH Icon), and Sports-Talk 100.7 The Ticket (WQQO-HD2 / W264AK).
You must have: 5+ years of winning PD experience • A genuine love of coaching and making talent better • Killer writing skills and strong creative instincts • Next‑level people skills -- you lead, inspire, and connect • A desire to still do a SHOW (yes, really) • Big ideas, high standards, and the ability to execute
If you're smart, driven, collaborative, and still fired up about radio, we should talk. Salary: $70K to $85K. plus benefits. Complete details about this position and the application link are posted HERE (Req 4308) EOE.
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| • Locally owned Midlands Media Group, which proudly serves the rapidly growing Columbia, SC market is looking for a talented Production/Creative Services Director to work their magic on Classic Country WUDE (94.3 The Dude) and Classic Hits WZMJ (93.1 The Lake).
This is an immediate opening that calls for an experienced, highly organized individual who is as passionate about local radio as we are! If you love building relationships with clients and serving the community, let's chat. On-air voice-tracked shift a possibility for the right person. Details are posted HERE. EOE.
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Skyview Hauls NAB Hardware Home
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| Skyview Networks returned from the 2026 NAB Show in Las Vegas all abuzz after Cirocast, its cloud-native broadcast-grade audio distribution platform, received two prestigious accolades: 1) NAB Show Product of the Year 2026, and 2) Future's Best of Show award, presented by Radio World.
The NAB Show Product of the Year 2026 Award, selected by a panel of industry experts across 16 categories, further affirms the platform's role in advancing the next generation of audio distribution infrastructure. The Radio World honor is evaluated by a panel of engineers and industry experts and selected based on innovation, feature set, perceived value and real-world application.
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| Eric Trabb, SVP, Strategic Alliances and Partnerships at NAB, commented, "Congratulations to Skyview Networks on earning the 2026 NAB Show Product of the Year Award for Cirocast -- a cutting-edge solution enhancing a critical stage of the content lifecycle and helping storytellers succeed in today's dynamic media landscape."
"Broadcasters at NAB were very clear about what they want next," said Andrew Kalb, EVP, Strategic Business Operations of Skyview Networks. "They are looking for flexibility and monetization benefits without giving up the performance, reliability or confidence they associate with satellite distribution. Cirocast delivers that balance, and its early accolades demonstrate the industry’s understanding of this balance and serve as a meaningful validation of this direction for Skyview Networks and the partners we serve."
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It's Not Magic... It's Hard Work
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| Cumulus Top 40 KKMG (98.9 Magic FM)/Colorado Springs took home a truckload of awards from the Colorado Broadcasters Association (CBA), including Major Market Station of the Year, six Awards of Excellence and 11 Certificates of Merit. More than 400 industry pros gathered last Saturday, April 17 at the swanky Ritz-Carlton Denver for the CBA's annual Awards of Excellence Gala, spotlighting the strongest work in Colorado radio and television.
Magic FM's "Benson Boone Magical Mystical Moonbeam Ice Cream Event" won four Awards of Excellence, including "Best Station Sponsored Community Event," "Best Station Promotion / Marketing Campaign," "Best Sales Event or Live Remote Broadcast," and "Best Use of Digital and Social Media." Magic FM also won Awards of Excellence for its "Galentine's Day Dinner" in the "Best On-Air Contest for a Station" category, and for "Best Community Service Campaign" for "Take a Turkey to Work Day."
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| Every member of Magic FM's full-time on-air staff also won a Certificate of Merit for "Best Personality" -- PD Jeff Haber for "Best Afternoon Host," Dallace Jade for "Best Midday Host," and Soliyah Sage for "Best Evening Host."
Haber said, "I'm so proud of this team. We started the year with a commitment to serving our Colorado Springs community, and to be recognized for our contributions is an honor. This doesn't happen without a team who takes immense pride in being a part of 98.9 Magic FM -- a team that is young, diverse, smart, creative, and innovative. I'm grateful for their efforts and can't wait to continue our work in 2026."
Pictured, (l-r): Magic FM personality James "Big" Mack; Producer Morgan Wilson; PD/PM driver Jeff Haber; Midday talent Dallace Jade; and Promotions Director/Evening air talent Soliyah Sage.
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