As 2024 comes to a close, the Radio World editorial team is reflecting on their coverage from the past year, noting stories that were particularly news-worthy, meaningful or simply fun to write. The author is a content producer and staff writer.
I’ve been asked by a few people recently how my 2024 went. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say I’ve experienced some of the highest highs and lowest lows. In August, my father passed away, and although he had been battling health challenges, it was still rather unexpected. Nothing will ever compare to the despair I felt while clinging to the steering wheel during the 30-minute drive to the rehab center where he was, not knowing if he was alive or not after receiving the dreaded call that he had been found without a pulse.
That said, in the words of my dad, “by that same token,” I’ve experienced so much personal growth while helping my mother and brother navigate the loss. I made significant progress on writing a book about the history of the smooth jazz radio format, a topic I’m deeply passionate about. I also started teaching a Computer Science course at my alma mater, Villanova University.
Most of all, I experienced my greatest professional moment in landing a full-time position here at Radio World in December. I feel like I’m fulfilling my dream, something my dad, who always encouraged me to pursue work I was passionate about, would be incredibly proud of. It was his collection of Sony portable radios, including the ICF-SW7600, that sparked me down this path. For him, it was more about shortwave; for me, it became the FM radio band.
What’s so cool about all this for me is the stories we write here are ones I’d have been reading anyway. It didn’t take me long to recall some favorites! It’s my hope that you, our readers, feel the same way. I truly look forward to contributing more of these high-caliber stories to Radio World in 2025.
FCC Approves Plan That Allows Audacy to Exit Bankruptcy
There were many controversial layers to a company as large as Audacy, with its significant footprint in the broadcast industry, navigating Chapter 11 proceedings. Our Randy Stine did a great job chronicling its journey throughout 2024 as it worked to transfer assets to a “new Audacy.” One wonders how differently this might have played out if the timeline had extended a couple of months later, after the election.
Special Report: Behold the Potential of AI in Broadcast
It was hard to get through 2024 without feeling the urge to weigh in with a hot take on AI. Radio was certainly no exception. As part of the Radio World ebook, “Artificial Intelligence in Radio,” Randy Stine spoke with major industry players about where they see this technology heading. The consensus was that AI holds great promise for improving day-to-day tasks, though concerns linger about detecting obvious fakes and ensuring AI adoption doesn’t come at the expense of displacing human talent.
Chicago Public Media Opens New Studios on Navy Pier
Chicago is probably my favorite American city to visit and one of the major reasons is its Navy Pier on Lake Michigan. That’s why I was particularly interested in reading about the rebuild of Chicago Public Media’s Navy Pier studios. Among the highlights Paul McLane reported was the Steinway Model D Full Concert Grand Piano — one of only two in the city — in CPM’s performance studio. Paul’s coverage of buildouts always delivers unique details and this was another great example.
The Newsroom May Be Dark, but the Light of WCBS Lives On
Here I go, getting sentimental again. I grew up in Northeast Ohio, about 20 miles outside Cleveland. But both sides of my family are from North Jersey and, growing up in the 1990s, we’d make dozens of trips each year across Pennsylvania to the Garden State. Inevitably frustrated by traffic on the Jersey Turnpike or Garden State Parkway, my dad would tune in to 880 AM to catch “Traffic & Weather Together” on the eights. Some households were 1010 WINS fans; we were always a WCBS family.
It was disheartening to see WCBS fade away earlier this year after its surprise LMA to Good Karma. However, I loved reading the perspective of one of its former engineers, Rob Bertrand, in a guest commentary. He said the station had the best culture he had ever been a part of.
Women in Engineering: Jade He at Hofstra University
Elle Kehres has done a wonderful job profiling several standout women in engineering as part of a series showcasing their efforts in a male-dominated profession. As someone who works with college students at Villanova through WXVU(FM), I loved the story of Hofstra’s Jade He. She graduated in the spring and was involved with 88.7 WRHU(FM) and Hofstra’s campus TV program. Hofstra’s chief engineer, Andy Gladding, was her key mentor and she was aiming to earn the Certified Broadcast Technologist (CBT) certification from SBE. It’s clear we need more talented people in the profession like He!
Are Internet Radios Still a Thing?
Do you remember the first internet radio station you streamed? For me, it was probably in the summer of 1998 when I tracked down 103.7 KKSF(FM)’s Real Audio stream. In my research for the smooth jazz history book, I learned KKSF claimed to be the first station to have a presence on the world wide web.
The proliferation of station webcasting led to the advent of internet-only radios. I remember these vividly and thought they were so cool at the time. But we’re at the point now where these units can be considered ancient tech. James Careless details some of the more popular models and talks about how the advent of the smartphone changed everything. Yet, you can still buy some of these radios!
Do These Things on Every Site Visit
I’ve already been able to have conversations with some of the industry’s finest engineers by doing a fair share of freelancing for Radio World before going full time in December. Sometimes I’m in awe of the expertise they have. I just try to absorb it all in each instance like a sponge.
Our Workbench columnist, John Bisset, does a great job condensing tips for engineers, making his advice understandable for all types of readers. I particularly enjoyed the checklist he wrote of tips during maintenance visits to a transmitter site.
Radio Vets Look to Honor Chris Noel With Presidential Medal of Freedom
I had to pick one of the stories I wrote in 2024. Highlighting the effort to award Chris Noel the Presidential Medal of Freedom was an honor. Noel’s broadcasts on the American Forces Vietnam Network during the Vietnam War brought hope to many, including Harry Simons, who shared his story with me. All three advocates I interviewed were passionate about Noel’s impact and it felt like a story that needed to be shared.
