The Supreme Court ruled against TikTok today (1/17), rejecting the social media company’s First Amendment challenge to the law that effectively bans it in the United States starting on Sunday. The unanimous decision came a week after the justices heard a First Amendment challenge to a law aimed at the wildly popular short-form video platform used by 170 million Americans that the government suspects could be influenced by China. The decision may deal a death blow to the U.S. operations of the exceedingly popular app, which delivers short-form videos that are a major source of information and entertainment to millions of Americans, especially (but not exclusively) in the younger demos. “There is no doubt that, for more than 170 million Americans, TikTok offers a distinctive and expansive outlet for expression, means of engagement and source of community,” the decision said. “But Congress has determined that divestiture is necessary to address its well-supported national security concerns regarding TikTok’s data collection practices and relationship with a foreign adversary.” This ruling obviously comes with a boatload of First Amendment implications and will add even more fuel to the fiery debates unfolding in the talk media sphere about the application of “free speech” and First Amendment Constitutional principles in the heightened environment of misinformation stirred up by the digital era.

Triton Digital®, the global technology and services provider to the digital audio, podcast, and broadcast radio industries, announced (1/16) the release of its December 2024 reporting period (December 2, 2024 – December 29, 2024), U.S. Podcast Ranker, as measured by Triton’s Podcast Metrics measurement service.

iHeart Audience Network earned the #1 spot again on the Top Sales Networks Report for the month of December, with 62.7M Average Weekly Downloads and 17.8M Average Weekly Users. NPR came in again at #2 with 24.5M Average Weekly Downloads and 5.8M Average Weekly Users, followed by Audacy Podcast Network at #3 with 11.9M Average Weekly Downloads and 4.4M Average Weekly Users.

For this reporting period, the top three podcasts based on downloads included “NPR News Now”(NPR) again at #1, “Up First” (NPR) again at #2, and “The Dan Bongino Show” (Cumulus Podcast Network) again at #3.

For listeners, the top three podcasts included “NPR News Now” (NPR) again at #1, “Up First” (NPR) again at #2, and “The Dan Bongino Show” (Cumulus Podcast Network) again at #3.

There were several debuts for the month of December including “24/7 News: The Latest” (iHeart Audience Network), “The Adam Friedland Show Podcast” (Audioboom), and “Ear Biscuits with Rhett & Link” (Audacy Podcast Network) and more for both downloads and listeners.

“This Is Important” (iHeart Audience Network), “Headline News from The Associated Press” (Audioboom), “TigerBelly” (All Things Comedy), “The Tony Kornheiser Show” (Audacy Podcast Network), “Red Eye Radio” (Cumulus Podcast Network) and more debuted for downloads.

“Mobituaries with Mo Rocca” (iHeart Audience Network), “Soder” (Audioboom), “Sleep With Me“ (Soundrise/PRX), “Otherworld” (Audacy Podcast Network) and more debuted for listeners.

The Top Sales Network Reports are ranked by Average Weekly Downloads and Average Weekly Users in accordance with v2.1 of the IAB Podcast Technical Measurement Guidelines. Participating Sales Networks include content owners/creators and sales representation organizations. Certified by the IAB Tech Lab, Triton’s Podcast Metrics eliminates inconsistent measurement practices and self-reported data, providing content creators, marketers, media buyers, and the audio industry at large with validated and transparent podcast audience data.

Any sales network or publisher with an audience in the United States is eligible to participate in the U.S. Podcast Report. To learn more, contact: solutions@tritondigital.com.

Red Apple Music Networks, the music radio unit of Red Apple Audio Networks, has expanded its national syndication with one of America’s most popular, trusted, and beloved music radio personalities Bruce “Cousin Brucie” Morrow. “Cousin Brucie‘s Rock & Roll Party” airs live on Saturdays from 6:00-10:00 pm ET and is the second music radio program from the network, whose flagship is the iconic talker 77WABC, New York.

Cousin Brucie has a long and storied career with 77WABC, where he was on the air during the early days of rock ‘n’ roll and introduced fans to The Beatles, Motown, 60s Soul, surf music, and more. He even interviewed The Beatles when they first came to the U.S. in 1964!

Fast forward to 2020… John Catsimatidis purchases 77WABC and brings Cousin Brucie, who had been on SiriusXM, back to radio and his legions of fans. Last year, when Now and Then, a new Beatles song that used AI to fill in John Lennon’s voice, Paul McCartney recorded a personalized message for Cousin Brucie to play on his “Rock & Roll Party.”

“We are giving radio stations across America the opportunity to experience the success we have had with Cousin Brucie in New York,” said Catsimatidis. “Brucie is passionate about his show, the music, and his listeners and that is a large part of why his fans are so loyal.”

“Cousins, being on radio again, playing the best music, and connecting with listeners is as exciting for me now as it was in 1964,” said Morrow. “The magic of radio, the beauty of theater of the mind is unduplicated. I’m looking forward to the fun we’re going to have on radio stations across America!”

Morrow has 80,000 followers on Facebook where he interacts directly with his listeners throughout the week. Every Saturday, he posts a video to share with fans who his special guest will be that evening. Recent guests included rock ‘n’ roll superstars Ringo Star, Frankie Valli, Darlene Love, Dion DiMucci, Mike Love, and Ronnie Spector.  

“The goal with our networks is to deliver top-quality programming and nationally recognizable talent like Cousin Brucie to radio stations across the country,” stated Chad Lopez, president of Red Apple Media and WABC Radio. “Brucie has unparalleled access to the artists who performed the biggest hits of the 50s and 60s, bringing listeners closer to the music they love.”

Morrow is a past recipient of the TALKERS Lifetime Achievement Award and is considered by the publication’s editorial board to be a “talker” as much as a “disc jockey” where he is positioned, as described by Michael Harrison, in a “pop cultural stew at the very nexus of cross-generational history with interviews, storytelling and conversations.” Red Apple Music Networks also syndicates “Sundays with Sinatra with Joe Piscopo.”

iHeartMedia announced today (1/17) that Joyce Wirthlin has been named market president for Salt Lake City, effective immediately. iHeartMedia Salt Lake City is home to six iconic stations featuring music, talk, and news formats on both broadcast and digital platforms.  In her new role, Wirthlin will oversee all aspects of operations in Salt Lake City, including sales, promotions and programming. She will report to Nick Gnau, division president for iHeartMedia. “I am very excited to have Joyce leading this team in Salt Lake City. Since the day I started working with Joyce, I was impressed with her leadership, the culture she has built with her team and the deep knowledge of the market. I have no doubt that she will propel this team to the next level!” Gnau tells TALKERS. Wirthlin joined the company in 1998 as VP of Sales. Over the years, she advanced within the organization. Most recently she served as the SVP of sales, where she played a pivotal role shaping sales strategies, fostering team development and strengthening the company’s presence in the market.  “I am deeply honored to be appointed market president of iHeartMedia Salt Lake City and grateful for the trust placed in me to lead this exceptional team,” said Wirthlin. “The people here are the core of our success. Together, we are eager to build upon our achievements and continue to shape the future of media in Salt Lake City.

Longtime talk radio mainstay and TALKERS Heavy Hundred member, Jeff Katz is this week’s guest on “UP CLOSE FAR OUT with Michael Harrison.”  Katz is the tremendously popular 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm host at Audacy’s WRVA, Richmond, VA where he has developed a national reputation within the broadcasting industry as a champion of public service and community outreach. In addition to being a compelling political commentator and dazzlingly entertaining personality, Katz – a former Philadelphia police officer – has worked tirelessly for years supplementing his daily “take” on the issues as a champion of law enforcement, the needy, disaster victims and the disabled.  A former recipient of the TALKERS “Humanitarian of the Year” award, Katz has received numerous honors over the years from service organizations and public officials including the President of the United States, Director of the FBI, and Governor of Virginia.  Just recently, VA Governor Glenn Youngkin appointed Katz to the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities where he is sure to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Katz and Harrison discuss radio’s handling of the current water crisis afflicting central Virginia, which has been overshadowed, in terms of national attention, by the Southern California wildfire disaster, in addition to the importance of radio as an invaluable societal safety net.  Don’t miss this.  It’s emotional, compelling and touches directly upon the very heart of 21st century radio.

The Milwaukee Brewers have announced that Bob Uecker, the legendary radio voice who had called their games since 1971, died this morning (1/16) at the age of 90. He was fondly known throughout the sport as “Mr. Baseball.”  Uecker was widely admired for his sense of humor and gained national acclaim for his role as announcer Harry Doyle in the “Major League” movies. A Milwaukee native, Uecker was an MLB catcher for six seasons, playing his first two years with his then-hometown Milwaukee Braves and winning a World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1964.  Uecker was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003 as the recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award, which honors a broadcaster every year.

Audacy Announces the promotion of Matt Cahill to brand manager of The Team 980 (WTEM-AM) in Washington D.C. In this role, Cahill will oversee the station’s content strategy, talent, operations and branding. He will continue to serve as assistant brand manager of 106.7 The Fan (WJFK-FM) and executive morning show producer. “Matt’s creativity, love for sports and commitment to evolving the brand makes me confident that he will be a great brand manager for The Team,” said Ivy Savoy-Smith, SVP / MM, Audacy Washington D.C. “Those that have worked with Matt know his dedication to creating a positive working environment and we’re excited to see how he leads the internal team while increasing external traffic for the station.” “I’m absolutely thrilled to lead Team 980 into the future with our outstanding group. The Team has a storied history and to be given this opportunity is humbling,” said Cahill. “I’m very thankful for the guidance and trust that Chris Kinard and Ivy Savoy-Smith have given me. We have great on-air talent talking about issues that matter to D.C. sports fans, and the potential for The Team 980 brand is unlimited.”  Cahill was named assistant brand manager of 106.7 The Fan (WJFK-FM) in 2019 and took on the same responsibilities for The Team 980 in 2021. He has also served as EP of 106.7 The Fan’s “The Sports Junkies” morning show since 2012. Cahill began his radio career at CBS Radio Phoenix in 2006 before joining WJFK-FM as a Producer in 2007.

Beasley Media Group announces the appointment of AJ Lurie as vice president and cluster manager of the company’s New Jersey-based radio properties. Lurie, who also works with Beasley’s Fort Myers radio stations, will lead a diverse portfolio of stations across New Jersey, including WDHA-FM, WMGQ-FM, WCTC-AM, WRAT-FM, WMTR-AM and WJRZ-FM.  Prior to managing Beasley’s Fort Myers market, Lurie served as the director of local market integrated partnerships, where he played a key role in fostering strategic collaborations and increasing revenue opportunities across the company. Lurie also served as MM of Beasley’s Wilmington, Delaware radio property, WJBR-FM, and contributed to the sales development of Beasley Esports. He began his career as an account executive at Beasley’s Southwest Florida cluster.  “AJ’s proven experience, ability to drive results and commitment to localism made him the perfect choice to lead our New Jersey cluster into the future,” said Beasley Media Group COO and EVP, Brian Beasley.  “I look forward to working alongside the talented team in New Jersey to build on their success and continue delivering exceptional results for our listeners, advertisers, and communities,” said Lurie. “I am honored to follow in the footsteps of Dan Finn, whose legacy of excellence has set a high bar for all of us.”  He succeeds Dan Finn, who will officially retire from Beasley at the end of March 2025 after a distinguished career in broadcasting.

John Catsimatidis‘ Red Apple Audio Networks announces “Inauguration: 2025” – a one-hour special available to all radio stations now through January 20.  The show features highlights of past inaugurations from FDR to Donald J. Trump featuring Red Apple’s own Greg Kelly, Roger Stone, Dick Morris, Noam Laden, and James Flippin plus expert insight from historian Ryan Walters. The “Inauguration: 2025” special is available to radio stations for download upon request. Stations may contact: affiliation@redappleaudionetworks.com…..Due to the challenges inflicted by the LA wildfires, the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF) has announced an extension for submissions to the milestone 50th Gracie Awards. The extended deadline is February 6, 2025, while the regular deadline, with no additional fee, is January 30, 2025.  The Gracie Awards, presented by AWMF, has recognized programming and individual excellence by women across all media for five decades. A full list of the categories, including new categories for 2025 can be found HERE. The Gracie Awards Gala will be May 20 at the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire hotel and the Gracie Awards Luncheon will be held on June 18 at Cipriani 42nd Street, New York. The 2025 Gracie Awards entry eligibility air dates are from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024. Entry details, including pricing and updated categories, can be viewed at https://allwomeninmedia.org/gracies/call-for-entries/…..Newsweek has added 660 AM The Answer (KSKY) in Dallas as an affiliate for its conservative syndicated program, “The Josh Hammer Show.”  Hammer is Newsweek‘s senior editor-at-large.  The one-hour weekly show, which began as a podcast, will air on the Salem station Saturdays at 7:00 pm.

The most discussed stories yesterday (1/15) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

1. Trump Transition Hearings

2. LA Wildfires – Political Response and Accountability – Social Media Misinformation

3. Israel-Hamas War Cease Fire on Hold

4. Economy – DOGE / Migrant Crisis / Crime

5. Big Tech Influence / TikTok

Audacy has announced a series of programming updates for WEEI-FM/AM in Boston. The station debuts a new afternoon show, welcoming three-time NFL champion Ted Johnson as afternoon show co-host alongside Andy Hart and Nick “Fitzy” Stevens, who is expanding his role. The trio will be heard on weekdays from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm ET beginning January 21. Johnson will also co-host “WEEI Football Sunday’” with Christian Arcand, Meghan Ottolini, Chris Scheim, Tom E. Curran, Stevens, Hart and Jermaine Wiggins during the NFL season. Former afternoon show co-host Christian Arcand will host nights weekdays from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm ET.

“Ted not only hoisted the Vince Lombardi trophy three times as a Patriot, but he also played alongside new Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel,” said Mike Thomas, SVP/MM, Audacy Boston. “After his playing days, Ted honed his broadcasting skills in Houston and back here in Boston. He has entertaining stories and valuable information that all Boston sports fans won’t want to miss. Fitzy has been an asset to the station and we’re excited to expand his role to ‘WEEI Afternoons’ with his knowledge as a die-hard Boston sports fan.”

“I had the good fortune of playing on some incredible teams in my 10-year career, and now, 30 years later, I’m thrilled to announce I’ll be a part of another great team at WEEI,” said Johnson. “I’ll never take for granted the relationships I’ve formed and the awesome experiences I’ve shared with the fans here, and I look forward to strengthening those connections through the WEEI airwaves. I appreciate the unique opportunity Mike Thomas, Mark Hannon, Jeff Sottolano and Ken Laird have given me. I look forward to talking to y’all soon!”

The new WEEI weekday programming lineup is as follows:

6:00 – 10:00 am ET: “Greg Hill Morning Show”

10:00 am – 2:00 pm ET: “Jones & Keefe”

2:00 – 6:00 pm ET: “WEEI Afternoons”

6:00 – 10:00 pm. ET: “Christian Arcand”

Johnson joins WEEI after serving as an on-air host for 98.5 The Sports Hub since 2018. Upon his retirement from the NFL in 2005, he began his professional media career at CBS Boston doing pre- and postgame shows for the Patriots. Stevens is a Massachusetts native with a passion for Boston sports. He joined WEEI in the summer of 2019 and has hosted shows across every daypart at the station, including “The 6 Rings Postgame Show” with Hart after every Patriots game.

Ken Coleman, three-time bestselling author, host of “The Ken Coleman Show,” and co-host of “The Ramsey Show” (with host Dave Ramsey) is debuting his new show, “Front Row Seat,” on Tuesday, January 28.The show, available on all podcast platforms and YouTube, offers an in-depth look at the untold truths behind success. Each episode features unfiltered conversations with top achievers from various fields, including guests such as Nikki Haley, Layne Norton, Dan Martell, and Will Guidara.

In each episode of “Front Row Seat,” Coleman provides listeners with an insider’s perspective on what it takes to rise above the competition and lead effectively. “Success doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s not a one-size-fits-all journey,” said Coleman. “Front Row Seat creates a space for listeners to hear the untold stories and the real, sometimes messy, path to becoming the best version of themselves. I have so much fun doing this show – it’s incredibly rewarding to dive deep into these conversations, and I can’t wait to share these incredible stories with our audience.”

As mentioned, Coleman is also the co-host of “The Ramsey Show,” ranked in the TALKERS Heavy Hundred as number two in the nation and the fourth podcast to ever reach one billion downloads. Both “The Ramsey Show” and “Front Row Seat” are part of The Ramsey Network, which features 12 podcasts and 11 YouTube channels.

WVON, Chicago’s premier Black talk station, announced (1/14) that it will be restructuring its weekday lineup beginning on Monday, January 20th. Along with restructuring, WVON is ending months of speculation on who will be replacing veteran talk show host Perri Small who retired last November. WVON has tapped former politician Jesse Jackson, Jr to host its afternoon drive show. “The Jesse Jackson Jr Show” will air Monday through Thursday from 3:00 – 6:00 pm. This is Jackson Jr’s first foray into broadcasting (with support via the syndication arm of Tavis Smiley‘s Smiley Audio Media). He previously served as a U.S. Representative of Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District from 1995 to 2012. WVON’s current afternoon host, Atiba Buchanan, has agreed to continue his involvement at the station and his new role will be announced shortly. WVON has chosen Cleopatra Draper to replace midday host Perri Small for its coveted midday slot. Draper has worked in various capacities at WVON since 2019 including as a fill-in host. She holds a master’s in social work from the University of Illinois Chicago and has a passion for getting young people involved socially and politically in community-building. Draper’s show will air weekdays from 9:00 am-12:00 noon. In addition, WVON’s long-time host Matt McGill will be expanding his show to air weekdays from 12:00 noon until 3:00 pm, while Lynn Richardson’s hourly financial show “The Millionaire’s Roundtable” is being moved to 5:00 am as a lead-in to WVON’s morning drive show, “The Rufus Williams’ Show.”   This begins a new era of talk radio for Chicago’s Black talk powerhouse which has been among the national leaders of this format since 1986. “We feel our new lineup is optimal for the changes that are occurring in our country and globally,” said company CEO, Melody Spann Cooper. “To have an opportunity to provide a platform for someone as talented as Jesse Jr and to introduce the station to a new generation of thought leaders with Cleopatra, positions WVON to continue to shake things up in Chicago and beyond.” WVON-The Talk of Chicago has established itself as one of Chicago’s premier content providers. For 61 years, the station has been considered one of the most credible African American media institutions in the nation providing an interactive forum for its vast listening audience to discuss social, economic and political issues that impact the Black community locally and nationally. WVON is a subsidiary of Midway Broadcasting Corporation, whose properties also include WRLL Radio and VONtv.

One of talk radio’s most accomplished hosts and programmers, Van Harden has tapped into his long history as a Bible teacher to pen a powerful new book titled Jesus: The Prequel (Xulon Press, 2025).  The book examines the question, “Did Jesus exist before He was born in Bethlehem?” “Absolutely!” says Harden, presenting the Biblical evidence of who Jesus was and what He was doing long before we were born and before He was born as a baby in Bethlehem. There is a listing of these things and an explanation of why any of this matters to anyone, especially the reader.

Van Harden is nationally known for his books, inventions and creative radio broadcasts. He recently retired from a 50-year broadcast career, 35 of which was as morning host and PD of heritage station WHO Radio, in Des Moines, where Ronald Reagan spent many of his early radio years. During his leadership, the station won 13 national Marconi Awards, five of which were awarded to him personally for his morning show. However, Harden tells TALKERS, “The most important thing to me has been my 40 years as a Bible teacher. I speak to many groups, secular and otherwise.” Harden insists on teaching right out of the Bible, which he calls our “Owner’s Manual.” He and his wife Becky live in his childhood home in Iowa. He has three grown children and eight grandchildren. To book an interview with Van Harden please click HERE.

The most discussed stories yesterday (1/14) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

1. Trump Transition Hearings

2. LA Wildfires – Political Response and Accountability – Social Media Misinformation

3. Jack Smith Report – Trump Dangling Legal Issues

4. Israel-Hamas War-Hostage Situation / Russia-Ukraine War

5. Economy – DOGE / Migrant Crisis / Crime

Longtime talk radio mainstay and TALKERS Heavy Hundred member, Jeff Katz is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.”  Katz is the tremendously popular 3:00 – 6:00 pm host at Audacy’s WRVA, Richmond, VA where he has developed a national reputation within the broadcasting industry as a champion of public service and community outreach.  In addition to being a compelling political commentator and dazzlingly entertaining personality, Katz – a former Philadelphia police officer – has worked tirelessly for years as a champion of law enforcement, the needy, and the disabled.  A former recipient of the TALKERS “Humanitarian of the Year” award, Katz has received numerous honors over the years from public officials including the President of the United States, Director of the FBI, and Governor of Virginia.  Just recently, VA Governor Glenn Youngkin appointed Katz to the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities. Katz and Harrison discuss radio’s handling of the current water crisis afflicting central Virginia, which has been overshadowed, in terms of national attention, by the Southern California wildfire disaster, in addition to the importance of radio as an invaluable societal safety net.  Don’t miss this.  To listen to the podcast in its entirety, please click HERE.

One of the largest tests of AM/FM radio advertising was conducted in Spring 2024 in just over 20 local markets. The campaign ran across a broad mix of small, medium, and large markets. The two-month AM/FM radio campaign featured heavy media weight with 500 monthly GRPs, generating a monthly reach of 75% and a 7 frequency. Claritas and MARU/Matchbox both ran studies on the campaign. The results are highlighted in this week’s Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group® blog.

• Advertising creates memories and memories generate sales; Clicks don’t generate sales

• A significant test of AM/FM radio advertising in over 20 markets found AM/FM radio worked: Total unaided brand awareness grew +10%; Among heavy AM/FM radio listeners unaided awareness soared +16%

• Claritas attribution measurement revealed the AM/FM radio campaign generated an +8% lift in leads, +8% increase in signups, +9% in registrations, and +12% growth in purchases

•  A series of Tracksuit brand studies for TikTok revealed successful brands need to “be known before their needed.” The greater the awareness, the greater the conversion rate. A strong brand makes performance marketing work harder.

Check out the completely new blog post HERE.

Watch the 12-minute video of the key findings HERE.

To download the slides, click HERE.

Brian Lawlor, president, Scripps Sports, has been named the recipient of the Broadcasters Foundation of America (BFOA) 2025 Golden Mic Award, to be presented at the annual black-tie fundraiser on Monday, March 10 at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. The BFOA is the only charity devoted exclusively to helping broadcasters in need from illness or tragedy…..Veteran broadcaster Michelle Jerson‘s weekly one-hour travel/parenting program “Passport Mommy” has been added to WPHT,Philadelphia on Saturdays at 12:00 noon.  The informational and entertaining show is distributed by Radio America.Stations interested can contact Jennifer Dedes at Radio America: jdedes@radioameria.com…..iHeartMedia announced (1/13) the latest podcast programming for iHeart Women’s Sports. Eight new shows will launch on the network in early 2025 featuring renowned female athletes like Ashlyn Harris, Mel Reid, Lexie Brown and more. The new expanded lineup further emphasizes iHeartMedia’s stated commitment to bringing equitable media coverage to women’s sports…..TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison is available to do interviews on talk shows across the nation to discuss the latest music video release by Gunhill Road (the perennial pop music ensemble in which he is a member) – an anthemic tribute to talk radio – which has been gathering tens of thousands of views and downloads around the globe. Harrison talks about the state of talk radio in 2025 and its continuing importance as a vital communications/cultural venue.  Harrison can be reached via email at info@talkers.com.  To view the video, please click HERE.

The top stories yesterday (1/13) on news/talk radio according to TALKERS research:

1. LA Wildfires – Political Response and Accountability – Social Media Misinformation

2. Jack Smith Report – Trump Legal Issues

3. Trump Transition Hearings

4. Israel-Hamas War / Russia-Ukraine War

5. Economy – DOGE / Migrant Crisis / Crime

FOX News Media (FNM) will unveil a series of programming changes across FOX News Channel (FNC) and FOX Business Network (FBN), announced FNM CEO Suzanne Scott. Beginning on January 21, FOX & Friends Weekend co-host Will Cain will take over the 4 PM/ET weekday timeslot on FNC with “The Will Cain Show.” FOX News contributor Charlie Hurt will replace Cain as co-host of “FOX & Friends Weekend” beginning January 18. “The Fox Report” and “The Big Weekend Show” will both expand to two hours on Saturdays and Sundays also starting on January 18. Additionally, FBN’s Dagen McDowell will join “The Big Money Show” which will expand from 12:00 noon – 2:00 pm ET on weekdays beginning on January 27 while she also continues to co-host “The Bottom Line” (6:00 – 7:00 pm ET).  In making the announcement, Scott said, “As the media landscape continues to evolve, we are always looking to innovate our programming lineup to meet the needs of our viewers, and we are confident the new lineup will best position FOX News Media for the future. Will Cain brings years of experience to the 4:00 pm hour as an accomplished broadcaster and a lawyer and we look forward to adding his insights to what will no doubt be another historic news cycle ahead this year.”

Cain added, “It has been an honor to wake up with America these past four years and I am thrilled to apply my background in news, law, entertainment and business to help our viewers better understand the headlines through thought-provoking content and analysis every weekday afternoon.”

Featuring conversations with newsmakers from across politics, business, culture and sports, The Will Cain Show will offer a comprehensive look at the news of the day in a signature podcast style. His last appearance on FOX & Friends Weekend will be on January 18th, following which Hurt will take over the role as co-host, joining Rachel Campos-Duffy on the curvy couch each weekend. In addition to his role as a FOX News contributor, Hurt currently serves as the opinion editor of The Washington Times. He will relinquish that position upon the start of his new role.

Beginning on January 18, “The FOX Report” anchored by Jon Scott will move to 3:00 pm ET expanding to two hours until 5:00 pm ET on Saturdays and Sundays while “The Big Weekend Show” which also airs on Saturdays and Sundays will expand to two hours from 6:00 – 8:00 pm ET beginning on the same day. Meanwhile, FOX News Live will continue airing from 10 AM-12 PM/ET on Saturdays featuring a rotating substitute anchor until a permanent replacement is named and the one-hour “Journal Editorial Report” will move to 2:00 pm ET on Saturdays.

On FBN, McDowell will join “The Big Money Show” which will expand to two hours from 12:00 noon -2:00 pm ET starting on January 27 where she will break down market news alongside co-hosts Taylor Riggs, Jackie DeAngelis, and Brian Brenberg.

These were the most talked about stories of the past weekend (1/11-12) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

1. LA Wildfires

2. Trump Confirmation Hearings

3. Tik Tok Controversy

4. Russia-Ukraine War / Israel-Hamas War

5. NFL Playoffs

The L.A. Wildfire’s Eaton section began “crawling up” the region’s iconic Mt. Wilson yesterday afternoon (1/9) and now (1/10) is threatening the antenna farm and broadcasting transmitters located up there, as well as the historic Mt. Wilson observatory. Should the fire reach the top of the mountain, it could pose significant communications issues and limit the broadcasting capabilities, to one degree or another, of Los Angeles’ major TV and radio stations.  According to multiple reports, hand crews have arrived at Mt. Wilson to fight the blaze.  Most of Los Angeles’ TV stations broadcast from Mt. Wilson, including KCBS (CBS 2), KNBC (NBC 4), KTLA (Channel 5), KABC (ABC 7), KCAL (Channel 9), KTTV (Fox 11), KCOP (Channel 13), KCET (PBS SoCal 2 Channel 28), KOCE (PBS SoCal 1 Channel 50) and KMEX (Univision 34). FM stations broadcasting from there include KPCC-FM 89.3, KPFK-FM 90.7, KUSC-FM 91.5, KRRL-FM 92.3, KCBS-FM 93.1, KLLI-FM 93.9, KTWV 94.7, KLOS-FM 95.5, KNX-FM 97.1, KKLA-FM 99.5, KKLQ-FM 100.3, KRTH-FM 101.1, KSCA-FM 101.9, KIIS-FM 102.7, KOST-FM 103.5, KBIG-FM 104.3, KKGO-FM 105.1, KPWR-FM 105.9 and KLVE-FM 107.5.  Many of the accompanying buildings housing equipment are built of massive cinderblocks hopefully providing an adequate level of protection from the blaze.  See more info on the fires below.