Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (February 17-21, 2025)

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (2/17-21) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

Stories/Topics

1. Trump-Musk Relationship
2. Musk-DOGE Activities / Federal Firings
3. U.S. Foreign Policy / Russia-Ukraine War / Israel-Hamas War
4. ICE Deportation Crackdown
5. Trump Nomination Confirmations – Kash Patel
6. NYC Mayor Adams Activities
7. Economy-Inflation-Trump Tariff War / Stock Market Instability
8. Big Tech / Misinformation / Censorship
9. Healthcare / Bird Flu / Measles Outbreak
10.McConnell Won’t Run Again

People

1. Donald Trump
2. Elon Musk
3. Vladimir Putin / Volodymyr Zelenskyy
4. Kash Patel / Marco Rubio
5. Benjamin Netanyahu
6. JD Vance / Pam Bondi / Karoline Leavitt
7. Jeff Bezos / Mark Zuckerberg
8. Eric Adams
9. Mitch McConnell
10.Steve Bannon

To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (February 10-14, 2025)

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (2/10-14) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

Stories/Topics

1. Trump-Musk Oval Office Press Conference / Trump Gaza Intentions
2. Musk-DOGE Activities / Federal Firings
3. U.S. Foreign Policy / Russia-Ukraine War / Israel-Hamas War
4. Trump Nomination Hearings and Confirmations
5. ICE Migrant Deportation Crackdown / FBI-DOJ Issues / NYC Mayor Adams Activities
6. Economy-Inflation- Trump Tariff War
7. Big Tech / Misinformation / Censorship
8. Healthcare / Bird Flu
9. Gulf of America / Discontinuation of Pennies
10.LGBTQ Issues

People

1. Donald Trump
2. Elon Musk
3. Benjamin Netanyahu / Vladimir Putin / Volodymyr Zelenskyy
4. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr / Tulsi Gabbard / Kash Patel
5. Joe Biden
6. Xi Jinping
7. Marco Rubio / Pam Bondi / Karoline Leavitt
8. Jeff Bezos / Mark Zuckerberg
9. JD Vance
10.Eric Adams

To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.

Industry News

Today is World Radio Day

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In an era marked by the dizzying speed of technological innovation and the rapid obsolescence of one shiny new platform after another, the iconic platform of radio is beginning its second century of service as one of the most dependable and widely utilized forms of media in the world. Proclaimed in 2011 by UNESCO Member States and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 as animg International Day of the United Nations, February 13 became World Radio Day (WRD). Each year WRD focuses on a specific theme involving radio that is timely, and important. This year the theme is “Radio and Climate Change.” UNESCO points out: Radio contributes to the achievement of its international objectives by supporting populations through climate disasters such as tropical storms and floods. It helps with the dissemination of fact-based information, listeners’ voices, and dedicated radio shows.

TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison, who served as executive advisor to UNESCO for last year’s installment of WRD (which celebrated the milestone of radio’s 100-year anniversary), states, “World Radio Day gives broadcasters the opportunity to blow their own horns about the enduring value of this mighty platform. It’s a good thing for the industry, its sponsors and, most importantly, its loyal listeners. Let’s all sing the praises of radio today and every day.” To all radio professionals and volunteers, everywhere in the world, UNESCO salutes your daily work and your commitment to our future.

Industry News

TALKERS to Serve as Presenting Sponsor of IBSNYC 2025 Conference and Co-locate Innovative “GENERATIONS 2025” at March Event

TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison has announced (1/22) the launch of a new and innovative industry conference – “GENERATIONS 2025” – that will be co-located at the forthcoming Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) national convention – IBSNYC 2025 – set for Friday and Saturday March 7-8 at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel. The four-hour TALKERS event will take place between 12:30 pm and 4:30img pm on Saturday, March 8 in the heart of the iconic IBS gathering. It will feature an array of six sessions with 16+ luminary industry speakers (to be named shortly) including a keynote address, fireside chat, and four panel discussions that will tackle such topics as “Launching and Managing a Career in a Changing Media Industry,” “Old School, New School, Next School: Learning from Each Other,” “Radio’s Place in a Digital World,” “Finding and Delivering Truth in an Age of Misinformation,” and much more.  TALKERS will also serve as the Presenting Sponsor of the entire IBSNYC 2025 event.

In making the announcement Harrison states, “If this great institution of radio is to survive, let alone thrive in the brave new world ahead, it must meet the challenge of connecting with young broadcasters and listeners… and it needs to do it without hesitation. 2025 will be a pivotal year for radio of all formats – especially our bailiwick of talk radio and talk media – on air and online. There is no radio arena featuring such a massive concentration of young broadcasters and listeners alike as that found in the nation’s college radio community.” Harrison adds, “TALKERS is proud to also serve as the IBS convention’s official 2025 Presenting Sponsor as a show of support and recognition of the organization’s great work and importance. We will live up to the theme of this debut event: ‘Old School, New School, Next School: Learning from Each Other.’ That will be a major take away – as well as the suggestion that the time has come for all broadcasters to begin thinking like entrepreneurs!”

The TALKERS “GENERATIONS 2025” segment of the larger IBS conference will be open to all IBSNYC 2025 registrants who will receive the benefits of its notably reasonable rates to attend the conference and reserve rooms at the hotel. But it is important to move quickly on this while the discounts are still available. For up-to-date information, please click HERE.

For further information about “GENERATIONS 2025” including sponsorship opportunities, please call 413-565-5413 or email info@talkers.com.

Industry News

Outstanding Speakers Joining “GENERATIONS 2025” Agenda

The lineup of industry speakers set to speak at the forthcoming GENERATIONS 2025 conference being presented by TALKERS at the forthcoming Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) convention – IBSNYC 2025 – continues to grow.

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A stellar line-up of speakers have already signed up to speak at this groundbreaking industry event including (in alphabetical order): Vince Benedetto, CEO, Bold Gold Media Group; Chris Berry, VP News/Talk/Sports, iHeartMedia; Scot Bertram, General Manager, WRFH, Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, MI / Lecturer In Journalism; Mike Gallagher, talk show host, Salem Radio Network; Dom Giordano, talk show host, WPHT, Philadelphia; Lee Harris, Director of Integrated Operations, NewsNation / WGN, Chicago; Michael Harrison, Publisher, TALKERS; Matthew B. Harrison, Esq., VP/Associate Publisher, TALKERS; Harrison Media Law, Senior Partner; Harry Hurley, morning talk show host, WPG, Atlantic City; Jeff Katz, talk show host, WRVA, Richmond, VA; Chad Lopez, President, WABC, New York, Red Apple Media Group; John T. Mullen, general manager, WRHU-FM/WRHU.org, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY; Walter Sabo (a.k.a. Walter M Sterling), consultant / talk show host / WPHT, Philadelphia / Talk Media Network; Rich Valdés, talk show host, Westwood One; with several more to be announced in the next few days. See agenda and accompanying stories below.

Sheraton Times Square New York Hotel
New York East Room
Saturday March 8, 2025
12:30 pm – 4:30 pm

AGENDA

12:30 – 1:00 pm Keynote Address “Welcome to the Brave New World”

Speakers:
Michael Harrison, Publisher, TALKERS
Matthew B. Harrison, Esq., VP/Associate Publisher, TALKERS; Harrison Media Law, Senior Partner

1:10 – 1:40 pm Fireside Chat “Setting the Stage”

Facilitator: Michael Harrison, Publisher, TALKERS
Special Guest: Chad Lopez, President, WABC, New York, Red Apple Media Group

1:50 – 2:20 pm Discussion: “Launching and Managing a Career in a Changing Media Industry”

Moderator: Dom Giordano, talk show host, WPHT, Philadelphia
Speaker: John T. Mullen, general manager, WRHU-FM/WRHU.org, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
Speaker: TBA
Speaker: TBA

2:30 – 3:00 pm Discussion: “Old School/New School/Next School – Learning from Each Other”

Moderator:  Harry Hurley, morning talk show host, WPG, Atlantic City
Speaker:  Vince Benedetto, CEO, Bold Gold Media Group
Speaker: Scot Bertram, General Manager, WRFH, Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, MI / Lecturer In Journalism
Speaker: Walter Sabo (a.k.a. Walter M Sterling), consultant / talk show host / WPHT, Philadelphia / Talk Media Network

3:10 – 3:40 pm Discussion: “Radio’s Place in a Diverse, Digital World”

Moderator: TBA
Speaker: Mike Gallagher, talk show host, Salem Radio Network
Speaker: Rich Valdés, talk show host, Westwood One
Speaker: TBA

3:50 – 4:20 pm Discussion: “Finding Truth in an Age of Misinformation”

Moderator: Lee Harris, Director of Integrated Operations, NewsNation / WGN, Chicago
Speaker:  Chris Berry, VP News/Talk/Sports, iHeartMedia
Speaker: Jeff Katz, talk show host, WRVA, Richmond, VA
Speaker: TBA

4:20 – 4:30 pm Wrap Up:  Group Chat

Industry News

WABC, New York President Chad Lopez Named Special “Fireside Chat” Guest for GENERATIONS 2025 Conference

The first in the stellar array of 16+ guest speakers to be named for the forthcoming TALKERS GENERATIONS 2025 Conference at IBSNYC 2025 is 77WABC, New York / Red Apple Media president Chad Lopez. Lopez will serve as the special guest interviewee in the event’s Fireside Chat session in a candid one-on-one dialogue conducted by TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison. Lopez – described byimg Harrison as “one of the most dynamic and effective radio managers in America” – has served as president of WABC Radio, Red Apple Media Group, and the Red Apple Audio Network since the iconic AM station was acquired and expanded five years ago by New York-based billionaire businessman / talk show host / philanthropist John Catsimatidis.  Since then, the station and its associated media group have shown explosive growth that has grabbed the attention and respect of the national broadcasting industry.  Prior to joining Red Apple, Lopez had already achieved notable recognition for his leadership as VP/MM of Cumulus New York and before that as GSM of CBS Radio New York.  The Fireside Chat will be one of the highlights of the innovative four-hour TALKERS event on Saturday, March 8 that will be co-located with the national Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) conference March 7-8 at the Sheraton New York Times Square hotel.  More speakers will be announced next week.  For more information about the event including discount conference registration and room registrations, please see the story immediately below.

Industry News

Lee Habeeb is This Week’s Guest on Harrison Video Podcast

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Lee Habeeb, the host and founder of the popular syndicated news/talk radio series “Our American Stories,” is this week’s guest on the TALKERS MEDIA YouTube channel production “Up Close Far Out with Michael Harrison.” Habeeb is one of the most accomplished and influential storytellers in news/talk radio. He is the creator and host of one of the most innovative and well-received syndicated talk radio shows to come down the pike in many years. It’s called “Our American Stories” – one of the premiere storytelling shows and podcasts in America. It’s a standout show listeners can go to for comfort and inspiration and hear positive, redemptive stories about a good and great country. Two hours a day, five days a week, our guest and his amazing team of broadcast professionals tell the story of America to Americans. There’s no debate. No opinion. No politics. No news. Just stories that bring people together around common values, themes, and the founding principles and ideals of our nation. Stories that create a space for listeners to escape the news and noise of the day and be moved and informed. Habeeb’s talk show credentials are formidable. He co-founded Laura Ingraham’s national radio show in 2001, moved to Salem Media in 2008 as VP of content, and launched “Our American Stories” in 2016. He’s a University of Virginia Law School graduate, a Newsweek essayist, and lives in Oxford, Mississippi with his wife Valerie and daughter Reagan. He is currently ranked #11 on the TALKERS “Heavy Hundred” list of the 100 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts in America. Harrison and Habeeb engage in an illuminating conversation about the importance of history and the power of storytelling. Don’t miss this! Watch the podcast in its entirety here

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (January 20-24, 2025)

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (1/20-24) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

Stories/Topics

1. Inauguration of Donald Trump
2. Elon Musk Controversial Gesture
3. Pete Hegseth Confirmation Hearings / Marco Rubio Confirmation
4. Episcopal Bishop Prayer Breakfast Remarks
5. Trump Executive Order Signings
6. Trump Migrant Crackdown / Trump Climate and Foreign Affairs Policies
7. Trump DEI policies / Trump DOGE Activities – The Economy
8. Big Tech Government Influence
9. Russia Ukraine War / Israel-Hamas War
10.Sean Hannity Trump Interview

People

1. Donald Trump
2. Elon Musk
3. Pete Hegseth / Marco Rubio
4. Joe Biden
5. Mariann Edgar Budde
6. Vivek Ramaswamy
7. Jeff Bezos / Mark Zuckerberg
8. Benjamin Netanyahu / Vladimir Putin / Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Xi Jinping
9. JD Vance
10.Sean Hannity

To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.

Industry News

Industry Mourns Gary Krantz Who Died Tuesday at Age 65

Gary Krantz, founder of Krantz Media Partners, died on Tuesday (1/21) at the age of 65. He entered the radio business after graduating from Emerson College. He served with syndicator MJI Broadcasting from 1981 through 1996. He joined AMFM Radio in 1997 as EVP of programming and, after then-Clear Channel’simg acquisition of AMFM, took on an EVP role at Premiere Networks. He was the president of the fledgling liberal talk radio company Air America and joined Westwood One after Air America shut down in 2006. TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison states, “This is a devastating loss to the radio industry. I had the privilege of working with Gary all the way back to my music radio days when he was a young executive at the old MJI Broadcasting with major industry players like Julie Talbott and Josh Feigenbaum in the early days of our careers. He has subsequently worn a number of key management and entrepreneurial hats in the business – all reflecting his dedication to professionalism and quality.  He was very well liked and respected by broadcasters on both sides of the Atlantic. He will be missed.” A service will be held on January 26, 2025 at Riverside Memorial Chapel at 180 West 76th Street, New York, NY 10023. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in Gary Krantz’s memory.

Industry Views

Lee Habeeb is This Week’s Guest on Harrison Podcast

Lee Habeeb, the creator and host of the super-successful, syndicated program, “Our American Stories,” is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” Habeeb is one of the most accomplished and influential storytellers in news/talk radio. “Our American Stories”img (distributed by Premiere Networks) which runs two hours per day, five days per week on stations across the nation, is one of the most innovative and well-received syndicated talk radio shows (as well as podcasts) to come down the pike in many years. It is described by Habeeb as follows: “There’s no debate or opinion. No imgpolitics. No news. Just stories that bring people together around common values, themes, and the founding principles and ideals of our nation. Stories that create a space for listeners to escape the news and noise of the day and be moved and informed. To listen and learn.”  Habeeb’s talk show credentials are formidable. He co-founded Laura Ingraham’s national radio show in 2001, moved to Salem Media in 2008 as VP of content, and launched “Our American Stories” in 2016. He’s a University of Virginia Law School graduate, a Newsweek essayist, and lives in Oxford, Mississippi with his wife Valerie and daughter Reagan. He is currently ranked #11 on the TALKERS “Heavy Hundred” list of the 100 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts in America. Harrison and Habeeb engage in an illuminating conversation about the importance of history and the power of storytelling. Don’t miss this! Listen to the podcast in its entirety here.

Industry Views

Jim Bohannon Tribute Podcast Posted on TALKERS MEDIA YouTube Channel

November 12 marked the second anniversary of the passing of legendary Westwood One syndicated radio talk show host Jim Bohannon who, after waging a brave battle, succumbed to esophageal cancer in 2022. Bohannon’s stellar career in radio covered a span of almost 63 continuous years during which he was honored with just about every award the industry has to offer including induction in the Radio Hall of Fame, the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame, and the Missouri Broadcasters Hall of Fame. He is a recipient of the Radio Television Digital News Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award as well as the TALKERS Lifetime Achievement Award (which has subsequently been renamed in his honor). TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison conducted the final interview ever recorded with Jim Bohannon one month before the talk show giant’s passing. In it, the two friends and broadcasting industry colleagues engaged in a heartfelt, remarkably candid conversation about life and death, in addition to sharing observations about the changing state of radio. Reflecting on that interview, Harrison states, “For all his accomplishments on and off the air, what I remember most about Jim was the sheer bravery and good-natured wisdom that he publicly displayed during the final months, weeks, and days leading up to his death in 2022. We capture that intimacy and spirit in this interview.” Harrison adds, “Jim Bohannon’s life and work embodied the absolute best aspects of talk radio’s modern era.”  In recognition of the second anniversary of Jim Bohannon’s passing, this new podcast episode honoring the great radio star consists largely of that final interview along with a general remembrance of his outstanding career and legacy.  It has now been posted on the new TALKERS MEDIA YouTube channel.  To listen to it, please click here.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (11/13) Top News/Talk Media Stories

President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Matt Gaetz as attorney general and Gaetz’s resignation from his House seat; the GOP takes the majority of seats in the U.S. House giving Trump support from the Senate and the House; Trump’s promised migrant deportation; the expected pardons for January 6 convicts; and the economy were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (11/11) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The aftermath of the presidential election and President-elect Donald Trump’s potential cabinet appointments; speculation over Trump’s promised migrant deportation; Wall Street’s ongoing post-election rally; the rise in anti-Semitic activity in the U.S. and Europe; Trump’s expected pardons for January 6 convicts; and the Veterans Day holiday were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

Talk Radio Shines with Election Night Coverage

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It was a late night of extra duty for radio talk show hosts as stations and networks across the nation garnered their human and technical resources to provide listeners with accurate news and insightful analysis of the unfolding drama of Election Night in America. In many cases, coverage was provided by panels of air staffers, contributors and special guests gathered in central studio locations and supplemented by remote audio and video call ins.  Some stations sent their talent to electoral hot spots for live remote reports. Local talk show hosts from the battleground states enjoyed extra exposure making multiple appearances as guests on other shows and platforms around the nation.  Syndication networks used the event effectively to showcase their talent lineups.  And the “special” nature of these programs created a wide variety of advertising package opportunities for radio sales departments locally and nationally. In the broader arena of talk media, a number of popular political YouTube channels from both the left and right also put their best efforts into covering the news and views of one of the most anticipated nights in U.S. election history.  As TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison put it, “Talk radio and its YouTube and podcasting cousins took a back seat to no one – specifically the major TV networks – in their determination to provide their loyal audiences totaling millions of the most politically active citizens with the news and views that make their collective platforms the most accurate bellwether of American public opinion in the media today.”    Pictured above: Election Night coverage live from the state-of-the-art WABC, New York audio/video “Studio 77.”  Shown (l-r) George Pataki, former New York State governor; Judge Richard Weinberg, co-host of “Let The Record Show;” Rita Cosby, host of “The Rita Cosby Show” and co-host of “Cats & Cosby;” John Catsimatidis, owner of Red Apple Media and WABC, host of “The Cats Roundtable,” and co-host of “Cats & Cosby;” Anthony Weiner, former U.S. Representative, host of “The Middle with Anthony Weiner,” and co-host of “The Left Versus The Right;” Paul Stone, CEO of Colonial Metals Group and economic contributor to WABC Radio; and David Patterson, former New York State governor and political contributor to WABC Radio.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (11/5) Top News/Talk Media Stories

ELECTION DAY WRAP UP:  The presidential race was supremely dominant on the top talk media stories list yesterday (11/5) on Election Day.  Conversation focused primarily on polls, predictions, and encouragement for voter turnout.  Other top issues of discussion emanating from that included abortion rights, the economy, media bias, war and rising tensions in the Middle East and Central Europe, and the ever-present migrant/border crisis according to ongoing TALKERS research.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (10/22) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The presidential race, including Kamala Harris’ scheduled Pennsylvania town hall on CNN and former Trump chief of staff John Kelly’s warning about Donald Trump’s “facism,” the escalation of violence in the Middle East, climate change, the economy, abortion rights, the migrant crisis, and the Russia-Ukraine war were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

MH: Modern Digital Tech Inducing Artificial Telepathy

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TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison went into self-described “woo woo” mode on a packed house of New Jersey political, civic, and business leaders at last Friday’s Hurley in the Morning Foundation Charity Dinner in Atlantic City (10/4) discussing the biological and sociological impact of modern era communications technology. He discussed the potential impact of AI on the talk show host job market, and the shortening of attention spans, as well as a variety of modern era developments in 21st century communications. One of the many highlights of Harrison’s 48-minute keynote address was his observation that the digital rewiring of the Homo sapiens brain within a burgeoning information environment is artificially evolving humanity into a “technologically induced telepathic species.” Harrison said that we already can communicate with just about anyone in the world, at lightning speed, about all the information on the planet and beyond, with our ever-shrinking devices. The next step is to implant chips directly into our sensory lobes. “Then we can communicate without devices by simply twitching our noses or thinking an algorithmic code.” Harrison added, “The children born since 2015 are aliens from the future. We are on the verge of an unprecedentedly huge generational divide.”  To see a brief clip of Harrison’s comments please click here