Cookeville Communications

01/14/2026

Radio Rules!!! Need people to hear about your business? Give us a call 931-526-7144 or send us a message!

01/02/2026

New Year Reality Check: Radio Still Rules Audio in the Upper Cumberland – 2026 Edition
Happy New Year! As we kick off 2026 here in Cookeville and across the Upper Cumberland, those same end-of-year debates are popping up again on social media and in conversations:
“Podcasts have taken over radio.”
“Everyone’s just streaming now.”
“Satellite radio is the future.”
Strong opinions.
But the numbers tell a different story.
The latest data from Edison Research’s Share of Ear® (Q3 2025) and Nielsen’s The Record shows Americans are spending nearly 4 hours a day with audio. When it comes to ad-supported audio—where local businesses like yours reach customers—radio is still the undisputed leader.
Here’s the national breakdown for ad-supported listening:
• Radio: 64%
• Podcasts: 20%
• Ad-supported streaming music: ~13%
• Satellite radio: 3%
That means radio claims almost two-thirds of the pie. Podcasts, streaming, and satellite combined fight over the rest.
Even among younger listeners (18–34), where on-demand options are growing:
• Radio holds around 45–50% of ad-supported time
• Podcasts: ~32%
• The rest splits the remainder
That’s not radio fading—it’s radio leading the pack, even with the toughest crowd.
For adults 35+ (the heart of the Upper Cumberland demographic)? Radio dominates with 70%+ share.
And here’s a stat that hits home for our area: Over 80% of in-car listening…commuting to work in Cookeville, driving the plateau, or heading to Crossville…still goes to radio. That’s where daily habits, and community connection happen.
What are Upper Cumberland listeners tuning in for?
It’s all about that local touch:
• Local personalities who actually live right here in the area they serve—voices you know from the grocery store, high school games, or church.
• Friends on the air: Morning shows that feel like chatting with neighbors.
• Fun: Laughs, contests, and feel-good moments that brighten the day.
• Favorite songs: The Country hits on stations like 94.7 The Country Giant, Classic Hits on 106.1 The Eagle, Todays Top Hits on 98.5 KISS FM, and Uplifting Contemporary Christian Music on 1077 Grace FM. From high school sports coverage to weather alerts, community events, and the music that soundtracks our lives—radio delivers what national podcasts and algorithms just can’t match.
The big picture the “radio is dead” crowd misses:
👉 Podcasts and streaming didn’t replace radio.
👉 They added to the audio world, making it bigger for everyone.
Radio remains the #1 reach platform—especially here in the Upper Cumberland—because it’s:
• Free and easy to access
• Truly local—covering Putnam, White, Cumberland, Overton, and beyond
• Everywhere—in your truck, at work, or on the job site
• Habit-forming and reliable
• Perfect for connecting businesses with real local customers
2026 takeaway:
Audio is thriving like never before.
Local radio is still the heartbeat of the Upper Cumberland.
Everything else is great—but it’s built on top of what radio provides every day.
At Cookeville Communications, we’re proud to bring you the stations that keep our community connected: 94.7 The Country Giant, 98.5 KISS FM, 107.7 Grace FM, and 106.1 The Eagle. Here’s to another year of great local radio!
Data sourced from Edison Research Share of Ear® Q3 2025 and Nielsen The Record reports.

12/31/2025

Happy New Year!

As we step into 2026, all of us at Cookeville Communications want to take a moment to thank you for being part of our community. We wish you a year filled with good health, personal happiness, and continued success in your business.

Local businesses are the heartbeat of the Upper Cumberland, and we’re proud to serve the people who keep our communities strong. As the new year begins, our focus remains the same: helping businesses grow, stay visible, and succeed—without unnecessary complexity or expense.

Whether you’re planning something new, refining what already works, or simply looking for trusted guidance, we’re here to help however we can. Our team is committed to making marketing more approachable, more effective, and more affordable, now and well into the future.

We look forward to another year of supporting local businesses and building success together.

Wishing you all the best in business and in life in 2026 and beyond.

Warm regards,
Jason Grider
General Manager
Cookeville Communications
Serving the Upper Cumberland

Send a message to learn more

12/24/2025

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at Cookeville Communications! We look forward to entertaining our listeners and serving our advertisers in 2026!

12/08/2025

Businesses are frustrated. Customers are frustrated.
And honestly? Local advertising is overdue for disruption.
Too much noise. Too many providers. Too little clarity.
When your message reaches the right people at the moment they take action,
you win more clicks, visits, calls, and searches that grow your business.
If your plan isn’t doing that, let’s get you one that does.
Call us at 931-526-7144

12/05/2025

At Cookeville Communications, “local” isn’t a slogan — it’s who we are.
Your support of our radio stations goes right back into the community we all call home. ❤️

When you listen, advertise, or partner with us, you’re supporting local jobs, local families, local events, and the voices that make the Upper Cumberland feel like home.

Thank you for choosing LOCAL.
Thank you for choosing Cookeville Communications. 🎙️📻

12/02/2025

🎙️ RADIO.
The original influencer… long before “influencers” were a thing.

Think it’s outdated?
Think no one’s listening?
👀 Think again.

Radio is still one of the most trusted, most consumed, and most community-connected platforms out there. It shows up every single day—
🚗 in your car
🏠 in your kitchen
💼 at work
…and everywhere in between.

While the world keeps recycling crop tops and cargo pants, radio keeps doing what it’s always done:

✨ Connecting businesses
✨ Informing communities
✨ Bringing people together

Before you chase the next shiny trend, remember this:
OGs don’t fade. They just keep delivering. 📻💛

11/12/2025

Why Radio??? Plenty of reasons! Check out this flipbook and learn how radio helps grow your business! Call us to set an appointment to learn how we can help your business grow! 931-526-7144

Radio is the OG mobile medium that connects with shoppers on the go.

11/11/2025

Do people trust your advertising? With radio they do!

11/07/2025

The latest Accenture Holiday Shopping Study shows great news for local businesses — 87% of consumers plan to spend the same or more this holiday season. But there’s a catch: most shoppers say they’re overwhelmed by too many choices and are searching for value and simplicity.

That’s where radio and Cookeville Communications can make a big difference.

Our family of stations, 94.7 The Country Giant, 98.5 KISS FM, 106.1 The Eagle, and 1077 Grace FM reaches thousands of Upper Cumberland listeners every day who are shopping, driving, and making purchase decisions right now.

Here’s how we can help your business stand out this holiday season:

🎯 Cut through the noise
Consumers are flooded with ads online. Radio lets your business tell a simple, memorable story in a clutter-free space. One clear message ....your value, your offer, your name ... repeated to thousands of loyal local listeners.

🕒 Reach them at the right time
Listeners tune in while driving, working, or shopping exactly when they’re ready to make buying decisions. We can help you reach them during peak drive times or weekend shopping hours.

🏪 Drive in-store traffic & connection
The Accenture report says shoppers still crave in-person experiences. Radio is perfect for inviting them in: “Stop by this weekend for holiday deals, gift inspiration, and local service.” It’s personal, local, and trusted...just like your business.

💡 Work hand-in-hand with your digital
Your website and social media can close the sale, but radio creates the spark! The awareness that gets people searching, clicking, and walking through your door.

With a creative message and consistent schedule across our stations, we can help your business rise above the noise and turn local listeners into loyal customers this holiday season.

Let’s build a plan that fits your goals and budget — from value-focused campaigns to in-store traffic drivers. We would love to show you listener data and a few sample schedules for the weeks leading up to Christmas.

11/05/2025

Radio Offers Double ROI, But Marketers Still Missing the Signal!

Dont miss the boat on radio! Send us a message and we will get you started!!

Marketers rank radio lowest in perceived effectiveness, but Nielsen data shows it delivers the second highest ad ROI. right behind social.