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April 17, 2018
David KantorUrban One is a radio group that faces unique challenges. It's the largest and most successful radio operator for African-Americans, but that comprises just a small part of the American listening audience. While it has carved a fairly successful path for itself, the financial predicaments of radio's two largest and most mainstream groups have had a detrimental impact on Urban One's - and all of radio's -- potential. Here, CEO David Kantor discusses how his company succeeds through the cross-currents of the media environment
Since being named CEO of Radio/Urban One, what have been the biggest challenges you've faced?
They fall into two categories. One is Urban programming, since so much of it is determined on what talent you're working with now and in the future. Managing the syndication end is always a huge challenge. On the other side is essentially managing the radio stations in a very difficult radio business environment. There's not a lot of stability in some of the other radio groups, which inevitably impacts all stations.
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