News outlets along the Gulf Coast are working around the clock to inform locals in the path of Hurricane Harvey. iHeartMedia updated FMQB with their broadcast radio, digital and billboard efforts to inform our listeners in the Corpus Christi, Houston and Austin areas this weekend.
In Corpus Christi, all stations are simulcasting News Radio 740 (KTRH-FM), Houston’s News, Weather & Traffic Station, which provides wall-to-wall coverage on the tropical storm. K99 Country, Big 93.9 and Tejano 99.9 are broadcasting in English and Spanish to address the needs of the both communities. The Red Cross is featured across all of iHeartMedia Corpus Christi’s radio station websites for listeners to easily find information and to encourage donations. iHeartMedia Corpus Christi is also working with the Red Cross to coordinate post-storm relief efforts, our displaced employees are able to use iHeartMedia McAllen/Brownsville as emergency relief studios.
In Houston, iHeartMedia’s local staff has been broadcasting in long form nonstop since 8 AM on Friday, as well as reporting on Facebook Live to provide local listeners with up-to-date information and emergency resources. Though the region lost a station’s vehicle, multiple employees’ homes are affected, and KPRC-FM’s transmitter is down due to water damage, iHeartMedia continues to broadcast from our five remaining stations (Sunny 99.1, 94.5 The Buzz, 93.7 The Beat, KTRH News Radio 740, and Sports Talk 790 AM) with help from on-air talent, operational staff, sellers and managers who are on-site to answer phones and direct listeners to the appropriate community resources.
In Austin, precautions have been put into place for 96.7 KISS FM, 102.3 The Beat, KASE 101, KVET 98.1, AM 1300 The Zone, 97.5 Pride Radio, and Tu 103.1. They have joined with iHeartMedia’s San Antonio stations to secure a semi-truck of ice, water and fuel that will deploy to the Gulf Coast as soon as recovery efforts begin. Supplementary relief efforts are being arranged.
Nationally, all 850+ radio station websites across iHeartMedia’s network will prominently feature a call to action to donate to the American Red Cross. The iHeartRadio brand is running targeted ads on social media platforms in Corpus Christi, Houston and Austin to direct the community to listen to their local stations for emergency broadcasts and safety information. Clear Channel Outdoor digital billboards in San Antonio and Houston are promoting live emergency coverage from News Radio 1200 (WOAI-AM) and News Radio 740 respectively.
