The recently launched Black Information Network (BIN) is expanding to four more markets, thanks to three local marketing agreements and one station purchase made by parent iHeartMedia. BIN, which provides 24/7 news coverage with a Black voice and perspective, will be heard starting today (Aug. 31) on WUST (1120) Washington, DC, WQLL (1370) Baltimore, and WTEL (610) Philadelphia. It will add an affiliate in Montgomery via the Montgomery-licensed translator W257DS at 99.3 on Wednesday, Sept. 2.
The company has signed a deal to buy WUST, a 50,000-watt daytimer, from Marquee Broadcasting, and begin an LMA of the station today. The other three new affiliates all involve LMAs – with WCBM Maryland Inc. for WQLL, which broadcast at 50,000 watts day, 24,000 night; with Beasley Media Group for 5,000-watt WTEL; and with Alexander Broadcasting for W257DS.
Filling the void for an around-the-clock audio news source devoted to the Black community, iHeart launched BIN June 30 on 15 AM/FM and HD Radio side channels and via the iHeartRadio app, offering a fast-paced, highly produced all-news product from a Black perspective. More than just hard news peppered with actualities, the network covers a range of beats, offering short-form features on entertainment, politics, culture, health, and other topics, from an array of reporters and correspondents.
“BIN’s goal has always been to be the most trusted source for news in the Black community, and part of that strategy is, of course, to be available on both broadcast and digital stations across America,” BIN President Tony Coles said in a press release. “We’re thrilled to bring BIN, a full-time news service by and for the Black community, to Baltimore, Montgomery, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. and provide millions of listeners there with both the national and local news that impacts their lives.”
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