Champlin Broadcasting and Chisholm Trail Broadcasting have appointed Bill Hurley as President and Chief Operating Officer. They are entrusting the longtime Oklahoma broadcaster with oversight of 11 stations spanning from Enid to Oklahoma City.
The companies, founded by Hiram H. Champlin, have deep roots in the state. They continue to emphasize the importance of local leadership in an increasingly consolidated radio landscape. For Champlin, that commitment to localism made Hurley the natural choice.
“As a fourth-generation Oklahoman, I’ve always believed radio should be built and led by people who truly know and care about our state,” Champlin said. “Bill Hurley not only grew up here, but he also brings decades of experience in radio. This makes him uniquely qualified to strengthen our stations and better serve our communities.”
Hurley brings nearly four decades of radio management experience, with much of it tied to Oklahoma. A native of Oklahoma City, he most recently spent more than eight years as Managing Partner at TeamRadio Marketing Group. Before that, he served for over 13 years as Market President for Clear Channel/iHeartRadio in Oklahoma City. He oversaw multiple formats and brands during a time of significant industry change.
“I’m thrilled to join Hiram and the team to grow a network that truly serves our local communities,” Hurley said. “Small businesses in Oklahoma often get overshadowed by national consolidation—but that doesn’t have to be the case. Together, we’ll expand heritage stations like News/Talk Freedom 96.9 and Country The Wolf 99.7. These will become platforms that champion the businesses and voices that make our region unique and resilient.”
His career path has also taken him beyond Oklahoma, with leadership roles in Utah, Arizona, California and Illinois. Still, Hurley has maintained strong ties to the state. This includes his service as Chairman and board member of the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters.
The dual companies have long emphasized local content, positioning themselves as alternatives to the homogenized programming common in larger ownership groups. By installing Hurley in the top leadership role, Champlin is signaling an intent to further double down on community engagement and homegrown radio.
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