In the radio industry, the holidays are indeed a wonderful time of year.
For more than 20 years, the all-Christmas music format has been a huge draw in nearly every radio market.
The holidays also mark, for some hardworking staffers, the first opportunity for an extended respite since perhaps last Christmas.
Above all, it’s a time for giving back. There are quite a few examples of generosity in the industry this holiday season that Radio World wanted to highlight. We wish you all the warmest of holiday seasons!
Camping Out for Hunger
Philadelphia’s “Preston & Steve” morning show anchored 93.3 WMMR(FM)’s 27th annual Camp Out for Hunger Dec. 2–6. Each morning, they invited listeners to bring food donations or make purchases from the pop-up ACME Market store at the sports complex in South Philadelphia. There were games, stunts and even carnival rides.
Neumann University’s Communication and Digital Media program partners with the station each year for the event. 13 of its students helped live-stream the event to YouTube.
WMMR’s full airstaff broadcast the balance of the week from the campout site, including Preston & Steve, midday host Pierre Robert, afternoon DJ Brent Porsche and evening host Jacky Bam Bam.
Owner Beasley Broadcasting said 1.6 million pounds of food was collected to benefit Philabundance, a nonprofit food bank serving the greater Philadelphia area.
St. Jude Radiothons
Each year, a number of high-profile radio groups hold Dec. 5–6 radiothons to support the work being done at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. For the 17th year in a row, the hospital was recognized in the top 10 for pediatric cancer care nationwide.
iHeartMedia’s Boston country outlet, 101.7 WBWL(FM) “The Bull,” received approximately $482,000 of donations from listeners during its two day radiothon. The station said it has raised $4 million to benefit St. Jude since 2015.
In Greensboro-Winston Salem, N.C., iHeart’s 104.1 WTQR(FM) “Q 104.1” raised $177,890 during its radiothon for St. Jude.
Also in North Carolina, Beasley’s Fayetteville properties, 96.5 WKML(FM) and 94.3 W232CI(FM) “Sunny 94.3” raised approximately $207,000 to benefit St. Jude during their 38th annual Country Cares Radiothon, which the stations held Dec. 11–12.
Beasley’s Philadelphia’s 92.5 WXTU(FM) also announced it raised approximately $321,000 during its Country Cares for St. Jude Kids Radiothon. Its airstaff conducted the radiothon live Dec. 5–6. Beasley said WXTU has raised approximately $1.3 million for St. Jude over the past five years.
Children’s Time of Year
WXTU also held its 25th annual Toy Truck Parade on Dec. 14. Participating vehicles rode through Collingswood, N.J, full of toys that were donated to The Boys & Girls Club of Camden County, N.J.
On-air hosts, including Andie Summers, Razz on the Radio and Nicole Michalik were on hand. Country music recording artist Corey Kent was the parade’s marshal and performed at the Scottish Rite Cathedral.
Out in Las Vegas, morning host Chet Buchanan on Audacy’s 98.5 KLUC(FM), held his 26th annual toy drive. 42 Coca-Cola trucks were filled with toys donated between Dec. 5–16. Audacy said more than 7,600 bikes were collected to benefit children and their families in southern Nevada.
In Milwaukee, Audacy’s 1250/105.7 WSSP(AM/FM), “The Fan,” along with 103.7 WXSS(FM) “Kiss FM” held its 18th annual Toy Drive, collecting approximately $100,000 to benefit the Robyn’s Nest program at Children’s Wisconsin Hospital. The drive ran Dec. 2–6. The charity supports children in foster care and their caregivers with clothing, hygiene items and supplies.
Staying in the Great Lakes, Audacy’s 102.1 WDOK(FM) Cleveland raised approximately $200,000 to benefit University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital during its 22nd annual Rainbow Radiothon. Since 2003, the station says it has raised approximately $5.6 million to benefit the care the facility provides to its young patients.
iHeart’s Radiothons
iHeartMedia’s Chicago properties raised more than $1 million to benefit patients and their families at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.
The radiothon was broadcast live Dec. 5 on all six of its Chicago stations, 93.9 WLIT(FM), 95.5 WCHI(FM), 103.5 WKSC(FM), 102.7 WVAZ(FM), 107.5 WGCI(FM) and 1390 WGRB(AM).
iHeart says it has raised more than $3.6 million the past five years to benefit the hospital. It partnered with several high-profile Chicagoland businesses for the event, including Garrett Popcorn, Home Run Inn, Jewel-Osco and NRG.
On the west coast, its eight San Diego stations held their seventh annual iHeart Rady Children’s Giveathon in partnership with Rady Children’s Hospital.
93.3 KHTS(FM), 94.1 KMYI(FM), 95.7 KSSX(FM), 101.5 KGB(FM), 105.3 KIOZ(FM), 600 KOGO(AM), 760 KGB(AM) and 1360 KLSD(AM) raised approximately $437,000 and broadcast live from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 11. All proceeds were directed toward technology and research at the hospital.
Texas-Sized Donations
In the Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex, Cumulus’ country combo of 96.3 KSCS(FM) and 99.5 KPLX(FM) combined to raise $1.3 million during their 26-hour live Cook Children’s Radiothon on Dec. 5–6.
The stations simulcast coverage and shared resources to conduct interviews with patients and staff at the hospital. News personalities from WFAA(TV), KXAS(TV) and KTVT(TV) were also part of the radiothon. Cook’s Children’s Hospital in Ft. Worth is part of the Children’s Miracle network of hospitals. The money raised goes directly to what the hospital deems its greatest outstanding needs, including daily care of patients and their families.
Down I-45 in Houston, Cumulus’ 104.1 KRBE(FM) raised approximately $164,000 during its third annual “Houston’s Little Heroes” fundraiser to benefit Texas Children’s Hospital, held Dec. 6. KRBE’s Roula & Ryan morning show kicked off the event with a live broadcast from the Houston hospital. Afternoon drive personalities Kevin and Audrey also hosted coverage, interviewing patients, families and hospital staff.
Granting San Diego Wishes
Each year since 2011, the Breakfast with Jagger & Kristi morning show on Local Media San Diego’s 92.5 XHRM(FM), “Magic 92.5,” has granted daily Christmas wishes in December.
With the support of sponsors, the show requests listener nominations for someone in need—whether it be family, friends, or strangers. Each day since Dec. 5, the morning show announces that day’s wish selection.
West Tennessee Christmas Basket
Christmastime generosity is not limited to big cities. In Brownsville, Tenn., 95.3 WTBG(FM) “Brownsville Radio” conducted its 39th annual Christmas Basket Radiothon on Dec. 6. In partnership with Vision Haywood County, the station said it raised approximately $33,000, with proceeds going to buy food and toys for families in need in west Tennessee. Brownsville Radio has raised over $600,000 during the history of the radiothon.
