A day after Dawn Campbell was named as his replacement at Cox Urban AC “Star 94.5” WCFB Orlando, Michael Saunders has been appointed Program Director of iHeartMedia Urban “93.7 The Beat” KQBT Houston.
Saunders will also serve as Urban Brand Coordinator for iHeartMedia’s National Programming Group. This marks a return to the company for Saunders where he previously served as VP/Programming for the company’s Detroit cluster and PD of “Power 105.1” WWPR New York. He’s also programmed WPGC Washington DC, WJHM Orlando, and WBAV/WPEG Charlotte during his career.
Saunders replaces Bo Money who departed earlier this week.
iHeartMedia announced today that noted radio veteran Michael Saunders has been named Program Director for 93.7 The Beat KQBT-FM in Houston, effective immediately. In addition, Saunders will serve as Urban Brand Coordinator for iHeartMedia’s National Programming Group. iHeartMedia Houston has a strong cross-platform presence and includes a number of iconic brands and franchises – both broadcast and digital – including 93.7 THE BEAT, 94.5 The Buzz, SUNNY 99.1, KTRH NewsRadio 740, KPRC AM 950 and SportsTalk 790.
iHeartMedia has massive consumer reach and influence across multiple platforms and delivers more live programming than any other media company. As the Program Director for 93.7 THE BEAT, Saunders will work closely with on-air personalities and sales to oversee the station’s on-air content, digital footprint and music programming. In his new role as Urban Brand Coordinator, he will serve on iHeartMedia’s Urban Brand Management Team, which provides strategic guidance to the company’s Urban music brands and connects keys advertisers with iHeartMedia’s Urban music audience.
Saunders joins iHeartMedia Houston from Star 94.7 WCFB-FM in Orlando, where he has been Program Director for the past five years. He also previously served as Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia Detroit and Program Director for iHeartMedia’s Power 105.1 in New York City. In addition, Saunders’s extensive background includes serving as Operations Manager for CBS Radio’s Washington, DC market, Program Director for WJHM-FM in Orlando, Vice President of Client Services for the Left Bank Organization in Los Angeles and Operations Manager and Program Director for WPEG-FM, WBAV-FM and WGIV-AM in Charlotte.
He began his radio career as an on-air personality for WGCD-AM in his hometown of Chester, SC.
“Michael is a proven leader who will bring incredible results to iHeartMedia,” said Marc Sherman, Region Senior Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia Houston. “We are excited to bring a programmer of his caliber to Houston and are eager to make history
as we transition to this exciting new chapter of THE BEAT.”“I’m excited to have Michael back on iHeartMedia’s Urban programming team,” said Doc Wynter, Senior Vice President of Urban Programming and Urban Brand Manager for iHeartMedia. “He is one of the best in the business when it comes to understanding the Urban format and its listeners. I can’t wait to get back into the radio trenches with him.”
“I’m thrilled to be returning to iHeartMedia to work with the Urban Brand Management Team and the amazing talent and staff in Houston,” said Saunders. “In less than three years, THE BEAT has become Houston’s premiere destination for Hip Hop and R&B
and they are a prime example of iHeartMedia’s unparalleled reach with Urban music audiences. I can’t wait to help THE BEAT and all of iHeartMedia’s Urban stations continue to grow and serve millions of listeners.”iHeartMedia has the number one reach of any media outlet in the Houston market. Its radio brands and content are available across multiple platforms, including its broadcast stations; online via its branded digital sites; mobile; and social, with nationwide listening through iHeartRadio, the all-in- one streaming music and live radio service – with its more than a billion downloads and more than 90 million registered users
