Radio and Records Set To Close
By Jeffrey Hyatt
And the hits just keep on coming for the radio business – and not the kind you can dance to.
After a 36-year run Radio & Records is closing its doors. The music industry trade publication, founded by Bob Wilson in 1973, will close down operations immediately, which includes the accompanying website.
The decision to shutter the operation was handed down by parent company Nielson Business Media, formerly VNU, which acquired Radio & Records in 2006.
In a town hall-style meeting for R&R staff across the country, publisher Howard Appelbaum told employees that it was a “tough decision” but that the magazine’s “macro did not work” in this economic climate.
About 30 layoffs were associated with the closing; the trade magazine’s music charts will move to sister publication Billboard, which is owned by Nielsen.
A letter to readers from Gerry Byrne, Senior Vice President at Nielsen, on RadioandRecords.com states:
“Given the consolidation of the radio and music industries, Nielsen Business Media has determined that the best way to leverage its assets and resources in support of these industries is to consolidate its music brands.
Consequently, we have decided to consolidate R&R magazine and RadioandRecords.com into Billboard magazine and Billboard.biz and to expand their coverage of the radio industry.”
Subscribers to Radio & Records will get Billboard magazine beginning with the June 20 issue.
What do you think of them closing down?
