According to Cumulus and other reliable sources, in a series of private meetings with customers, Nielsen has reportedly revealed potential plans to enhance the way it generates average quarter-hour audiences in the 48 markets which utilize the Portable People Meter. Crediting to AM/FM radio listening in local PPM markets will increase by +24%. For national marketers and media agencies, the expected impact in 2025 will be a +10% increase in total U.S. listening levels. This week’s Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group® blog examines the implications for AM/FM radio.  Here are some key points

• The trend of AM/FM radio surpassing TV in ratings will accelerate: Over the last five years, AM/FM radio has overtaken linear TV in ratings. Based on TV and AM/FM radio audience forecasts, 2025 will see AM/FM radio overtake TV in the all-important 25-54 demographic by 13% and widen its ratings lead over TV among 18-49s by 47%.

• 2025 post-buy analyses will overachieve 2024 media plans: In PPM markets, expect up to +24% increases in audience deliveries based on prior year schedules. For local buys, outcomes will vary by demographic, markets utilized, and AM/FM radio programming format mix.

• AM/FM radio, already America’s number one mass reach media, will experience reach growth in advertising schedules: With an estimated daily reach growth of +7% and weekly week growth of +4%, reach and frequency analyses are expected to experience growth.

• AM/FM radio ads will become more effective as stations increase the number of commercial breaks with shorter durations: With a 3-minute quarter hour qualification, stations could create more breaks of shorter duration. This will significantly benefit advertisers.

TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison’s reaction to this possible course of action is, “The game is played the way the game is scored.  However, we in radio must be careful not to fool ourselves by what could simply be a lowering of the bar. If the fences are moved in an extra hundred feet, the result will be more home runs… but not necessarily better hitting.”

In the wake of the enormous success of the 16^th Annual Hurley in the Morning Foundation Charity Dinner this past Friday evening (10/4) in Atlantic City (see full story below) in which the amount of money raised by the philanthropic initiative has now exceeded $1.75 million to be distributed to worthy non-profits across the Garden State and beyond, the New Jersey State Senate and General Assembly issued separate proclamations honoring the event’s organizer and founder, Harry Hurley and its guest of honor/keynote speaker Michael Harrison.  The joint resolutions praise both media figures for their outstanding work and careers in radio and service on behalf of the public good.  In addition, Harry Hurley, 33-year veteran morning host on WPG, Atlantic City, was honored by the designation of October 4, 2024 as “Harry Hurley Day” in Atlantic Country, NJ.

Michael Harrison discusses the enormous changes taking place in the human nervous system as a result of digital and AI technology at New Jersey Charity Dinner.

Michael Harrison tells attendees that modern digital technology is rewiring the human brain with shocking results. One of the many highlights of Harrison’s 48-minute presentation was his observation that due to the rewiring on the human brain by rapidly evolving digital mechanics, we humans are evolving into a “technologically induced telepathic species.”  To see a clip of Harrison’s comments please click here.

The aftermath of Hurricane Helene and anticipation of Hurricane Milton were the most talked-about stories, followed closely by the presidential race and the escalation of violence in the Middle East.  Climate change, the economy, abortion rights, the migrant crisis, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the MLB playoffs were also among the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday (10/7), according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

As most readers of TALKERS magazine know, dedicated and alert radio stations rise to the occasion of abundant vigilance and public service in providing their communities with vital information and support during natural disasters.  Such has been the case with Hurricane Helene and the same thing will take place as Hurricane Milton threatens Florida and the East Coast.

TALKERS has been informed of the following plan put in place by the Florida-based Beasley Media Group:

1. Hourly Storm Updates: The Tampa and Fort Myers markets will commence hourly storm updates immediately, increasing to twice per hour as the storm nears. Wall-to-wall coverage will begin 24 hours before landfall, incorporating active listener engagement.

2. Partnership with Local TV Stations: Beasley Tampa will partner with local Scripps ABC television, while Fort Myers will align with the Hearst NBC-2/ABC-7 affiliates to enhance storm coverage.

3. Remote Broadcasting: Should there be widespread flooding, evacuations, or power/internet outages, Q105’s afternoon host, Geno, will broadcast live from Beasley’s Boston-based studios to maintain continuous storm coverage.

4. On-Site Presence: Some staff may remain overnight at the radio station, provided there are no safety concerns.

5. Beasley’s engineering team is on standby to address any technical issues that arise, ensuring the stations remain operational.

6. Local Storm Coverage: All syndicated programming will be suspended during the storm to prioritize local storm coverage.

7. Digital Content and Storm Central: Beasley’s Digital Content team will establish a dedicated “Storm Central” section on the station websites, offering timely updates, which will also be shared across social media platforms. Additionally, Quu dashboard technology will deliver special messaging featuring storm warnings.

Beasley personnel are closely monitoring the evolving storm conditions and are ready to take necessary action to keep their communities informed and safe.

The 16^th annual Hurley in the Morning Charity Foundation Dinner took place Friday evening (10/4) at the historic Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City.  The event is a key component each year of the philanthropic work performed by 33-year veteran WPG, Atlantic City morning host Harry Hurley on behalf of non-profits across New Jersey and beyond.

The gathering was literally a who’s who of the Garden State’s political, business, health care, and cultural communities including U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ), U.S Senate candidate Curtis Bashaw, and literally dozens of members of the New Jersey legislature, county leaders, mayors, council members and a broad section of business and industry leaders at the highest level. The gala event, which drew the largest attendance in the event’s colorful history, opened with a video welcome message from New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. More than $100,00 was raised at the gathering that evening, which included a remarkably curated silent auction, bringing the foundation’s total to more than $1.75 million.

TALKERS founder/publisher Michael Harrison served as the dinner’s keynote speaker and guest of honor. In his 40-minute presentation, Harrison discussed a variety of topics including the consequential impact of changing technology on society, the state of radio and journalism, the importance of the First Amendment and education in preserving democracy and the challenges facing unique cities such as Atlantic City in carrying on their meaningful legacies in the brave new world of the 21^st century. Highlights of Harrison’s speech will be posted to the TALKERS MEDIA YouTube channel in the coming days.

Harrison stated, “The positive impact Harry Hurley has on South Jersey – economically, politically, and culturally – is a thing of beauty when witnessed up close as I just did this past weekend.  I salute Harry, WPG, and Townsquare Media for setting a stunning example of just how consequential this enduring medium of radio can be when operated by such dedicated, resourceful, and community-minded individuals. I was humbled and deeply honored to be able to play a small role in their magnificent efforts.”

According to a story by reporter Kerry Picket in yesterday’s issue of The Washington Times (10/6), Big Apple Republicans want WABC owner John Catsimatidis to run for mayor of New York City if embattled Mayor Eric Adams resigns from the post and a special election follows.  The article says, according to a New York GOP source, the city’s five county chairmen prefer Catsimatidis, over any other potential Republican looking to become the next mayor of the city.  TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison reacted to the story by saying, “John Catsimatidis would make a great mayor for New York – but NYC’s gain would be radio’s loss.  He’s one of the shining lights among the ranks of today’s radio ownership.” Harrison adds, “As far as I know, this is news to Catsimatidis as well as the rest of us.  I do not believe he has spoken to anyone about this prior to the speculation based on The Washington Times sources.  Regardless, it sure makes sense.” Catsimatidis owns multiple businesses, including a chain of supermarkets in Manhattan and WABC, where he hosts two political talk shows. He also heads up the Red Apple Group, a real estate and aviation company worth about $2 billion in holdings. To read the entire article, please click here.

Broadcasters Foundation Asks Broadcasters in Affected Areas to Spread the Word To Colleagues That Help Is Available for Those in Greatest Need.  The Broadcasters Foundation of America is delivering emergency financial assistance to qualifying colleagues in the radio and TV industry who have been personally hit hard by Hurricane Helene. The Foundation’s Emergency Grant Program is set up with a streamlined vetting process that enables the charity to get emergency funds to those in desperate need quickly. “Broken pipes, power outages, displacement, and more have brought devastation to many of our colleagues,” noted Tim McCarthy, president of the BFoA.  “We’ve already approved over half a dozen requests and that’s just the beginning. Based on the number of requests from previous disasters, we know that figure will grow significantly as those impacted by the storm assess their damage and determine the costs. “We’ve also reached out to groups and state associations in the areas impacted by Hurricane Helene and asked them to inform their employees and members that we are here to provide aid to those who need it most,” McCarthy added. “Our colleagues cannot be left alone to struggle.”  Individuals in radio and television may apply for emergency aid to see if they qualify by clicking here. For more information about the Broadcasters Foundation, including how to apply for aid or make a donation, visit www.broadcastersfoundation.org, or contact 212-373-8250 or info@thebfoa.org.

Lifestyle Show with Frankie Boyer Debuts on WGCH Radio, Greewich, CT.   Veteran award-winning radio talk show host for 24+ years, Frankie Boyer has announced the addition of her new broadcast, “The Frankie Boyer Lifestyle Show,” which airs on WGCH, News Talk AM 1490, Greenwich, CT. The one-hour show is live weekdays from 6:00 -7:00 pm. WGCH covers Fairfield County, CT as well as neighboring Westchester County, NY. The station serves the community with extensive local news, sports and talk programming. Boyer tells TALKERS, “My show will be fast paced, very informative, full of joy and very uplifting, for my listeners.”  Boyer hosts two other syndicated shows – “Cannabis Talk A-Z” and “Frankie Boyer Radio.”  For more information contact 508-878-1782 or frankieboyer@aol.com

The presidential race, escalating violence in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, and the devastation of Hurricane Helene topped the list of stories discussed in the news/talk media this past weekend followed by the economy, the migrant crisis, abortion, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the MLB playoffs according to ongoing research from TALKERS.