**BREAKING NEWS ** Tom Owens exits Clear Channel.

Story by Inside Radio

After serving as its top programming executive from the Jacor years until late 2011, Tom Owens is leaving Clear Channel. His exit occurs as the company’s research division is integrated into its National Programming Platforms group under Tom Poleman.

Owens was the company’s programming chief from 1998 until Poleman was promoted to president of National Programming Platforms last October. He’ll continue to provide strategic programming advice to Senior Management in a new role as a consultant to the company.

Owens, who began his programming career at Cincinnati’s storied WEBN and other rock stations, was the top programming executive at Jacor until it was acquired by Clear Channel in 1998. He took over Clear Channel programming after the acquisition closed and continued in that capacity until last October, when he was reassigned to EVP of Programming Research and Strategy.

Owens will continue to provide strategic programming advice to senior management in a new role as a Consultant to their company.

His exit occurs as Clear Channel Media and Entertainment moves its Programming Research and Ratings Research teams into the National Programming Platforms division. The Programming Research teams will report directly to SVP/GM National Programming Platforms Darren Davis.

In a memo to employees, Chairman/CEO John Hogan says: "Shifting research responsibilities to the national platforms group will allow the company’s programming team “to deploy research and utilize data in a coordinated and more strategic way. This realignment is another example of our willingness to evolve and transform how we do business and our continued commitment to deliver the best programming, products and services to our listeners, partners and advertisers.”