Industry News

McMullen Tabbed to Call Marlins’ Radio PBP

Jack McMullenThe Miami Marlins announced this morning (2/7) the hiring of Jack McMullen as the lead play-by-play announcer on the Marlins Radio Network. McMullen takes over for Kyle Sielaff, who is the new lead TV play-by-play voice for Marlins games on FanDuel Sports Network.  A graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse, McMullen spent the previous three seasons on the radio broadcast for the Pirates’ Triple-A affiliate. Before then, he called games for the Brewster Whitecaps in the Cape Cod League (2018) and the Short Season Auburn Doubledays of the Nationals’ system (’19). The Chicago native’s other experience includes serving as director of podcasting for Just Baseball Media, hosting the network’s flagship show “The Just Baseball Show,” play calling for ESPN+/Learfield and working as part of the broadcast and production teams for various programs during his time at Syracuse. A rotation of analysts will team up with McMullen in the booth: Rod Allen, Jeff Nelson, Gaby Sánchez and Kelly Saco. Joining the mix will be three-time Emmy Award winner and longtime FanDuel Sports Network host and reporter Craig Minervini as well as former Marlins All-Star reliever and SiriusXM MLB analyst A.J. Ramos. McMullen will make his Marlins Radio Network debut on Feb. 22, when the Marlins open Grapefruit League action against the Cardinals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. He will call every Spring Training and regular-season game on WINZ 940, the Marlins’ English radio flagship station, and develop ancillary Marlins Radio Network content with pregame show host Stephen Strom.  “We can’t wait to introduce Jack to the South Florida community as we enter an exciting chapter of Marlins baseball, and we know Jack is the perfect fit to tell our story,” Marlins vice president of public relations and communications Jon Erik Alvarez said. “His broadcast style, baseball knowledge and vast multimedia experience will connect with our listeners and extend the reach beyond the booth as we look to improve upon the recent growth of the Marlins Radio Network.”

 

Industry News

WURD Radio Presents “Phenomenal Black Philly Writers – Creating Our Essential Reading List to Survive 2025” at the Philadelphia Museum of Art this Evening (2/7)

WURD
In honor of Black History Month, WURD Radio presents “Phenomenal Black Philly Writers: Creating Our Essential Reading List to Survive 2025,” an evening of critical literary discussion and cultural exploration. This timely and urgent event will take place this evening from 6:30 to 8:00 pm in the Learning and Engagement Center at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

WURD Radio (900 AM and 96.1 FM) is the only Black-owned and operated talk radio station in Pennsylvania. Having celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2023, over the past two decades WURD has evolved into a multi-media, multi-platform communications company that reaches deeply into the Black community through radio, video, events, digital and social media. It is considered the go-to media channel to engage, interact and connect with Philadelphia’s Black community. Tune in to WURD Radio on 900 AM and 96.1 FM.

According to the station, this event is in response to a time of extreme anti-intellectualism, the attempted erasure of Black history and identity, and the persistent denial of systemic racial inequality. By focusing on the art of writing as a political act, this event seeks to highlight the critical role of Black writers in shaping discourse on resilience and, most important, truth. The event will be enhanced by the curation of an essential reading list comprised of titles – fiction and nonfiction, poetry and prose — that will be shared with the audience and posted on wurdradio.com.

The evening will begin with a conversation between WURD Radio president and CEO Sara M. Lomax, Jeannine A. Cook of Harriet’s Bookshop, and Sonia Sanchez, a legendary poet, writer and leader in the Black Arts Movement. Following this discussion, WURD Radio host Solomon Jones will moderate a panel featuring Philadelphia writers Lorene Cary, Nancy Gilliam, Tre Johnson and Ursula Rucker, exploring the importance of Black writers politically, historically and spiritually, reaffirming the necessity of their work in today’s climate.  Additionally, event attendees will have the opportunity to experience the ongoing Philadelphia Museum of Art exhibit, “The Time Is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure,” which powerfully complements the evening’s themes of representation and cultural storytelling.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Stories of Past Week (2/3-7)

These were the most discussed stories this past week (2/3-7) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

Stories/Topics

1. Trump Gaza Plan / Israel-Hamas War

2. Musk USAID-DOGE Activities

3. Trump Nomination Hearings

4. ICE Migrant Deportation Crackdown / FBI-DOJ Issues

5. AA Crash Aftermath- Airline Safety / Trump DEI Remarks and Policies

6. Tariff War / U.S. Foreign Policy

7. The Economy / Healthcare-Bird Flu

8. Big Tech / Russia-Ukraine War

9. LGBTQ Issues-Transgender Women in Sports

10. Super Bowl Buzz

 

People

1. Donald Trump

2. Elon Musk

3. Benjamin Netanyahu

4. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr / Kash Patel

5. Marco Rubio / Pam Bondi

6. Joe Biden

7. Xi Jinping

8. Jeff Bezos / Mark Zuckerberg / Bill Gates

9. Vladimir Putin / Volodymyr Zelenskyy

10. JD Vance / Karoline Leavitt

 

Industry News

iHeartMedia Pittsburgh Names Bobbie Loesch Market President

Bobby Loesch IDiHeartMedia announced today (2/6) that longtime executive Bobbie Loesch has been named market president for Pittsburgh, effective immediately.  The company is home to six iconic stations with a powerful cross-platform presence delivering a diverse range of music, talk, and news formats. As market president, Loesch will oversee all aspects of operations in Pittsburgh, including sales, promotions and programming. She will report to D.J. Hodge, division president for iHeartMedia.  Hodge tells TALKERS, “Bobbie has been an instrumental and driving force behind the success of our Pittsburgh cluster for over 20 years, and her leadership and vision make her the perfect fit to lead the team into the future.”  Loesch joined iHeartMedia Pittsburgh in April 2004 as an account executive. She was promoted to VP of sales in 2012, and most recently served as a SVP of sales for seven years. She began her career as an AE for Townsquare Media from 1998-2004 and is a graduate of Liberty University.  “I am genuinely honored to be appointed to this role and deeply appreciate the trust placed in me to lead this exceptionally talented team. My colleagues, our partners and our audiences are the cornerstone of our success,” said Loesch. “I am excited to build on our achievements and further elevate our dominance in the market, and I’m eager to continue to help brands harness the unmatched reach, scale and efficiency that only iHeart can deliver.”

Industry News

Edison Research: The Top 50 Podcasts in the U.S. for Q4 2024

imEdison Research announces the Top 50 Podcasts in the U.S. based on reach for Q4 2024 among weekly podcast listeners age 13+. The list ranks podcasts based on total audience reach from Edison Podcast Metrics. Interviews were conducted continuously throughout the quarter in English and Spanish. Rankings are based on listening over the full period. All respondents reported listening to podcasts in the last week.

Since Q3 2024, the top four podcasts – “The Joe Rogan Experience,” “Crime Junkie,” “The Daily,” and “Call Her Daddy”have maintained their rankings in that order.

1. The Joe Rogan Experience
2.
Crime Junkie
3.
The Daily
4. Call Her Daddy
5.
This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von (+3 spots)
6. Dateline NBC (+1)
7. SmartLess (-2)
8. Stuff You Should Know (-2)
9. Morbid (+3)
10. Pod Save America (+9)

Top of the charts: “Pod Save America,” hosted by former Obama staffers, makes its debut in the Top 10, no doubt riding the wave of the political news cycle.

After a mid-September launch, “Talk Tuah with Hailey Welch quickly skyrocketed in popularity, debuting at #11. The last episode dropped in mid-December, one day before Welch’s $HAWK crypto debacle and subsequent lawsuit.

In the Top 50 for the first time: The November election likely contributed to several podcasts making their debut in the Top 50 this quarter. “Shawn Ryan Show” appears for the first time at #37, continuing its rise as an interview podcast featuring military veterans, intelligence operatives, and political figures. “The Charlie Kirk Show” breaks in at #49, leveraging Kirk’s influence as the founder of Turning Point USA.

“Candace,” Candace Owens’ independent show, debuts at #45, marking a strong entry following her controversial departure from The Daily Wire in March 2024. Owens launched “Candace” in June 2024 and its rapid rise makes clear her loyal audience followed her to her new venture.

Continued rise of conservative talk: In addition to the conservative talk podcasts making their Top 50 debuts this quarter, several established conservative voices moved higher in the rankings. “The Ben Shapiro Show” climbs from #22 to #14 and “The Megyn Kelly Show” sees a boost from #50 to #27. Meanwhile, “The Matt Walsh Show,” which was last in the Top 50 in Q3 2023, reentered the Top 50 at #45.

The podcast show ranker is derived from data collected continuously during the fourth quarter of 2024, interviewing 5,163 weekly podcast consumers age 13 and older in the U.S. Participants indicate which podcasts they listened to in the past week along with a variety of demographic, psychographic, and purchase-behavior information. This ranker measures reach as a percentage of the weekly podcast listening audience.   For full details, please click here. Edison Podcast Metrics

Industry News

Red Apple Audio Networks Announces Syndication of “The Rush Hour with James Golden (a.k.a. Bo Snerdley)”

Red Apple

Red Apple Audio Networks has added “The Rush Hour with James Golden (a.k.a. Bo Snerdley)” to its growing roster of program offerings. The one-hour daily show airs live weekdays in afternoon drive from 4:00 -5:00 pm ET.  Golden delivers updates on the top news stories of the day, along with a smattering of music from that day in music history to rejuvenate listeners after a day’s work. Company sources say, “Listeners are not only well-informed, they’re also bopping and singing all the way home.”  Golden gained nationwide fame as Bo Snerdley, producer of “The Rush Limbaugh Show. The Rush HourSince then, he has solidified his position as a major radio host with notable audience share growth on flagship 77WABC in New York (41% year-over-year) and impressive weekly TSL of 1 hour and 15 minutes*.  “I am looking forward to connecting every day with listeners in markets all across the U.S.,” Golden tells TALKERS. “During The Rush Hour, we take a look at events that occurred during the day, but we also take a break and have a little fun, too.” “James has attracted a loyal audience that continues to grow,” stated John Catsimatidis, owner of Red Apple Media, Red Apple Audio Networks, and 77WABC Radio. “Many of his listeners remember him from the Rush Limbaugh days, but the audience growth he is experiencing is solely on his own talent. His insights on politics, combined with his love for talk radio, has made him a phenomenal success.” In addition to “The Rush Hour,” Golden hosts a three-hour syndicated Saturday morning program, “The James Golden Show,” which launched into syndication last June. The show has amassed more than 30 affiliates, including five in the Top 50 DMAs. Both programs originate from the Red Apple Audio Networks flagship station, 77WABC Radio in New York. For information on any of Red Apple Audio Networks’ syndicated shows, stations may visit www.redappleaudionetworks.com or contact affiliation@redappleaudionetworks.com.

*Source: Nielsen Radio, New York Metro, P12+, Average Share, Weekly TSL, December 2023, December 2024.

 

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

FOX News Channel’s Sean Hannity is scheduled to present the first television interview with the newly sworn in Attorney General Pam Bondi this evening (2/6) “Hannity(9:00 pm – 10:00 pm ET). Bondi will discuss her first actions as Attorney General and other news of the day. Hannity, ranked number one on the TALKERS Heavy Hundred, continues to be one of the most well-connected talk show hosts in America.  The 2025 edition of the “Heavy Hundred” is due to be published shortly.  Stay tuned…..Super Bowl LIX will be the 52nd time Westwood One will broadcast America’s biggest sporting event.  Kevin Harlan will handle play-by-play duties for the Super Bowl for the 15th straight year, with Super Bowl XXXIV MVP and Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner returning for the seventh consecutive year as lead analyst. Gene Steratore re-joins the radio broadcast booth as rules analyst for this year’s Super Bowl, and, for the sixth time, Laura Okmin will patrol the sidelines.  Scott Graham and three-time Super Bowl champion Devin McCourty will host Westwood One’s pregame, halftime, and postgame coverage live from Caesars Superdome, with former NFL offensive lineman Ross Tucker also contributing to the pregame coverage. For the first time ever, Westwood One will broadcast the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show featuring Grammy-Award winning artist Kendrick Lamar….. Audacy Minneapolis’ 830 WCCO raised over $427,000 for Second Harvest Heartland during the station’s 16th annual “End Hunger Together” radiothon. The event took place February 4, where 830 WCCO broadcast the radiothon live from Second Harvest Heartland from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm CT…..The Broadcasters Foundation of America has announced that the 2025 Philip J. Lombardo Spirit Award will be presented to Katz Media Group and accepted by Mark Gray, its Chief Executive Officer and a longtime BFOA board member, during the BFOA Golden Mic Gala and Fundraiser in New York City on Monday, March 10. The Spirit Award is bestowed upon an individual or company that exhibits the spirit of dedication and relentless drive to the Broadcasters Foundation charitable mission of helping broadcasters in acute need exemplified by its former longtime chairman, Phil Lombardo.

 

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.

Conference Mast

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; and Lisa Wexler, talk show host, WICC, Bridgeport; 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 Talk Radio / Talk Media”

Moderator: Dom Giordano, talk show host, WPHT, Philadelphia
Speaker: John T. Mullen, general manager, WRHU-FM/WRHU.org, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
Speaker: Paul Vandenburgh, owner / talk show host, WGDJ Talk 1300 AM & 98.7 FM, Albany, NY
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: Lisa Wexler, talk show host, WICC, Bridgeport

4:20 – 4:30 pm Wrap Up:  Group Chat

For more information, please see story below.

 

Industry News

BREAKING NEWS: AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act Approved to Head for Vote in Senate

After having to start over in a new Congress, the “AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act” designed to stop car manufacturers from eliminating AM radios from the dashboards of new automobiles sold in the U.S.  has been approved this morning (2/5) by the Senate Commerce Committee.  It will now head to the U.S. Senate for a full vote.  It is receiving bi-partisan support as well as an endorsement by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and NAB CEO Curtis LeGeyt.  

Industry News

WGN Radio Extends Contract with Morning Host Bob Sirott

Bob SirottWGN AM 720, Chicago today (2/5) announced a multi-year extension with morning show host Bob Sirott who is heard 6:00 am to 10:00 am weekdays.  “Management has given me a terrific on-air and behind-the-scenes team, plus freedom to do whatever I want,” Sirott tells TALKERS. “That’s why waking up at 4:30 am is fun now. Actually…that last line is a lie.” Sirott has been the station’s morning drive host since 2020. The station reports, listeners can expect to hear hyper-local stories along with news and conversations related to health, tech, business, travel, entertainment, lifestyle, and where to find the best Chicago-style hot dog.  “Bob’s work ethic, focus and character is the stuff of legends in the broadcast industry,” said WGN Radio vice president and general manager Mary Sandberg Boyle. “He’s an excellent communicator and continues to strategically engage and connect with the WGN Radio audience daily. Bob is one of the best in the business and we’re proud to have him as part of the WGN Radio team.”  Generations of Midwesterners have grown up with lifelong Chicagoan Bob Sirott whose acclaimed broadcast career spans five decades as a radio host, DJ and television news anchor. Sirott is a national Emmy award-winning journalist who received a 2022 Dante Award from the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans and a 2022 Silver Dome Award from the Illinois Broadcasters Association.

 

Industry News

Yancy McNair to Head Engineering at Cumulus

Yancy McNairCumulus Media today (2/5) announced the promotion of Yancy McNair to senior vice president of engineering, effective April 1. McNair will oversee Engineering, Telecom, Real Estate, and Purchasing for the company, and will report to chief financial officer, Frank Lopez-Balboa. McNair, a 21-year veteran of Cumulus Media, rises from his role as VP of technical operations. He assumes leadership responsibilities from Conrad Trautmann, chief technology officer, who will retire at the end of March 2025 after a successful 25-year career with Cumulus Media.

Industry News

Louisville Public Media (LPM) Launches New Talk Show, “On Track”

Louisville Public MediaLouisville Public Media (LPM) has announced (2/4) that it is launching a new talk show, “On Track” – a new three-day-a-week, 30-minute interview-based show, on February 10. “On Track” will air Monday-Wednesday at 6:00 pm on WFPL, Louisville between “All Things Considered” and “Marketplace,” two of NPR’s flagship national news programs during core listening hours. It will also be available as an on-demand podcast. The interview-driven show is set to dive into the issues shaping Louisville and Southern Indiana. LPM sources tell TALKERS, “In an effort to amplify and deepen the conversation around the biggest topics in our community, the show will connect with public officials, community leaders and everyday people about the challenges and triumphs happening in Louisville and Southern Indiana. It will work to keep the civic conversation ‘on track.’  Its host, veteran broadcast journalist Ayisha Jafer will explore topics with people from across our diverse community that challenge the traditional sound of public media. Scheduled topics include: the state of downtown Louisville, the loneliness epidemic, business development and its impact on neighborhoods, finding love in Louisville, how the pronunciation of Louisville came to be and more.”  With the addition of “On Track” to WFPL’s on-air schedule, some programs will shift. “Marketplace” will now air Monday-Friday at 6:30 pm. “Today Explained” will move to Thursday and Friday at 6:00 pm.

 

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

Industry Mourns Death of “Money Pit” Host Tom Kraeutler (1959-2025)

Tom K
Tom Kraeutler
, the well-known author, home improvement expert, and longtime “Money Pit” radio show host passed away Sunday (2/2), after complications from surgery.  Kraeutler was an accomplished craftsman, educator, and former chair of New Jersey’s first regulatory authority for licensing home inspectors. His weekly radio show is heard on 462 stations; and he assembled a deep trove of information at MoneyPit.com and the most-listened-to podcast on its topic. He appeared on Fox News Channel, CNN, MSNBC, The History Channel, HGTV and DIY Network; and contributed to or was interviewed by House Beautiful, Smart Money, Reader’s Digest and hundreds of websites and newspapers across the USA. With Leslie Segrete, he authored My Home My Money Pit: Your Guide to Every Home Improvement Adventure; and in 2024 Wiley published his helpful Home Maintenance for Dummies. 20+ year radio co-host Segrete recalls “When my kids were born, Tom was there in the hospital. When my husband died, he held my hand and got me back to work. He was way more than just a friend and coworker. He was family.”  He is survived by his wife Susan, and children Thomas, Sara, and Trevor. As Tom’s production company, Squeaky Door Productions, explores succession options, the weekly radio show will continue, cohosted by Leslie Segrete.

 

Industry News

Cumulus Media | Westwood One AudioActive Group Blog Post: Advertiser Perceptions Indicate National Marketers Are Bullish On The Economy – New Product Launches Are At Record Highs And Ad Spend Will Increase

imgA series of new studies from Advertiser Perceptions reveals national marketers are increasingly confident in the economy, will advertise more, and anticipate new product launches at record levels. Each month, Advertiser Perceptions, a leader in providing research-based strategic market intelligence for the advertising and ad tech industries, surveys 300 executives involved in media brand selection decisions who will spend a minimum of 1 million dollars in ad spend over the next 12 months. This week’s Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group® blog outlines the key findings, examining the outlook national marketers have on the economy:

• Nearly half of marketers say the economy will grow in the coming year, a record high

• There has been a reduction in perceived negative impact of macroeconomic conditions

• The recession that never came; Marketers shake off the dire predictions of 2022 and 2023

• Increasingly, brands and media agencies report the U.S. GDP will impact ad budgets

• 37% of buy-side 2025 ad budgets will be bigger; 53% will stay the course

• Advertiser optimism was higher as of December 2024 than it had been a year earlier

• 2025 new product launches will hit all time high

• All forms of audio see increased ad spending intentions

• Prophet survey of advertisers reveals top-performing marketers consider brand building as a crucial driver of short-term impact

Check out this week’s Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group® blog post here.

To view an 11-minute video of the key findings, click here.

 

 

Industry News

Nielsen Publishes “The Record: Q4 U.S. Audio Listening Trends”

NeilsenNielsen published “The Record: Q4 U.S. Audio Listening Trends” (2/3) – a quarterly report card on how U.S. consumers spend their audio listening time, fueled by data from Nielsen and Edison Research.

Here are some highlights from the Q4 (October-December) 2024 report: 

• Audio accounted for nearly 20% of Americans’ daily media time in Q4 2024 – which translated to 3 hours and 54 minutes of daily listening across both ad-supported and ad-free platforms like radio, podcasts, streaming music services and satellite radio.

• Listeners spent 67% of their daily time with ad-supported audio with radio, 18% with podcasts, 12% with streaming audio services and 3% with satellite radio.

• Among 18-34 year-olds, radio accounted for 47% of daily ad-supported audio time (down from 51% in Q3), where podcasts accounted for 32%.

• Adults 35+ spent 74% of daily ad-supported audio time listening to radio and only 13% listening to podcasts.

For additional data tables and commentary, visit the full report here.

 

Industry News

Audacy Positions Itself as “The Ultimate Super Bowl LIX Audio Destination”

imgAs the excitement builds for Super Bowl LIX, Audacy has positioned itself to be the “go-to audio home” for football fans nationwide. With flagship stations 96.5 The Fan (KFNZ-FM) in Kansas City and Sports Radio 94WIP (WIP-FM) in Philadelphia, the company is set to provide fans with in-depth analysis, exclusive interviews, and live play-by-play coverage of the big game on February 9.  Additionally, six Audacy sports stations and Audacy’s newly launched BetMGM Network will broadcast live from the radio row, to provide listeners the latest updates, expert insights, and exclusive interviews throughout Super Bowl week. And with Westwood One’s national broadcast on 20 Audacy sports stations, the plan is for fans across the country not to miss a moment.  Audacy tells TALKERS, “Whether on the air or on the free Audacy app, listeners can tune in for every snap, every score, and every story leading up to and following Super Bowl LIX.”  Please click HERE for more information.

 

Industry News

KSCO Owner/Host Michael “MZ” Zwerling Unleashes Dramatic On-Air Rant During Anniversary Program

Listeners to heritage news/talk outlet KSCO, Santa Cruz, CA were treated to an unexpected candid outburst of energetic verbiage this past weekend (2/1) during the long-running show, “The Saturday Special,” hosted by station owner/ host Michael “MZ” Zwerling. This installment of the weekly 10:00 am – 12:00 noon live,img local show was set to be a celebration of the station’s 34th anniversary – marking the day that Zwerling took ownership of the 10k flame thrower at 1080 AM and launched its news/talk format back on February 1, 1991. Zwerling was taking calls from listeners offering congratulations and sharing memories of the station over the years.  One of KSCO’s regular callers, “Dave,” took a different course and went off on a political tirade that triggered an emotionally charged negative response from Zwerling resulting in one of the most dramatic live “meltdowns” captured on-air in recent memory. Zwerling’s co-host Amy Hoa had to calm Zwerling down telling him that his blood pressure was rising to a dangerous level. The listener, who was obviously a regular caller to the station was forever banned from appearing on the station again. Warning, the clip contains salty language that might be offensive to some. Listen to the exchange here.

Industry News

Brian Joyce Exits WGOW-FM, Chattanooga

Chattanooga talk radio host Brian Joyce exits Cumulus Media’s news/talk WGOW-FM, Chattanooga afterimg 12 years with the station. A report in The Chattanoogan says that Joyce, who hosted the late morning “Brian Joyce Unfiltered” program, “parted ways” with the station last week. Joyce joined WGOW in 2012 and became part of the morning drive show in 2018, alongside Jim Reynolds and Kevin West. In 2023, Cumulus retooled the morning show bringing Jed Mescon aboard to co-host with Reynolds and Joyce moved to the late morning slot. Read the Chattanoogan story here.

Industry News

KFH, Wichita’s “Bob & Jeff Lutz” Sports Talk Show to End

The Wichita Eagle reports that the father-and-son duo of Bob and Jeff Lutz will wrap their daily sports talk show on Audacy’s KFH, Wichita after this Friday’s broadcast. Bob Lutz has been with the station for almost 24 years. His son Jeff joined him in December of 2015 when they debuted an afternoon drive show that airedimg from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. In 2022, the Lutzes moved to the 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm slot to better accommodate their schedules. Bob Lutz is the founder and executive director of the League 42 baseball league that serves inner city and low-income youths, and Jeff Lutz is a full-time digital producer at KWCH-TV, Wichita. In late 2024, KFH notified the duo that it wanted to move the syndicated Jim Rome show into their time slot and move them to the 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm slot. The two tried to produce the show earlier in the day to air at 5:00 but Bob Lutz tells the Eagle that not speaking live with callers took the fun out of the show. Read the Wichita Eagle story here.

Industry News

77WABC Presents “Back The Blue” Tribute

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On Friday (1/31), Red Apple Media Group’s news/talk WABC, New York hosted its annual “Back The Blue” tribute to the New York Police Department. The day included two roundtable discussions on topics such as the challenges police face as they protect communities. Pictured above are (from l-r): 77WABC morning host Sid Rosenberg; former U.S. Congressman Peter King; Red Apple Media and 77WABC owner John Catsimatidis; Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association president Louis Civello; Suffolk Country Police Benevolent Association treasurer C.J. Hutter; and Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney.

Industry News

FOX to Air Donald Trump Interview During Super Bowl Pre-Game Show

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FOX News Channel chief political anchor Bret Baier will conduct a wide-ranging interview with President Donald Trump taped at Mar-a-Lago that will air during FOX TV’s Super Bowl LIX pregame show. The interview will air during the 3:00 pm hour. FOX says the interview will “focus on the changes the Trump administration has enacted since the Inauguration and the first 100 days of his presidency.” Additional portions of the interview will air on the Monday (2/10) edition of “Special Report with Bret Baier” on FNC.

Industry News

MIW Announces 2025 Management Mentees

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Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio announces the MIW Erica Farber Mentorship in Management Class of 2025. The program selects four candidates from across the radio industry – spanning sales, marketing, programming, and digital – to participate in an exclusive mentorship opportunity designed to foster career growth and leadership development. This year’s mentees are (pictured above from l-r) : Alyssa Salisbury, digital solutions manager, Townsquare Media Group; Kim Stead, promotions director/on-air, NRG Media; Sheri Fermoyle, sales manager, Hubbard Radio; and Tiffany Cobb, director of sales, Hampton Roads Media Group. MIW mentoring committee chair Jenna Miller says, “The MIW Erica Farber Mentorship in Management program exemplifies our commitment to empowering women in radio broadcasting. Each of these talented mentees brings a unique perspective and passion to the industry, and I am thrilled to see how this program will support their growth and success.”