News Anchor Marcy Williams to Retire from 95.5 WSB
Longtime WSB-AM/WSBB-FM, Atlanta news anchor Marcy Williams is retiring from the Cox Media Group station after a 31-year career there. Williams began her WSB Radio career as an overnight anchor, and quickly rose through the ranks to become the anchor of the “Atlanta’s Morning News” program. She says, “I’ve spent
30 years as the first female co-anchor of ‘Atlanta’s Morning News.’ With a little back-of-the-envelope math, I calculate I’ve written more than 300,000 stories over those three decades. Now it’s time for me to write a new chapter.” Station news director Amanda Moyer comments, “Marcy has been a leader and an example in our newsroom for more than three decades. Her recent Gracie award win is the perfect cap to her long tenure at WSB as the first, and to this day, the only female lead news anchor on ‘Atlanta’s Morning News.’ She will be deeply missed, but our loss is her granddaughter’s gain.”
number of radio station affiliates, station size and market that was the foundation for the list. A special highlight of this year’s Benztown 50 is the presentation of the voiceover industry’s highest honor, the Chris Corley Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be presented to legendary voiceover talent, Earl Mann. A prolific voiceover artist from Canada, Mann started his career as a singer for the 1960s American folk band, the Gaslight Singers. He was an all-night disc jockey on radio stations CKEY and CHFI in Toronto in the 1960s and1970s. Sports fans will recognize Mann as the “voice of the NFL” through his work for NFL Films, as well as the voice of several college football programs and numerous NFL teams. 
followed by NPR Member Stations at #2 (76,679 AAS) and Audacy at #3 (57,595). Cumulus Streaming Network was #4 (42,504 AAS). Beasley Broadcasting Corporate ranked #6 (19,635 AAS), Hubbard Broadcasting was #8 (15,635 AAS), and Salem Communications ranked #11 (8,738 AAS). 
compared to the net loss of $3.7 million in Q1 of 2022. Beasley CEO Caroline Beasley states, “Beasley’s strong first quarter financial operating results highlight our continued local audio leadership and the ongoing success of our digital transformation and revenue diversification initiatives which are driving top-line and SOI (station operating income) growth. Despite ongoing challenges related to the economy and softness in the national spot market, Beasley generated healthy growth across its digital, local audio, and network revenue sources, as reflected by the 3.7% increase in first quarter net revenues to $57.8 million. Top-
line growth was the primary factor contributing to an impressive 21% year-over-year increase in SOI to $7.1 million. Our digital strategy delivered first quarter digital revenue growth of 27.8% year-over-year and accounted for 17.3% of total first quarter revenue. Similar to recent quarters, strong digital revenue performance was driven by Beasley’s organic content creation initiatives and the roll-out of our tailored web services. Beasley continues to see accelerating demand from consumers for our innovative digital content, with our unique digital users more than doubling over the prior year quarter, resulting in a more than 90% year-over-year increase in sellable digital impressions. We believe we remain on path for this revenue source to reach 20% of total revenue by 2023 year-end.” Total outstanding debt as of March 31, 2023 was $290 million, and first quarter interest expense slightly declined to $6.6 million. Beasley had $35.9 million of cash and cash equivalents on hand at quarter end. We intend to keep our cash on the balance sheet in order to maintain our strong liquidity position, while we monitor the economic environment.”
executive to his most recent post, EVP sales and sports partnerships.” Westwood One president Suzanne Grimes says, “Brandon is a natural leader with a smart, strategic approach to the business that will enable us to manage through these economic headwinds and beyond with confidence, commitment, resilience, and results. With his unparalleled command of our powerhouse sports business, proven success with integrated, and multi-platform client-focused selling, Brandon is uniquely well-suited to lead the team.”
syndicated radio health-based talk show continues to gain affiliates, was recently appointed the role of “ringside physician” for Impact Wrestling which doubles as a serious medical position as well as an entertainment position. Doctor Asa tells TALKERS, “The NFL, just like combat sports, includes years of high-impact play, raising concerns for long-term wellness. Concussions, joint injuries, cardiovascular health, obesity, and neurological complications are the norm as the average career for 
an NFL player is very short.” Doctor Asa will be speaking and educating as the leading health and wellness voice for NFL Franchises and Alumni with strategies for optimal health, performance, and longevity. He continues, “The NFL is a worldwide sports giant with some of the greatest athletes. The players are the ones we need to make sure are in the best position to enter the sport well and exit with their greatest win, their health. NFL Alumni Health has a passion to educate the players for better current play health and longevity choices which creates a better post-play outcome. Many former NFL Alumni Players are losing quality of life and facing serious health challenges. NFL Alumni Health is on a mission to create a better way. I’m here to be the voice, the storyteller, and catalyst to inspire the NFL and its Alumni, and influence others to reach their potential and becoming the best version of themselves.” Dr. Asa Andrew will be speaking on “The Big Picture” panel at TALKERS 2023, June 2 at Hofstra University.
Newsmax saw this agreement as both an opportunity to join with a respected leader in multimedia, Telecom Serbia, but also to strengthen America’s ties with the people of Serbia and the Balkans. The United States and Serbia were allies in both World Wars, share a common desire to overcome the destructive legacy of communism in East Europe, and both continue to support democratic societies. We believe that millions of Americans, Serbs and others will see us as an important source of information that they can trust.”
goes on to say, “P&G’s commitment to minority owned broadcasters and its stewardship of diversity, equity and inclusion is unparalleled as evidenced by its founding sponsorship of ‘More than that with Gia Peppers’ audio series, its transformative strategic alliance with NABOB and Reset Digital to steer more digital investment to black-owned broadcasters, and its ‘Lead with Love’ community impact program activated in partnership with Katz Radio Group and RAB.” RAB president and CEO and chair of the Radio Creative Fund, Erica Farber, says, “Procter & Gamble continues to be a tremendous partner to the radio industry. The ongoing collaboration with P&G and its agencies is driving results among our shared consumers, and we look forward to their continued innovation and thought leadership in audio.”
conservatives were likely to cheer the news of Lemon’s dismissal, the Carlson departure was far more nuanced as it came a week after FOX agreed to a $787 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems and after discovery in the case revealed 
texts that offered a behind-the-scenes look at FOX News personalities’ frank opinions about the 2020 election, January 6, and their co-workers and bosses. The breaking news even prompted the vacationing Mike Gallagher to find a studio in London from which to do a special edition of his Salem Radio Network program today (4/25). Salem VP/news & talk programming Tom Tradup says, “Mike Gallagher’s programming instincts are second to none. Despite being on vacation overseas, he recognized the importance of the Tucker Carlson departure and insisted on parachuting back into his talk show to give listeners the chance to sound off of what likely will be one of the biggest political stories on 2023.” 
state-of-the-art broadcast complex that will operate from the heart of South Beach. Stern will broadcast live May 1-3 from Miami in what SiriusXM calls “a star-studded week of programming live from SiriusXM Miami.” Stern will be joined live in the studio by special music and celebrity guests. The new SiriusXM Miami studios features a 50-seat performance space and several artist-first radio and recording studios, in addition to office space.
One out of three American AM/FM radio listeners are reached monthly by AM radio. From the Edison study: 1) AM/FM radio dominates listening in the car with an 88% share of ad-supported audio; 2) AM/FM radio’s near-90 share of in-car ad-supported audio has been steady as a rock for the last six years; 3) AM/FM radio’s ad-supported shares in the car are dominant across all demographics, even among 18-34s; and 4) ‘Perception’ vs. ‘reality’: Agencies and advertisers underestimate AM/FM radio shares and overestimate Pandora and Spotify audiences (‘Perception’ from Advertiser Perceptions data). MRI Simmons shows Ford owners represent 20% of all U.S. AM radio listeners and are more likely to listen to AM radio. Cumulus chief insights officer Pierre Bouvard comments, “AM stations serve very unique, targeted constituencies and represent many languages and voices. As automobile manufacturers consider eliminating AM radio, it’s important to underscore that the AM dial is one of the most diverse media platforms in the world. Why would we eliminate this variety from the car?” 
Football, Masters, plus sports talk networks CBS Sports Radio and BetQL. Maguire reports to Stuart Greenblatt, SVP of affiliate sales for Westwood One. Maguire, who has served in management roles at stations including WMVP, Chicago; WQAM, Miami; KDKA, Pittsburgh; and KIRO-AM, Seattle, says, “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Westwood One Sports. They have long established themselves as best-in-class content curators and syndicators. I’m excited to team with our affiliate stations and partners to help them achieve success utilizing our many assets.”
Rounds three and four of Nielsen Audio’s March 2023 PPM survey have been released for 24 markets including: Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, Columbus, Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford. Nielsen’s March 2023 sweep covered March 2 – March 29. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from these markets. In Portland, Alpha Media news/talk KXL-FM falls 1.3 shares to a 5.7 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) but stays in the #4 rank, while iHeartMedia’s crosstown news/talk KEX-AM dips a full share for a 2.4 share finish that leaves it ranked #16. Bonneville’s Salt Lake City news/talk KSL-AM/FM adds one-tenth for a 5.1 finish that lifts it to the #4 rank, while iHeartMedia’s crosstown news/talk KNRS-AM/FM dips three-tenths to finish the survey with a 4.8 share good for the #6 rank. And in Milwaukee, iHeartMedia news/talk WISN falls one-tenth to a 9.7 share that leaves it ranked #2, while Good Karma Brands’ news/talk WTMJ rises four-tenths for a 7.4 share repeating in the #4 rank. 
Twitter CEO Elon Musk told NPR reporter Bobby Allyn that Twitter dropped the labels after a suggestion from author Walter Isaacson, who is reported to be writing a biography of Musk. NPR said it was suspending use of the Twitter platform as a result of the labels. NPR spokeswoman Isabel Lara says the company has nothing new to say on the matter. Twitter also put the labels on the BBC, PBS and Canada’s CBC. 
Kaye announced his contest to give away five Twitter Blue subscriptions to listeners who can explain why they are most deserving of the prize. Kaye says, “We are always looking for fun and unique ways to help our audience. Many of our listeners lost their blue check marks in the purge. Several others never had one to begin with. Either way, the twitter blue check mark has once again become a hot commodity and a major status symbol in the war to protect free speech. What better prize could we offer our listeners?” Kaye is giving away one subscription each day this week.
own. She cites a February 2, 2021 appearance by Mike Lindell on Newsmax TV during which anchor Bob Sellers vehemently challenges Lindell’s allegations of voter manipulation, to the point of walking off the set in frustration. The story also notes Newsmax’s defense as laid out in court filings. The company says, “It reported fairly and accurately on the public statements made by President Trump, his attorneys, and 
surrogates; It had a right to report on statements made by public figures, including the president; Newsmax reported on both television and online claims by multiple officials and experts that the election was not ‘stolen’ or ‘rigged.’; Newsmax reached out to Dominion, and Dominion did not accept offers to appear on the network; Newsmax published online at least a dozen articles sharing Dominion’s response to Trump campaign claims. Those headlines appeared on Newsmax TV; On Dec. 19, 2020, Newsmax published to its website a statement, ‘Facts About Dominion, Smartmatic You Should Know,’ which read, in part, ‘No evidence has been offered that Dominion or Smartmatic used software or reprogrammed software that manipulated votes in the 2020 election.’; Newsmax shared its statement over the course of months during segments related and unrelated to the 2020 election.” Finally, Newsmax adds, “It should be noted that FOX News has never made a statement, even after its settlement, as strong and specific as Newsmax’s statement of Dec. 19, 2021.” 
vote-getter in the unsuccessful recall election of California Governor Gavin Newsom in September of 2021. Now, Elder has his sights set on the White House and explains why in his mission statement. “America is in decline, but this decline is not inevitable. It is a choice made by detached and cynical politicians. As a California resident, I’ve seen firsthand how decades of Democrat rule have turned the Golden State, for many, into an unaffordable dystopia. I won’t let them do the same to America. We can enter a new American Golden Age, but we must choose a leader who can bring us there. That’s why I’m running for President.”
the same time, the station moves host Mark Arum (center) from afternoon drive to the 9:00 am to 12:00 noon daypart and “The Von Haessler Doctrine” hosted by Eric Von Haessler (right) shifts to the 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm slot. Station director of branding and programming Ken Charles comments, “‘95.5 WSB’ has such a deep roster of talent, and I’m excited to promote Chris to this new role. As part of the process, we took the time to examine the entire station lineup. Additionally, we asked our audience what they expected from WSB. These changes reflect those expectations and leverage our local stars to position the station for the future.” About his new role, Chander says, “It is the honor of a career to step into one of the great heritage radio news programs in the country. Scott Slade can’t be replaced, but I’m committed to maintaining the integrity, consistency, and fairness he brought ‘Atlanta’s Morning News’ over his legendary run.”
commentator on FOX and has hosted the Saturday night show “Unfiltered” since 2021, as well as the “Canceled in the USA” program on FOX Nation. Bongino said on his radio show and podcast that they just couldn’t agree on a new deal. “It’s not some big conspiracy. There’s no acrimony. This wasn’t like some WWE brawl that happened. We just couldn’t come to terms on an extension.” The report indicates Bongino may even make guest appearances on FOX in the future. 
alongside Atiba Buchanan. Hill takes over for Kimberly Egonmwan who left the show to run for political office. WVON says, “Hill is a 30-year veteran journalist and a fixture in Chicago media. Her knowledge of local stakeholders, politics, and social issues makes her an asset to WVON’s news/talk format.” Hill adds, “WVON has such a rich history of being a force and a voice in Chicago this just seems right. I look forward to being part of the next generation of storytellers.”
Engineer and non-Engineer’s Engineer. By that, I mean that he is able to interact with all personality types. From sales to programming, he is able to describe the why in very relatable terms and consistently demonstrates patience with people.” Brown states, “I am humbled and very grateful for this honor, but this is also about many other people. So many amazing colleagues, friends and co-workers who have helped me. The great radio stations and a company where I have been privileged to work for almost 50 years. Numerous mentors and teachers who have given me so much. My family, who have encouraged me and allowed me to do the work I love to do. And my beautiful wife Karin, who makes me a better person every single day.”