USRN Handling Syndication For 25-Years Of Hits

Mike Allen

United Stations Radio Networks, Inc. (USRN) Thursday announced that it has completed a deal with California-based Cable Car Communications, Inc. to license their weekly Country Music program,25 YEARS OF HITS.

25 Years of Hits is the creation of Bob Utley at Cable Car, and United Stations has been the distributor of the program for the past eight years.  Effective immediately, however, the show will be completely produced under the auspices of USRN with Utley remaining on in the capacity of creative consultant.  Bob Utley along withUnited Stations’ EVP/Programming, Andy Denemark made this announcement jointly today.

25 YEARS OF HITS is a two-hour music intensive program that provides a “count-up” of the top Country songs, featuring #1 hits in chronological order for the past quarter century.   By doing so, the program cleverly weaves its way from the Country format’s ‘gold library’ right into the world of today’s Contemporary Country hits.  The fast-paced and highly-produced show, which is broadcast in most markets on weekends, began in 2005 and is now heard on 89 stations across America and on additional outlets outside of the U.S.  25 Years of Hits features artist interviews, production elements and feature segments making it a complete entertainment experience for its many loyal listeners.

Simultaneous with this licensing agreement comes a change in the show’s host.  Also effective immediately, Mike Allen, currently the Afternoon Drive Personality and Music Director at Entravision’s KNTY-FM “The Wolf” in Sacramento, steps behind the microphone to anchor the weekly program.

Mike is also heard on EMF Broadcasting’s Air 1 Network, and he started his career across town at the Wolf’s sister Top 40 Station in Sacramento, KHHM, also known as Hot 103.5.    Allen will now serve as host for25 Years of Hits as well as oversee the weekly production of the program for USRN.

The program’s originator and former Executive Producer Bob Utley commented, “We built a great program as independent producers, moved into a partnership with United Stations to build the program further and now it’s time to hand over the reins.”    Denemark added, “We’re as enthusiastic about Mike Allen as he is about moving into the driver’s seat on this show.   And with the new emphasis on the music library at many Country stations, we expect some added momentum for this show going forward.”