1980 in radio

1980 in radio involved some significant events.

Events

20 March – The pirate radio ship Radio Caroline sinks.
April – WDLM, a religious station based in East Moline, Illinois, adds an FM signal at 89.3 MHz. It acts as both a repeater of WDLM's AM signal and adds additional programming.
29 October – President Carter on a visit to Pittsburgh gives a nationally broadcast campaign interview to KDKA-AM of that city.
8 December – Former Beatle John Lennon is shot to death outside of his New York City apartment by the killer Mark David Chapman.

Alex Bennett returns to his native San Francisco to host a comedy-oriented morning show for album-oriented rock station KMEL. The show will last for the next 17 years on three different area radio stations.

11 February – Sears Radio Theater ends its run on CBS. Episodes are rebroadcast later in 1980 on Mutual as Mutual Radio Theater.

20 July – Énora Malagré, French broadcast presenter
9 October – Sarah X Dylan, broadcast personality in Portland, Oregon, United States, producer of The Rick Emerson Show on KUFO
4 November – Laura Stylez, American radio personality

7 January – Irene Beasley, American singer and master of ceremonies best known for her work on old-time radio.
29 January – Jimmy Durante, American singer, pianist, comedian and actor.
1 February – Jack Bailey, American actor and daytime game show host.
4 February – Art Ballinger, American actor, announcer and commercial spokesman.
11 April – Florence Lake, American actress.
4 May – Joe "Mr Piano" Henderson, Scottish pianist, composer and broadcaster.
24 July – Peter Sellers, English actor, comedian and radio personality.
22 August – Norman Shelley, English radio actor.
4 October – Charme Allen, American actress and pianist best known for her work on old-time radio.
20 October – Isobel Barnett, British broadcasting personality.
8 December:
*Charles Parker, English documentary producer.
*John Lennon, English musician, radio personality and member of the Beatles.