Desert Sun & NBC Palm Springs to Expand Partnerships
www.Radio111.com
Media entrepreneur John McMullen to launch Radio111 as the re-brand of his online radio station iHub Radio, envisioned three-and-a-half years ago in the Palm Springs business incubator managed by the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership.
The round-the-clock broadcaster managed to keep vibrant through the pandemic. The vast majority of programs are hosted by local personalities on the “digital airwaves” keeping the Coachella Valley’s home grown team running with news and talk shows by, for and about life in the desert cities. As the station kicked off a new Fall Season of programs this week, get ready for dynamic new hosts, programs and expansion on its strategic partnerships.
“We are turning radio on its axis to build the Valley’s only all digital talk service,” says company co-founder and senior content director John McMullen.
“It seemed like a good time to bring in new talent and showcase programs that people want to hear, new perspectives into the mix, and debut our new identity: Radio111. Immediate reaction from listeners and strategic partners has been positive and while most people didn’t know what iHub meant, the new branding spans the service area and the two dozen show hosts and their programs.”
John goes on to say, “From the beginning of the pandemic, the station donated more than $900,000 in advertising to locally-owned and operated businesses that included the Lifestream Blood Bank, retail stores, restaurants, addiction recovery programs, chambers of commerce, non-profit organizations, salons, hotels, and tribal nations among others. We had the inventory available and what better way to help our local businesses. We have always believed in the Golden Rule.”
Radio111 will occasionally focus on issues, public policy and conversations with elected leaders, but the majority of shows and conversation centers on relatable topics to people’s every-day lives. Healthcare educator Jason Tate hosts Tate Talks, incorporating discussions with local physical and mental health wellness practitioners. And, like most of the programs that are streamed live and are open to interactivity by phone, text message and social media feedback, Tate’s program is also archived as a podcast within 24 hours of its live edition.
Returning to the line-up is a variety of seasoned broadcasters including Todd Bianco, host of All Revved Up, each Saturday with two hours of auto industry news and featuring new and vintage cars new to the market or available at auction. Entertainment takes center stage across Radio111 shows including Soul Sisters with Melissa Neiderman and Keisha D, The Desert Scene with Bonnie G and Brayan Mendoza. Brayan, a film history student and buff also hosts a weekly show on cinema and streaming video, Flix And Picks.
Radio111’s weekly schedule includes programs like: The Success Doctor where Stone James helps people find and achieve their ideal careers; comedy and games with Kris Bossi and Johnny Sugarbritches on Saturday nights with Shenanigans; and, Randy Florence gets up close and personal with movers and shakers who have helped shape the region on Coachella Valley Chronicles.
If fantasy sports are your thing, Jim Francisco is Radio111’s Fantasy Warlock offering his insights and prognostications as one of the Valley’s go-to fantasy football experts or to delve into the Valley’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community is the Jeff Hocker Show.
“The key to the success of Radio111 is our growing media and community partnerships with Desert Sun, NBC Palm Springs, Palm Springs Cultural Center, and the Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, with reports from news anchors Charlie Dyer and Ryan Harris, USA Today Network team and NBC Palm Springs journalists update local, regional and state news each hour and twice-hourly updates on national and global news come via NBC News Radio. They all support our programming and strategic events in our LIVE and recorded broadcasting at large-scale consumer events and business conferences,” said Jeff Hocker, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development.
Another newcomer is advocate Joy Silver talking about progressive issues and politics, as she will bring important calls-to-action and talk with the people who are making a difference on Outspoken! Radio111’s uniqueness also spans adult-themes with programs that focus on wine and cannabis. And, for the many people who live in this vortex of recovery, the station features In This Moment and The 4th Dimension with Toby C throughout the week offering uplifting and healthy assistance of those who find themselves with these challenges.
Veteran broadcasters who have each been in the desert at least a dozen years host weekday mornings and afternoons. The Hangout with Jeremy Wayne promises fun times and spirited discussions about what we’re waking up to each day. The John McMullen Show is talking with news makers and interesting people from all walks of life on topics that hit your head, your heart, your pocketbook, and common sense each afternoon. Jay Alvarez and friends are batting cleanup on weeknights with an inspiring couple of hours that will calm you and give you something to look forward to waking up the next morning on our new evening show, Your Best Life.
As part of Radio111’s partnership with NBC Palm Springs, the live streaming service will simulcast the 11 AM to 12 Noon Midday News telecast. New co-productions are also in development with the Palm Springs Cultural Center.
The station has built a sustained audience of more than 45,000 unique weekly listeners from within the desert cities region. Listening to Radio111 is simple with free access through its live stream from its homepage at www.Radio111.com or using the TuneIn app from any smart device, including iOS and Android phones and tablets, Amazon and Google smart speakers, ROKU, Sony PlayStation, and other enabled devices. Radio111 is also available from digital dashboard systems including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Tesla. The service does not require any premium subscription and will always be accessible for free.
For more information on programming, news updates and ways to advertise or partner with Radio111, visit www.Radio111.com.
