IHeartRadio’s seven Memphis stations will continue running

The owner of seven Memphis radio stations — including WREC, WDIA and Rock 102.7 — says a bankruptcy reorganization won’t affect station operations.

iHeartMedia on Wednesday announced it was filing a Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization as part of a move to restructure debt.

The company, which operates nearly 850 radio stations under the iHeartRadio banner, also owns V101, K97 FM, 95.7 Hallelujah FM and 101.9 KISS FM.

“Our company and our stations are operating business as usual, and listeners and fans won’t notice any difference in the programming, on-air personalities and stations they love,” said Wendy Goldberg, executive vice president, communications at iHeartMedia Inc.

iHeartRadio includes 21 stations in Tennessee.

Popular shows include The Ben Ferguson Show on 600 WREC, The Tom Joyner Morning Show on V101, Devin Steel on K97, as well as Bobby O’Jay and Bev Johnson on WDIA AM 1070’s.

iHeartMedia announced a plan Wednesday to reduce its more than $20 billion in debt by more than $10 billion.

An agreement in principle with holders of more than $10 billion in debt and financial sponsors was hailed as a significant step toward a balance sheet restructuring.

Reach reporter Wayne Risher at (901) 529-2874 or wayne.risher@commercial appeal.com