BFoA: Supporting Our Own

One of the many video highlights from TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond – “The Broadcasters Foundation of America: Supporting Our Own” – is now posted on the brand-new TALKERS MEDIA YouTube channel. The presentation took place at the 27th annual installment of the talk media industry’s longest running national gathering held at Hofstra University on Long Island this past June 7. The event, which unfolded at Hofstra’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, was presented by TALKERS in association with the university’s multi-award winning WRHU-FM/WRHU.org. This session focused on the Broadcasters Foundation of America and the vital role it has played for decades as a financial safety net for professional radio and TV broadcasters who fall upon hard times due to illness, accidents, natural disasters, and other catastrophic setbacks. It features a stirring speech by BFoA chairman Scott Herman and a charitable presentation by WPG, Atlantic City morning legend Harry Hurley. This is extremely important viewing for every professional radio and TV broadcaster. To watch the video, please click here.

show on FOX Sports 1 and the weekend program “Hello, My Name is Craig,” on WFAN, New York. Carton began his radio career on WGR-AM, Buffalo and rose to fame nationally as co-host of the WFAN, New York morning show alongside Boomer Esiason. Also being inducted this year is John Murphy, radio host, TV sports director and longtime radio voice of Buffalo Bills play-by-play. The induction ceremony will take place at the NYSBA’s gala luncheon in the Rainbow Room, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York City, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
insights into the inner workings of political campaigns based on her unique experience will be available to FOX Nation subscribers.” Conway adds, “The American people are smart; they are also worried about the state of our nation and paying close attention to the issues, individuals and ideas that will govern our future. We will go beyond the news headlines and polling toplines to have a deeper conversation and equip the viewers with the compelling illustrative anecdotes and thoughtful analysis that they crave.”
leave the station. WURD issued the following statement: “On July 3, the first post-debate interview with President Joe Biden was arranged and negotiated independently by WURD Radio host Andrea Lawful-Sanders without knowledge, consultation, or collaboration with WURD management. The interview featured pre-determined questions provided by the White House, which violates our practice of remaining an independent media outlet accountable to our listeners. As a result, Ms. Lawful-Sanders and WURD Radio have mutually agreed to part ways, effective immediately.”
43% of spoken word listening, and podcasts 36%. Keep in mind that for Edison’s purposes spoken word content includes news, sports talk and play-by-play, audiobooks, talk shows, and “personalities.” Edison states, “Podcasting’s share of spoken word will almost surely surpass that of AM/FM within a few more years. There is one more thing to note – the advantage for AM/FM is coming entirely from those age 65 and older. Among those ages 13-64, podcasting has already passed AM/FM listening by, 41% to 39%. Meanwhile, among the oldest Americans age 65+, AM/FM radio continues to dominate, with a 66%-13% advantage. Curiously, that 66%-13% difference among the oldest Americans is the exact same difference we recorded for all Americans 13+ in 2017.”
TOWNHALL News will provide top- and bottom-of-the-hour newscasts live from broadcast seats inside Fiserv Forum, as well as live feeds of acceptance speeches from Republican Presidential nominee Donald J. Trump (7/18) and his as-yet unannounced vice-presidential running mate (7/17). SRN VP news & talk programming Tom Tradup says, “As the 2024 presidential campaign kicks into high gear, SRN and SNC will provide live coverage of the RNC that will be second to none. Along with Mike Gallagher, SRN News White House correspondent Greg Clugston and SRN News U.S. Senate correspondent Bob Agnew, we’ll have on-site perspective from our “America First” host, Dr. Sebastian Gorka, who served as a national security strategist in the first Trump administration.”
The New York Times’ “The Daily” at #1, NPR’s “NPR News Now” and “First Up” at #2 and #3, respectively, NBC News’ “Dateline NBC” at #4 and Wondery’s “Morbid” at #5. FOX Audio Network’s “FOX News Hourly Update” rose one spot to the #6 rank, and Cumulus Podcast Network’s “Shawn Ryan Show” moved up seven places to finish at the #13 spot.
Des Moines cluster that includes news/talk WHO and sports talk KXNO. Thiele joined the Des Moines operations in January of this year. He can be reached at 646-926-6581.
-digits in the key 25-54 demo. For the second quarter in a row, CNN hit a 33-year low in total day, 18-49 and 25-54 demos, delivering its smallest younger audience since 1991. In total day, FNC delivered 1,304,000 viewers, 154,000 with 25-54 demo and 96,000 with 18-49 demo, securing a 176% advantage over CNN viewers and 61% over MSNBC. In primetime from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm, FNC saw 2,037,000 viewers, 214,000 in the 25-54 demo, and 135,000 with 18-49 demo, a 230% lead over CNN and 77% over MSNBC. FNC continued to dominate the share of the cable news audience, capturing 50% of viewers across total day and 54% of prime viewers, the highest level of share for the network since 1Q’2023.
Podcast Network for multiple years. Additionally, Levin will also develop and host an all-new show for the network, his first ever original content podcast series. Levin’s radio show airs live from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm nightly on close to 400 affiliate stations. He says, “This has been my radio home for 23 years, and I am more excited than ever – especially during these tumultuous and historic times – to continue my relationship with my first-rate broadcast partners for many years to come. I understand my obligation is to serve the millions of patriotic Americans in the audience. I am blessed to do what I do, and I am committed every day to providing detailed analyses of current events along with historic context, commentary, and my in-depth perspectives to deliver the very best broadcasting I am able to share with our many listeners.”
ends Neuhoff’s time in the radio business after almost 70 years. At one time, Neuhoff owned 24 stations – plus digital assets – in five markets. Woodward Communications, Inc operates eight stations – including news/talk WHBY-AM – in Appleton and Green Bay, Wisconsin. Neuhoff family trustee Julian Hickman says, “This final sale is bittersweet for our family, reflecting both a proud legacy and an emotional farewell. Our grandfather, Roger Neuhoff, poured his heart into the broadcast industry since the mid-1950s. The stations have been a vital part of our family and community, and while we cherish the incredible journey, it is time to turn the page.” Trustee Makena Neuhoff adds, “We would like to thank the incredible teams of local broadcasters in Springfield and Bloomington. We will forever cherish the memories and the significant impact our stations had on the local communities.”
his wife Donna Boland announced. Scott worked in Cincinnati for 47 years, first at WSAI and then at WLW as morning host. During his long and successful radio career in Cincinnati, the Binghamton, New York native immersed himself in charity work with the March of Dimes, the Salvation Army, the United Way, and others. He retired from WLW in 2015. He was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in 2021 and went public the diagnosis last year.
reporting to president and CEO Mary G. Berner and remain a member of the company’s leadership team. Berner states, “Shoshana’s promotion is a reflection of the essential and unique role that she has played at Cumulus over the last nine years. Her communications work has helped us build one of the healthiest and most positive corporate cultures in our industry. Her revenue generation efforts have resulted in millions of dollars of incremental revenue for the company and significant improvements in the competitiveness of our local market sellers. Moreover, her insights and collaborative spirit have made her an invaluable member of our leadership team and I’m looking forward to her continued success in this new role.”
group of individuals and the remarkable brands we have the privilege to represent here in Cleveland, this decision fills me with joy. By making this move, we’ll finally have the opportunity to be fully present in our family’s daily lives and participate in the precious moments as our grandsons, Charlie and Emerson, grow and flourish. On a personal note, this transition opens the door for me to explore passions and interests that have been not-so-patiently waiting on the sidelines for way too long. I’m looking forward to the luxury of my first summer without a job since I was thirteen. Not to mention, I’m very ready to chase ‘the dream’ of achieving a single-digit golf handicap (hey, like I said, a guy can dream).”
the commission will be “monitoring” his program. Spadea declared his candidacy a couple of weeks ago and filed the Form -D1 but has not filed his nominating petition since the primary race is not until next June. At that time, he will be a legally qualified candidate and will leave the air. On Friday, the commission was hearing arguments whether his being on the air is an in-kind contribution from employer Townsquare Media and violates the state law that prohibits single-source contributions of more than $5,800. Lawyers for fellow Republican primary candidates Jack Ciattarelli and Jon Bramnick argued that Spadea’s program is all about his thoughts on public policy, thereby giving him a thing of value. But Townsquare’s attorney stated Spadea doesn’t use his show to “express advocacy” and that it has “no value” to his candidacy.
a career. I am retiring today!!! I have too many people to thank who have helped me, coached me, took me under their wing and guided me. Their tutelage allowed me to work at some of the greatest radio stations in the country. I have tried to ‘pay it forward’ by coaching and programming for the last 20 years, working with incredibly talented communicators, who continue to positively affect our lives whenever you turn the radio on. 
addition of The John Fredericks Radio Network into the Memphis market combined with its airing on WENO, Nashville creates the Tennessee Radio Network, “part of the company’s ongoing growth.” The addition of KQPN-AM “Down And Dirty 730” makes the number signals operated by Disruptor Radio now 19. John Fredericks states, “Adding Memphis to our burgeoning Tennessee network is a critical component to our growth plan, as it complements our very successful WENO-AM 760 The Flame station in Nashville. Memphis is a growth market in Tennessee and we are excited to offer our new listeners a real choice in conservative-populist talk: The Down And Dirty 730.”
trade publication’s most popular features. He also recently appeared as the moderator of the “Generating News/Talk Revenue” panel at the recent TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond conference – a role he also played at the 2023 installment of the TALKERS conference. Lapa was highly active as an advisor to Newsmax Media for the past decade in the development of its multimedia operations including Newsmax Radio. Starting on-air, then working through the ranks of programming, production and sales, Steve Lapa, at age 25, became the youngest general manager in the US of a group owned top 30 DMA radio station WGRQ, Buffalo. Continually assigned to lead turnaround properties, Steve focused on delivering revenue and audience growth through the insightful opportunities blending on-air talent creating unique programming with high-profile event partnerships. He quickly became a category innovator. Steve’s first-mover concept, developed in the early era of superstar stadium concerts, proved highly profitable across program channels, talents, and venues at all levels. Steve held upper-level management positions at 28 radio and TV stations for public and privately held companies from South Florida to San Francisco. One of his most recent positions was as VP/GM of talker WFTL, Fort Lauderdale/Miami. After successfully managing and innovating for others, Steve and financial partner Myer Feldman co-founded Ardman Broadcasting of Florida and Cape Cod, to acquire underdeveloped broadcast assets, which were developed then divested at 200-400% returns. Steve went on as founder of his own Lapcom Communications generating the same results at his wholly owned stations. Lapcom Communications was the parent company for Lapa’s current business activities until his death today. More information including arrangements will be posted when available.