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Line 1: {{Short description\|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] --> ~~{{Year nav topic5\|2020\|radio\|music\|television\|home video}}~~ {{For\|topics pertaining to radio in the United Kingdom\|2020 in British radio}} {{Year nav topic5\|2020\|radio\|music\|television\|film}} The following is a list of events affecting [[radio broadcasting]] in '''2020'''. Events listed include radio program debuts, finales, cancellations, and station launches, closures and format changes, as well as information about controversies. ==~~Upcoming~~Notable ~~Events~~events== ===January=== {\| class="wikitable" Line 8 ⟶ 10: ! Date ! Event !Source \|- ! rowspan="7" \|1 \|[[All-news radio\|All-news]] [[WTOP-FM]]—[[Washington, D.C.]] rejoins [[CBS News Radio]] after two years with [[ABC News Radio\|ABC]], restoring a link between CBS and the station that dates back to 1932, when the network affiliated with, then purchased, predecessor [[WFED\|WJSV]]. \|<ref name=":1">{{cite news \|last1=Venta \|first1=Lance \|date=1 January 2020 \|title=CBS News Radio Returns To WTOP Washington \|work=RadioInsight \|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/182833/cbs-news-radio-returns-to-wtop-washington/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=1 January 2020 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101181017/https://radioinsight.com/headlines/182833/cbs-news-radio-returns-to-wtop-washington/ \|archive-date=1 January 2020}}</ref> \|- \|[[WKVA]]/W262DO—[[Lewistown, Pennsylvania]], flips from [[classic rock]]-leaning "Big 100.3" to gold-based [[Adult contemporary music\|soft AC]] format at the stroke of midnight. The station is now known as "Gold Hits WKVA 920 AM & 100.3 FM". \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/182840/wkva-relaunches-with-gold-hits/ "WKVA Relaunches With Gold Hits"] ''Radio Insight'', January 1, 2020</ref> \|- \|[[WWIZ]]—[[West Middlesex, Pennsylvania]]/[[Youngstown, Ohio]], having dropped [[oldies]] on October 25, 2019, amid speculation of a format change, returns to the format after playing [[Christmas music]]. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/181315/christmas-music-season-starts-in-youngstown/ "WWIZ Returns To Oldies"] ''Radio Insight'', January 1, 2020</ref> \|- \|[[KSKI-FM]]—[[Sun Valley, Idaho]], which dropped [[adult album alternative]] on November 1, 2019, returns with alternative. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/181570/kski-drops-aaa-stunting-with-all-christmas/ "KSKI Moves To Alternative"] from Radio Insight (January 1, 2020)</ref> \|- \|[[WYCT\|W233CM/WYCT-HD2]]—[[Pensacola, Florida\|Pensacola]], which began filling the Holiday void with [[Christmas music]] in November 2019, went straight to stunting with "[[Baby Shark]]" ahead of a potential flip. Its previous [[ESPN Radio]] format had already relocated to [[WEBY\|WEBY/W256DL]] in August 2019. On January 13, the station returns with soft AC billed as "Pensacola’s Blend," barring any legal issues from [[SiriusXM]] over the "Blend" name. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/181538/wyct-debuts-christmas-radio-94-5/ "WYCT Debuts Christmas Radio 94.5"] from Radio Insight (November 5, 2019)</ref> \|- \|[[WSDF\|WLGX]]—[[Louisville, Kentucky\|Louisville]], which dropped their prior [[adult Top 40]] format on November 27, 2019, in favor of Christmas music, begins two weeks of [[Stunting (broadcasting)\|stunting]] leading up to a relaunch as 90s-centered [[adult hits]] WSDF on January 14. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/182044/wlgx-louisville-drops-kiss-fm-for-christmas/ "WLGX Louisville Drops Kiss-FM For Christmas"] from Radio Insight (November 27, 2019)</ref> \|- \|In a [[Local marketing agreement\|time brokerage agreement]] with [[RM Broadcasting]], [[KCXL]]—[[Liberty, Missouri]]/[[Kansas City Metropolitan Area\|Kansas City]] began airing [[Radio Sputnik]] six hours a day, which will run until December 31, 2022. The arrangement is already being criticized by local media for allowing a Russian-associated entity to broadcast programs that is considered propaganda to a Midwestern market. \|<ref name=KansasCityStar>{{cite web \|last1=Vockrodt \|first1=Steve \|title=Kansas City radio station agrees to broadcast Russian-owned 'propaganda' program \|url=https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article239359868.html \|website=The Kansas City Star \|publisher=The Kansas City Star \|access-date=25 January 2020}}</ref> \|- !rowspan=2\|2 \|[[Urban One]]'s Reach Media ~~will move~~moved [[Rickey Smiley]]'s syndicated morning show from ~~R&B/Hip-Hop~~mainstream urban outlets to ~~Urban~~urban AC and Adult R&B stations, where it ~~will replace~~replaced [[Tom Joyner]]'s program due to the latter's retirement. Smiley's replacement at ~~R&B/Hip-Hop~~mainstream urban will be a new program hosted by Smiley's co-host Headkrack, starting January 6. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/178358/rickey-smiley-to-succeed-tom-joyner-in-january-2020/ "Rickey Smiley To Succeed Tom Joyner In January 2020"] from Radio Insight (June 28, 2019)</ref> \|- \|As a result of Rickey Smiley's move to ~~Urban~~urban AC stations, ~~R&B/Hip-Hop~~mainstream urban [[WEDR]] —[[Miami, Florida\|Miami]] will replace his program with a local show hosted by ''[[Love ~~and~~& Hip- Hop: Miami]]'' stars [[Trick Daddy]] and [[Trina (rapper)\|Trina]], which will also play into the [[VH1]] reality-based series' storylines. Smiley will continue to be heard in the market as it moves over to Adult R&B sister [[WHQT]]. \|<ref>[https://www.miamiherald.com/miami-com/miami-com-news/article236652933.html "Trina and Trick Daddy To Host Morning Show In Miami"] from ''[[Miami Herald]]'' (October 25, 2019)</ref> \|- !rowspan=3\|3 \|[[WNWV]]—[[Elyria, Ohio\|Elyria]]/[[Cleveland\|Cleveland, Ohio]], which dropped [[smooth jazz]] on November 15, 2019, after nine years (WNWV also carried the format from 1987 to 2009) and dismissed its air staff on December 6, relaunches as modern AC "JenY 107.3" (a reference to [[Millennials\|Generation Y]]) following a period of [[Christmas music]], a temporary simulcast of [[WQMX]]—[[Medina, Ohio\|Medina]]/[[Akron, Ohio\|Akron]] and a [[viral marketing]] campaign of [[billboard]]s around [[Greater Cleveland]] that asked, "#WHOISJENY". \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/182188/has-107-3-the-wave-cleveland-crested/ "Has 107.3 The Wave Cleveland Crested?"] from Radio Insight (December 4, 2019)</ref><ref>[https://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2019/12/03/a-format-change-for-1073-the-wave-could-be-on-the-horizon "A Format Change for 107.3 The Wave Could Be On the Horizon"] from Cleveland Scene (December 3, 2019)</ref><ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/182892/107-3-jeny-is-exposed-to-cleveland/ "107.3 Jeny Is Exposed To Cleveland"] from Radio Insight (January 3, 2020)</ref> \|- \|[[Rhythmic adult contemporary\|Rhythmic AC]] [[WRKA]]—Louisville shifts to [[Urban adult contemporary\|urban AC]], adding Rickey Smiley to its lineup. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/182920/103-9-the-groove-louisville-evolving-to-urban-ac-adds-rickey-smiley/ "103.9 The Groove Louisville Evolving To Urban AC; Adds Rickey Smiley] from Radio Insight (January 3, 2020)</ref> \|- \|[[Sports radio\|Sports]] [[KABZ]]—[[Little Rock, Arkansas\|Little Rock]] fires afternoon host Eric Sullivan after he is accused of stealing $409 from a woman at a local bar. The woman told police that she was at the restaurant on January 1 when she left her purse on the table and went to the restroom, then noticed the next day that her money was gone; she later viewed surveillance footage from the establishment and saw Sullivan going through her purse, which she then posted on her [[Facebook]] page. Sullivan did return the money to the woman and later issued an apology: "I need to address something to you all: I've made a monumental career mistake & I take full responsibility for it, I let many people down as well as the listeners and great people at 103.7 the Buzz and I will own that for the rest of my life." \|<ref>[https://katv.com/news/local/little-rock-radio-personality-eric-sullivan-fired-after-theft-accusation "Little Rock radio personality Eric Sullivan fired after theft accusation"] from [[KATV]] [[Little Rock, Arkansas]] (January 3, 2020)</ref> \|- !5 \|[[Premiere Networks]] renews ''[[The Rush Limbaugh Show]]'' through 2024. \|<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/05/media/rush-limbaugh-show-contract/index.html\|first=Brian\|last=Stelter\|title=Rush Limbaugh renews radio show contract in a 'long-term' deal\|work=CNN.com\|date=January 5, 2020\|access-date=February 3, 2020}}</ref> \|- !rowspan=3\|6 \|A new format (adult album alternative) replaced the "[[Nash FM\|Nash Icon]]" [[Country music\|country]] format at [[WJST\|WNUQ]]—[[Sylvester, Georgia\|Sylvester]]/[[Albany, Georgia]], following an October 2019 purchase of the station by Tripp Morgan's Pretoria Fields Collective Media from [[Cumulus Media]]’s Mainstay Station Trust. The station is being billed as "Q102 The Queen Bee" and will take the new callsign WPFQ. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/181885/q102-the-queen-bee-to-launch-in-albany-ga/ "Q102 The Queen Bee To Launch In Albany GA"] from Radio Insight (November 20, 2019)</ref><ref>[https://www.albanyherald.com/entertainment/tara-dyer-stoyle-will-be-year-of-the-queen-bee/article_dfda4af4-fb65-11e9-9cd8-e3ed7dad81af.html "TARA DYER STOYLE: 2020 will be Year of The Queen Bee"] from ''[[Albany Herald (newspaper)\|Albany Herald]]'' (November 20, 2019)</ref> \|- \|With Rickey Smiley moving over to urban AC [[KQXL-FM]], rhythmic Top 40 sister [[WEMX]]—[[Baton Rouge, Louisiana\|Baton Rouge]] will fill his morning slot with the syndicated ''DeDe In The Morning'' program, one of eight new affiliates joining the Dallas-based morning show. \|<ref>[http://www.max94one.com/2020/01/02/max-94-1-welcomes-dede-in-the-morning/ "Max 94.1 Welcomes DeDe in the Morning"] {{Webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104003105/http://www.max94one.com/2020/01/02/max-94-1-welcomes-dede-in-the-morning/ \|date=2020-01-04 }} from [[WEMX]] ([[Cumulus Media]]) (January 2, 2020)</ref><ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/183119/dede-in-the-morning-clears-eight-new-markets/ "DeDe In The Morning Clears Eight New Markets"] from Radio Insight (January 9, 2020)</ref> \|- \|[[Talk radio\|Talk]] [[KKOB (AM)\|KKOB]]—[[Albuquerque, New Mexico\|Albuquerque]] begins simulcasting over former "[[Nash (brand)\|Nash Icon]]" [[Country music\|country]] [[KKOB-FM\|KBZU]], renamed KKOB-FM (a previous KKOB-FM was renamed [[KOBQ]] in November 2019). KKOB was previously relayed over translator K233CG ({{Frequency\|94.5\|FM}}). \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/182993/kkob-adds-full-powered-fm-simulcast/ "KKOB Adds Full Powered FM Simulcast"] from Radio Insight (January 6, 2020)</ref> \|- !7 \|[[KHHM\|KNTY]]—[[Sacramento, California\|Sacramento]] flips from a simulcast of [[regional Mexican]] [[KRCX-FM]]—[[Marysville, California\|Marysville]] to [[ranchera]] "José 101.9". \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/183070/another-flip-for-knty-sacramento-as-it-goes-ranchera/ Another Flip For KNTY Sacramento As It Goes Ranchera] Radioinsight - January 7, 2020</ref> \|- !rowspan=3\|13 \|[[Classic rock]] [[KOOO]]—[[Omaha, Nebraska\|Omaha]] transitions to [[adult hits]], retaining the "101.9 The Keg" moniker. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/183225/101-9-the-keg-taps-into-variety-hits/ "101.9 The Keg Taps Into Variety Hits"] from Radio Insight (January 13, 2020)</ref> \|- \|The [[Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra]] announces the award of its Karl Amadeus Hartmann Medal posthumously to its late conductor [[Mariss Jansons]]. \|<ref>{{cite news \| url=https://www.nmz.de/kiz/nachrichten/br-symphonieorchester-verleiht-posthum-medaille-an-mariss-jansons \| title=BR-Symphonieorchester verleiht posthum Medaille an Mariss Jansons \| work=NMZ \| date=2020-01-13 \| access-date=2020-01-18}}</ref> \|- \|After six days of stunting with [[Drake (musician)\|Drake]]’s "[[Hotline Bling]]", [[Rhythmic (chart)\|rhythmic Top 40]] [[WHTP-FM\|WHTP]]—[[Portland, Maine]] begins simulcasting over former [[oldies]] [[WHTP (AM)\|WJYE/W262DP]]—[[Gardiner, Maine\|Gardiner]]/[[Lewiston, Maine\|Lewiston]]/[[Auburn, Maine\|Auburn]] and former [[classic country]] [[WHZP\|WCYR/W275CQ]]—[[Bangor, Maine\|Bangor]]; all three stations re-brand as "Hot Radio Maine". \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/183129/maine-duo-stunting-as-207-hotline-bling-radio/ "Hot 104.7 Portland Expands To Bangor & Lewiston"] from Radio Insight (January 13, 2020)</ref> \|- ! rowspan="2" \|14 \|[[Vista Radio]] returns the "Bridge" branding to [[CHNV-FM]]—[[Nelson, British Columbia]]. \|- \|[[iHeartMedia]] announces a major corporate restructuring, resulting in a round of mass layoffs nationwide, mainly in small and mid-sized markets, affecting hundreds of positions. \|<ref>{{cite magazine\|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/iheartmedia-mass-layoffs-937513/\|title='The Culling Has Begun': Inside the iHeartMedia Layoffs\|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]\|date=January 15, 2020\|access-date=January 24, 2020}}</ref> \|- !rowspan=3\|16 \|Australian community radio station [[Stereo 974]], based in Melbourne, ceases broadcasting because of lack of finance. \|<ref name="auto1">{{cite news \|last1=Papworth \|first1=Tate \|title=Community loses its voice \|url=https://www.starweekly.com.au/news/community-loses-its-voice/ \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116054736/https://www.starweekly.com.au/news/community-loses-its-voice/ \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=January 16, 2020 \|access-date=16 January 2020 \|work=Star Weekly \|date=16 January 2020 }}</ref> \|- \|[[Rhythmic contemporary]] [[KBDS]]—[[Bakersfield, California\|Bakersfield]] changes to Spanish/English [[Contemporary hit radio\|CHR]] "Forge 103.9". \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/183354/forge-expands-to-bakersfield/ Forge Expands to Bakersfield] Radioinsight - January 16, 2020</ref> \|- \|[[Alternative rock\|Alternative]] [[KXNO-FM\|KDXA]]—[[Ankeny, Iowa\|Ankeny]]/[[Des Moines, Iowa]] flips to a simulcast of [[Sports radio\|sports]] [[KXNO (AM)\|KXNO]]—Des Moines as KXNO-FM. With the flip, the majority of KXNO's employees dismissed as part of [[iHeartMedia]]'s mass layoffs two days earlier, resulting in listener and advertiser backlash and the remaining two on-air hosts no-showing in protest, were all reinstated. ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' calls KXNO "one radio station (that) fought iHeartMedia's cuts... and won". \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/183444/after-social-media-backlash-iheartmedia-rehires-laid-off-des-moines-sports-staffers-moves-station-to-fm/ After Social Media Backlash, iHeartMedia Rehires Laid Off Des Moines Sports Staffers & Moves Station To FM] Radio Insight, January 16, 2020</ref><ref>[https://whotv.com/2020/01/16/iheartmedia-reverses-course-re-hires-fired-kxno-sports-talk-radio-hosts/ KXNO Reverses Course, Re-Hires Fired Sports Talk Radio Hosts] WHO-TV, January 16, 2020</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine \|last=Leight \|first=Elias \|date=2020-01-17 \|title='Everybody's in Revolt': How One Radio Station Fought iHeartMedia Cuts -- and Won \|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/iheartmedia-radio-layoffs-murph-andy-937985/ \|magazine=Rolling Stone \|language=en-US \|access-date=2020-01-21}}</ref> \|- !rowspan=2\|17 \|Adult Top 40 [[KQKQ-FM]]—[[Council Bluffs, Iowa\|Council Bluffs]]/[[Omaha, Nebraska\|Omaha]] becomes the first station in the market to launch an all-female morning show, as it pairs up current host Nikki Oswald with afternoon host Laura Blenkush, the latter succeeding Matt Tompkins, who moved over to sister station KOOO in the same slot. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/183481/laura-blenkush-to-join-nikki-oswald-in-mornings-at-kqkq/ "Laura Blenkush To Join Nikki Oswald In Mornings At KQKQ"] from Radio Insight (January 17, 2020)</ref> \|- \|[[Colorado Public Radio]] takes over the operations of [[KRCC]]—[[Colorado Springs, Colorado\|Colorado Springs]] and its network of stations in the state. The [[National Public Radio\|NPR]]-affiliated news outlet will continue to utilize its local staff and retain its identity, although their news operations and programs will be incorporated into CPR's [[Denver]] operations. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/183488/colorado-public-radio-to-take-over-91-5-krcc-colorado-springs-operations/ "Colorado Public Radio To Take Over 91.5 KRCC Colorado Springs Operations"] from Radio Insight (January 17, 2020)</ref> \|- !21 \|[[Talk radio\|Talk]] [[KKLS (AM)\|KKLS/K284BA]]—[[Rapid City, South Dakota\|Rapid City]] flips to [[classic country]] "The Cowboy" after eight days of [[Stunting (broadcasting)\|stunting]] with a loop of [[Lil Nas X]]’s "[[Old Town Road]]". \|<ref name="auto">[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/183235/kkls-heads-down-an-old-dirt-road/ "KKLS Introduces The Cowboy To Rapid City"] from Radio Insight (January 21, 2020)</ref> \|- !23 \|The European Radio and Digital Audio Show is held in [[Paris]], running until 25 January.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.worlddab.org/events/detail/549\|title=European Radio and Digital Audio Show\|website=WorldDAB\|access-date=2 March 2020}}</ref> \|<ref name="auto"/> \|- !24 \|[[Talk radio\|Talk]] [[WAKR\|WAKR/W228EL]]—[[Akron, Ohio]], flips to [[Full-service radio\|full-service]]/[[Soft adult contemporary\|soft AC]] as "Soft Hits 93.5"; sports [[Sports commentator\|play-by-play]] and the morning drive news block are retained. It is the third time WAKR has switched from talk to a music format, having done so previously in 1994 and 1999. \|<ref name="Soft AC flip">{{cite web \|last=Venta \|first=Lance \|date=January 24, 2020 \|title=WAKR Flips to Soft AC \|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/183767/wakr-to-flip-to-soft-ac/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126135455/https://radioinsight.com/headlines/183767/wakr-to-flip-to-soft-ac/ \|archive-date=January 26, 2020 \|access-date=January 26, 2020 \|work=RadioInsight.com \|publisher=RadioInsight \|via=RadioBB}}</ref> \|- !27 \|[[Sports radio\|Sports]] [[WARF]]—[[Akron, Ohio]], relaunches as "Fox Sports 1350: The Gambler" with programming from [[VSiN]] after a day-long [[Stunting (broadcasting)\|stunt]] looping the [[Kenny Rogers]] [[The Gambler (song)\|song of the same name]]. The oldest surviving radio station in Akron, WARF is repositioned to be a part of [[iHeartMedia]]'s Cleveland cluster despite the Akron [[city of license]] and [[Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio\|Cuyahoga Falls]] transmitter location remaining unchanged. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/183826/warf-gambling-on-a-new-focus/ WARF Relaunches as The Gambler] Radioinsight - January 27, 2020</ref> \|- !31 \|[[Contemporary hit radio\|CHR]] [[KPTY (AM)\|KPTY/K297BS]]—[[Waterloo, Iowa]], switches to [[classic country]] "107.3 [[Hank FM]]". \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/184006/party-over-as-hank-is-cranked-in-waterloo/ Party Over as Hank is Cranked in Waterloo] Radioinsight - January 31, 2020</ref> \|} ==~~References~~=February=== {\| class="wikitable" \|- ! Date ! Event !Source \|- !1 \|Citing an inability to pay [[Royalty payment\|performance royalties]] for any recorded music, [[Contemporary hit radio\|CHR]] [[WCKR]]—[[Hornell, New York]] flips to [[CBS Sports Radio]]. The station reverts to CHR by August 14. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/184040/wckr-flips-to-sports/ WCKR Flips to Sports] Radioinsight - February 2, 2020</ref> \|- !3 \|[[Rush Limbaugh]] announces that he has been diagnosed with advanced [[lung cancer]] and will be taking leaves of absence to undergo treatment. The next day, he is awarded the [[Presidential Medal of Freedom]] at the [[2020 State of the Union Address]], becoming only the second person to earn the medal for contributions to radio, after 2005 recipient [[Paul Harvey]]. \|<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2020/02/03/rush-limbaugh-advanced-lung-cancer-diagnosis-revealed-radio-show/4648306002/\|title=Rush Limbaugh reveals advanced lung cancer diagnosis\|first=Anika\|last=Reed\|work=USA Today\|date=February 3, 2020\|access-date=February 3, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\| url=https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-to-award-presidential-medal-of-freedom-to-rush-limbaugh-2020-2\|title=Trump awards controversial talk radio host Rush Limbaugh, who has advanced lung cancer, with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at SOTU\|work=Business Insider\|date=February 4, 2020}}</ref> \|- !5 \|[[Radio New Zealand]] attempts to convert its FM classical music network RNZ Concert to a youth service, shifting its classical music broadcasting to an automated programme on its AM channel and in streaming format. The decision was reversed within days after listener criticism. \|<ref>{{cite news \| url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/mediawatch/audio/2018732872/rnz-set-to-cut-back-concert-and-launch-new-youth-service \| title=RNZ set to cut back Concert and launch new youth service \| work=Radio New Zealand \| first=Hayden \| last=Donnell \| date=2020-02-05 \| access-date=2020-02-15}}</ref> \|- !7 \|Dutch DJ Lex Gaarthuis is forced to apologise after playing a "parody" song called "‘Voorkomen is beter dan Chinezen" ("Prevention is better than Chinese") on [[Radio 10 (Netherlands)\|Radio 10]] the previous evening. The song, which implies that Chinese food is responsible for the spread of [[COVID-19 pandemic\|coronavirus]], triggered thousands of complaints. \|<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.ad.nl/show/radio-10-diep-door-het-stof-na-golf-van-kritiek-op-lied-over-coronavirus~a74fe284/\|title=Radio 10 diep door het stof na golf van kritiek op lied over coronavirus\|date=2020-02-10\|website=ad.nl\|language=nl\|access-date=17 February 2020}}</ref> \|- !10 \|[[Classic country]]/[[Grand Ole Opry\|Opry]] [[WSM (AM)\|WSM]]—[[Nashville]], the last [[clear-channel station]] in the United States with a music format, drops its ''All Nighter'' overnight program and a midday talk show, in addition to moving a daily [[Bluegrass music\|bluegrass]] program to Saturday afternoons exclusively; this followed a change in general managers. \|<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/184264/wsm-cuts-nashville-today-and-all-nighter-as-gm-departs/\|title=WSM cuts Nashville Today and All-Nighter as GM departs\|first=Lance\|last=Venta\|work=RadioInsight.com\|date=February 9, 2020\|access-date=February 9, 2020}}</ref> \|- !rowspan=2\|13 \|[[World Radio Day]]: UNESCO and UN calls on radio stations to uphold diversity, both in their newsroom and on the airwaves. This year's theme is "Radio and diversity". \|<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://es.unesco.org/commemorations/worldradioday\|title=Celebrating the diversity of radio, the medium people use the most\|first=Lance\|last=Venta\|website=UN News\|access-date=February 17, 2020}}</ref> \|- \|[[World Radio Day]]: A team from [[William Paterson University]] broadcasts a three-hour show from the former home of [[Guglielmo Marconi]] in [[Bologna]], Italy. \|<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.radioworld.com/global/brave-new-radio-airs-live-from-marconis-home\|title=Brave New Radio Airs Live From Marconi's Home\|first=Quicke\|last=Rob\|website=Radioworld\|access-date=March 2, 2020}}</ref> \|- !14 \|The Bridge branding returns to [[CHNV-FM]] in [[Nelson, British Columbia]]. \|{{citation needed\|date=December 2020}} \|- !17 \|The BBC's Deputy Political Editor, South African-born journalist [[John Pienaar]], announces that he is leaving to join [[Times Radio]], a new station set up by [[Rupert Murdoch]]. \|<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/bbc-deputy-politics-editor-john-pienaar-times-radio-a4363846.html\|title=John Pienaar leaves BBC to join new Times Radio station after nearly 30 years of service\|date=17 February 2020\|website=Evening Standard\|first=Ellena\|last=Cruse}}</ref> \|- !rowspan=2\|18 \|The [[Oakland Athletics]] abandon radio for a team exclusive channel on [[TuneIn]], exiting their deal with [[KTRB]] to broadcast the team's games after one season and complaints from fans over poor promotion and flow from the station's [[conservative talk radio]] format. Athletics games in the Bay Area market will be heard exclusively on TuneIn instead of radio, a first in [[Major League Baseball]] and the team will go without a flagship station. On July 30, less than a week into the pandemic-shortened [[2020 Oakland Athletics season\|2020 season]], the Athletics voided its agreement with TuneIn and signed with [[iHeartMedia]], who will air games on [[KNEW (AM)\|KNEW]]—[[Oakland, California\|Oakland]]. \|<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.sfgate.com/athletics/article/oakland-athletics-radio-station-2020-season-15065057.php\|title=Oakland A's games will not be on local radio for 2020 season\|last1=Rosen\|first1=Michael\|last2=SFGATE\|date=2020-02-18\|website=SFGate\|access-date=2020-02-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/193908/oakland-as-drop-tunein-as-radio-flagship-to-move-to-iheartradio-app-960-knew/\|title=Oakland A's Drop TuneIn As Radio Flagship; To Move To iHeartRadio App & 960 KNEW}}</ref> \|- \|Talk [[KTBL]]—[[Albuquerque]] switches to active rock as "The Pit", relayed over translator K233CG ({{Frequency\|94.5\|FM}}), which previously relayed [[KKOB (AM)\|KKOB]]. \|<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/184518/94-5-the-pit-brings-rock-war-to-albuquerque/\|title=94.5 The Pit Brings Rock War To Albuquerque\|date=February 18, 2020}}</ref> \|- !21 \|[[XHCPBS-FM]],'' La Voz de los Chontales'', begins broadcasting on [[98.7 FM]] in [[Spanish (language)\|Spanish]], [[Chontal Maya language\|Chontal Maya]] (''yokot'an''), [[Ch'ol language\|Ch'ol]] and [[Ayapa Zoque]] from [[Nacajuca]] in the [[List of states of Mexico\|Mexican state]] of [[Tabasco]]. The original station was closed down in 1990 for political reasons. \|<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.diariopresente.mx/opinion/la-voz-de-los-indigenas-actor-incomodo-para-el-sistema-nuevo-intento-en-nacajuca/250262\|access-date=February 10, 2020\|date=February 7, 2020\|title=La voz de los indígenas, actor incómodo para el sistema; nuevo intento en Nacajuca\|first=Víctor M.\|last=Sámano Labastida\|work=Presente}}</ref> \|- !23 \|[[WZPW]]—[[Peoria, Illinois\|Peoria]] rebrands from "Peoria’s 92.3" to "Z92.3" as part of the relaunch of its morning show; no other changes are made. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/184684/wzpw-peoria-rebrands-as-z92-3/ "WZPW Peoria Rebrands As Z92.3"] from Radio Insight (February 24, 2020)</ref> \|} ===March=== {\| class="wikitable" \|- ! Date ! Event !Source \|- !rowspan="2"\|11 \|The [[National Association of Broadcasters]] announces that the annual NAB Show, scheduled for April 18–22, has been cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the first time in the organization’s history to do so. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/185119/2020-nab-show-to-be-postponed/ "2020 NAB Show To Be Cancelled"] from Radio Insight (March 11, 2020)</ref> \|- \|Prior to the tipoff of the game between the [[Utah Jazz]] and the [[Oklahoma City Thunder]] in [[Oklahoma City]], the sports stations from Cumulus Media's Oklahoma City cluster ([[WKY]], [[WWLS-FM]] and [[KWPN (AM)\|KWPN]]) and [[Larry H. Miller]] Communications' [[Salt Lake City]] cluster ([[KZNS (AM)\|KZNS]] and [[KZNS-FM]]) report that [[Rudy Gobert]] was placed on the Thunder's injury list due to an unidentified illness, causing the game to be initially postponed. Shortly afterwards, the NBA announces that the league would suspend its season following the conclusion of that night's games after Gobert tested positive for the coronavirus. This event resulted in the MLB and NHL suspending operations the following day, dealing a major blow to sports radio stations around the entire United States. \|{{citation needed\|date=September 2020}} \|- !12 \|The studios of Cumulus Media’s Atlanta cluster ([[Contemporary hit radio\|CHR]] [[WWWQ]], [[Country music\|country]] [[WKHX-FM]] and [[active rock]] [[WNNX]], along with several syndicated programs that originated from the studios) are quarantined after an employee tested positive for coronavirus, having come in contact with a friend who was visiting several days earlier. As a result, air staffers at the three stations became [[remote work]]ers. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/185196/cumulus-atlanta-under-quarantine/ "Cumulus Atlanta Under Quarantine"] from Radio Insight (March 12, 2020)</ref> \|- !13 \|The ''[[Grand Ole Opry]]'' announces it will forego live audiences and reduce airings to one day per week, continuing its Saturday night flagship broadcast without a studio audience in response to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Tennessee]]. The show eventually resumes live audiences in October. \|<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.opry.com/covid19/\|title=COVID-19 Update\|access-date=2020-03-13\|archive-date=2020-03-14\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200314052915/https://www.opry.com/covid19/\|url-status=dead}}</ref> \|- !18 \|[[Metro Manila]], Philippines, stations [[DZIQ]]—[[Makati]] and [[DZSR]]—[[Quezon City]] temporarily sign off due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. While DZSR returns to the air in 2022, DZIQ's license lapses at the end of the year. \|{{citation needed\|date=December 2020}} \|- !19 \|After a few days of [[stunting (broadcasting)\|stunting]], [[classic hits]] [[KLNC]]—[[Lincoln, Nebraska\|Lincoln]] flips to [[classic rock]] as "105.3 The Bone". \|<ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/185401/nrg-has-a-bone-to-pick-in-lincoln/\|access-date=March 19, 2020\|date=March 19, 2020\|first=Lance\|last=Venta\|work=RadioInsight\|title=NRG Has A Bone To Pick In Lincoln}}</ref> \|- !20–23 \|In the wake of the cancellation of the [[Ultra Music Festival]] in [[Miami, Florida\|Miami]], the organizers have partnered up with [[SiriusXM]] to air a virtual broadcast featuring the acts that were scheduled to perform on air during the weekend the event was supposed to be held, airing on [[Diplo’s Revolution]]. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/185292/siriusxm-to-hold-virtual-ultra-music-festival/ "SiriusXM To Hold Virtual Ultra Music Festival"] from Radio Insight (March 16, 2020)</ref> \|- ! rowspan="3" \|20 \|[[Entercom]] AC [[KEZK-FM]]—[[Saint Louis, Missouri\|St. Louis]] converts to an unusual spring [[Christmas music]] format to "lift spirits as the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States\|coronavirus quarantine continues]]". \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/185404/kezk-to-begin-christmas-in-march-on-friday/ "KEZK To Begin Christmas In March On Friday"] from Radio Insight (March 2020)</ref> \|- \|A new environmental radio station, Gorilla FM, based at the Kahuzi-Biega National Park, [[Democratic Republic of Congo]], begins broadcasting, with financial support from Switzerland and support from NGO Internews and [[Radio France Internationale]]. \|<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.afrik21.africa/en/drc-environmental-radio-station-gorilla-fm-to-start-broadcasting-on-20th-march-2020/\|title=DRC: Environmental radio station, Gorilla FM to start broadcasting on 20th March 2020\|date=14 February 2020\|first=Boris\|last=Ngounou\|website=Afrik21}}</ref> \|- \|The FCC denies the renewals of, and revokes the licenses for, four [[Greater St. Louis]] AM stations owned by Entertainment Media Trust: [[classic country]]/[[Talk radio\|talk]] [[KQQZ]]—[[Fairview Heights, Illinois]], [[oldies]] [[KZQZ]]—[[St. Louis]], [[KFTK-FM]] simulcast [[KFTK (AM)\|KFTK]]—[[East St. Louis, Illinois]], and silent [[WQQW (Illinois)\|WQQW]]—[[Highland, Illinois]]. A prior FCC investigation revealed Bob Romanik—a convicted [[Felony\|felon]] and controversial KQQZ host—was a silent partner in the purchase of all four stations from 2006 to 2012 without notifying the commission, with Entertainment Media Trust acting as a [[Shell corporation\|shell company]]. KFTK promptly signs off (translator K254CR is reassigned to KFTK-FM) but KQQZ and KZQZ defiantly continue broadcasting as ''de facto'' [[pirate radio]] until April 12, 2020; Romanik hosts a final broadcast two days earlier. KZQZ's deletion also ends the history of a station which signed on in 1922 as WEB, one of the oldest in St. Louis. \|<ref name=":14">{{Cite web \|last=Venta \|first=Lance \|date=February 19, 2020 \|title=FCC Dismisses Entertainment Media Trust License Renewals For Failure To Prosecute \|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/184586/fcc-dismisses-entertainment-media-trust-license-renewals-for-failure-to-prosecute/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220231947/https://radioinsight.com/headlines/184586/fcc-dismisses-entertainment-media-trust-license-renewals-for-failure-to-prosecute/ \|archive-date=February 20, 2020 \|access-date=May 15, 2020 \|website=RadioInsight.com \|publisher=RadioInsight \|language=en-US \|via=RadioBB}}</ref><ref name=":15">{{Cite web \|last=Venta \|first=Lance \|date=March 22, 2020 \|title=FCC Report 3/22: Four St. Louis Licenses Deleted But Must Be Protected \|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/185454/fcc-report-3-22-four-st-louis-licenses-deleted-but-must-be-protected/ \|url-access=limited \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323225943/https://radioinsight.com/headlines/185454/fcc-report-3-22-four-st-louis-licenses-deleted-but-must-be-protected/ \|archive-date=March 23, 2020 \|access-date=May 16, 2020 \|website=RadioInsight.com \|publisher=RadioInsight \|language=en-US \|via=RadioBB}}</ref><ref name="stl-still">{{Cite news \|last=Holleman \|first=Joe \|date=April 8, 2020 \|title=Main shock-jock station still on air without FCC license \|work=[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]] \|url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/columns/joe-holleman/main-shock-jock-station-still-on-air-without-fcc-license/article_d62b7fbd-e335-51cd-996d-b75b046d4cac.html \|access-date=July 26, 2020}}</ref> \|- !23 \|[[NPR]] debuts a new call-in show ''The National Conversation'', an offshoot of ''[[All Things Considered]]'', which exclusively discusses the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States]]. \|<ref>[https://www.npr.org/about-npr/819190547/npr-launches-the-national-conversation-with-all-things-considered NPR Launches The National Conversation with All Things Considered] NPR, March 20, 2020</ref> \|- !25 \|The [[University of Washington]]’s NPR-affiliated [[KUOW-FM]]—[[Seattle]] announces it will no longer carry the live feed of the [[White House Coronavirus Task Force]]'s daily briefings, citing a number of false claims and exaggerations, specifically from President Donald Trump's portion of the briefings. The station will continue to summarize them in later newscasts. \|<ref>[https://www.kuow.org/stories/kuow-statement-on-live-white-house-coronavirus-task-force-briefings-35a2 "KUOW statement on live White House Coronavirus Task Force briefings] from [[KUOW-FM]] (March 25, 2020)</ref> \|- !26 \|[[Adult hits]] [[WQTX]]—[[Lansing, Michigan\|Lansing]] flips to rhythmic AC "Stacks 92.1", a reference to the three smokestacks at [[Lansing Board of Water & Light]]’s Eckert Power Plant which serve as the tallest buildings in the Lansing skyline. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/185901/rhythmic-ac-comes-out-of-lansings-stacks/ "Rhythmic AC Comes Out Of Lansing’s Stacks"] from Radio Insight (April 6, 2020)</ref> \|- !27 \|Cox Media Group’s [[Contemporary hit radio\|CHR]] [[WFLC]]—[[Miami, Florida\|Miami]] temporarily rebrands from "Hits 97.3" to "97.3 Quarantine Radio" to discourage listeners from further large public gatherings due to [[stay-at-home order]]s [[COVID-19 lockdowns\|put in place]] by local governments. As a result, all on-air staffers became [[remote work]]ers, playing into the temporary branding, including daily [[COVID-19 pandemic\|coronavirus pandemic]] updates, along with long commercial-free stretches of [[Electronic dance music\|EDM]] [[Remix#Remixing in electronic music\|remixes]] in overnights hosted by Al P, billed as "Fit Mixes". On May 29, WFLC went "under construction" ahead of a June 3 "relaunch" of its format. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/185596/wflc-temporarily-becomes-97-3-quarantine-radio/ "WFLC Temporarily Becomes 97.3 Quarantine Radio"] from Radio Insight (March 27, 2020)</ref> \|- !30 \|[[Entravision Communications\|Entravision]] radio station [[KKPS]] [[Brownsville, Texas]] drops it’s [[Regional Mexican]] format for [[Contemporary hit radio\|Bilingual Rhythmic CHR]] format, which can be heard on [[KNTY\|KHHM]] in [[Sacramento, California]] and simulcaster [[KCVR-FM]] branded as “Fuego 99.5” \|<ref>{{cite web \| url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/185731/entravision-expands-fuego-to-rio-grande-valley/ \| title=Entravision Expands Fuego to Rio Grande Valley }}</ref> \|} ===April=== {\| class="wikitable" \|- ! Date ! Event !Source \|- !1 \| [[DWSS-AM\|DWSS]]—[[Mandaluyong]] temporarily signs off due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. \|{{citation needed\|date=December 2020}} \|- !5 \|[[KTWF\|KXPN-FM]]—[[Wichita Falls, Texas]] becomes the first [[Sports radio\|sports]] station to drop the format due to the COVID-19 pandemic that shut down major sporting events, switching to [[classic country]] as a simulcast of "[[Hank FM]]" [[KTFW-FM]]—[[Glen Rose, Texas\|Glen Rose]]/[[Fort Worth, Texas\|Ft. Worth]]. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/185887/hank-fm-comes-to-wichita-falls/ "Hank-FM Comes To Wichita Falls"] from Radio Insight (April 5, 2020)</ref> \|- !6 \|[[Adult Top 40]] [[KRJO]]—[[Monroe, Louisiana]], returns to [[classic country]] as "99.7 The Legend", having dropped the format three years earlier. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/185919/classic-country-legend-debuts-in-monroe/ Classic Country Legend Debuts In Monroe] Radioinsight – April 6, 2020</ref> \|- !rowspan=2\|10 \|[[Adult Top 40]] [[WNTR]]—[[Indianapolis]] begins [[Stunting (broadcasting)\|stunting]] with [[Christmas music]], ostensibly to offer listeners something positive during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]; the format shifts to [[Adult contemporary music\|mainstream AC]] on May 14. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/186043/107-9-the-mix-indianapolis-goes-all-christmas/ "107.9 The Mix Indianapolis Goes All Christmas"] from Radio Insight (April 10, 2020)</ref> \|- \|Syndicated morning show ''Brooke & Jubal'' (based at [[KQMV]]—Seattle) is renamed ''Brooke & Jeffery in the Morning'' when Jeffery Dubrow is named as the show's new co-host. Original co-host Jubal Fresh departed [[Hubbard Broadcasting]]-owned KQMV in September 2019 and had not appeared on the show since, eventually resurfacing at [[KBKS-FM]]. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/186037/jubal-fresh-exits-brooke-jeffrey-dubrow-rises-to-co-host/ "Jubal Fresh Exits Brooke & Jubal Show; Jeffrey Dubrow Rises To Co-Host"] from Radio Inisght (April 10, 2020)</ref> \|- !12 \|A storm knocks over the transmitter tower of [[KPBA (FM)\|KPBA]]—[[Pine Bluff, Arkansas]], which also relays [[KTPB]], [[KTRN]], and [[KDPX (FM)\|KDPX]]. \|<ref>[https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/headlines/strong-storm-knocks-down-arkansas-radio-tower Strong Storm Knocks Down Arkansas Radio Tower] Radio World, April 16, 2020</ref> \|- !rowspan=2\|13 \|The [[Rio Grande Valley (Texas)\|Rio Grande Valley]] sees two stations flipping formats within the course of two hours, all coming from [[Entravision]], who flipped [[Contemporary hit radio\|CHR]] [[KVLY (FM)\|KVLY]]—[[Edinburg, Texas\|Edinburg]] back to AC, which was done to help the recent launch of former Regional Mexican-turned-[[Hispanic Rhythmic\|bilingual rhythmic]] [[KKPS]]—[[Brownsville, Texas\|Brownsville]], and active rock [[KFRQ]]—[[Harlingen, Texas\|Harlingen]] switching to classic rock. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/185989/kvly-teasing-monday-revamp/ "Entravision Flips KVLY To AC And Shifts KFRQ To Classic Rock"] from Radio Insight (April 13, 2020)</ref> \|- \|[[Ralph Vaughan Williams]]’s "[[The Lark Ascending]]" was chosen as the winner of the 2020 [[Classic FM Hall of Fame]] in the [[United Kingdom]]. \|<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.classicfm.com/terms-conditions/classic-fm-hall-of-fame-2020/\|title=Terms and conditions – Classic FM Hall of Fame 2020\|date=10 January 2020\|website=Classic FM}}</ref> \|- !20 \|[[Alternative rock\|Alternative]] [[WBZY\|WRDA]]—[[Canton, Georgia\|Canton]]/Atlanta switches to Spanish [[Contemporary hit radio\|CHR]] "Z105.7", temporarily simulcast on [[WRDG\|WBZY]]—[[Bowdon, Georgia\|Bowdon]], which had featured the format since October 2018. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/186242/alt-105-7-atlanta-gives-way-to-spanish-chr-z105-7/ "Alt 105.7 Atlanta Gives Way To Spanish CHR Z105.7"] from Radio Insight (April 2020)</ref> \|- !22 \|"[[Jack FM]]" [[KQCJ]]—[[Cambridge, Illinois]]/[[Quad Cities]] switches to [[Alternative rock\|alternative]] as "Planet 93.9", reviving a branding last used on [[KJOC (FM)\|KORB]]—[[Bettendorf, Iowa\|Bettendorf]] during the 1990s. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/186351/planet-returns-to-the-quad-cities-two-decades-later/ "Planet Returns To The Quad Cities Two Decades Later"] from Radio Insight (April 23, 2020)</ref> \|- !24 \|AZ Research PPL, commissioned by the Association of Radio Operators for [[India]], reports that radio listenership in the country has reached a figure of 51 million. \|<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/radio-listenership-surges-but-broadcasters-await-government-signal/article31421557.ece\|title=Radio listenership surges but broadcasters await government signal\|first=\|last=\|date=24 April 2020\|publisher=\|via=The Hindu Business Line}}</ref> \|- !26 \|[[DWKX]]—[[Mandaluyong]], another Filipino radio station, temporarily signs off as a result of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. \|{{citation needed\|date=December 2020}} \|} ===May=== {\| class="wikitable" \|- ! Date ! Event !Source \|- !1 \|[[Contemporary hit radio\|CHR]] [[WNFN]]—[[Nashville, Tennessee\|Nashville]] rebrands from "i106.7" to "Hot 106.7", coinciding with a signal and coverage upgrade. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/186747/nashville-gets-hot-as-wnfn-relaunches-as-hot-106-7/ "Nashville Gets Hot As WNFN Relaunches As Hot 106.7"] from Radio Insight (May 1, 2020)</ref> \|- !3 \|[[Alternative rock\|Alternative]] [[KPOI-FM]]—[[Honolulu]] flips to [[Adult contemporary music\|AC]] as "105.9 The Wave". \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/186776/kpoi-flips-to-soft-ac/ "KPOI Flips To Soft AC"] from Radio Insight (May 3, 2020)</ref> \|- !rowspan=2\|4 \|[[WRDG\|WBZY]]—[[Bowdon, Georgia\|Bowdon]]/Atlanta flips from a temporary simulcast of [[WBZY\|WRDA]]—[[Canton, Georgia\|Canton]] to [[Urban contemporary music\|mainstream urban]] as "105.3 The Beat". This completes a migration of WBZY's Spanish CHR format and air staff to the former WRDA (renamed WBZY) and a migration of [[WBZW\|WRDG]]—[[Union City, Georgia\|Union City]]'s mainstream urban format and "Beat" name to the former WBZY (renamed WRDG). The former WRDG (renamed WBZW) becomes a full-time simulcast of WBZY. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/186799/the-beat-moves-in-atlanta/ "The Beat Moves In Atlanta"] from radio insight - May 4, 2020</ref> \|- \|[[KXOT (FM)\|KDLW]]—Albuquerque dropped the [[Contemporary hit radio\|CHR]] format and began stunting with sweepers coinciding with Cinco de Mayo (May 5), leading up to a flip to Regional Mexican as "Zeta 106.3." \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/186837/z106-3-albuquerque-stunting-ahead-of-cinco-de-mayo-flip/ "Z106.3 Albuquerque Stunting Ahead Of Cinco De Mayo Flip"] from Radio Insight (May 4, 2020)</ref> \|- !5 \|[[ABS-CBN Corporation\|ABS-CBN]]'s radio stations [[DZMM TeleRadyo\|DZMM]] and [[MOR Philippines\|MOR]] ceased its operations due to [[ABS-CBN franchise renewal controversy\|cease-and-desist order]] by the [[Philippines]] [[National Telecommunications Commission (Philippines)\|National Telecommunications Commission]] (NTC), together with [[ABS-CBN]] and [[ABS-CBN Sports and Action\|S+A]] after their congressional franchise expired on May 4. These 4 networks signed off in the evening at 7:52{{nbsp}}pm ([[Philippine Standard Time\|PST]]). \|<ref name="rappler.com">[https://www.rappler.com/nation/abs-cbn-goes-off-air-ntc-order-may-5-2020 ABS-CBN goes off-air after NTC order] from Rappler (May 5, 2020)</ref> \|- !8 \|[[ABS-CBN Corporation\|ABS-CBN]]'s radio station [[DZMM TeleRadyo]] went back on-air via cable and online and renamed as [[TeleRadyo]]. \|<ref>[https://www.abs-cbn.com/newsroom/news-releases/2020/5/7/dzmm-teleradyo-returns?lang=en TeleRadyo returns] from ABS-CBN (May 7, 2020)</ref> \|- !18 \|[[Classic country]] KRRW—[[Saint James, Minnesota\|St. James]]-[[Fairmont, Minnesota]], relaunches as [[adult Top 40]] "[[Emoji]] 101.5" [[KEMJ]]. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/187455/kemj-sends-an-emoji-to-southern-minnesota/ "KEMJ Sends An Emoji To Southern Minnesota"] from Radio Insight (May 19, 2020)</ref> \|- !20 \|[[Travelers' information station\|Travelers information]] [[KRZD\|KRZD/K298CI]]—[[Springfield, Missouri]], flips to mainstream rock as "Z107.5." \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/187517/z107-5-rocks-into-springfield-mo/ "Z107.5 Rocks Into Springfield MO"] from Radio Insight (May 20, 2020)</ref> \|- !rowspan=3\|22 \|[[Adult hits]] [[WJDX-FM]]—[[Kosciusko, Mississippi\|Kosciusko]]/[[Jackson, Mississippi\|Jackson]] switches to [[Urban contemporary music\|mainstream urban]] as "Real 105.1." \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/187630/wjdx-gets-real-with-hip-hop/ "WJDX Gets Real With Hip Hop"] from Radio Insight (May 22, 2020)</ref> \|- \|[[KFCO]]—[[Denver]] shifted from [[Hip hop music\|hip hop]]-leaning [[Rhythmic (chart)\|rhythmic Top 40]] back to [[Contemporary hit radio\|CHR]], reviving the "Hot 107.1" brand. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/187643/hot-107-1-returns-to-denver-with-chr-flip/ "Hot 107.1 Returns To Denver With CHR Flip"] from Radio Insight (May 22, 2020)</ref> \|- \|[[Classic rock]] [[KTSR]]—[[Lake Charles, Louisiana]] flips to [[adult Top 40]] as "92.1 The Bridge." \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/187652/townsquare-builds-a-bridge-in-lake-charles/ "Townsquare Builds A Bridge In Lake Charles"] from Radio Insight (May 22, 2020)</ref> \|- !rowspan=2\|28 \|[[Contemporary hit radio\|CHR]] WODS—Boston flips to [[adult hits]] as "Big 103" [[WBGB (FM)\|WBGB]]. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/188074/103-3-amp-radio-boston-flips-to-variety-hits-big-103/ 103.3 AMP Radio Flips to Variety Hits 'Big 103'] From Radio Insight (May 28, 2020)</ref> \|- \|The facilities of regional Mexican [[KMNV\|KMNV/K239CJ]]—[[Minneapolis–Saint Paul]] is among the buildings that were destroyed in a series of [[Twin Cities riots\|riots]] amid protests of the [[murder of George Floyd]] on May 26, and [[Minneapolis Police Department\|whose Third Precinct station where the officers were assigned to]] was set on fire during the evening that later spread to other buildings in the vicinity of Lake Street and 27th Avenue South. The AM had been off the air since March for repairs but the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed work on the equipment. The owners announced that the station will be off the air until further notice. By the next week it returned to the air with the assistance and use of the facilities of community radio station [[KFAI]]. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/188201/la-raza-95-7-studios-destroyed-in-minneapolis-protests/ "La Raza 95.7 Studios Destroyed In Minneapolis Protests"] from Radio Insight (May 29, 2020)</ref> \|} ===June=== {\| class="wikitable" \|- ! Date ! Event ! Source \|- !1 \|''Frosty, Heidi & Frank Show'' co-host Frosty Stillwell departs [[Album-oriented rock\|AOR]] [[KLOS]]—[[Los Angeles]] after taking leave from the station beginning in late March. \|<ref>[https://www.dailynews.com/2020/06/01/klos-95-5-axes-frosty-stilwell-from-frosty-heidi-frank-show/ "KLOS 95.5 axes Frosty Stilwell from Frosty, Heidi & Frank Show"] from Los Angeles Daily News (June 1, 2020)</ref> \|- !2 \|Just one day after being placed on administrative leave after making insensitive comments about the [[Black Lives Matter]] movement in a tweet to former [[Sacramento Kings]] Center [[DeMarcus Cousins]], Grant Napear, who handles play by play for the aforementioned NBA franchise on [[NBC Sports California]], announces his resignation from both the organization and the network, and at the same time was also fired from Kings flagship radio outlet [[KHTK]] by parent owner [[Bonneville International]], who were upset over his remarks and not making an sincere apology. Napear had called Kings games on either television or radio since 1988 and had been a part of KHTK’s lineup in various roles since 1997. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/188534/khtk-sacramento-fires-grant-napear-after-anti-blm-tweet/ "KHTK Sacramento Fires Grant Napear After Anti-BLM Tweet"] from Radio Insight (June 2, 2020)</ref> \|- !rowspan=2\|3 \|[[Contemporary hit radio\|CHR]] [[KORQ]]—[[Winters, Texas\|Winters]]/[[Abilene, Texas]], switches to farm–[[classic country]] "Q Country 96.1". \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/188524/96q-abilene-prepping-wednesday-flip/ "96Q Abilene Flips To Farm/Classic Country"] from Radio Insight (June 3, 2020)</ref> \|- \|[[iHeartMedia]] [[classic rock]]/[[hot talk]] [[WAIO]]—[[Rochester, New York]] fires afternoon hosts Kimberly Ray and Barry Beck following comments made on their June 2 show, in which the duo were discussing the ongoing protests in the city over police brutality and racism. Kimberly asked if a group of men beating a couple with a 2×4 were acting "N-wordly", while Beck followed "If you look like a thug, act like a thug and you have three people beating a white woman with a 2x4, by god, you’re a thug." The discussion also including asking whether they were allowed to call people "N-wordish". The comments sparked outrage from listeners and community leaders, including morning host Deanna King (who threatened to quit if the duo remained on air). This is the second time that Ray and Beck were fired from a Rochester station for making insensitive remarks, after being fired from their morning show at Entercom adult hits [[WBZA]] in 2014 for hateful comments against the transgender community. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/188562/rochester-hosts-kimberly-beck-fired-for-racist-comments/ "Rochester Hosts Kimberly & Beck Fired For Racist Comments"] from Radio Insight (June 3, 2020)</ref> \|- !4 \|A pair of [[Piedmont Triad]] Top 40s, Dick Broadcasting’s Mainstream [[WKZL]] and Entercom’s rhythmic [[WJMH]], paired their respective morning shows, ''Jared & Katie in the Morning'' and ''3 Live Crew'', together for a simulcast to discuss the continuing conflict involving police brutality against minorities, ongoing protests, and systematic racism that has spilled over into the [[Greensboro, North Carolina\|Greensboro]]-[[High Point, North Carolina\|High Point]]-[[Winston-Salem, North Carolina\|Winston-Salem]] Metropolitan area since the [[murder of George Floyd]] on May 26. \|<ref>[https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/197095/wkzl-1075-kzl-wjmh-102-jamz-special-broadcast-in-g "WKZL (1075 KZL) & WJMH (102 Jamz) Special Broadcast In Greensboro"] from All Access Music Group (June 4, 2020)</ref> \|- !5 \|[[Republic Records]] announced that it will no longer use the word "Urban" from describing departments, employee titles, and music styles. The move comes as the term, made famous in the late 1970s by [[Frankie Crocker]] when he used it to describe the [[urban contemporary]] format at [[WBLS]] New York City, has lived out its usefulness with radio stations in the genre moving to distance themselves from the name altogether. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/188690/republic-records-eliminates-usage-of-urban-urges-rest-of-industry-to-follow-suit/ "Republic Records Eliminates Usage Of 'Urban'; Urges Rest Of Industry To Follow Suit"] from Radio Insight (June 5, 2020)</ref> \|- !6 \|Dance/EDM [[WZFL]]—Miami acknowledged on its Facebook page that it had terminated afternoon host Jordan Sanchez over insensitive remarks he made on his social media pages in April, when he was placed on suspension. \|<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/Revolution935FM/ from WZFL Miami’s] [[Facebook]] page (posted June 6, 2020)</ref> \|- !15 \|The studios of two [[Tampa, Florida\|Tampa]]-[[Saint Petersburg, Florida\|St. Petersburg]] radio properties are quarantined after its personalities tested positive for COVID-19. Three air staffers from [[Beasley Broadcasting Group]]’s rhythmic Top 40 [[WLLD]]’s ''Orlando and The Freak Show'', PD/host Orlando Davis and co-hosts Broderick "Buckwheat" Scott and Jose "Joey Franchize" Alvarado, all announced their positive tests on social media, resulting in Beasley closing its facilities to all but essential personnel and having its staffers at classic rock [[WPBB]], Business Talk [[WJBR (AM)\|WHFS]], country [[WQYK-FM]], [[classic hits]] [[WRBQ-FM]], and Spanish Top 40 [[WYUU]] broadcast from home until further notice. Hours later Cox Media Group follows suit after Hot Talk [[WHPT]] morning host Mike Calta and his co-host Anthony "Spanish" Polichemi confirmed their results on-air during their show, resulting in its sister stations, Adult Standards [[WDUV]], [[Contemporary hit radio\|CHR]] [[WTBV\|WPOI]], AC [[WWRM]], classic rock [[WXGL]], and alternative [[WSUN (FM)\|WSUN]], to also send its staffers home to do their broadcasts. \|<ref>[https://www.tampabay.com/news/health/2020/06/15/3-wild-941-radio-personalities-test-positive-for-covid-19/ "3 Wild 94.1 radio personalities test positive for COVID-19"] from ''[[Tampa Bay Times]]'' (June 15, 2020)</ref><ref>[https://www.tampabay.com/arts-entertainment/2020/06/15/mike-calta-among-staff-with-coronavirus-at-1025-the-bone/ "Mike Calta among staff with coronavirus at 102.5 The Bone"] from ''Tampa Bay Times'' (June 15, 2020)</ref> \|- !26 \|[[Sports radio\|Sports]] [[CJMB-FM]]—[[Peterborough, Ontario]] flips to alternative rock "Freq 90.5" but retains all sports play-by play. \|{{citation needed\|date=December 2020}} \|} ===July=== {\| class="wikitable" \|- ! Date ! Event ! Source \|- !rowspan=3\|1 \|Forever Media’s rimshot [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania\|Pittsburgh]] country outlets [[WOGG]]—[[Oliver, Pennsylvania\|Oliver]] (which covers the southern portion of the market) and [[WOGI]]—[[Moon Township, Pennsylvania\|Moon Township]] (which covers the majority of the market from the western portion of the area) dropped their separate programming and becomes a simulcast, a move buoyed by a ratings increase and to become more competitive against Entercom’s [[WDSY-FM]] and iHeartMedia’s [[WPGB]] in the battle for country listeners in the market. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/189898/wogg-wogi-combine-into-simulcast/ "WOGG & WOGI Combine Into Simulcast"] from Radio Insight (July 1, 2020)</ref> \|- \|[[ESPN Radio]] [[KQDJ (AM)\|KQDJ/K296HH]]—[[Jamestown, North Dakota]], switches to [[Adult contemporary music\|soft AC]]. \|<ref>[http://www.northpine.com/blog/2020/07/09/light-ac-returns-to-jamestown/ "Light Adult Contemporary Returns to Jamestown"] from Northpine (July 9, 2020)</ref> \|- \|[[Mainstream rock]] [[CHKS-FM]]—[[Sarnia\|Sarnia, Ontario]], flips to [[classic hits]] "Cool 106.3". \|{{citation needed\|date=December 2020}} \|- !2 \|[[Contemporary hit radio\|CHR]] [[WAKZ]]—[[Sharpsville, Pennsylvania]]/[[Youngstown, Ohio]], flips to [[Urban contemporary music\|mainstream urban]] as "Real 95.9". \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/189970/95-9-kiss-fm-youngstown-teasing-thursday-flip/ "95.9 Kiss-FM Youngstown Gets Real With Hip Hop Flip"] from Radio Insight (July 2, 2020)</ref> \|- !3 \|[[Oldies]] WJJL—[[Niagara Falls, New York\|Niagara Falls]]/[[Buffalo, New York]], flips to [[adult standards]] as [[WEBR]], reviving a call sign long used by the current [[WDCZ]]. \|<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.buffalobroadcasters.com/webr-am-returns-to-airwaves/\|title=WEBR-AM Returns to Airwaves\|date=June 19, 2020}}</ref> \|- !6 \|[[iHeartMedia]] announces that effective immediately, it will no longer use the term "Urban Contemporary" or "Urban Adult Contemporary" across their properties using the format, including its co-owned [[Mediabase]] charts. The "Urban Contemporary" outlets and "Urban" charts will now go by "R&B/Hip-Hop", while "Urban AC" will now be identified as "R&B". \|<ref>[https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/197934/iheartmedia-has-stopped-using-the-words-urban-urba "iHeartMedia Has Stopped Using The Words 'Urban & Urban AC' As Format Descriptors"] from All Access Radio Group (July 6, 2020)</ref> \|- !9 \|[[Adult Top 40]] [[WMIA-FM]]—[[Miami]] flips to [[1990s in music\|1990s hits]] as "Totally 93.9." \|<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/190654/iheartmedia-launches-1990s-hits-totally-93-9-in-miami/\|title=iHeartMedia Launches 1990s Hits "Totally 93.9" In Miami\|date=July 9, 2020}}</ref> \|- !12 \|Three of the six stations owned by Ed Stolz is transferred to a court-ordered receivership trust after a lawsuit brought on by ASCAP and sixteen other music copyright holders. The three outlets involved are [[Contemporary hit radio\|CHR]]s [[KREV (FM)\|KREV]]—Alameda/San Francisco, [[KVPW\|KRCK-FM]]—[[Palm Springs, California\|Palm Springs]], and [[KVPH\|KFRH]]—[[Las Vegas, Nevada\|Las Vegas]]. The three stations were purchased by [[VCY America]] on December 30, and will convert to non-commercial Religious programming in 2021. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/190923/ed-stolz-stations-transferred-to-receivership-after-lawsuit-from-music-copyright-holders/ "Ed Stolz’ Stations Transferred To Receivership After Lawsuit From Music Copyright Holders"] from Radio Insight (July 12, 2020)</ref> \|- !rowspan=3\|13 \|Bartis-Russell Broadcasting’s [[Talk radio\|talk]] [[WSMN\|WSMN/W237FA]]—[[Nashua, New Hampshire]], fired host Dianna Ploss and cancelled her brokered pro-conservative/pro-Trump program after she posted a video on [[Facebook Live]] of her proudly displaying a series of racial harassment towards Hispanics and asking them to speak English, as well as a confrontational exchange with an African American security guard over not wearing a mask. \|<ref>[https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/198094/radio-karen-talk-host-dianna-ploss-streams-video-o "'Radio Karen': Talk Host Dianna Ploss Streams Video Of Herself Harassing Spanish-Speaking Workers, WSMN Fires Her"] from All Access Music Group (July 13, 2020)</ref> \|- \|[[Classic rock]] [[WZPR]]—[[Nags Head, North Carolina]], switches to [[Talk radio\|talk]]. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/190760/wzpr-flipping-to-news-talk/ "WZPR Flipping To News/Talk"] from Radio Insight (July 10, 2020)</ref> \|- \|[[DWSS-AM\|DWSS 1494]] returned to the airwaves after signing off for three months due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. \|{{citation needed\|date=December 2020}} \|- !16 \|Just two days after [[ViacomCBS]] fired him from his hosting duties on [[VH1]]'s ''[[Wild 'n Out]]'' after 15 years for failing to apologize for perpetuating anti-Semitism in comments made on an episode of his YouTube show in June, when he interviewed [[Public Enemy (band)\|Public Enemy]]'s [[Professor Griff]], [[Nick Cannon]] announces that he is leaving radio indefinitely, ending his one-year tenure at [[KPWR]]—[[Los Angeles]]. \|<ref>{{cite web\|title=KPWR Morning Host Nick Cannon Fired From Wild 'N Out Over Anti-Semitic Comments\|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/191125/kpwr-morning-host-nick-cannon-fired-from-wild-n-out-over-anti-semitic-comments/\|work=Radio Insight\|date=July 14, 2020}}</ref><ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/191255/skyview-suspends-nick-cannon-radio-distribution/ "Nick Cannon To Take Indefinite Leave From Radio Show"] from Radio Insight (July 16, 2020)</ref> \|- !17 \|[[Alternative rock\|Alternative]] [[KTLK-FM\|KLLT]]—[[Columbia, Missouri\|Columbia]]/St. Louis switches to [[Urban adult contemporary\|urban AC]] as "Majic", carrying the format over from [[KATZ-FM\|KATZ-HD2/W279AQ]]—[[Bridgeton, Missouri\|Bridgeton]]. This is the fifth incarnation for the "Majic" branding in St. Louis, as it originated in 1979 on [[KSLZ\|107.7 FM]], then moved to 104.9 FM in 1997, and then to 100.3 FM in 2012 before being dropped two years later. \|<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/191480/alt-104-9-st-louis-flips-brings-back-its-majic-rb/\|title=Alt 104.9 St. Louis Flips Brings Back Its Majic R&B\|date=July 18, 2020}}</ref> \|- !rowspan=2\|20 \|[[Classic rock]] [[KYOZ\|KYOZ/K239CL]]—[[Spokane, Washington\|Spokane]] switches to [[regional Mexican]] as "Ke Buena 95.7". \|<ref>[https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/198318/oz-95-7-spokane-goes-spanish-as-ke-buena-95-7 "Oz 95.7/Spokane Goes Spanish As Ke Buena 95.7"] from All Access (July 20, 2020)</ref> \|- \|[[Talk radio\|Talk]] [[WLW (AM)\|WLW]]—[[Cincinnati, Ohio\|Cincinnati]] eliminates political talk from their overnight ''America’s Trucking Network'' after an unspecified topic discussed by host Steve Sommers led to complaints directed at WLW parent [[iHeartMedia]]. Sommers is fired in early November amid a series of layoffs at iHeartMedia, ending a 36-year run for the Sommers family on WLW's overnight shift dating to Steve's father, "Truckin' Bozo" [[Dale Sommers]]. \|<ref>[https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2020/07/21/wlws-trucking-show-shuts-off-political-discussion-host-says/5477926002/ "WLW's trucking show shuts off political discussion, host says"] from The Cincinnati Enquirer (July 21, 2020)</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/201026/americas-trucking-network-host-steve-sommers-exits-wlw/\|title=America's Trucking Network Host Steve Sommers Exits WLW}}</ref> \|- ! rowspan="3" \|27 \|SB Nation Radio rebrands as [[SportsMap\|SportsMap Radio Network]], the 29 year-old network's sixth name change. \|<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/191101/sb-nation-radio-to-rebrand-as-sportsmap-radio-network/\|title=SB Nation Radio To Rebrand As SportsMap Radio Network\|date=July 14, 2020}}</ref> \|- \|[[Rhythmic (chart)\|Rhythmic Top 40]] [[KUAM-FM]]—[[Hagatna, Guam]], flips to [[Adult contemporary music\|AC]] "Breeze 93.9." \|<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.kuam.com/story/42401470/kuam-communications-introduces-breeze-939fm-to-listeners-next-monday\|title=KUAM Communications introduces Breeze 93.9FM to listeners next Monday\|date=July 23, 2020}}</ref> \|- \|[[Urban adult contemporary\|Urban AC]] [[KATZ-FM\|KATZ-HD2/W279AQ]]—[[Bridgeton, Missouri\|Bridgeton]], and [[classic country]] [[WIZE]]—[[Springfield, Ohio\|Springfield]]/[[Dayton, Ohio]], become affiliates of [[Black Information Network]]. \|<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Venta \|first=Lance \|date=July 27, 2020 \|title=Black Information Network Debuts In St. Louis And Dayton \|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/192932/black-information-network-debuts-in-st-louis/ \|access-date=May 9, 2022 \|website=RadioInsight \|language=en-US}}</ref> \|- ! rowspan="2" \|31 \|[[Contemporary hit radio\|CHR]] [[WLMI]]—[[Lansing, Michigan\|Lansing]] switches to [[classic rock]] as "Cruisin’ 92.9". \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/194056/wlmi-lansing-to-debut-new-identity-at-noon/ "WLMI Goes Cruisin’ For A Classic Rock Flip"] from Radio Insight (July 31, 2020)</ref> \|- \|[[CJOC-FM]]—[[Lethbridge, Alberta]], reverts to its former branding after a little over a year as "Juice FM". \|{{citation needed\|date=December 2020}} \|} ===August=== {\| class="wikitable" \|- ! Date ! Event ! Source \|- !1 \|[[DWSS-AM\|DWSS]]—[[Mandaluyong]] temporarily signed off again due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. \|{{citation needed\|date=December 2020}} \|- !3 \|A shuffle occurs at [[Lotus Communications]]'s Las Vegas cluster as a result of the company getting the rights to broadcast [[Las Vegas Raiders]] games. [[KRLV (AM)\|KRLV]]—Las Vegas flips from [[sports betting]] to mostly Raiders content as "Raider Nation Radio 920 AM" as the team's new flagship station, while KRLV's former "The Game" format moves to [[KLAV]]—Las Vegas, flipping to the format from ranchero music. \|<ref>{{Cite web\|date=2020-07-27\|title=Lotus To Launch Raider Nation Radio On 920 KRLV Las Vegas\|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/192983/lotus-to-launch-raider-nation-radio-on-920-krlv-las-vegas/\|access-date=2020-07-29\|website=RadioInsight\|language=en-US}}</ref> \|- !20 \|[[Contemporary hit radio\|CHR]] [[KBKS-FM]]—Tacoma/Seattle dropped the "[[KISS-FM (brand)\|Kiss]]" branding after 24 years and rebrands as "Hits 106.1." \|<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/196201/kbks-becomes-hits-106-1-as-jubal-show-launches/\|title=KBKS Becomes Hits 106.1 As Jubal Show Launches\|date=August 20, 2020}}</ref> \|- !28 \|[[Gospel music\|Gospel]] [[WGUS-FM]]—[[Augusta, Georgia]], switches to [[Adult contemporary music\|AC]] "Sunny 102.7". \|<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/196631/sunny-102-7-launches-in-augusta/\|title=Sunny 102.7 Launches In Augusta\|date=August 28, 2020}}</ref> \|} ===September=== {\| class="wikitable" \|- ! Date ! Event ! Source \|- !3 \|[[Country music\|Country]] WEBG—[[Chicago]] flips to [[mainstream rock]] as "Rock 95.5" [[WCHI-FM]], bringing the format back to Chicago after nearly two years and to {{Frequency\|95.5\|FM}} for the first time since 1982 (as WMET-FM). \|<ref>"[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/197042/big-95-5-chicago-drops-country-and-begins-stunting/ Rock 95.5 Chicago Debuts Replacing Big 95.5]", ''Radio Insight''. September 3, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2020.</ref><ref>[[Robert Feder\|Feder, Robert]]. "[https://www.robertfeder.com/2020/09/03/iheartmedia-blows-webgs-country-format-new-rock-95-five/?fbclid=IwAR2sZNuC-lzg7-0Z_QJnzsZeT6h-_WZR4MO0ADNC6fOfLDxsyywKc_BwsRk/ iHeartMedia blows up WEBG's country format for new 'Rock 95 Five']", RobertFeder.com. August 3, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2020.</ref> \|- !rowspan=2\|4 \|[[adult contemporary music\|AC]] [[CHMX-FM]]—[[Regina, Saskatchewan]] flips to rhythmic classic hits as "Play 92.1". \|{{citation needed\|date=December 2020}} \|- \|[[Mainstream rock]] [[CHQX-FM]]—[[Prince Albert, Saskatchewan]], switches to [[classic hits]] "Beach Radio 101.5". \|{{citation needed\|date=December 2020}} \|- ! rowspan="2" \|8 \|[[Adult contemporary music\|Hot AC]] [[WQQO]]—[[Sylvania, Ohio\|Sylvania]]/[[Toledo, Ohio]] flips to [[Contemporary hit radio\|CHR]] "Q105", adding ''The Bert Show'' and reassigning incumbent morning host Eric Chase to afternoons. \|<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Q105 Toledo Relaunches With CHR Shift & Bert Show \|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/197129/q105-toledo-stunting-with-throwback-weekend-ahead-of-tuesday-revamp/ \|access-date=2022-05-10 \|website=RadioInsight \|language=en-US}}</ref> \|- \|[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] re-launches its service in [[Hungary]]. \|<ref>{{Cite web\|date=8 September 2020\|title=RFE/RL Relaunches Operations In Hungary Amid Drop In Media Freedom\|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/rfe-rl-relaunches-operations-in-hungary-amid-drop-in-media-freedom/30826537.html\|access-date=13 September 2020\|website=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty\|language=en}}</ref> \|- !10 \|[[iHeartMedia]] acquires [[WWRL]]—[[New York City]], a station that had historically carried formats serving the [[African Americans in New York City\|city's Black community]], to be its new [[network affiliate]] for the [[Black Information Network]] beginning November 2. BIN programming currently is available in the New York [[media market\|radio market]] via [[WWPR-FM]]'s third [[HD Radio]] [[Digital subchannel\|subchannel]]. \|<ref>{{Cite web\|date=2020-09-10\|title=iHeartMedia Acquires WWRL New York For Black Information Network\|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/197424/iheartmedia-acquires-wwrl-new-york-for-black-information-network/\|access-date=2020-09-10\|website=RadioInsight\|language=en-US}}</ref> \|- !13 \|[[Entercom]] centralizes operations of its [[country music]] and [[alternative rock\|alternative]] stations. In the case of alternative, air talent from [[WINS-FM\|WNYL]]—New York City are [[Voice-tracking\|voice-tracked]] across its stations, many of which are rebranded as "ALT" in markets where that branding is not used by another station, dismissing all local airstaff. For country stations, flagship station [[WXBK\|WNSH]] will originate the midday and late-night shows across all country stations, with other dayparts retaining their local hosts. The moves are being made to provide a single, unified sound across the United States for Entercom's stations. \|<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://buffalonews.com/entertainment/music/alt-107-7-drops-local-personalities-plays-music-from-owners-n-y-city-station/article_226f8e9a-f685-11ea-a228-1be70ccde1f4.html\|title=Alt 107.7 drops local personalities, plays music from owner's N.Y. City station\|first=Alan Pergament News TV\|last=Critic\|website=The Buffalo News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/197495/entercom-sets-programming-plans-for-alternative-country/\|title=Entercom Sets Programming Plans For Alternative & Country}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/197627/entercom-rebrands-alternative-stations-in-buffalo-kansas-city-las-vegas-richmond/\|title=Entercom Rebrands Alternative Stations In Buffalo, Kansas City, Las Vegas & Richmond}}</ref> \|- !15 \|Internet-only radio station VintageRadio.SG is launched in [[Singapore]]. \|<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/broadcast-veteran-brian-richmond-leaves-gold-905-but-is-not-done-with-radio-yet\|title=Broadcast veteran Brian Richmond leaves Gold 905, but is not done with radio yet\|author=Eddino Abdul Hadi\|date=15 November 2020\|website=Straits Times\|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref> \|- !22 \|[[adult contemporary music\|AC]] [[WGKS]]—[[Paris, Kentucky\|Paris]]/[[Lexington, Kentucky]] flips to [[classic hits]], while classic hits [[WLXO\|WWRW]]—[[Mount Sterling, Kentucky\|Mount Sterling]] begins stunting, first redirecting listeners to WGKS, then airing [[Christmas music]] beginning in early October. \|<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/198871/christmas-105-5-launches-in-lexington/\|title=Christmas 105.5 Launches In Lexington}}</ref> \|- !25 \|In an extreme case of [[Christmas creep]] (breaking the previous mid-October record by several weeks), [[WWIZ]]—[[West Middlesex, Pennsylvania]]/[[Youngstown, Ohio]], for the second consecutive year, becomes the first non-stunting station in the United States to flip to [[Christmas music]] for the entire season. WWIZ is one of several stations (others including WWRW and [[WVEZ]]) flipping to [[Christmas music]] early in hopes of hastening the end of 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic. \|<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/198517/wwiz-youngstown-begins-christmas-music-season/\|title=WWIZ Youngstown Begins Christmas Music Season}}</ref> \|} ===October=== {\| class="wikitable" \|- !Date !Event !Source \|- !5 \|[[DZSR]] returned to the airwaves after a 7-month hiatus due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] and simulcast via [[DepEd TV]]. \| \|- !18 \|[[DZSR]] temporarily signs off again due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. \| \|- !19 \|[[DZRM]] returns to the airwaves after a 3-year hiatus and simulcast via [[DepEd TV]]. \|<ref>[https://mb.com.ph/2020/09/23/deped-tv-deped-radio-eyed-as-permanent-programs/ DepEd TV, DepEd Radio eyed as permanent programs]</ref> \|} ===November=== {\| class="wikitable" \|- ! Date ! Event ! Source \|- !5 \|The [[Mohawk Valley]] gets its first [[Spanish language]] radio outlet, as [[WNRS (AM)\|WNRS]]—[[Herkimer, New York]], and its [[Utica, New York\|Utica]]-licensed translator flip to Spanish Tropical music as "El Zorro." \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/200955/el-zorro-slices-into-utica/ El Zorro slices into Utica] by Lance Venta, RadioInsight.com, November 5, 2020</ref> \|- !19 \|[[Bell Media]]'s two FM outlets in [[Windsor, Ontario]]/[[Detroit, Michigan]], switch formats: [[CIMX-FM]]—Windsor drops [[alternative rock]] after 30 years in favor of [[country music\|country]], while [[CIDR-FM]]—Windsor switches from [[adult album alternative]] to [[Contemporary hit radio\|CHR]] "[[Virgin Radio]]". At the same time, [[Entercom\|Entercom's]] [[WDZH]]—Detroit segues from [[Adult contemporary music\|soft adult contemporary]] to [[Alternative rock\|alternative]] under the "ALT" brand. \|<ref>[https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/music/brian-mccollum/2020/11/19/89-x-detroit-radio-country/3776414001/ 89X flips to country format after 30-year rock run; 93.9 goes pop; 98.7 goes alternative] ''Detroit Free Press'', November 19, 2020</ref> \|- !23 \|[[Entercom]] and [[Radio One (company)\|Radio One]] swapped stations in Charlotte, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and St. Louis, the latter seeing Entercom's newly acquired IP [[WFUN-FM]]'s calls and its Adult R&B format displacing [[Contemporary hit radio\|CHR]] KNOU on the same day; WFUN's former license is sold to Gateway Creative Broadcasting, which flipped the 95.5 signal to Christian rhythmic Top 40 and new calls [[KXBS]]. In Philadelphia, Entercom's [[KYW (AM)\|KYW]]'s [[All-news radio\|all-news]] format adds an FM simulcast via newly acquired [[WPHI-FM]], with the mainstream urban format returning to Radio One's [[WRNB]] for the first time since August 2011. \|<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/200976/entercom-to-swap-charlotte-stations-to-radio-one-for-wphi-wtem-and-st-louis-duo/\|title=Entercom To Swap Charlotte Stations To Radio One For WPHI, WTEM and St. Louis Duo}}</ref> \|- !25 \|"[[Jack FM]]" [[WBUF]]—[[Buffalo, New York]] reverts to [[active rock]], a format it held from 2001 to 2004. \|<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/201747/92-9-jack-fm-buffalo-gives-way-to-everything-that-rocks/\|title=92.9 Jack-FM Buffalo Gives Way To Everything That Rocks}}</ref> \|} ===December=== {\| class="wikitable" \|- ! Date ! Event ! Source \|- !1 \|[[Minneapolis-St. Paul]]–based Go Media, controlled by the family of [[Minnesota Twins]] owner [[Carl Pohlad]], sells alternative [[KMWA\|KQGO]]—[[Edina, Minnesota]], and rhythmic Top 40 [[KNOF\|KZGO]]—St. Paul to [[Educational Media Foundation]] for $2.45 million. Both stations, branded "Go", immediately dismissed all airstaff and shifted to a jockless presentation until the sale closed on April 12, 2021; KQGO becomes the market's [[Air1]] outlet and KZGO is subsequently divested to a third party. This sale ends the Pohlad family's run as a broadcaster, having purchased KQGO in 2007 and making it the [[List of Minnesota Twins broadcasters\|Minnesota Twins Radio Network]] flagship from 2013 to 2017. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/202052/go-95-3-each-to-drop-their-formats/ Go 95.3 & Go 96.3 Minneapolis Sold To Educational Media Foundation] from Radio Insight (December 1, 2020)</ref> \|- !3 \|[[Rogers Media]] rebrands [[All-news radio\|all-news]]–[[Talk radio\|talk]] "News 1310" [[CIWW]]—[[Ottawa\|Ottawa, Ontario]], as "CityNews Radio", a [[brand extension]] of Rogers' [[Citytv]] network and [[CityNews]] news service. The rebrand comes with the addition of an FM simulcast via former [[Country music\|country]] [[CJET-FM\|CKBY-FM]]—[[Smiths Falls\|Smiths Falls, Ontario]], (renamed CJET-FM) while "[[Jack FM]]" [[CJET-FM]]—Smiths Falls assumes the country format (as "Country 92.5") and CKBY-FM calls. Rogers unveils plans to rebrand all of their all-news and talk stations under the "CityNews Radio" name by the following June. \|<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Another National Brand in Canada As Rogers Preps CityNews Rollout \|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/209101/another-national-brand-in-canada-as-rogers-preps-citynews-rollout/ \|access-date=2022-05-01 \|website=RadioInsight \|language=en-US}}</ref> \|- !rowspan=2\|4 \|[[Active rock]] [[CFDV-FM]]—[[Red Deer, Alberta]], flips to [[classic hits]] "106.7 Rewind Radio". \|{{citation needed\|date=December 2020}} \|- \|[[CJCD-FM]]—[[Yellowknife\|Yellowknife, Northwest Territories]], drops its "Moose" branding after 6 years and rebrands to "100.1 True North Radio". \|<ref name="TrueNorth">{{cite web \|last=Williams \|first=Ollie \|date=December 3, 2020 \|title=NWT's Moose FM to become True North FM from Friday \|url=https://cabinradio.ca/50812/news/arts/nwts-moose-fm-to-become-true-north-fm-from-friday/ \|work=Cabin Radio \|access-date=December 4, 2020}}</ref><ref name="TrueNorthTales">{{cite web \|last=Thiessen \|first=Connie \|date=December 7, 2020 \|title=Vista rebrands Yellowknife station as True North FM in refocus on local \|url=https://broadcastdialogue.com/vista-rebrands-yellowknife-station-as-true-north-fm-in-refocus-on-local/ \|work=Broadcast Dialogue \|access-date=June 4, 2021}}</ref> \|- !8 \|[[Howard Stern]] extends his contract with [[Sirius XM]], which includes his [[The Howard Stern Show\|eponymous show]] and surrounding content, until the end of 2025, and rights to his archival content until the end of 2032. \|<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/howard-stern-siriusxm-sign-new-multi-year-deal\|title=Howard Stern, SiriusXM Sign New Multi-Year Deal\|last=Szalai\|first=Georg\|date=8 December 2020\|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]\|access-date=9 December 2020}}</ref> \|- !27 \|In a move timed with [[Boxing Day]], [[Bell Media]] rebrands and relaunches ten stations ([[Adult contemporary music\|AC]] outlets [[CHQM-FM]]—[[Vancouver\|Vancouver, British Columbia]], [[CILK-FM]]—[[Kelowna\|Kelowna, British Columbia]], [[CJMJ-FM]]—[[Ottawa\|Ottawa, Ontario]], [[CHRE-FM]]—[[St. Catharines\|St. Catharines, Ontario]], and [[CFJR-FM]]—[[Brockville\|Brockville, Ontario]]; [[Contemporary hit radio\|CHR]] outlets [[CJMG-FM]]—[[Penticton\|Penticton, British Columbia]], [[CKPT-FM]]—[[Peterborough, Ontario]], and [[CIBX-FM]]—[[Fredericton\|Fredericton, New Brunswick]]; [[Adult contemporary music\|Hot AC]] outlets [[CFLY-FM]]—[[Kingston, Ontario]], and [[CIOO-FM]]—[[Halifax, Nova Scotia]]) as "[[Move Radio]]", all featuring a hybrid AC/hot AC format. The local airstaffs for all ten stations are retained. \|<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Venta \|first=Lance \|date=December 28, 2020 \|title=Bell Media Moves Ten Stations To New Branding \|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/203466/bell-media-moves-ten-stations-to-new-branding/ \|access-date=May 3, 2022 \|website=RadioInsight \|language=en-US}}</ref> \|} ==Debuts== {\| class="wikitable" \|- ! width=100 \| Date ! Event ! Source \|- !January 13 \|[[Smooth jazz]] [[DWBM-FM]]—[[Quezon City]] is relaunched as [[Contemporary hit radio\|CHR]] "Q Radio 105.1". \|{{citation needed\|date=December 2020}} \|- !January 27 \|Skyview Networks begins syndicating [[KPWR]]—[[Los Angeles]]' [[Nick Cannon]]'s morning program, returning Cannon back to radio syndication after a 2012 health-related withdrawal. This program is withdrawn by Skyview on July 16 after past anti-Semitic remarks attributed to Cannon surfaced, resulting in him taking an indefinite leave from radio. \|<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/182178/skyview-networks-to-launch-nick-cannon-into-daily-syndication/\|title=Skyview Networks To Launch Nick Cannon Into Daily Syndication\|last1=Venta\|first1=Lance\|work=Radio Insight\|date=December 4, 2019\|access-date=December 4, 2019}}</ref> \|- !March 25 \|[[Radio Quarantine]] is launched in [[Kolkata]], India,<ref>{{Cite news\|last=I. S.\|first=\|date=2020-04-17\|title=The coronavirus is bringing about a boom in new radio stations\|newspaper=[[The Economist]]\|url=https://www.economist.com/prospero/2020/04/17/the-coronavirus-is-bringing-about-a-boom-in-new-radio-stations\|access-date=2021-01-04\|issn=0013-0613}}</ref> by a group of teachers and students in response to social isolation protocols resulting from the outbreak of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] in West Bengal. \|<ref>{{Cite web\|last=Mukherjee\|first=Senjuti\|date=1 January 2021\|title=Echoes of Resistance: How Radio Quarantine builds solidarity in difficult times\|url=https://caravanmagazine.in/media/radio-quarantine-solidarity-difficult-times\|access-date=2021-01-04\|website=[[The Caravan]]\|language=en}}</ref> \|- !April 13 \|[[KRIX]]—[[Port Isabel, Texas]] launches with classic rock targeting the lower [[Rio Grande Valley (Texas)\|Rio Grande Valley]], which comes on the same day as rival [[KFRQ]]—[[Harlingen, Texas\|Harlingen]]’s shift to the aforementioned format from active rock just hours earlier. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/186106/second-classic-rocker-blasts-off-in-rio-grande-valley-today/ "Second Classic Rocker Blasts Off In Rio Grande Valley Today"] from Radio Insight (April 13, 2020)</ref> \|- !June 30 \|[[iHeartMedia]] launches the [[all-news radio\|all-news]] [[Black Information Network]], a "24-hour service dedicated to news coverage from a Black perspective." The new network consists of 15 affiliates in markets with a majority [[African Americans\|African American]] population. \|<ref>[https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/iheartmedia-bin-black-information-network-launch-1234694146/ iHeartMedia to Launch BIN: Black Information Network on Radio, Digital Channels] ''Variety'', June 30, 2020</ref> \|- !August 17 \|[[XEPRS-AM]]—[[Rosarito\|Playas de Rosarito]]/[[Tijuana\|Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico]], relaunches as English-language [[Sports radio\|sports]] "The Mightier 1090" following a week-long loop of a retrospective on the [[Border blaster\|border blaster's]] history. The relaunch, billed as "the first station [[Cloud computing\|in the cloud]], with no studios", comes after a five-year lease to program the station is established with [[Flagstaff, Arizona]] [[advertising executive]] Bill Hagan. XEPRS had been relaying [[KJAV]]—[[Alamo, Texas]] since April 10, 2019, after the collapse of prior station operator Broadcast Company of the Americas. \|<ref>{{cite news \|last=Venta \|first=Lance \|date=August 12, 2020 \|title=1090 XEPRS Begins Stunting In Preparation Of Mightier Launch \|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/195809/1090-xeprs-begins-stunting-in-preparation-of-mightier-launch/ \|access-date=August 17, 2020}}</ref> \|- !August 18 \|[[Apple Inc.]] rebrands [[Beats Electronics\|Beats]] 1 as [[Apple Music 1]] while launching [[Adult contemporary music\|AC]]-oriented Apple Music Hits and [[Country music\|country]]-oriented Apple Music Country. \|<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Apple Rebrands Beats 1; Launches Apple Music Hits & Apple Music Country \|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/196112/apple-rebrands-beats-1-launches-apple-music-hits-apple-music-country/ \|access-date=2022-05-10 \|website=RadioInsight \|language=en-US}}</ref> \|- !September 1 \|[[Hubbard Broadcasting]] launches PodMN, a [[podcast]] app devoted to Minnesota and Minneapolis-centered content. \|<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Hubbard Launches Minnesota Centric Podcast App \|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/196898/hubbard-launches-minnesota-centric-podcast-app/ \|access-date=2022-05-10 \|website=RadioInsight \|language=en-US}}</ref> \|} ==Endings== {\| class="wikitable" \|- ! width=100 \| Date ! Event ! Source \|- !January 16 \|Australian community radio station [[Stereo 974]], broadcasting to Melbourne since 1978, ceases broadcasting, possibly as a result of financial difficulties. \|<ref name="auto1"/> \|- !January 20 \|After 40 years as a part-timer, Migala Communications signs off [[brokered programming\|brokered]] ethnic station [[WCEV]]—[[Cicero, Illinois\|Cicero]]/[[Chicago]], which operated in a time-share (1–10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 1–8:30 p.m. Saturday and 5 a.m.–10 p.m. on Sundays) with Midway Broadcasting's Regional Mexican [[WRLL]]—Chicago. This arrangement had been in place since 1979, replacing WVON, which surrendered its license in 1975 when owner Globetrotter Broadcasting purchased [[WGRB\|WNUS]]/[[WGCI-FM\|WNUS-FM]]—Chicago from [[Gordon McLendon\|McClendon Broadcasting]]. Despite signing off, WRLL does not become a 24–hour operation until October 18, 2021, following the formal cancellation of WCEV's license on July 31, 2021. \|<ref name="auto2">{{cite web\|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/183125/half-of-chicago-am-time-share-to-sign-off/\|title=Half Of Chicago AM Time-Share To Sign-Off\|last1=Venta\|first1=Lance\|work=Radio Insight\|date=January 9, 2020\|access-date=January 9, 2020}} * {{cite news \|last1=Feder \|first1=Robert \|author1-link=Robert Feder \|date=October 15, 2021 \|title=Robservations: Melissa McGurren sues The Mix; fourth woman targets Eric Ferguson; Rick Party joins 104.3 JAMS \|work=robertfeder.com \|url=https://www.robertfeder.com/2021/10/15/robservations-melissa-mcgurren-sues-mix-fourth-woman-targets-eric-ferguson-rick-party-joins-104-3-jams/ \|access-date=October 15, 2021}}</ref> \|- !February 22 \|[[Active rock]] [[WKVB (FM)\|WAAF]]—[[Westborough, Massachusetts\|Westborough]]/[[Worcester, Massachusetts\|Worcester]]/[[Boston]] ends a nearly 50-year run as a rock outlet after being purchased by [[Educational Media Foundation]] for $10.75 million. Former air talent [[Gregg Hughes]] and [[Anthony Cumia]] (''[[Opie and Anthony]]''), [[Bob Rivers]], Peter Zipfel, [[Greg Hill (radio)\|Greg Hill]] and [[John Osterlind]] are on-air guests during the station's last day, along with [[Aerosmith]] drummer [[Tom Hamilton (musician)\|Tom Hamilton]]. During the final hour, the airstaff reveals that a format relaunch had been planned prior to the sale, including a new morning show; WAAF had been running music sweeps in morning drive after Greg Hill's transfer to [[WEEI-FM]] the previous July. EMF converts WAAF to [[K-Love]] WKVB, while [[Entercom]] transfers WAAF's format and brand to [[digital subchannels]] of WEEI-FM and [[WWBX]], and "[[Domain parking\|parks]]" the callsign on the former [[WAAF (AM)\|WBZU]] in [[Scranton, Pennsylvania]]. \| <ref name="ri-saletoemf">{{Cite news \|last=Venta \|first=Lance \|date=February 18, 2020 \|title=Entercom Sells WAAF Boston To Educational Media Foundation \|work=RadioInsight \|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/184545/entercom-sells-waaf-boston-to-educational-media-foundation/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=February 19, 2020 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218224743/https://radioinsight.com/headlines/184545/entercom-sells-waaf-boston-to-educational-media-foundation/ \|archive-date=February 18, 2020}} * {{Cite web \|last=Carter \|first=Kevin \|date=February 23, 2020 \|title=WAAF Rocks Off After 50 Years \|url=https://ramp247.com/formats/waaf-rocks-off-after-50-years/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225043746/https://ramp247.com/formats/waaf-rocks-off-after-50-years/ \|archive-date=February 25, 2020 \|access-date=February 25, 2020 \|website=RAMP - Radio and Music Pros \|language=en-US}} * {{Cite web \|last=Eagan \|first=Jennifer \|date=February 21, 2020 \|title=Inside rock station WAAF's final day on the Boston airwaves \|url=https://www.wcvb.com/article/inside-rock-station-waaf-s-final-day-on-the-boston-airwaves/31049854 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225043745/https://www.wcvb.com/article/inside-rock-station-waaf-s-final-day-on-the-boston-airwaves/31049854 \|archive-date=February 25, 2020 \|access-date=February 25, 2020 \|website=wcvb.com \|publisher=[[Hearst Television]] \|language=en}} * {{Cite web \|last=Venta \|first=Lance \|date=February 24, 2020 \|title=Did WAAF Have One More Life To Live? \|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/184670/did-waaf-have-one-more-life-to-live/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224154055/https://radioinsight.com/headlines/184670/did-waaf-have-one-more-life-to-live/ \|archive-date=February 24, 2020 \|access-date=February 24, 2020 \|website=RadioInsight \|language=en-US}} * {{Cite tweet\|number=1231313783131459585\|user=radioinsight\|title=In the final hour it was noted that WAAF was preparing for a major relaunch on March 2. A new morning show hosted by Mike Brangiforte was to debut as was a new local night show, while PD Joe Calgaro was to join Mike Hsu in afternoons while the music was "to take more chances".\|author=RadioInsight.com\|date=February 22, 2020\|url=https://twitter.com/radioinsight/status/1231313783131459585}}</ref> \|- !March 17 \|Entercom alternative [[KROQ-FM]]—[[Los Angeles]] cancels ''[[Kevin and Bean\|Kevin in the Morning]]'', ending a 31-year run for Kevin Ryder, who confirmed that he was fired on March 18, along with co-hosts Allie MacKay and Jensen Karp. Ryder’s former partner Gene ‘Bean’ Baxter left KROQ in November 2019 to move back to his native England after announcing his retirement from broadcasting. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/185333/kroq-cuts-kevin-in-the-morning-with-allie-jensen/ "KROQ Cuts Kevin In The Morning With Allie & Jensen"] from Radio Insight (March 18, 2020)</ref> \|-i !March 22 \|Fox Sports Radio affiliate [[WGL (AM)\|WGL]]—[[Fort Wayne, Indiana\|Ft. Wayne]] ceased operations, due to a lack of an FM translator and the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] that made it financially difficult to continue operations. WGL has since returned to the airwaves as an adult hits station. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/185650/wgl-shuts-down/ "WGL Shuts Down"] from Radio Insight (March 29, 2020)</ref> \|- !March 24 \|Religious outlets [[WPFR (AM)\|WPFR]] & [[WEHP (FM)\|WPFR-FM]]—[[Terre Haute, Indiana\|Terre Haute]] ceased operations, due to the passing of its owner in January. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/185515/wpfr-terre-haute-shuts-down/ "WPFR Terre Haute Shuts Down"] from Radio Insight (March 24, 2020)</ref> \|- !rowspan=2\|March 31 \|[[NBC Sports Radio]] ceased operations. \|<ref name="ri-ww1nonbcsr">{{cite news \|last1=Venta \|first1=Lance \|title=Westwood One To Cease Distribution Of NBC Sports Radio \|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/184960/westwood-one-to-cease-distribution-of-nbc-sports-radio/ \|access-date=March 5, 2020 \|work=RadioInsight \|date=March 5, 2020}}</ref> \|- \|Christian preaching outlet [[WHVN\|WHVN/W232BP]]—[[Charlotte, North Carolina\|Charlotte]] ceased operations, citing the 2014 passing of its owner and financial difficulties. The station’s 8.1-acre transmitter site was recently granted rezoning approval by the Charlotte city council to be developed with up to 12,500 square feet of medical office space and up to 25 residential units by Flagship Healthcare Properties. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/185693/whvn-to-go-to-heaven/ "WHVN To Go To Heaven"] from Radio Insight (March 30, 2020)</ref> \|- !April 3 \|[[CKOV-FM\|CKOO-FM]]—[[Kelowna, British Columbia]], signs off after ownership files for bankruptcy. After a contested sale in which competing owners allege the license was effectively surrendered (which the CRTC refutes) the station returns to the air one year later as CKOV-FM. \|<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Thiessen \|first=Connie \|date=2020-04-01 \|title=Kelowna's Soft 103.9 first Canadian radio casualty of COVID-19 \|url=https://broadcastdialogue.com/kelownas-soft-103-9-first-canadian-radio-casualty-of-covid-19/ \|access-date=2021-06-04 \|website=Broadcast Dialogue \|language=en-US}}</ref> \|- !April 10 \|Peter "Kane" Deibler was let go as host of the [[Premiere Networks]]-syndicated ''The Kane Show'' (based out of co-owned iHeartMedia’s [[WIHT]]—Washington, D.C.) after 15 years, and is rebranded as ''Your Morning Show'' effective April 13; sister station [[WFLZ-FM]]—Tampa dropped the revamped show the same day in favor of local content after negative feedback from listeners. His departure also ended his weekend Top 40/Dance program ''Club Kane'', whose social media accounts were eliminated and the list of affiliates removed; the final installment aired May 3 under temporary hosts (It was replaced by "The Vibe" with Tanya Radd & EJ on May 24). \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/186055/the-kane-show-becomes-your-morning-show-as-kane-exits/ "The Kane Show Becomes Your Morning Show As Kane Exits"] from Radio Insight (April 10, 2020)</ref> \|- !April 12 \|In separate moves, five AM radio stations ([[KZGD]], [[KCKX]], [[KNUI]], [[WZBO]] and [[WCNC (AM)\|WCNC]]) go silent, all citing financial hardships and fallout from the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. However, on July 6, 2020, KNUI returned to airwaves as a country station. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/186071/fcc-report-4-12-five-more-ams-go-silent-due-to-coronavirus/ FCC report 4/12: Five more AMs go silent due to coronavirus] from Radio Insight (April 12, 2020)</ref> \|- !April 30 \|[[WNPV]]—[[Lansdale, Pennsylvania]] ceased operations. The nonpolitical talk radio station with some [[hyperlocal]] content serving the [[North Penn Valley]] had struggled to maintain its audience and suffered from an ongoing industry-wide advertiser exodus away from talk radio. \|<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/184935/suburban-philadelphia-am-to-cease-operations/\|title=Suburban Philadelphia AM To Cease Operations\|date=March 4, 2020}}</ref> \|- !May 1 \|After 66 years, [[Guam]]’s first radio station, [[KICH (AM)\|KUAM]], ceased operations. The station’s Chamorro music and information format moved over to its online platform. \|<ref>[https://www.kuam.com/story/42023746/chamoru-radio-trailblazer-isla-63-am-to-cease-broadcasting-on-may-1 "Chamorro radio trailblazer Isla 63 AM to cease broadcasting on May 1"] from KUAM (Pacific Telestations) (April 21, 2020)</ref> \|- !May 5 \|[[DZMM-AM\|DZMM 630]] and [[DWRR-FM\|MOR 101.9 Manila]] are off the air due to [[ABS-CBN franchise renewal controversy\|cease-and-desist order]] of [[National Telecommunications Commission\|NTC]]. \|<ref name="rappler.com"/> \|- !June 13 \|[[American Public Media]] abruptly cancels ''[[Live from Here]]'', unceremoniously ending a 46-year streak for old-time radio revival programming on the network (including the show and its predecessors ''[[A Prairie Home Companion]]'' and ''The American Radio Company of the Air''). The cancellation is among several cuts at APM and parent organization [[Minnesota Public Radio]], which faced a "rapid loss of revenue" and diverted its remaining resources to news programming such as ''[[Marketplace (radio program)\|Marketplace]]''. \|<ref name="endofshow">{{cite news \|last1=Wyllie \|first1=Julian \|title=APM/MPR eliminates 28 positions, ends 'Live From Here' \|url=https://current.org/2020/06/apm-mpr-eliminates-28-positions-ends-live-from-here/ \|access-date=16 June 2020 \|work=Current}}</ref> \|- !June 27 \|''The [[Cigar Dave]] Show'' is withdrawn from syndication after 25 years. It will be replaced by two podcasts, one focusing exclusively on cigars and the other a general men's interest talk show. \|<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Cigar Dave Show To End Syndication After 25 Years \|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/188816/cigar-dave-show-to-end-syndication-after-25-years/ \|access-date=2022-05-03 \|website=RadioInsight \|language=en-US}}</ref> \|- !June 30 \|[[WLNZ]], the [[Lansing Community College]] radio station, ceased operations. It ceased original programming March 13 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. \|<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/189225/wlnz-lansing-to-cease-operations/\|title=College States WLNZ To Keep Operating Despite Complete Budget Elimination\|date=June 23, 2020}}</ref> \|- !July 12 \|Langer Broadcasting’s Boston outlets, Portuguese simulcasts [[WSRO\|WSRO/W271CU]] Ashland-Framingham and [[WGTX (AM)\|WBAS/W268CP]] West Yarmouth, and brokered mainstream urban [[WZBR\|WZBR/W251CR]] Dedham-Medford, sign off the air. The latter is continuing to operate as a webcaster. \|<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/191065/pair-of-boston-ams-shut-down/ "Pair Of Boston AMs Shut Down"] from Radio Insight (July 14, 2020)</ref> \|- !July 31 \|[[Mike Golic\|Mike Golic Sr.]] ended his 25-year run as [[ESPN Radio]]'s morning host. His hosting run spanned three co-hosts ([[Tony Bruno]], [[Mike Greenberg]] and [[Trey Wingo]]). \|<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/media/2020/07/31/espn-mike-golic-ends-22-year-run-morning-radio-show/5553798002/\|title=Mike Golic officially wraps up 22-year run on ESPN radio: 'Thank you all'\|first=Chris\|last=Bumbaca\|website=USA Today}}</ref> \|- !August 1 \|''[[Dick Clark's Rock, Roll & Remember\|Rock, Roll & Remember]]'' was withdrawn from syndication. The show had been in [[rerun]]s for 16 years, following host [[Dick Clark]]'s debilitating stroke and eventual 2012 death. \|<ref>https://zchannelradio.com/ " United Stations Network has informed us that his show is no longer available. Almost hate to pull his pic down. Have had lots of comments of sadness. Looks like a demographic thing." Retrieved October 4, 2020.</ref> \|- !August 9 \|[[Blair Garner]] involuntarily exited [[Nash FM]], ending a 27-year run in national syndication dating to his hosting of ''After Midnite''. Garner's cancellation comes amid cutbacks at [[Cumulus Media]]. \|<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/190808/westwood-one-cancels-the-blair-garner-show/\|title=Westwood One cancels The Blair Garner Show\|work=RadioInsight.com\|date=July 10, 2020\|access-date=July 12, 2020}}</ref> \|- !August 28 \|[[DWRR-FM\|MOR 101.9 Manila]] leaves the airwaves due to the [[House of Representatives of the Philippines]] [[Philippine House Committee on Legislative Franchises\|70-11 vote]] denying the franchise renewal for [[ABS-CBN]]. \|<ref name="morsignsoff">{{cite web\|url=https://mb.com.ph/2020/07/16/ces-drilon-among-abs-cbn-layoffs-mor-101-9-signs-off/\|title=Ces Drilon among ABS-CBN layoffs; MOR 101.9 signs off\|first=Gabriela\|last=Baron\|work=Manila Bulletin\|date=July 16, 2020\|access-date=July 17, 2020}} {{cite web \|title=MOR, tuluyan nang magsasara; DJ Chacha, naiyak\|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/07/16/20/mor-tuluyan-nang-magsasara-dj-chacha-naiyak\|access-date=July 16, 2020\|newspaper=ABS-CBN News\|date=July 16, 2020}}</ref> \|- !August 30 \|[[Westwood One News]] ceased operations, citing "extraordinary circumstances in the current marketplace." \|<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/190739/westwood-one-news-to-cease-operations/\|title=Westwood One News to cease operations\|work=Radio Insight\|date=July 9, 2020\|access-date=July 9, 2020}}</ref> \|- !September 26 \|''[[Only a Game]]'' ended production and syndication as part of a series of cuts to flagship station [[WBUR-FM]]. \|<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/189210/wbur-cuts-29-positions-cancels-only-a-game/\|title=WBUR Cuts 29 Positions; Cancels Only A Game\|date=June 17, 2020}}</ref> \|- !November 22 \|[[Mobile, Alabama]] radio station owner Buddy Tucker retires from broadcasting, taking both of his stations, [[WMOB]] and [[WTOF]], off the air. Tucker's age (over 90 years old) is the main reason for the stations being shut down. \|<ref name="wmobwtofoffair">{{cite web\|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/201586/pair-of-mobile-ams-to-cease-operations/\|title=Pair Of Mobile AMs To Cease Operations\|last=Venta\|first=Lance\|website=RadioInsight\|publisher=RadioBB Networks\|date=November 20, 2020\|access-date=November 20, 2020}}</ref> \|- ! December 29 \|[[DWDM-FM]] drops its Pinas FM brand and changes to a classic hits format, ending a nearly 10-year run of [[Original Pilipino Music\|original pilipino music]]. \| \|- !rowspan=4\|December 31 \|''[[The Savage Nation]]'' was withdrawn from terrestrial radio and continues solely as a [[podcast]], for reasons host [[Michael Savage (commentator)\|Michael Savage]] is [[gag order\|not legally allowed to discuss]]. As with the also recently cancelled Westwood One News and Blair Garner, Savage's podcast is distributed by [[Westwood One]], which also distributed the show. \|<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/198897/michael-savage-to-end-radio-show/\|title=Michael Savage To End Radio Show}}</ref> \|- \|[[Orion Samuelson]] ended his 60-year career in broadcasting. At the time of his retirement he hosted the agriculture-themed weekly ''Morning Show'' on [[WGN (AM)\|WGN]] and the daily short-form ''National Farm Report'' in syndication. \|<ref>{{Cite web\|last=Feder\|first=Robert\|title=Orion Samuelson to retire after 60 years at WGN Radio\|url=https://www.robertfeder.com/2020/09/23/orion-samuelson-retire-60-years-wgn-radio/\|access-date=2020-09-23\|website=www.robertfeder.com}}</ref> \|- \|Consumer advocate [[Clark Howard]] retired from his daily three-hour syndicated radio show, focusing more on his successful websites, though he continues to produce a short-form podcast and commentaries for home station [[WSB (AM)\|WSB]] and [[WSB-TV]]. \|<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.ajc.com/life/radiotvtalk-blog/exclusive-clark-howard-ending-his-syndicated-radio-show-after-23-years/2EYOSII6WNG5LK2PMLJR5GMLZ4/\|title=Clark Howard ending his syndicated radio show after 23 years\|last=Ho\|first=Rodney\|date=1 December 2020\|work=[[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]\|access-date=3 December 2020}}</ref> \|- \|[[DZIQ\|Radyo Inquirer 990]] leaves Pilipino airwaves due to a lack of funding. \| \|} ==Deaths== {\|class="wikitable" \|- " ! width=100 \| Date ! width=150\| Name \|\| Age \|\|class="unsortable" \|Nationality and notability \|\| class="unsortable" \| Source \|- !January 2 \|[[Marian Finucane]] \|69 \|Irish broadcaster (host of ''[[Liveline]]'' and ''[[The Marian Finucane Show]]'' on [[RTÉ Radio 1]]) \|<ref>[https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/tv-radio-web/rt%C3%A9-broadcaster-marian-finucane-dies-aged-69-1.4129034 RTE broadcaster Marian Finucane dies aged 69] ''Irish Times'', January 2, 2020</ref> \|- !rowspan=2\|January 7 \|[[Larry Gogan]] \|81 \|Irish disc jockey (host of ''The Golden Hour'' on [[RTÉ Gold]]). Also worked at [[RTÉ 2fm]]. \|<ref>[https://www.rte.ie/amp/1104730/ Veteran RTÉ broadcaster Larry Gogan dies] RTE, January 7, 2020</ref> \|- \|[[Stephen Clements]] \|47 \|Northern Irish presenter ([[BBC Radio Ulster]]) \|<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-51022614 Stephen Clements: BBC Radio Ulster presenter dies age 47] BBC Northern Ireland News, January 7, 2020</ref> \|- !rowspan=2\|January 10 \|[[Harold Burson]] \|98 \|American public relations executive and former reporter on [[American Forces Network]] during [[World War II]] and the [[Nuremberg trials]] \|<ref>[https://www.businessinsider.com/pr-industry-legend-harold-burson-has-died-at-age-98-2020-1 PR industry legend Harold Burson, who died at age 98, still worked 3 days a week until late 2019] ''Business Insider'', January 10, 2010</ref> \|- \|[[Wolfgang Dauner]] \|84 \|German jazz pianist and radio composer \|<ref name="Schleider">{{cite news\| last = Schleider\| first = Tim\| url = https://www.stuttgarter-zeitung.de/inhalt.stuttgarter-jazzlegende-wolfgang-dauer-ist.e9e2b13d-6267-4f87-b734-bffdc8449333.html\| title = Stuttgarter Jazzlegende / Wolfgang Dauner ist tot\| newspaper = [[Stuttgarter Zeitung]]\| date = 10 January 2020\| language = de\| access-date = 13 January 2020}}</ref> \|- !January 17 \|[[Grant Goldman]] \|69 \|Australian radio announcer ([[2GB]]) \|<ref>[https://www.wsfm.com.au/newsroom/radio-personality-grant-goldman-dies-aged-69/ Radio Personality Grant Goldman Dies Aged 69]{{Dead link\|date=January 2022 \|bot=InternetArchiveBot \|fix-attempted=yes }} WSFM, January 18, 2020</ref> \|- !January 19 \|[[Sunanda Patnaik]] \|85 \|Indian classical vocalist, began her career on [[All India Radio]] in Cuttack \|<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/gwalior-gharana-exponent-singer-sunanda-patnaik-dies-in-kolkata/articleshow/73393513.cms\|title=Gwalior gharana exponent, singer Sunanda Patnaik dies in Kolkata\|date=20 January 2020\|first=Minati\|last=Singha\|website=Times of India}}</ref> \|- !January 23 \|[[Calder Prescott]] \|88 \|New Zealand jazz musician and broadcaster ([[Otago Access Radio]]) \|<ref>[https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/death-beloved-musician Death of beloved musician] ''Otago Daily Times'', January 24, 2020</ref> \|- !rowspan=3\|January 28 \|[[Harry Harrison (DJ)\|Harry Harrison]] \|89 \|American disc jockey ([[WMCA (AM)\|WMCA]], [[WABC (AM)\|WABC]], [[WCBS-FM]]) \|<ref>[https://radioink.com/2020/01/28/the-great-harry-harrison-has-died/ The Great Harry Harrison Has Died] ''Radio Ink'', January 28, 2020</ref> \|- \|[[Bob Nave]] \|75 \|American musician ([[The Lemon Pipers]]) and broadcaster ([[WVXU]]) \|<ref>[https://www.citybeat.com/music/spill-it/blog/21112952/cincinnati-musicians-respond-to-the-death-of-bob-nave-veteran-rockblues-organist-and-dj Cincinnati Musicians Remember Bob Nave, Veteran Rock/Blues Organist and Local DJ] ''Citybeat'', January 29, 2020</ref> \|- \|[[Nicholas Parsons]] \|96 \|British actor and broadcaster (host of ''[[Just a Minute]]'' on [[BBC Radio 4]]) \|<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-11808907 Obituary: Nicholas Parsons] BBC, January 28, 2020</ref> \|- !rowspan=2\|January 31 \|[[Anne Cox Chambers]] \|100 \|American media proprietor ([[Cox Enterprises]]) \|<ref>[https://www.kiro7.com/news/trending/anne-cox-chambers-part-cox-family-dies-age-100/4VXHFTWJZZDSJAM5KWSRT6C77I/ Anne Cox Chambers, part of Cox family, dies at age 100] KIRO-TV, January 31, 2020</ref> \|- \|[[Mary Higgins Clark]] \| 92 \|American writer (radio work included ''Portrait of a Patriot'') \|<ref>{{cite news \|last1=NJ.com \|first1=Noah Cohen \| title=Mary Higgins Clark, bestselling mystery author who called N.J. home, dies at 92 \|url=https://www.nj.com/news/2020/02/mary-higgins-clark-bestselling-mystery-author-who-called-nj-home-dies-at-92.html \|access-date=1 February 2020 \|work=nj.com \|date=1 February 2020 \|language=en}}</ref> \|- !February 4 \|[[Ljiljana Petrović]] \|81 \|Serbian singer, former Eurovision contestant \|<ref>{{cite news\|url =https://wiwibloggs.com/2020/02/13/ljiljana-petrovic-yugoslavias-first-eurovision-singer-dies-aged-81/249400/\|website=Wiwibloggs\|date = 13 February 2020\|access-date = 17 February 2020\|title = In memoriam: Ljiljana Petrovic — Yugoslavia's first Eurovision participant — dies aged 81\|last = Wilson\|first = Katie}}</ref> \|- !February 5 \|[[Kirk Douglas]] \|103 \|American actor (radio appearances on ''[[Suspense (radio drama)\|Suspense]]'', ''[[Lux Radio Theatre]]'' and ''[[Screen Directors Playhouse]]'') \|<ref>{{cite news\|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/05/obituaries/kirk-douglas-dead.html\|work = [[The New York Times]]\|date = February 5, 2020\|access-date = February 5, 2020\|title = Kirk Douglas, a Star of Hollywood's Golden Age, Dies at 103\|last = Berkvist\|first = Robert}}</ref> \|- !February 7 \|[[Bal Kudtarkar]] \|98 \|Indian radio personality \|<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://maharashtratimes.indiatimes.com/maharashtra/pune-news/bal-kudartkar-dies/articleshow/74014770.cms\|title=बाळ कुडतरकर यांचे निधन\|website=Maharashtra Times}}</ref> \|- !February 8 \|[[Robert Conrad]] \|84 \|American actor and radio host (was with [[CRN Digital Talk Radio Networks\|Cable Radio Network]] from 2008 to 2019) \|<ref>{{cite news\|url = https://deadline.com/2020/02/robert-conrad-dies-star-of-the-wild-wild-west-was-84-1202854756/\|title = Robert Conrad Dies: Star Of 'The Wild Wild West' Was 84\|last = Haring\|first = Bruce\|date = February 8, 2020\|access-date = February 8, 2020\|work = [[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref> \|- !February 14 \|[[Reinbert de Leeuw]] \|81 \|Dutch composer, pianist and conductor (Dutch Public Radio) \|<ref>{{cite news\|url =https://www.gramophone.co.uk/classical-music-news/article/composer-conductor-and-pianist-reinbert-de-leeuw-has-died\|title =Composer, conductor and pianist Reinbert de Leeuw has died\|website=Gramophone\|date =February 17, 2020}}</ref> \|- !February 23 \|[[Zoran Modli]] \|71 \|Serbian aviator, journalist and radio disc jockey, host of ''[[Modulacije]]'' \|<ref>{{cite news\|url =https://rs.n1info.com/Vesti/a571869/Preminuo-Zoran-Modli.html\|title =Preminuo Zoran Modli\|website =N1\|date =February 23, 2020\|language =sr\|access-date =February 23, 2020\|archive-date =February 27, 2020\|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20200227133420/http://rs.n1info.com/Vesti/a571869/Preminuo-Zoran-Modli.html\|url-status =dead}}</ref> \|- !February 26 \|[[Lionel D]] \|61 \|French radio host and rapper \|<ref>{{cite news\|url =https://hiphopcorner.fr/rap-francais/lionel-d-pionnier-hip-hop-france-mort\|title=Lionel D, pionnier du hip-hop en France est décédé\|website=Hip Hop Corner\|date =February 26, 2020\|language=fr}}</ref> \|- !March 12 \|[[Pete Mitchell (broadcaster)\|Pete Mitchell]] \|61 \|English radio DJ and presenter ([[BBC Radio 2]], [[Virgin Radio]]) \|<ref>[https://radiotoday.co.uk/2020/03/virgin-radio-presenter-pete-mitchell-has-died/ Virgin Radio presenter Pete Mitchell has died] ''Radio Today'', March 13, 2020</ref> \|- !rowspan=2\|March 28 \|[[Kerstin Behrendtz]] \|69 \|Swedish radio presenter \|<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.gp.se/1.26094733\|title=Radiolegendaren Kerstin Behrendtz har avlidit i corona\|first=Johan\|last=Lindqvist\|date=28 March 2020\|website=gp.se\|access-date=28 March 2020}}</ref> \|- \|[[Jan Howard]] \|91 \|American country singer and songwriter (member of the ''[[Grand Ole Opry]]'') \|<ref>{{cite web \|last1=Paulson \|first1=Dave \|title=Jan Howard, Opry member and country star, dies at 91 \|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/03/28/jan-howard-opry-member-and-country-star-dies-91/2934701001/ \|website=[[The Tennessean]] \|access-date=March 29, 2020}}</ref> \|- !rowspan=2\|March 29 \|[[Joe Diffie]] \|61 \|American country singer and radio host (aired a daily show on [[KXBL]] from 1997 until his death, member of the ''[[Grand Ole Opry]]'') \|<ref>{{cite magazine \|last1=Betts \|first1=Stephen L.\|title=Joe Diffie, Nineties Country's 'Pickup Man,' Dead at 61 From Coronavirus \|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/joe-diffie-country-singer-dead-obituary-974556/ \|magazine=Rolling Stone \|date=March 29, 2020\|access-date=March 29, 2020}}</ref> \|- \|[[Manuel Adolfo Varas]] \|76 \|Ecuadorian radio journalist, founder of Radio Caravana 750 AM \|<ref>{{cite news \|title=Periodismo de luto: fallece el abogado Manuel Adolfo Varas \|url=https://www.lahora.com.ec/noticia/1102314195/periodismo-de-luto-fallece-el-abogado-manuel-adolfo-varas \|work=[[La Hora]] \|date=2020-03-30 \|access-date=2020-04-06 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331155441/https://lahora.com.ec/noticia/1102314195/periodismo-de-luto-fallece-el-abogado-manuel-adolfo-varas \|archive-date=2020-03-31 \|url-status=live}}</ref> \|- !April 5 \|[[Peter Walker (cricketer, born 1936)\|Peter Walker]] \|84 \|English cricket commentator and presenter \|<ref>{{cite news\|title=Obituary: Glamorgan and England cricketer Peter Walker\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/25748988\|work=BBC Sport\|publisher=BBC\|date=6 April 2020}}</ref> \|- !April 15 \|[[Willie Davis (defensive end)\|Willie Davis]] \|85 \|American football player ([[Green Bay Packers]]) and broadcaster (founder of All Pro Broadcasting, the parent company of [[WZTI]]/[[WLUM-FM]]—Milwaukee and [[KHTI]]—Riverside-San Bernardino; former owner of [[KRCD (FM)\|KACE]]—Los Angeles and [[KKSE-FM\|KZDG]]—Denver) \|<ref>[https://www.packers.com/news/statement-from-the-family-of-willie-davis "Statement from the family of Willie Davis"] from [[Green Bay Packers]] (April 15, 2020)</ref> \|- !rowspan=2\|April 17 \|[[Robin Seymour (DJ)\|Robin Seymour]] \|94 \|American DJ at [[CKLW]]—[[Windsor, Ontario]], [[WDTW (AM)\|WKNR]]—Detroit, and [[American Forces Network]] \|<ref>[https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2020/04/17/detroit-radio-tv-personality-robin-seymour-dies-at-94/ Detroit radio, TV personality Robin Seymour dies at 94] WDIV, April 17, 2020</ref> \|- \|[[Gene Shay]] \|85 \|American DJ at [[Philadelphia]] stations [[WXPN]], [[WDAS-FM]], [[WMMR]], [[WIOQ]] and [[WHYY-FM]] \|<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.inquirer.com/obituaries/gene-shay-dead-coronavirus-dj-philadlephia-folk-festival-20200418.html\|title=Gene Shay, legendary Philly DJ and Folk Festival host, has died at 85 of the coronavirus\|first=Dan\|last=DeLuca\|website=Inquirer.com}}</ref> \|- !rowspan=2\|April 20 \|[[Ronan O'Rahilly]] \|79 \|Irish-born media entrepreneur ([[Radio Caroline]]) \|<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://radiotoday.ie/2020/04/radio-caroline-founder-ronan-orahilly-has-died/\|title=Radio Caroline founder Ronan O'Rahilly has died\|work=Radio Today\|date=2020-04-20\|access-date=2020-04-20}}</ref> \|- \|Mike Elliott \|82 \|American air personality, program, and music director at [[WTMJ (AM)\|WTMJ]]—Milwaukee from 1973 to 1985. \|<ref>[https://wtmj.com/news/2020/04/20/mike-elliot-former-wtmj-personality-passes-away/ "Mike Elliott, former WTMJ personality, passes away"] from [[WTMJ (AM)]] Milwaukee (April 20, 2020)</ref> \|- !rowspan=3\|April 21 \|Mike Anderson \|67 \|American anchorman, reporter, and commentator, began radio career in [[Birmingham, Alabama\|Birmingham]] \|<ref>[https://www.wisn.com/article/veteran-wisn-12-journalist-mike-anderson-passes-away/32223015 "Veteran WISN 12 journalist Mike Anderson passes away"] from [[WISN-TV]] [[Milwaukee]] ([[Hearst Television]]) (April 21, 2020)</ref> \|- \|Darrin Arriens \|{{N/A}} \|American DJ, MD, programmer, and executive ([[WLNK]]—Charlotte, [[KSKS]]—Fresno, [[WGYL]]—West Palm Beach, [[KKMG]] and [[KKFM]]—Colorado Springs, [[KHYT]]—Tucson, [[WKLQ (FM)\|WKLQ]]—Grand Rapids, [[WJIM-FM]]—Lansing, [[WRIF]]—Detroit, and [[WHQG\|WLZR-FM]]—Milwaukee) \|<ref>[https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/195784/entercom-charlotte-wlnk-pd-dir-operations-darrin-a "Entercom/Charlotte WLNK PD & Dir./Operations Darrin Arriens Has Passed On Due To Complications From COVID-19"] from All Access (April 21, 2020)</ref> \|- \|[[Jerry Bishop]] \|84 \|American radio host at [[Los Angeles]] stations [[KLAC]], [[KFI]] and [[KIIS-FM]], [[San Diego]] station [[KCBQ]], and [[Hartford, Connecticut\|Hartford]] station [[WDRC (AM)\|WDRC]] \|<ref>[https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/jerry-bishop-judge-judy-announcer-dead-84-los-angeles-radio-1234589597/ Jerry Bishop, ‘Judge Judy’ Announcer and Los Angeles Radio Veteran, Dies at 84] ''Variety'', April 24, 2020</ref> \|- !May 6 \|[[Barry Farber]] \|90 \|American author and conservative talk show host ([[WINS (AM)\|WINS]], [[WOR (AM)\|WOR]] and [[WMCA (AM)\|WMCA]] New York) \|<ref name=nytref1>{{Cite news\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/07/business/media/barry-farber-dead.html\|title=Barry Farber, Perennial Talk Radio Host, Dies at 90\|newspaper=The New York Times\|date=7 May 2020\|last1=Roberts\|first1=Sam}}</ref> \|- !May 15 \|Nancy Froelich \|{{N/A}} \|American radio personality, programmer, and media journalist, known on air as "Kandy Klutch" ([[WIOQ]]—Philadelphia, [[KSLZ]] and KHTK—St. Louis, [[WLUM-FM]]—Milwaukee, [[WKSS]]—Hartford, [[SiriusXM]], ''All Access Music Group'') \|<ref>[https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/columns/joe-holleman/former-stl-deejay-kandy-klutch-has-died/article_5579390c-72d8-5205-8c11-820d98de1c9d.html "Former STL deejay 'Kandy Klutch' has died"] from St. Louis Post Dispatch (May 19, 2020)</ref> \|- !May 18 \|Willard Parr \|94 \|American newscaster at [[WSRW (AM)\|WSRW]]—[[Hillsboro, Ohio]], from the station's 1956 launch until his retirement in 2018. \|<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Ryan \|first=Rory \|date=May 19, 2020 \|title=Community mourns the loss of radio Hall of Famer Willard Parr \|url=https://highlandcountypress.com/Content/In-The-News/In-The-News/Article/Community-mourns-the-loss-of-radio-Hall-of-Famer-Willard-Parr/2/20/57424 \|access-date=May 3, 2022 \|website=The Highland County Press \|language=en-us \|archive-date=August 17, 2020 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817152422/https://highlandcountypress.com/Content/In-The-News/In-The-News/Article/Community-mourns-the-loss-of-radio-Hall-of-Famer-Willard-Parr/2/20/57424 \|url-status=dead }}</ref> \|- !June 3 \|[[Jimmy Capps (musician)\|Jimmy Capps]] \|81 \|American country musician, member of the ''[[Grand Ole Opry]]'' house band, [[The Nashville A-Team]] and [[The Wilburn Brothers]] \|<ref>Kaufman, Gil (June 3, 2020). [https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/obituary/9395779/jimmy-capps-dies-81-obituary Nashville Session Legend, Grand Ole Opry Guitarist Jimmy Capps Dies at 81]. ''Billboard''. Retrieved June 6, 2020.</ref> \|- !June 10 \|Tyra Womack \|57 \|On-air personality at [[WEAA]]—[[Baltimore, Maryland\|Baltimore]] \|<ref>[https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/crime/bs-md-ci-cr-weaa-announcer-killed-20200611-4rodpqwsdrayvdn44vcdgqci7m-story.html "WEAA ‘Gospel Grace’ announcer shot and killed outside her Northeast Baltimore home, police say"] from Baltimore Sun (June 11, 2020)</ref> \|- !June 17 \|[[Dan Foster (DJ)\|Dan Foster]] \|61 \|American DJ who worked at U.S. stations [[Urban One]], [[WWMX]]—[[Baltimore]], [[WTBN]]—[[Pinellas Park, Florida]], as well as Nigerian stations [[Cool FM Nigeria\|Cool FM]] and Classic FM 97.3 \|<ref>[https://newtelegraphng.com/prominent-broadcaster-dan-foster-dies/ Prominent broadcaster, Dan Foster, dies] ''New Telegraph'', June 18, 2020</ref> \|- !June 26 \|[[Arnie Ginsburg]] \|93 \|American DJ and executive in the [[Boston]] market \|<ref>[https://www.bostonherald.com/2020/06/27/boston-radio-legend-arnie-woo-woo-ginsburg-dead-at-93/ Boston radio legend Arnie ‘Woo Woo’ Ginsburg dead at 93] ''Boston Herald'', June 27, 2020</ref> \|- !July 5 \|[[Brad Pye Jr.]] \|89 \|American sports journalist and broadcaster at [[Los Angeles]] stations [[KJLH]], [[KDAY]], [[KRCD (FM)\|KRCD]], and [[KYPA]] \|<ref>[https://lasentinel.net/brad-pye-jr-trailblazing-sports-writer-and-broadcaster-passes-away.html Brad Pye Jr., Trailblazing Sports Writer and Broadcaster, Passes Away] ''Los Angeles Sentinel'', July 5, 2020</ref> \|- !July 6 \|[[Charlie Daniels]] \|83 \|American musician, eponymous founder of the Charlie Daniels Band (member of the ''[[Grand Ole Opry]]'') \|<ref>{{cite web \|last1=Bogard \|first1=Catlin \|title=Country music and southern rock legend Charlie Daniels dies at 83 \|url=https://www.newschannel5.com/news/country-music-and-southern-rock-legend-charlie-daniels-dies-at-83 \|website=WTVF \|access-date=July 6, 2020 \|language=en \|date=July 6, 2020}}; {{cite web\|publisher=Associated Press\|title=Country rocker and fiddler Charlie Daniels dies at age 83\|date=July 6, 2020\|access-date=July 6, 2020\|first= Kristin M.\|last= Hall\|language=en\|url=https://apnews.com/aaaecdb9fbedf226121d25c09f25d0a7}}</ref> \|- !July 9 \|[[Jay Severin]] \|69 \|American radio talk show host ([[WOR (AM)\|WOR]], [[WBQT (FM)\|WTKK]], and [[Blaze Media]]) and political consultant \|{{citation needed\|date=August 2022}} \|- !July 10 \|[[Steve Sutherland (DJ)\|Steve Sutherland]] \|{{N/A}} \| British disc jockey ([[Capital Xtra\|Choice FM]], [[Galaxy (radio network)\|Galaxy FM]]) \|<ref>{{cite web \|title=Influential DJ Steve Sutherland has died \|url=https://djmag.com/news/influential-dj-steve-sutherland-has-died \|website=DJ Mag \|access-date=17 February 2021 \|date=13 July 2020}}</ref> \|- !July 18 \|[[Martha Flores]] \|91 \|Cuban radio host on [[Miami]] stations [[WQBA]], [[WMIE-FM]], and [[WAQI]] \|<ref>[https://www.wlrn.org/post/martha-flores-cuban-radio-pioneer-dies-92#stream/0 Martha Flores, Cuban Radio Pioneer, Dies At 92] WLRN, July 19, 2020</ref> \|- !July 20 \|[[Michael Brooks (political commentator)\|Michael Brooks]] \|36 \|American political commentator and co-host of ''[[The Majority Report with Sam Seder]]'' on [[Air America (radio network)\|Air America Radio]] \|<ref>[https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/michael-brooks-dead-dies-political-commentator-majority-report-1234712010/ Michael Brooks, Political Commentator and Podcast Host, Dies at 36] ''Variety'', July 20, 2020</ref> \|- !July 22 \|[[Charles Evers]] \|97 \|American civil rights activist, politician, radio DJ ([[WHOC]]—[[Philadelphia, Mississippi]]) and host of ''Lets Talk'' \|<ref>[https://yallpolitics.com/2020/07/22/civil-rights-leader-and-political-figure-charles-evers-passes-away-at-97/ Civil rights leader and political figure Charles Evers passes away at 97] {{Webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723195149/https://yallpolitics.com/2020/07/22/civil-rights-leader-and-political-figure-charles-evers-passes-away-at-97/ \|date=2020-07-23 }} ''Y'all Politics'', July 22, 2020</ref> \|- !July 26 \|[[Chris Needs]] \|68 \|Welsh radio DJ ([[BBC Radio Cymru]]) \|<ref>[https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/chris-needs-bbc-radio-died-18667664 Legendary BBC Radio Wales DJ Chris Needs has died] BBC, July 27, 2020</ref> \|- !July 30 \|[[Herman Cain]] \|74 \|American businessman, 2012 presidential candidate and talk radio host \|<ref name="caindies">{{Cite web\|last=Beer\|first=Tommy\|title=Former Presidential Candidate Herman Cain Dies From Coronavirus At 74\|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/tommybeer/2020/07/30/former-presidential-candidate-herman-cain-dies-from-coronavirus-at-74/\|access-date=2020-07-30\|website=Forbes\|language=en}}</ref> \|- !July 31 \|[[Bill Mack (songwriter)\|Bill Mack]] \|88 \|American country music songwriter and radio disc jockey, founder of the ''[[Red Eye Radio\|Midnight Cowboy Trucking Show]]'' ([[WBAP (AM)\|WBAP]], [[Road Dog Trucking]]) \|<ref>[https://www.wbap.com/2020/07/31/former-wbap-country-cowboy-bill-mack-dead-at-88/ Former WBAP Country Cowboy, Bill Mack, Dead at 88] WBAP, July 31, 2020</ref> \|- !August 1 \|Jamie Samuelsen \|48 \|American sports talk show host on [[WXYT-FM]]—Detroit \|<ref>[https://www.wxyz.com/sports/longtime-detroit-broadcaster-jamie-samuelsen-passes-away-at-48 Longtime Detroit broadcaster Jamie Samuelsen passes away at 48] WXYZ-TV, August 1, 2020</ref> \|- !August 3 \|[[Ralph Barbieri]] \|74 \|American sports talk show host on [[KNBR (AM)\|KNBR]]—San Francisco \|<ref>[https://www.timesheraldonline.com/2020/08/03/ralph-barbieri-bay-area-radio-legend-dies-at-74/ Ralph Barbieri, Bay Area radio legend, dead at 74] ''Vallejo Times-Herald'', August 3, 2020</ref> \|- !August 4 \|[[Pat O'Day]] \|85 \|American radio broadcaster ([[KJR (AM)\|KJR]], [[KJAQ\|KYYX]]) and station owner, most active in the [[Seattle, Washington]] area. \|<ref>Lacitis, Erik (August 6, 2020). [https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/obituaries/pat-oday-when-at-kjr-creator-of-the-greatest-rock-n-roll-radio-station-in-the-northwest-dies-at-85/ Pat O’Day, when at KJR, ‘creator of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll radio station in the Northwest,’ dies at 85]. ''Seattle Times''. Retrieved August 6, 2020.</ref> \|- !August 10 \|[[Neil Ocampo]] \|62 \|Broadcast Journalist of [[DZMM]], [[DWFM]], [[DZRH-AM\|DZRH]], [[DZRJ-AM\|DZRJ]], and [[DZXL]]. \|<ref>{{cite news \|title=Radio Broadcaster, Neil Ocampo Has Passed Away \|url=https://www.latestnewssouthafrica.com/2020/08/11/radio-broadcaster-neil-ocampo-has-passed-away/?fbclid=IwAR0jBhdEw7p8MWU5TCz27UNzr1WlxuDJG49wZ3RqbbxwlUCxlyyaeDuXQNY \|publisher=Latest News South Africa \|date=August 11, 2020}} {{cite news \|title=Veteran broadcaster Neil Ocampo passes away \|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/11/20/veteran-broadcaster-neil-ocampo-passes-away?fbclid=IwAR1yllOLHQ8kSTjSbw_kMh5CFsVg_b8hnbQGKLyfJZ_te2gplIkH3TrlTYo \|publisher=ABS-CBN News \|date=August 11, 2020}} * {{cite news \|title=Veteran radio broadcaster Neil Ocampo passes away at 62 \|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/metro/750839/veteran-radio-broadcaster-neil-ocampo-passes-away-at-62/story/?fbclid=IwAR0Xg7SE7U2p1B2fLl_hWIi_adg0ujO9PtrWhZN8rmYq1-iSv1lmtm3cgLI \|publisher=GMA News \|date=August 11, 2020}}</ref> \|- !August 14 \|[[Sonny Fox (XM Radio)\|Sonny Fox]] \|73 \|American disc jockey ([[Sirius XM]], [[WKIS]], [[WBMX (FM)\|WJMK]]) \|<ref>[https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/obituaries/article244983440.html Sonny Fox, who was ‘Sonny in the Morning’ for decades of Miami radio fans, dies at 73] ''Miami Herald'', August 15, 2020</ref> \|- !August 22 \|Richard Cartridge \|72 \|British radio host ([[BBC Radio Solent]], [[Classic FM (UK)\|Classic FM]]) \|<ref>[https://radiotoday.co.uk/2020/08/tributes-paid-to-bbc-radio-solents-richard-cartridge/ Tributes paid to BBC Radio Solent’s Richard Cartridge] ''Radio Today'', August 22, 2020</ref> \|- !September 4 \|[[Lloyd Cadena]] \|26 \|Filipino Disc Jockey of [[DZMB]] \|<ref name=cnnphcadena>{{cite news \|title=Filipino vlogger Lloyd Cadena dies at 26 \|url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/entertainment/2020/9/4/Vlogger-Lloyd-Cadena-dies.html \|access-date=September 5, 2020 \|publisher=CNN Philippines \|archive-date=September 6, 2020 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200906184908/https://www.cnnphilippines.com/entertainment/2020/9/4/Vlogger-Lloyd-Cadena-dies.html \|url-status=dead }} * {{cite news\|date=September 4, 2020\|title=Vlogger Lloyd Cadena dies at 26\|work=[[Rappler]]\|url=https://rappler.com/entertainment/celebrities/vlogger-lloyd-cadena-dies-at-26\|access-date=September 4, 2020}} * {{Cite web\|title=YouTube star Lloyd Cadena, 26, had a heart attack after testing positive for COVID-19\|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/youtube-star-lloyd-cadena-s-family-reveals-his-cause-death-t191219\|access-date=2020-09-10\|website=TODAY.com\|language=en}} * {{cite news \| url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/trending/09/06/20/family-reveals-more-details-about-lloyd-cadenas-death \| title=Family reveals more details about Lloyd Cadena's death \| date=September 6, 2020 \| publisher=ABS-CBN News \| access-date=September 6, 2020 }}</ref> \|- !September 19 \|Jay Pérez \|50 \|Puerto Rican voice-over artist and Disc Jockey of [[Cadena Salsoul]] \|<ref>{{Cite web \|date=September 20, 2020 \|title=Fallece una de las voces de Wapa \|url=https://www.primerahora.com/entretenimiento/farandula/notas/fallece-una-de-las-voces-de-wapa/ \|access-date=May 3, 2022 \|website=[[Primera Hora (Puerto Rico)\|Primera Hora]] \|language=spanish}}</ref> \|- !October 18 \|[[Sid Hartman]] \|100 \|American sportscaster at [[WCCO (AM)\|WCCO]]—Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota for 65 years \|<ref>[https://www.startribune.com/sid-hartman-star-tribune-legendary-columnist-dies-at-100/572788662/ Star Tribune sports columnist Sid Hartman dies at age 100] Minneapolis Star Tribune, October 19, 2020</ref> \|- !October 26 \|Tony Wyn Jones \|77 \|Welsh disc jockey ([[BBC Radio One]]) \|<ref>[https://metro.co.uk/2020/10/27/former-bbc-radio-one-dj-tony-wyn-jones-dies-aged-77-13489532/ Former BBC Radio One DJ Tony Wyn Jones dies aged 77] ''Metro'', October 27, 2020</ref> \|- !November 8 \|[[Alex Trebek]] \|80 \|Canadian-American broadcaster ([[CBC Radio]], 1961–72) \|<ref name=":0">{{Cite web\|last=Flanagan\|first=Ryan\|date=November 8, 2020\|title=Alex Trebek has died at age 80\|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/alex-trebek-has-died-at-age-80-1.5179975\|access-date=November 8, 2020\|website=[[CTV News]]\|language=en\|archive-date=November 8, 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108182106/https://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/alex-trebek-has-died-at-age-80-1.5179975\|url-status=live}}</ref> \|- !November 10 \|Chris Sullivan \|46 \|American producer, remixer and disc jockey better known as [[DJ Spinbad]]. Worked at [[WHTZ]]—New York City. \|<ref>[https://www.nydailynews.com/snyde/ny-dj-spinbad-46-dead-20201111-6wa6hi2rcjbmbk6ujoaqzstcwu-story.html DJ Spinbad, prominent artist from New York, dead at 46] ''New York Daily News'', November 11, 2020</ref> \|- !November 20 \|Ricky Velasco \|61 \|Former [[DZMM]] Reporter \|<ref>[https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1363944/former-abs-cbn-sky-patrol-ricky-velasco-passes-away Former ABS-CBN ‘Sky Patrol’ Ricky Velasco passes away] ''Inquirer'', November 23, 2020</ref> \|- !November 24 \|[[Hal Ketchum]] \|67 \|American country musician (member of the ''[[Grand Ole Opry]]'') \|<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://heavy.com/entertainment/hal-ketchum-dead/\|title=Hal Ketchum Dead: Country Singing Icon Dies at 67 After Battle With Dementia\|last=Farrell\|first=Paul\|date=November 24, 2020\|access-date=November 24, 2020\|work=Heavy.com}}</ref> \|- !December 2 \|[[Walter E. Williams]] \|86 \|American economist and frequent guest host of ''[[The Rush Limbaugh Show]]'' \|<ref name="Boudreaux">{{cite web\|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/walter-williams-r-i-p-11606934313?mod=searchresults_pos1&page=1\|title= Walter Williams, R.I.P. \|last=Boudreaux\|first=Donald J.\|work=The Wall Street Journal\|date=December 2, 2020}}</ref> \|- !December 12 \|[[Charley Pride]] \|86 \|American baseball player and country musician, first black singer to become a member of the ''Grand Ole Opry'' \|<ref>{{Cite magazine\|last1=Hudak\|first1=Joseph\|date=December 12, 2020\|title=Charley Pride, Pioneering Black Country Singer, Dead at 86\|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/charley-pride-dead-obit-192455/\|access-date=December 13, 2020\|magazine=Rolling Stone\|language=en-US\|archive-date=December 13, 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201213034946/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/charley-pride-dead-obit-192455/\|url-status=live}}</ref> \|} ==See also== *[[2020 in British radio]] ==References== {{reflist}} [[Category:2020 in radio\| ]] [[Category:Radio by year]] [[Category:~~2020\|radio~~Mass media timelines by year]] ~~[[Category:Media timelines by year]]~~