Industry News

Report: 1010 WINS Reporters Demand Fair Deal from Audacy

As reported by Deadline, the journalists working at Audacy’s all-news WINS, New York represented by Writers Guild of America East have presented a petition to management demanding it “negotiate a fair deal” as its current deal expires Monday (7/22). The demand focuses on worker safety. The letter says, “We askimg that Audacy bargain respectfully and in good faith as we work to improve our salaries, benefits, pathways to promotion, workplace safety, remote work options, preserve severance, and protect against the growing threat of artificial intelligence.” Regarding the issue of safety, WGAE president Lisa Takeuchi Cullen says, “1010 WINS runs 24/7 and requires people to commute to the office at all hours. The station’s journalists have been threatened and even attacked. Audacy needs to take responsibility for the safety of its employees and our members. This is one of the many issues that management still needs to address in a fair and equitable contract.” See the Deadline story here.

Industry Views

Sean Hannity Guests on Harrison Video Show

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Talk media superstar Sean Hannity guests on the new installment of “Up Close Far Out with Michael Harrison.” Hannity is the long-running, reigning champion of both news/talk radio and cable news television. He’s seen nightly on the FOX News Channel and heard daily on more than 750 radio stations via Premiere Networks. Hannity has been expanding his platforms to include a special new premium channel titled FOX Nation and is stretching the subjects he discusses well beyond the realm of politics, for which he has become famous, including history, show business, sports, and even stand-up comedy. Harrison, publisher of the broadcasting trade journal TALKERS, engages Hannity in a candid conversation about his life and career – as well as the launch of a new four-part FOX Nation program he hosts titled, “Wanted Dead or Alive,” about famous outlaws and bank robbers of the early 20th century. To watch the program in its entirety, please click here.

Industry News

Carr: FCC to Address Public Safety

Federal Communications Commission chairman Brendan Carr, in a blog post, says the FCC is beginning to address public safety as part of its Build America Agenda. He says, “In three weeks, we will vote to begin a ground-up re-examination of the Emergency Alert Systems (EAS).  EAS sends life-saving information using TV and radio outlets, and our Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) distribute the emergency notices weimg receive on our mobile phones.  With underlying frameworks that are 31 and 13 years old respectively, we think it’s time to explore if structural changes to these systems are needed, with an eye towards making sure we are leveraging the latest technology to save lives. Similarly, we will also vote to initiate a review of our system for collecting real-time data on network outages and restoration during and after major disasters.  Since its inception in 2007, our Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) has proven to be a valuable tool for collecting actionable information to help with recovery efforts.  While the DIRS reports are valuable, they can be time-consuming to produce, drawing resources away from responding to an ongoing disaster.  The Commission will vote on reforms to streamline DIRS to make sure that its benefits outweigh its burdens. We’ll close our August meeting by removing unnecessary regulations and injecting common sense across the Commission’s policies—critical features to streamline the implementation of our Build America Agenda.” See the full blog post here.

Industry News

Gomez Speaks Out on CPB Funding Cuts

FCC commissioner Anna M. Gomez says in a statement that Congress’ vote to claw back money appropriated for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting is not about saving money but about controlling speech. She says, “This action is a key step in a coordinated campaign to silence public media, and the latest attempt by this administration to censor and control speech. We’ve yet to see any effort to probe,img defund, or threaten news outlets that support the government’s views, and there’s a reason for that. This has never been about saving money. It’s about silencing those who report the news accurately, without fear or favor. The true cost of this one-sided attack on free speech will be felt most by small and rural communities across the country. Much like the disappearance of local newspapers, cutting off support for public stations could create a new kind of ‘news desert.’ In many hard-to-reach areas, these stations may be the only source for the public to receive emergency alerts, traffic updates, and information about local events and ways to stay engaged in their own neighborhoods. Defunding them strips away these essential services and further isolates the very communities these stations seek to serve. The FCC is playing a dangerous game with its own baseless attacks on public broadcast stations. Its role should be to protect and expand the public’s access to timely, accurate news that is free from political interference. I will continue fighting this FCC’s politically motivated efforts to investigate and harass these stations.”

Industry News

Audacy Promotes Deegan to SVP and Market Manager

Audacy promotes Tatjana Deegan to SVP and market manager for the Austin station group that includes news/talk KJCE-AM and three music brands. Deegan has been serving as vice president of sales for theimg cluster and will continue in that role. Audacy regional president Brian Purdy comments, “Over the past few months, Tatjana has seamlessly led the team with the powerful combination of her contagious passion for this business and people-first leadership. Since stepping in as vice president of sales a little over a year ago, she has been a driving force in the market’s success, and we’re confident she’ll bring that same energy and creativity to her expanded role. We’re excited to see how she continues to uplift our Austin brands.”

Industry News

Townsquare Names Endom to Lead Lubbock and Amarillo Clusters

Townsquare Media names Dan Endom regional market president for its station groups in the Lubbock andimg Amarillo markets. Those markets include news/talk KFYO and talk KKAM/K280GU in Lubbock and news/talk KIXZ, Amarillo. Most recently, he served as president of iHeartMedia’s Nashville station group.

Industry News

GuestBooker.com Making Congressional Directory Available to TALKERS Readers Free of Charge

GuestBooker.com, one of the talk media industry’s leading public relations firms and the lead sponsor of the 2025 TALKERS Heavy Hundred, is making a limited number of its new 118th Congressional Directoryimg available free of charge to the first 200 TALKERS readers who respond to the offer.  This valuable resource is packed with contact information to reach Members of Congress and their key staffers.  To put your name on the list, please click here

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (July 14 – 18, 2025)

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (7/14-7/18) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

Stories

1. The Epstein Controversy / MAGA Rift
2. Congress Passes DOGE Cuts
3. Financial Markets Activity / Trump vs Powell
4. Trump Tariffs
5. ICE Raids
6. Russia Intensifies Ukraine Strikes
7. SCOTUS Education Dept. Ruling
8. FEMA Criticisms / Texas Foods Aftermath
9. Bove Nomination
10.Trump vs Rosie O’Donnell

People

1. Donald Trump
2. Jeffrey Epstein
3. Pam Bondi / Dan Bongino
4. Ghislaine Maxwell
5. Jerome Powell
6. Stephen Miller
7. Vladimir Putin
8. Kristi Noem / David Richardson
9. Emil Bove
10. Rosie O’Donnell

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

Industry News

Audacy: In Marketing Mix Models Radio is “Quietly Efficient”

Audacy SVP of research & insights Ray Borelli writes in an insights piece that data consistently shows that in marketing mix models (MMMs), there is a large gap in the perception of its effectiveness versus how it actually performs. Borelli writes, “Despite outperforming most channels in ROI, Audio can be overlooked byimg marketers, not because it’s ineffective, but because it’s quietly efficient.” He adds, “Low levels of variability and the lack of granular data at the campaign and market levels can cloud the results. Smaller campaign investments can also fly under the radar, making it harder for models to detect Audio’s true impact.” Borelli says Audacy is working with other audio companies and with partners like the RAB and IAB to provide more granular data and to standardize model inputs. “We’re running model audits and retroactive studies to properly demonstrate Audio’s impact including replacing media plan data with ‘as-run’ actuals because as-run data provides significantly more variation, which stimulates the models to more effectively identify radio’s correlation with sales results.” See the complete piece here.

Industry News

Salem and Former Host Settle in Dominion Voting Suit

Salem Media Group and former KNUS, Denver talk host Randy Corporon have settled with former Dominion Voting Systems employee Eric Coomer who filed suit against the them for defamation. Courthouse News reports that the suit stemmed from Corporon’s radio interview with a local businessman who claimed he heardimg “Eric from Dominion saying he was going to make sure President Trump lost the 2020 election.” That was picked up and broadcast by OAN network and further repeated by the Trump campaign and Trump attorneys Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell. Coomer also sued MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell and won a $2.3 million judgement. Courthouse News also reports that Coomer is also suing Salem personality Eric Metaxas who recently filed with the court to settle and is awaiting approval from the court. Interestingly, Corporon – a practicing attorney – is representing Gateway Pundit owner James Hoft who is also being sued by Coomer for defamation. That case is scheduled to go to trial in April of 2026. See the Courthouse News coverage here.

Industry News

NPR Stays Atop Triton Digital Podcast Ranker

Triton Digital releases its U.S. Podcast Ranker for June (June 2 – 29) based on weekly average downloadsimg and NPR’s most popular podcasts – “NPR News Now” and “Up First” – maintain their first and second-place finishes, respectively. Changes of note from May to June include Salem Podcast Network’s “The Charlie Kirk Show” rising three places to #5, Cumulus Podcast Network’s “VINCE” rising one spot to #10, and iHeartRadio’s “Clay Travis & Buck Sexton” falling two places to #16. See the complete ranker here.

Industry News

Carton and Parkins Lose FS1 Show

FOX Sports has canceled the “Breakfast Ball” show on FS1 co-hosted by Craig Carton and Danny Parkins.img Both personalities came to television from radio – Carton from WFAN, New York and imgParkins from WSCR, Chicago. Industry watchers are speculating whether the two, especially Carton, will return to radio. In the New York Post, sportswriterAndrew Marchand notes that after his prison stint for a fraud conviction, Audacy’s now-chief business officer Chris Oliviero was instrumental in bringing Carton back to WFAN as afternoon drive co-host. Carton did radio and the FS1 show before leaving radio to focus on the early morning TV show.

Industry News

Edison Research to Present Podcast Webinar

Edison Research announces it is presenting a webinar to reveal data from its research report, The Podcastimg Consumer. Edison says the webinar will cover the current size and habits of the U.S. podcast audience and explore how things have changed over time. The webinar is July 23 at 2:00 pm ET. You can register here.

Industry News

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (7/16)

The most discussed stories yesterday (7/16) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

1. Senate Passes DOGE Cuts
2. The Epstein Case / MAGA Rift
3. Financial Markets Activity / Trump vs Powell
4. ICE Raids
5. Russia Intensifies Ukraine Strikes

Industry Views

The Soundbite Trap: How Editing in Radio and Podcasting Creates Legal Risk

By Matthew B. Harrison
TALKERS, VP/Associate Publisher
Harrison Media Law, Senior Partner
Goodphone Communications, Executive Producer

imgIn radio and podcasting, editing isn’t just technical – it shapes narratives and influences audiences. Whether trimming dead air, tightening a guest’s comment, or pulling a clip for social media, every cut leaves an impression.

But here’s the legal reality: editing also creates risk.

For FCC-regulated broadcasters, that risk isn’t about content violations. The FCC polices indecency, licensing, and political fairness – not whether your edit changes a guest’s meaning.

For podcasters and online creators, the misconception is even riskier. Just because you’re not on terrestrial radio doesn’t mean you’re free from scrutiny. Defamation, false light, and misrepresentation laws apply to everyone — whether you broadcast on a 50,000-watt signal or a free podcast platform.

At the end of the day, it’s not the FCC that will hold you accountable for your edits. It’s a judge.

1. Alex Jones and the $1 Billion Lesson

Alex Jones became infamous for promoting conspiracy theories on Infowars, especially his repeated claim that the Sandy Hook shooting was a hoax – supported by selectively aired clips and distorted facts.

The result? Nearly $1 billion in defamation verdicts after lawsuits from victims’ families.

Takeaway: You can’t hide behind “just asking questions” or “it was my guest’s opinion.” If your platform publishes it – over the airwaves or online – you’re legally responsible for the content, including how it’s edited or framed. 

2. Katie Couric and the Gun Rights Group Edit

In “Under the Gun,” filmmakers inserted an eight-second pause after Katie Couric asked a tough question, making it seem like a gun rights group was stumped. In reality, they had answered immediately.

The group sued for defamation. The case was dismissed, but reputations took a hit.

Takeaway: Even subtle edits – like manufactured pauses – can distort meaning and expose creators to risk. 

3. FOX News and the Dominion Settlement

FOX News paid $787 million to Dominion Voting Systems after airing content suggesting election fraud – often based on selectively edited interviews and unsupported claims.

Though FOX is (among other things) a cable network, the impact shook the media world. Broadcasters reassessed risks, host contracts, and editorial practices. 

Takeaway: Major networks aren’t the only ones at risk. Radio hosts and podcasters who echo misleading narratives may face similar legal consequences. 

4. The Serial Podcast and the Power of Editing

“Serial” captivated millions by exploring Adnan Syed’s murder conviction. While no lawsuit followed, critics argued the producers presented facts selectively to build a certain narrative. 

Takeaway: Even without a lawsuit, editing shapes public perception. Misleading edits may not land you in court but can damage trust and invite scrutiny.

Whether you’re behind a radio microphone or a podcast mic, your editing decisions carry weight – and legal consequence.

The FCC might care if you drop an indecent word on air, but they won’t be the ones suing you when a guest claims you twisted their words. That’s civil law, where defamation, false light, and misrepresentation have no broadcast exemption.

There’s one set of rules for editing that every content creator lives by – and they’re written in the civil courts, not the FCC code.

Edit with care. 

Matthew B. Harrison is a media and intellectual property attorney who advises radio hosts, content creators, and creative entrepreneurs. He has written extensively on fair use, AI law, and the future of digital rights. Reach him at Matthew@HarrisonMediaLaw.com or read more at TALKERS.com.

Industry News

FOX News Announces Deal with “Ruthless” Podcast

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FOX News enters into a licensing agreement with the “Ruthless” podcast as part of its new media expansion. At the same time, Porter Berry – current president and editor-in-chief of FOX News Digital – adds new media to his role. FOX News Media CEO Suzanne Scott states, “The FOX News Media ecosystem we have built over the past seven years continues to thrive and set new records, and the ‘Ruthless’ deal is a natural extension of our powerhouse brand as audiences reshape how they consume quality content. We have cultivated an unrivaled bench of successful personalities who are well-positioned to excel in today’s evolving media landscape, where podcasting offers the kind of deep engagement our platforms are known for. Porter is a talented executive whose leadership will enhance these new media ventures and creators, while further strengthening FOX News Digital.” Ruthless is hosted by public affairs and digital advocacy consulting firm Cavalry’s founding partners Josh Holmes, Michael Duncan and John Ashbrook as well as Shashank Tripathi, pseudonymously known as “Comfortably Smug.” They were represented by Workhouse Media’s John McConnell. About their new partnership with FOX, the co-hosts say, “We are thrilled to take ‘Ruthless’ to the next level through this strategic partnership. There is a growing appetite for authentic political and cultural conversations, and our podcast delivers with no-holds-barred, irreverent takes that deeply resonate with our dedicated audience.”

Industry News

Logan Named VP of Programming for Audacy Houston

Audacy welcomes Bruce Logan to the Houston station group as vice president of programming andimg operations for the cluster that includes sports talk KILT-AM, sports betting KIKK-AM and four music brands. Logan says, “I’m so excited to be returning to Audacy and Houston! Thanks to Sarah Frazier, Brian Purdy, Tim Roberts, Dave Richards, Jeff Sottolano and Chris Oliviero for once again handing me the keys to these legendary Houston brands. I know Houston is hot, I know it’s where to find the best queso in the world, and I know how to help teams achieve success! We start immediately.”

Industry News

Red Apple Names Goldman Chief Technology Officer

Red Apple Media brings Bert Goldman aboard as chief technology officer. For Goldman, whose career has included stops at ABC/Disney Radio Division, Nationwide Communications, and Shamrock Broadcasting, thisimg is a return to WABC. Red Apple owner John Catsimatidis says, “As Red Apple Media continues to enlarge its footprint in radio, we recognized a need for an engineering specialist with insights that will bolster our growth strategy as we identify properties for our expansion. Bert’s experience made him the perfect choice.” Goldman comments, “I’m eager to come home to 77WABC and join Red Apple Media as it enters its next growth phase. John has revived AM talk radio with big-name hosts and created renewed excitement for broadcast radio overall.”

Industry News

Chicago Sports Talk Personality Harry Teinowitz Dead at 64

Chicago sports media personality Harry Teinowitz has died at the age of 64. The Chicago Sun-Times reportsimg that Teinowitz, former co-host of the “Mac, Jurko and Harry” show with Dan McNeil and John Jukovich on WMVP, Chicago’s, had been ill in recent years, having received a liver transplant and suffering from liver and heart issues. Teinowitz began his radio career as part of the morning show on crosstown competitor WSCR. He also did on-air appearances on WLUP-FM and WGN-AM. See the Chicago Sun-Times story here.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

“Latino USA” Joins My Cultura. Futuro Media and iHeartMedia announced that the “Latino USA” podcast joins iHeartMedia’s My Cultura Podcast Network. Maria Hinojosa’s long-running “Latino USA” airs weekly on 387 public radio stations across the United States and Canada. PRX continues to distribute “Latino USA” via public radio stations while iHeartMedia’s My Cultura Podcast Network distributes the podcast version of the show on iHeartRadio and more.

“Thank a Teacher” Campaign Launches. iHeartMedia launches iHeartRadio’s “Thank a Teacher” campaign with longtime partner DonorsChoose – an education nonprofit that empowers U.S. public school educators to request the classroom supplies they need to serve their students. The one-month media campaign is dedicated to recognizing public school teachers who are shaping the future of America’s youth and will highlight the important role that teachers play in educating, mentoring and inspiring students, despite facing limited resources and funding challenges.

Industry News

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (7/15)

The most discussed stories yesterday (7/15) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

1. Epstein Case Controversies
2. Russian Strikes on Ukraine / Trump Threatens Sanctions
3. Inflation Ticks Up / Trump vs Powell
4. ICE Raids
5. Trump Tariffs

Industry Views

Emergency Radio

 

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By Michael Harrison
Publisher
TALKERS

imgLet’s look into the crystal ball. Humor me if you will.

The year is 2030 and someone invented a new radio brand that was recognized by the end of the 2020s as the most innovative AM format to come down the pike since “news/talk” and “all sports” rose to prominence some three decades earlier (although the need for it was plainly obvious for years). It is even credited with “saving the AM band” like Rush Limbaugh did back in the 90s.

Now, at the start of the 21st century’s third decade, this approach to on-air broadcasting exists across America on approximately 20 major and medium market AM outlets and is tagged by a variety of brand names including “Emergency Radio,” “Emergency Room,” “First Responder AM,” and more. (One outlet has been tagged “The Flashlight 570” and another is being called “The Hero 710.”)  How about “Crisis 1050?”

It is a commercial format with an extraordinarily wide array of potential advertisers, and it is an “image buy” that defies being dependent on ratings. What image-conscious company wouldn’t want the prestige of sponsoring such a positive media force?

Of course, it streams on the internet and has a syndication component – but it wears its “live and local” dimension and its AM dial frequency like a double-edged sword of honor because by 2030 it has become painfully obvious that the electric grid as provided by digital technology is a fragile structure indeed.

We hold this TRUTH to be self-evident

Emergency Radio is based on the self-evident truth that it is very challenging to be a human being in an environment in which the world is constantly bombarding each and every individual with disasters. Please pardon my messy metaphor – but hurricanes are merely the tip of the iceberg.

The human race is plagued by non-stop natural disasters, man-made disasters, medical disasters, financial disasters, emotional disasters, technical disasters, ethics disasters, and a tsunami of anxiety!

Emergency Radio provides real time help in conveying accurate live and local information to the immediate market during fires, floods, earthquakes, pandemics, accidents, and random acts of violence.

Emergency Radio also provides information about disasters happening around the nation and world.  The volcano in a far-away country. The kid trapped in a well in the next state.

But it doesn’t stop there. “Slow news days” are filled with a whole array of revivable radio syndication initiatives that focus on feelings, anxiety, relationships, money, and a slew of real-life problems that impact each and every one of us on a seemingly constant basis. Emergency Radio simply puts them under a different generic umbrella. The world around us, near and far, is one big potential drama waiting to be tapped on the great stage known as the theater of the mind.

Emergency Radio unabashedly recognizes that life’s a bitch and that people need help – including honest inspiration.

BACK TO THE PRESENT: The only problem standing in the way of this prophesy being self-fulfilled is that it will take a bit of a budget still not considered feasible by industry standards and a whole lot of work.

Michael Harrison is the founder of TALKERS.  He can be emailed at michael@talkers.com.    

Industry News

Hannity Hosts New Season of “Wanted: Dead or Alive”

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Sean Hannity is hosting a new season of his historical drama series, “Wanted: Dead or Alive,” for FOX Nation. The series premieres tomorrow (7/16) tackling the stories of the infamous John Dillinger, Bonnie and Clyde, Baby Face Nelson, and Ma Barker. FOX Nation says, “A continuation of his 2024 FOX Nation series, ‘Outlaws and Lawmen,’ Hannity will transport viewers back to The Great Depression as it devastated the nation, and the fast times and easy money of the roaring ‘20s became a faded memory. With bank foreclosures and millions out of work, a new brand of outlaw was born. They rob banks, pull off daring kidnappings and shoot their way into American folklore and one by one, enter the crosshairs of J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI. Each episode will feature a single character or duo’s story in a journey that re-imagines this volatile era.” Hannity comments, “In the shadows of the Great Depression, outlaws cemented their names into history as America’s most wanted. I’m thrilled to further this series and share the stories that ultimately defined a generation.”

Industry News

Chris Fillar Joins Mornings at WWJ, Detroit

Audacy names Chris Fillar the new morning show co-anchor on all-news WWJ, Detroit “Newsradio 950,” where he joins Jackie Paige for the 5:00 am to 10:00 am program. Fillar has been delivering sports updatesimg for WWJ and sports talk WXYT-FM “97.1 The Ticket” since 2018. Audacy Detroit SVP and market manager Debbie Kenyon says, “We are excited to have Chris bring his passion and energy to the morning show. Chris and Jackie are a powerful team, and we’re confident they’ll make an impact every morning while connecting with our listeners.” Fillar comments, “I’m ecstatic to take on this new role alongside Jackie and the entire fantastic morning newsroom at WWJ. It’s an honor to wake up and deliver trusted news to our listeners, and I’m humbled to work with such a great team!”

Industry News

Hubbard Names Beyer VP/ Market Manager for Seattle

Hubbard Radio names Nick Beyer the new VP/market manager for its Seattle cluster that includes alternative talk KKNW-AM, four music brands and the 2060 Digital Seattle office. Beyer began his radio career at theimg Hubbard Seattle stations (then owned by Sandusky) and rose through the ranks in promotions, sales, and on-air roles, and was selected for Hubbard’s inaugural NextGen Leadership program. Most recently, Beyer held senior sales leadership positions at CRISTA Media and iHeartMedia Seattle. Beyer says, “I’m incredibly honored to return to where it all began. Hubbard Radio Seattle is home, and I can’t wait to work with this amazing team to serve our listeners, clients, and community.”

Industry News

WWO: Visual AM/FM Ads Generate Lift

This week’s blog from Cumulus Media | Westwood One’s Audio Active Group presents data from a Quantilope study that shows Quu in-dash visual ads on vehicle screens “drive significant awareness, consideration, and purchase intent.” The blog post adds that a new study from System1 and major out-ofimg-home media company JCDecaux reveals creative best practices for billboard advertising that the AM/FM radio industry can utilize to improve visual ad impact. Some of the key findings include: 1) Quu visual AM/FM radio ads on auto dashboards increase purchase intent by +89%; 2) You’ve got two seconds so brand fast: Visual logos placed at top of the frame deliver 4X higher brand recognition; 3) Beware the cost of dull: Failure to engage emotionally is the cost of creative mediocrity; 4) Be consistent with a brand’s colors, logos, slogans, and fonts that appear in other advertising; 5) Keep it short: The fewer the words, the greater the brand recognition; and 6) Create happiness: Ads that create positive emotions with happiness, surprise, or humor generate much stronger memorability, brand association, store visits, and website visits. See the blog post here.