The following is a list of events affecting radio broadcasting in 2018. Events listed include radio program debuts, finales, cancellations, and station launches, closures and format changes, as well as information about controversies.

Notable events

January Date Event1Business Talk station W280EV, formerly a simulcast of WSDV Sarasota, Florida, ends its two months stunting with Christmas music with a flip to Top 40/CHR as "103.9 Kiss FM."“CHR 103.9 Kiss-FM Sarasota Debuts” from Radio Insight (January 1, 2018)Rocky Mount/Wilson, North Carolina picked up a Rhythmic Adult Top 40, as former Classic Rock WZAX returns from Christmas music to launch "Movin’ 99.3," thus marking a return to a Rhythmic-type direction since 2014 when it was Gold-based "Jammin’ 99.3."WZAX Rocky Mount Gets Movin Radioinsight – January 2, 2018WBKW in Beckley, West Virginia dumps Gospel for Alternative rock as "93.5 The Buzz."In Oklahoma City, "Fun" gives way to "Alice" as KQOB goes back to Variety hits. Alice 96.9 Takes Oklahoma City's Fun Radio Insight, December 31, 20173Another country station debuts in Ohio as W295CI Bellefontaine/Urbana, formerly a simulcast of talk station WBLL, becomes "106.9 The Bull".WBLL/Bellefontaine-Urbana, OH Flips To Country As '106.9 The Bull' All Access Music Group, January 3, 20185Entercom entered a deal to bring the Dance/Electronic webcast Pulse 87 to the Los Angeles airwaves as a HD2 subchannel of Top 40/CHR KAMP-FM, billing it as "Pulse 97.1 HD2." The move marks the first time since October 2016 when it was broadcast over the air on KYLI Las Vegas.“Webcast Dance Station Pulse 87 Is On The Air In Southern California On KAMP (97.1 Amp Radio)/Los Angeles' HD-2 Signal” from All Access Music Group (January 9, 2018)After nearly three months of being "Hot", Flinn Broadcasting's WJXN-FM Jackson, Mississippi was rebranded as "G100.9", this time under a LMA deal with Alpha Media, who in turn replaced the Westwood One programming with Alpha's in-house presentation, thus putting it in line with Alpha's "G" branded stations.“WJXN Goes From Hot To G Under Alpha LMA” from Radio Insight (January 12, 2018)8The Federal Communications Commission begins the elimination on this date of the Main Studio Rule; the long-standing rule required radio and television stations to maintain a physical studio 25 miles within its city of license, have it staffed during normal business hours, and have capabilities for program origination.“Main Studio Rule Elimination Takes Effect Monday, January 8” from Radio Insight (January 4, 2018)KTUX Shreveport, Louisiana flips to classic rock taking new competitor KTAL-FM's morning show and changing to Highway 98.9. KBAT in Midland also joins Townsquare's Ultimate classic rock fray however they will themselves as The new sound of KBAT 99.9.KBAT Flips To Classic Rock Radio Insight, January 10, 20189Alpha Media's WRXQ Joliet, Illinois terminates overnight personality "Crazy Ray" Odom after he made an appearance on the CNBC reality show The Profit, where he and his partner sought help from Profit star Marcus Lemonis to turn around their outdoor apparel shop focusing on activewear for fishermen, but his position at WRXQ where he said he "played a sexist, egotistical, racist pig on the radio" was used for dramatic effect and tied into why Lemonis did not invest in their company. The conflict of interest, followed by a statement from WRXQ that claimed 'the views he expressed in the program were' his only and not those of Alpha and WRXQ, were given as explanations for Odom's dismissal.“Alpha Media fires 'Crazy Ray' before appearance on 'The Profit'” from Joliet Herald-News (January 9, 2018)19Cumulus Media announces that will seek permission from the United States Bankruptcy Court to cancel its LMA and purchase deal for Chicago's WLUP-FM and WKQX from current owner Merlin Media after it made a deal to acquire the Rock outlets in 2014, citing losses from revenues tied to the stations, as well as canceling or ending its contracts to carry play by play broadcasts of Buffalo Bills (a team they stopped carrying in 2012 but never paid off the contract), Chicago Bulls and White Sox, and Seattle Seahawks, radio distribution of CNBC, a series of leases for buildings and towers, and ending a talent agreement with American Patriot LLC, who handles the deal for Mancow Muller. If approved, the deals could be nullified but at the same time could affect the future of the aforementioned sports teams.“Cumulus Seeks To Cancel WLUP/WKQX LMA Purchase; And Chicago PBP Deals” from Radio Insight (January 19, 2018) On January 31, WSCR picked up the PBP rights of the Bulls’ broadcasts from WLS (abruptly ending a five-year deal as they were in the middle of a first year run), effective with the February 3 broadcast against the Los Angeles Clippers; the new multiyear deal also retains the current lineup of announcers Chuck Swirsky, Bill Wennington, and pre/post/halftime show host Steve Kashul.“Chicago Bulls Move To 670 The Score” from Radio Insight (January 31, 2018) On February 14, WGN became the new home for the White Sox PBP broadcasts, thus marking a return to the Tribune-owned station that carried the American League franchise from 1927 to 1943, and brings the station back to carrying baseball broadcasts since losing the Cubs (which was formerly owned by Tribune) in 2014 to WBBM.“Chicago White Sox Head To 720 WGN” from Radio Insight (February 14, 2018)25Just nearly three years after it acquired Journal Communications, E.W. Scripps Company announces that it will put the 34 radio stations that it added to its portfolio up for sale as part of a restructuring plan.“Scripps Places Radio Group Up For Sale” from Radio Insight (January 25, 2018)29In a controversial move, which comes after losing a court case to Taylor Swift in 2017 over allegations that resulted from touching her inappropriately during a meet and greet during her concert stop in Denver that resulted in losing his job at KYGO-FM in 2013, David Mueller lands a morning gig at WMYQ (FM) Greenwood, Mississippi under the name "Stonewall Jackson." The news of his hiring by owner Larry Fuss (who is also co-partner with Mueller in smaller radio outlets) is sparking attention because of his sexual assault incidents and has sparked criticism from the radio industry and Swift fans, who plan to lead a campaign to have Mueller fired and exile from radio for good.“Taylor Swift Groper David Mueller Returns To Radio In Moorhead MS” from Radio Insight (January 29, 2018)“DJ Who Groped Taylor Swift Found a New Radio Job & Her Fans Are Not Having It” from Billboard (January 30, 2018)CKRI-FM Red Deer, Alberta dumps its classic hits format and flips to an alternative rock format as it rebrands to "X100.7".30Boise-based Impact Radio Group expands their portfolio of stations to Twin Falls, as they take over the operations of six stations (Top 40/CHR KTPZ. Country KZUN, Variety Hits KIKX, AC KIRQ, and translators/HD subchannels Soft AC K236BS/KYUN-HD3 and Alternative K286CH/KYUN-HD2) owned by Locally Owned Radio LLC after the announced retirement of operators Larry and Stephanie Johnson. The two companies will also rename itself Iliad Media Group with the expanded roster.“Impact Radio Group To Operate Locally Owned Radio Twin Falls” from Radio Insight (January 30, 2018)Emmis Communications exits the St. Louis market, with the sale of Classic Rock KSHE and Alternative KPNT to Hubbard Broadcasting, and Top 40/CHR KNOU and News/Talk KFTK-FM to Entercom.Emmis Announces Sale Of St. Louis Cluster To Entercom & Hubbard from Radio Insight (January 30, 2018)After a three-month hiatus from broadcasting, Delilah returns to radio and gets a new flagship station at Seattle's KSWD. Additionally, she adds a secondary local mid-morning program on KSWD, specific to Seattle.94.1 The Sound Adds Delilah For Middays from Radio Insight (January 26, 2018)

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