Radio One to Launch Full Service News Station in Houston

HOUSTON, Oct. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Radio One Regional Vice-President Doug Abernethy announced today that KROI-FM/Houston (92.1 FM) will begin its programming as a full service news station the week of November 14, 2011.  Using the on air moniker "News 92 FM," this 24 hour news and information station will be fortified by the world wide resources of ABC News Radio and Associated Press Platinum and will be populated with the voices of some of Houston's most well known and award-winning radio and television personalities.  

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The morning news will be anchored by Texas Radio Hall of Fame honorees J.P. Pritchard and Lana Hughes, who served the Houston market as a broadcast duo for over 27 years.  Additional duties throughout the day will be handled by other local notables including (listed alphabetically) Mike Barajas, Scott Braddock, Carolyn Campbell, Kevin Charles, Brent Clanton, Lanny Griffith, Laurie Kendrick, Martha Martinez, Bonnie Petrie, Matt Sampsell, Pattie Shieh, Meteorologist Dr. Joe Sobel, Craig Roberts, and Jorge Vargas.

"Our review of Houston's broadcast landscape told us that those listeners interested in local news as well as national news were being poorly served," says Abernethy, "so we decided to make a commitment to delivering the news in a dependable fashion. People want to hear about news as it happens, and they shouldn't have to wait until their radio station 'catches up'.  We'll deliver the news as it unfolds."

Ed Shane, founder and president of the Houston-based Shane Media Services, is serving as Project Manager on the format flip from gospel music to all news and predicts that Houstonians will find much to like about News 92 FM.

"We're going to give people the facts without the biased opinions that dominate so-called news stations," offers Shane.  "We've assembled an A-list of broadcast journalists whose mission is to report the news and let people make up their own minds." 

Shane says that the programming team, led by veteran news director Denise Bishop, will deliver an appealing blend of local, regional and national news along with topical information and the traffic and weather updates that are essential to Houston listeners.

Barry Mayo, President of the radio division for Radio One agrees. "The change that we announced today is a ground-breaking and necessary addition to the choices available to the residents of the Houston metro area," said Mayo.  "The ability to realize a need and then take the appropriate action to satisfy it is what has sustained the popularity of our Houston radio stations."

The station will broadcast from recently expanded studios in the Radio One broadcast center that currently houses market leaders Majic 102 (KMJQ-FM) and 97.9 The Box (KBXX-FM). KROI-FM's current programming, Praise 92.1 will moved to Majic 102's HD channel and will stream online at www.PraiseHouston.com.

Cautionary Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements represent management's current expectations and are based upon information available to the Company at the time of this press release. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company's control, that may cause the actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are described in the Company's reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q/A and 10-Q and other filings with the SEC.

Radio One, Inc. (http://www.radio-one.com/) is a diversified media company that primarily targets African-American and urban consumers. The Company is one of the nation's largest radio broadcasting companies, currently owning or operating 53 broadcast stations located in 15 urban markets in the United States. As a part of its core broadcasting business, Radio One operates syndicated programming including the Russ Parr Morning Show, the Yolanda Adams Morning Show, the Rickey Smiley Morning Show, CoCo Brother Live, CoCo Brother's "Spirit" program, Bishop T.D. Jakes' "Empowering Moments", the Reverend Al Sharpton Show, and the Warren Ballentine Show. The Company also owns a controlling interest in Reach Media, Inc. (http://www.blackamericaweb.com/), owner of the Tom Joyner Morning Show and other businesses associated with Tom Joyner. Beyond its core radio broadcasting business, Radio One owns Interactive One (http://www.interactiveone.com/), an online platform serving the African-American community through social content, news, information, and entertainment, which operates a number of branded sites, including News One, UrbanDaily, HelloBeautiful, Community Connect Inc. (http://www.communityconnect.com/), an online social networking company, which operates a number of branded websites, including BlackPlanet, MiGente, and Asian Avenue. In addition, the Company owns a controlling interest in TV One, LLC (http://www.tvoneonline.com/), a cable/satellite network programming primarily to African-Americans.

SOURCE Radio One