NASHVILLE, Tennessee — Garth Brooks is separating his SEVENS Radio Network from TuneIn following the streaming company’s sale to Stingray, ending a partnership that began in 2023.
The relationship produced The BIG 615, Tailgate Radio and The Garth Channel. The BIG 615 is expected to remain available through TuneIn through December 31, but without an ongoing Brooks or SEVENS affiliation.
The change should not be described as TuneIn shutting down or Brooks abandoning broadcasting. Brooks has indicated that new broadcasting and multimedia ventures are ahead, but the distribution platform, timing and business model have not yet been announced.
The talent question is still open
The immediate uncertainty surrounds the people who gave the network its identity, including Storme Warren, Bob Richards and Monta Vaden. Neither the long-term staffing plan nor the destination of future SEVENS programming has been confirmed.
The split underscores a growing issue for artist-led channels: the artist may supply the brand, audience and programming vision while a separate technology company controls distribution and listener access.
The next chapter will test whether a major artist can take a streaming-radio audience directly into a new platform without losing reach, habit or advertising value.
Source: Radio Ink.