iHeartMedia Tucson has added an experienced programming executive to its leadership team, naming Bill Stewart as Senior Vice President of Programming, effective immediately.
In his new role, Stewart will oversee programming strategy and brand development for all eight of iHeartMedia’s Tucson stations, a portfolio that spans music, talk and news formats across broadcast and digital platforms. Among the group is 93.7 KRQ, long regarded as one of the market’s most recognizable music brands and currently Tucson’s top hit music station.
Stewart will report to Tony Manero, Area Senior Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia’s Southwest Area, while also collaborating closely with Southwest Area President Steve Earnhart. The appointment reflects iHeartMedia’s continued emphasis on strong local leadership in markets where the company maintains a significant cross-platform footprint.
Stewart said Tucson’s stations hold a unique place in the region, serving as daily companions for listeners while also acting as trusted sources of information and entertainment.
“These stations are part of people’s routines and their lives,” Stewart said. “My goal is to keep delivering strong music programming and meaningful local content that reflects the spirit of Southern Arizona and gives listeners something they can count on every day.”
Earnhart said Stewart’s background made him a natural fit for the Tucson operation, pointing to his ability to connect brands with their communities while balancing local priorities and broader company objectives.
“Bill understands how to build stations that matter to listeners,” Earnhart said. “He has a track record of developing relevant programming that reflects the culture of a market, and that approach aligns perfectly with what we aim to do in Tucson.”
Stewart arrives from iHeartMedia’s Spokane cluster, where he most recently served as Senior Vice President of Programming. While assuming his new responsibilities in Southern Arizona, he will continue to maintain select roles in Spokane, including on-air work at classic rock outlet 98.9 KKZX-FM. He also remains part of the on-air lineup at Magic 98.9 (KYMG-FM) in Anchorage, where he hosts the morning show.
The dual-market responsibilities underscore Stewart’s versatility and his long-standing relationship with the company, which has relied on him both as a programmer and as an on-air personality. His experience spans multiple formats, giving him a broad perspective as he steps into a leadership position in a competitive Southwest market.
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