Industry Vet David Kantor To Retire At Urban One

David Kantor, the CEO of Urban One’s Radio Division, will retire at the end of 2024. Kantor has been with the company since 2004 and currently oversees Radio One’s 57 stations across 13 markets. He also manages Reach Media’s suite of syndicated programs. 

Under his leadership, the division expanded significantly, including the $27.5 million acquisition of Cox Media Group’s Houston cluster in April 2023, which included stations like KKBQ (93Q Country), Classic Rock KHPT (The Eagle 106.9), and KGLK (107.5).

David Kantor

Kantor’s career began in local radio research, programming, and sales, and went on to hold executive positions at Cox Cable and Satellite Music Network.

In the 1990s, Kantor became President of ABC Radio Networks, where he helped launch the Tom Joyner Morning Show, Radio Disney and ESPN Radio, along with new content services and advertising networks. As Senior Vice President for Network Operations at AMFM Inc., Kantor launched a premium radio network in 1996, which was eventually acquired by Clear Channel in 2000.

In 2003, Kantor co-founded Reach Media with Tom Joyner. The following year, Reach Media was acquired by Urban One, and Kantor continued as President and CEO, expanding Reach Media to 312 affiliate stations in 94 markets, reaching 94% of the U.S. African American population.

In October 2015, Kantor was named CEO of Radio One. Under his leadership, the division expanded significantly, including the $27.5 million acquisition of Cox Media Group’s Houston cluster in April 2023, which included KKBQ (93Q Country), Classic Rock KHPT (The Eagle 106.9) and KGLK (107.5) and KTHT (Country Legends 97.1).