Latest / RedTech daily podcast - Powered by AI / Wheatstone Honors WYSO, NRJ Wins in Sweden, and Salem Media's Strategic Moves

Transcript

Wheatstone Honors WYSO, NRJ Wins in Sweden, and Salem Media's Strategic Moves · RedTech daily podcast - Powered by AI

• 0:00
  Welcome to the RedTech Daily Podcast, powered by artificial intelligence.
• 0:05
  I'm Marguerite Clark, bringing you the latest in radio broadcast and digital audio
• 0:09
  industries.
• 0:11
  Today, we're covering Wheatstone's salute to WYSO, NRJ's regional FM license win in Sweden,
• 0:18
  strong Audiradio results from Italian local radio, Salem Media's acquisition of WaterStone,
• 0:23
  new in-car listening research from the World D.A.B.
• 0:26
  Automotive event, and resilient radio reach according to Rajar.
• 0:33
  Wheatstone recently highlighted WYSO, a former college radio station in Yellow Springs, Ohio,
• 0:39
  in its latest newsletter.
• 0:41
  Comedian Dave Chappelle helped renovate a historic school building to house WYSO's new
• 0:46
  studios.
• 0:48
  The project involved SCMS and radioDNA, with Wheatstone LXE consoles and ENCO automation
• 0:55
  taking center stage.
• 0:57
  Despite the modern setup, nostalgia remains with Technics turntables and TASCAM cassette
• 1:02
  players, showcasing why radio professionals remain dedicated to the industry.
• 1:08
  NRJ has secured 20 regional FM licenses in Sweden, following the loss of its national FM
• 1:14
  license to Aftonbladet Radio.
• 1:17
  The decision allows NRJ to continue broadcasting across most of Sweden, except for
• 1:22
  Skåne, where Retro FM holds the license.
• 1:27
  Richard Mezeret, managing director of NRJ Sweden, expressed gratitude for the support
• 1:32
  from listeners.
• 1:34
  The licenses, effective from August 1, will last eight years.
• 1:39
  D.A.B.
• 1:40
  plus licenses are set to be awarded later this month.
• 1:45
  New audience figures from Audiradio show that local radio stations in Italy continue to
• 1:50
  perform strongly.
• 1:52
  During the first quarter of 2026, these stations reached 29,795,000 listeners on an
• 1:59
  average day, with local radio being the most-listened-to in four regions.
• 2:04
  The data, based on 200,000 interviews, highlights the strength and consistent presence
• 2:09
  of local broadcasters.
• 2:12
  Eight local stations reported higher daily audiences than at least one national
• 2:16
  broadcaster, showcasing their competitive edge.
• 2:21
  Salem Media Group has agreed to be acquired by The Christian Community Foundation, operating
• 2:26
  as WaterStone, in a deal that will take the company private.
• 2:30
  WaterStone will purchase all outstanding shares of Salem Media common stock for one United
• 2:36
  States dollar per share.
• 2:38
  The transaction is expected to close in August 2026, pending shareholder and regulatory
• 2:44
  approvals.
• 2:46
  Salem Media aims to bolster its long-term operations across radio, streaming, podcasting,
• 2:53
  digital media, television, and publishing through this acquisition.
• 2:58
  Salem co-founder and board member Edward Atsinger III stated that the company had spent
• 3:03
  years searching for a successor aligned with its mission.
• 3:07
  Despite a 3.4% decline in industry advertising revenue, Salem Media reported a 2.8% growth in
• 3:15
  local radio revenue in the first quarter, excluding recently sold stations.
• 3:20
  Chief Executive Officer David Santrella emphasized that WaterStone shares Salem's
• 3:25
  long-term goals, which will help expand the company's mission reach.
• 3:30
  Richard von Gnechten, chairman of Salem Media’s board and president at WaterStone, expressed
• 3:35
  that the agreement is aimed at providing long-term operational stability for Salem.
• 3:40
  He highlighted the importance of building on what makes Salem unique, ensuring its continued
• 3:46
  success and influence in the media landscape.
• 3:49
  This acquisition marks a significant step in Salem Media’s strategic direction, reinforcing
• 3:54
  its position as a leading broadcaster and multimedia company.
• 3:57
  WorldDAB is set to reveal new international research on in-car radio listening at the
• 4:04
  WorldDAB Automotive event in Frankfurt on June 11.
• 4:08
  The 2026 Car Buyer’s Research by Fifty5Blue delves into drivers' audio usage, expectations
• 4:15
  from radio, and how factors like prominence and user experience affect listening habits.
• 4:22
  A panel with representatives from automotive and broadcasting sectors will discuss the
• 4:26
  implications for radio's prominence and consumer choices in connected cars.
• 4:33
  The event will also include updates on the Radio Ready initiative and D.A.B.
• 4:37
  plus growth, with sessions on developments in Germany, Australia, and Spain.
• 4:43
  David Fernández Quijada will introduce WorldDAB’s Public Policy Toolbox, emphasizing
• 4:48
  broadcast radio's role in connected environments.
• 4:52
  Another panel will explore broadcast infrastructure investment for automotive
• 4:56
  ecosystem stability.
• 4:59
  Jacqueline Bierhorst, WorldDAB President, highlighted radio's importance as a trusted
• 5:04
  medium, especially in cars.
• 5:08
  Rajar — the United Kingdom's official radio measurement body — has released its first
• 5:13
  quarter 2026 listening figures.
• 5:16
  They highlight a stable radio market with continued growth in digital listening.
• 5:21
  Global remains the U.K.'s largest commercial radio group by share and hours, while Bauer
• 5:26
  Media Audio and the BBC also report gains.
• 5:31
  Notably, 87% of the U.K.
• 5:33
  population tuned into radio weekly, with digital platforms like D.A.B.
• 5:38
  and smart speakers playing a significant role.
• 5:42
  The data shows 50.6 million adults listened to radio weekly, with commercial radio reaching
• 5:47
  39.2 million listeners and the BBC at 31.3 million.
• 5:53
  Digital listening accounted for 76% of all listening hours.
• 5:58
  D.A.B.
• 5:59
  platforms dominate digital listening, covering 43% of all radio listening.
• 6:04
  The figures underscore radio's resilience in a competitive audio landscape and the growing
• 6:09
  importance of connected platforms like in-car and smart speakers.
• 6:14
  Thanks for tuning in to today's episode of RedTech Daily Podcast, powered by artificial
• 6:19
  intelligence.
• 6:20
  I'm Marguerite Clark.
• 6:22
  To read the full articles and more, visit us at redtech.pro.
• 6:27
  We'll catch you on the next broadcast.