• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

iHeart Black Information Network

iHeart is launching a Black Information Network tomorrow 6/30/2020 @ 12 PM-EST. I am surprised that they aren't launching it in NYC. They could easily launch it on WOR 710.
 
iHeart is launching a Black Information Network tomorrow 6/30/2020 @ 12 PM-EST. I am surprised that they aren't launching it in NYC. They could easily launch it on WOR 710.

They'd probably have to change the format to do that. I can't imagine them running such a news service around the conservative talk they air now.

This is not to say some of the content won't originate from one of iHeart's NYC locations.
 
iHeart is launching a Black Information Network tomorrow 6/30/2020 @ 12 PM-EST. I am surprised that they aren't launching it in NYC. They could easily launch it on WOR 710.

WOR bills almost $13 million. They are not going to blow that up, and they need it for their Premier syndicated shows which need a NYC clearance.
 
This is running on WWPR 105.1 HD3.
They're currently broadcasting a speech made a couple of years ago at the Univerisity of Southern California by Oprah Winfrey.
I would say that a African American oriented talk network is much needed.
 
Last edited:
It's a great idea, but I wonder where they'll get the advertising revenue to keep such a network afloat, though. Who listens to talk? Older demos.

I mean you could probably start an FM talk station, anchored by Charlamagne tha God and featuring other Black talk personalities. Think new school.

I think KKBT in LA back in the day tried something like this called "Rhythm & Talk"
 
Here's a story based on an iHeart press release about the new network. According to this, there is no NYC station at this time:

https://radioinsight.com/alert/1898...tations-stunting-ahead-of-new-network-launch/

Point of pride here (because I was part of breaking this story) - as he does so often, Lance had the story up well before iHeart had their release out.

There's still some trade journalism happening out there that's more than just reprinting releases. And I'm glad to be part of it :)
 
So according to articles about it, this will actually be a news service rather than a primarily talk format. It will also provide news for WWPR 105.1, and other IHeart Stations that focus on the African American community
A number of major corporations have been lined up, as " National Founding Partners."
 
What it sounds like to me is it will be a full service African American news/talk/info format (I'm kind of thinking a national version of WVON in Chicago, but will also feed news to iHeart (and maybe other) Urban stations. Interesting to note that rather than a traditional ad format, it will be funded by corporate "founding partners". It's the first time a new financial business model has been thought of in quite awhile
 
Point of pride here (because I was part of breaking this story) - as he does so often, Lance had the story up well before iHeart had their release out.

There's still some trade journalism happening out there that's more than just reprinting releases. And I'm glad to be part of it :)

Wow, sounds like a stab at this forum's operators especially since Lance used to moderate these boards before he was turfed. But hey, thanks for sharing.
 
As I recall, WLIB/WWRL carried talk programming. This new service sounds more like WINS. It is primarily fast-paced news/sports (and in some markets, traffic). Interspersed are information features, such as brief biographies of prominent African Americans. I have not heard any talk shows, though it seems possible these will be offered weekends and/or certain times.
 
During the 1980s, WLIB's African-American news/talk format was as follows.

AM Rush Hour: News
Midday: Talk
PM Rush Hour: News
Evening: Sports talk (until about 45 minutes after sunset)

On weekends, WLIB played Caribbean music, which was a mix of reggae and calypso. On Sunday mornings, they broadcast in Haitian Creole.
 
Wow, sounds like a stab at this forum's operators especially since Lance used to moderate these boards before he was turfed. But hey, thanks for sharing.

No, it just sounded like he was taking credit for a good scoop. Sometimes you've gotta do it because you can't rely on others to do it for you. If you work in media long enough you get to know that. It sounded nothing to me like a stab at this board which doesn't even have a news section that competes with that area on RadioInsight.

I think most if not all of us here bounce between all the radio biz sites and appreciate what they each have to offer. Respect to all IMO.
 
It's a great idea, but I wonder where they'll get the advertising revenue to keep such a network afloat, though. Who listens to talk? Older demos.

Perhaps a great idea? Sure.

Execution in this case? TERRIBLE.

This will not last unless iHM makes a major and quick overhaul to the formatics. The content is utter garbage. This is nothing that will hold an audience.
 
Mark, if you're going to call a broadcast, "utter garbage," you should provide specifics to back that up.
It seems to me the fledgling network is doing what one would expect, providing news from an African American perspective, along with some other information. IHeart's press release stated that they are hiring additional people for this network, indicating that it's a work in progress.
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom