Industry News

Veritonic Debuts Cross-Podcast Listener Measurement

Audio analytics and research firm Veritonic announces the enhancement of Cross-Podcast Listenership Measurement within its platform. Veritonic says its cross-podcast listenership measurement aggregates datasets from proprietary sources to track and analyze listener behavior across a vast array of podcastsim and platforms. This data enables users to understand where their unique audiences are listening, and where there is cross-listenership overlap. Veritonic CEO and co-founder Scott Simonelli adds, “By offering a holistic view of listenership patterns across the podcast ecosystem, we empower brands to make data-driven decisions that maximize the reach and impact of their audio advertising investments.”

Industry News

SiriusXM Presents Coverage of 108th Indy 500

SiriusXM is covering the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500. Subscribers will have access to the liveim call of the race from Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 26. Pre-race coverage begins at 11:00 am ET on SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation and NBC Sports Audio. SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation will also air live coverage of the Indianapolis 500 Miller Lite Carb Day Practice session on Friday (5/24) at 11:00 am ET.

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Yesterday’s (5/21) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The Israel-Hamas war and Norway, Spain and Ireland’s announcement they will formally recognize a Palestinian state; the defense rests in former President Donald Trump’s “hush money” trial; the presidential race; the U.S. economy; Russia reportedly launches a satellite-killing space weapon; the Justice Samuel Alito January 6 flag controversy; the controversial Trump bio-pic The Apprentice; South Carolina bans meds and procedures for gender transition for minors; and the deadly tornadoes that swept through Iowa were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

Alpha Media to Launch Podcast Radio in Missouri

Less than two weeks ago, Alpha Media made news after eliminating the entire on-air and programming staff at several of its stations in Farmington and Moberly, Missouri. Now we know what the company has in mind for at least two of those stations. Alpha Media is partnering with UK-based Podcast Radio to launch “Podcast Radio Missouri” on KREI-AM, Farmington on May 27 and KWIX-AM/FM, Moberly on June 17. The two companies say, “‘Podcast Radio Missouri’ will be featured across dayparts on the twoim stations, prominently acting as the morning show in both markets, offering a fresh and dynamic start to the day. This partnership marks a significant expansion of Podcast Radio’s format into the American radio landscape, promising to offer Missouri listeners a novel way to explore podcasting content through traditional radio. Listeners will hear top-quality podcast content from across North America and the world, while also giving airtime to local Missouri podcast content. Localized imaging and station IDs will feature across ‘Podcast Radio Missouri’ broadcast hours, which also include original interviews with podcasters. Gene ‘Bean’ Baxter acts as lead interviewer, delving deep into the methodology and personality of both local and national podcasts and their creators.” Alpha Media EVP of content Phil Becker says, “We’re excited to partner with Podcast Radio to bring this innovative format to our listeners in Missouri. This partnership underscores our commitment to delivering fresh, engaging content that resonates with our communities. While we are launching on one station in two Missouri markets, our goal is to expand the format to our other two Missouri markets.”

Industry News

Report: Giuliani Creditors Subpoena WABC’s John Catsimatidis

According to a report from Bloomberg, Rudy Giuliani’s creditors are subpoenaing WABC, New York owner John Catsimatidis to get documents “detailing his relationship with Giuliani, Giuliani’sim compensation from WABC, and documents about the shows Giuliani hosted.” The creditors are represented by a committee in Giuliani’s bankruptcy case and until 10 days ago, Giuliani worked at WABC hosting an afternoon radio talk show. The report notes that the creditors are looking for information about Giuliani’s “‘termination or suspension’ and about any statements he made regarding the Georgia poll workers who won a $148 million defamation judgment against him after he accused them of rigging election results.” Giuliani challenged that verdict in court, but his recent efforts failed, and he remains on the hook for the $148 million judgement. Read the Bloomberg Law story here.

Industry News

Gorka to Report from Trump Trial on Mike Gallagher Show

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Salem Radio Network personality Sebastian Gorka is in the New York City courtroom today (5/21) where the Donald Trump “hush money” trial is taking place. He’ll appear on SRN’s “Mike Gallagher Show” just before 12:00 noon to report on the day’s court session. Pictured above are (from l-r): Congressman Troy Nehls (R-TX), Gorka, and Congressman Ronny Jackson (R-TX).

Industry News

FOX News Digital Tops Competitors in Multiplatform Views and Minutes

For the month of April 2024, according to data from Comscore, FOX News Digital maintained its leadim over news set competitors CNN.com and NYTimes.com in both multiplatform total views and multiplatform total minutes, as it has for 38 consecutive months. During the month of February 2024, FOX News Digital surpassed CNN.com in multiplatform unique visitors (comparable to radio’s cume) for the first time. However, in April 2024, CNN.com was again the leader in that metric by just under 1.4 million.

Industry News

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories

The ICC seeks arrest of Israel and Hamas leaders; Iran’s future in the wake of the death of its president; the ongoing Donald Trump hush money trial; the presidential race; inflation, the record-high financial markets and the economy; controversy over the Trump bio-pic The Apprentice; Arizona serves Rudy Giuliani with indictment papers in the 2020 election case; hacking threats against U.S. water systems; and the Justice Samuel Alito upside-down flag controversy were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

Joe Thomas to Launch New Virginia Talk Station This Weekend

Former longtime WCHV, Charlottesville program director and morning host Joe Thomas recently announced his acquisition of the Staunton, Virginia signal WTON-AM and his plan to re-launch it as aim news/talk outlet. Now, he says, “After going off the air as part of an asset sale in October of last year, WTON radio is re-born this Memorial Day weekend! We want to hear your voice. We’ll bring you coverage of the local stories from this wide area we’ll be imcovering as we develop the best local shows alongside an all-star lineup of shows all day!” Thomas will host the morning drive show and teases that the daily lineup will also include “The Dan Bongino Show” “The Dana Show” (Dana Loesh), “The Lars Larson Show” from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, plus Bill O’Reilly and Lee Habeeb’s “American Stories.” Thomas adds, “We’re building a newsroom that will tell you what is going to be happening, not just what did happen. Local businesses will be able to connect with the local listeners around the clock so they can stand out and stay prosperous!” Programming will also be simulcast on two FM translators at 101.1 FM and 98.9 FM.

Industry News

WABC’s Sid Rosenberg Confronts Man Threatening Jewish Commuter

WABC, New York morning drive talk host Sid Rosenberg tells TALKERS he witnessed an anti-Semitic assault on a Jewish commuter on a New York subway train on Friday (5/17). Rosenberg says, “On the downtown 5 train from 42nd street. I get on the train, and I walk by a guy with a yarmulke standing by theim door. I sat down next to him. Seconds later an angry, half-drunk African American guy starts digging his finger into the Jewish man’s chest while yelling, ‘I aint gonna fight for you! I ain’t gonna fight for you! You genocide Jew mother*cker.’Needless to say the Jewish man was scared to death. Noticing that I stood up and proudly proclaimed, ‘I’m Jewish, too!’ I stood next to the Jewish man, arms folded, while the big-mouth bully walked to the end of the car. He continued to rant and holler but he was no longer a physical threat. The scumbag exited the train at the Brooklyn Bridge stop while I sat next to the Jewish man ‘til I got off at Wall Street. He was on his way home to Crown Heights for Shabbat. He said to me, ‘I have no doubt if you didn’t stand up that guy would’ve hurt me. I know who you are. I listen to you. I know you’re a lover of the Jews. I wish people could’ve seen this. Thank you for helping me get home safe for Shabbos. Am Yisrael Chai!’ I will fight for my people despite the potential physical harm to me. God Bless Israel and continue to protect my people!” Don’t miss Sid Rosenberg’s guest appearance on the new installment of the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” He and Harrison candidly discuss the incident and Rosenberg’s position on Israel, Hamas, Gen Z, and NYC crime. It posts tomorrow morning on Talkers.com.

Industry News

April 2024 MLB Flagship Scoreboard

imHistorically, the beginning of the Major League Baseball season has been good to radio stations that serve as flagships for play-by-play, often bringing new cume to their ratings. Today, TALKERS managing editor Mike Kinosian looks at how flagship stations performed during Nielsen Audio’s April PPM survey. He notes, “Generally speaking, Major League Baseball radio flagships enjoyed a solid first at bat in Nielsen Audio’s 2024 rating season (March 28 – April 24). There was a (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 uptick in approximately four of every five applicable flagship cases (81%); 15%dipped; and 4% were flat.” iHeartMedia’s news/talk WLW, Cincinnati (Reds) saw the biggest leap in AQH share rising from an 11.3 share in March to a 13.3 share in April (retaining its #1 rank as well). See how the rest of the flagship stations performed in Mike Kinosian’s complete report here.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

Iran’s president and foreign minister killed in helicopter crash; the Israel-Hamas war and the ICC seeking arrest warrants for Hamas’ Yahya Sinwar and Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu for war crimes; former President Donald Trump speaks at NRA convention; the aftermath of Harrison Butker’s controversial commencement speech; President Joe Biden’s Moorhouse College commencement; the Trump hush money trial in NYC; the presidential race; and Pope Francis is interviewed on “60 Minutes” were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Round Four of April PPMs Released

imThe fourth of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s April 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford. The survey covered March 28 through April 24. Today, TALKERS managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Raleigh, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WTKK-FM is steady with a 7.3 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) that keeps it ranked #4, while Curtis Media Group’s news/talk WPTF is also steady at a .6 share and stays in the #23 rank. A number of news/talk stations with no direct competition stayed steady or improved during the period, including Urban One’s WIBC-FM, Indianapolis which added six-tenths for a 5.7 share that lifts it to the #7 rank and Cox Media Group’s WOKV-FM, Jacksonville which leaped 1.2 shares for a 9.1 share finish good for the #3 rank. Elsewhere, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WISN, Milwaukee rose 1.3 shares for a 10.3 share and cementing its eighth straight month at #1. (Its direct competitor WTMJ stopped subscribing to Nielsen several months ago.) See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Industry News

Edison Research Releases “The Podcast Consumer 2024”

Edison Research reports that the results of it’s “The Podcast Consumer 2024” study indicates that podcasts have established themselves as a mainstream media platform, attracting an ever-growing and highly engaged audience. Highlighting the targeted appeal and increasing influence of podcasts, Edisonim says that key points for advertisers to know about podcast listeners include: 1) More people than ever are listening to podcasts: 67% of the 12+ population has ever listened to a podcast; 47% of the 12+ population are monthly podcast listeners and 34% are weekly listeners; 2) Listeners are spending more time than ever with podcasts: In 2014, out of the daily time spent listening to all audio by those age 13+, 2% was spent with podcasts. In 2024, that number more than quadrupled and podcasts now account for 11% of daily time with audio. Twenty-three percent of weekly podcast listeners spend 10 hours or more listening to the medium each week; and 3) Podcasts reach all generations: 29% of kids age 6-12, 59% of those age 12-34, 55% of those age 35-54, and 27% of those age 55+ are monthly podcast listeners. See more about the study here.

Industry News

BFoA to Present Networking Media Mixer in NYC

The Broadcasters Foundation of America is presenting its third in a series of networking Media Mixers, Thursday, June 13, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, at the New York City studios of iHeartMedia. The event is being hosted by iHeartMedia air personality Gandhi, a member of the nationally syndicated Elvisim Duran And The Morning Show,” with a live performance from local singer/songwriter sensation Jackie Romeo, currently a contestant on “The Voice.”  BFoA says the mixers serve a dual purpose: to bring together up-and-coming broadcast professionals with their peers and executives; and to increase awareness of the BFoA’s charitable mission. BFoA president Tim McCarthy states, “Our first two Media Mixers were a huge success for young professionals who mingled with executives, and we’re looking forward to another great event. We have an obligation to show young people in radio and television that broadcasting offers successful and fulfilling career opportunities. We also need to help them understand what the Broadcasters Foundation does, why it’s important, and how they can help.” The two-hour event is free, but space is limited, and advance registration is required. Register here.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories for May 13 – 17

The Donald Trump “hush money” trial was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the presidential race and Trump and Joe Biden agreeing to two debates, followed by the attempted assassination of Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico at #3. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed in news/talk media during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS. See this week’s complete chart here.

Industry News

BIA: WTOP, Washington Top Biller in 2023

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Hubbard Broadcasting’s all-news WTOP-FM, Washington, DC was the nation’s top billing radio station last year – and it wasn’t even close. According to a report from BIA Advisory Services, the news outlet racked up $66.3 million compared to runner-up KIIS-FM, Los Angeles’ $41.8 million. Interestingly, Beasley Media Group sports talker WBZ-FM, Boston ($32.7 million) beat Audacy’s legendary WFAN-FM, New York ($30.3 million). BIA also produced a chart of the top billing AM stations in the U.S. in which Audacy’s all-news WBBM-AM, Chicago topped the chart with $30 million billed. See that chart below.

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Industry News

Round Three of April PPMs Released

imThe third of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s April 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Columbus. The survey covered March 28 through April 24. Today, TALKERS managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Portland, Alpha Media’s news/talk KXL-FM sheds one-tenth for a 6.4 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) but remains ranked #2 in the market, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk KEX-AM dips two-tenths to a 1.6 share good for the #20 rank. In Salt Lake City, Bonneville’s news/talk KSL-AM/FM shoots up 1.4 shares for an 8.1 share finish and remaining ranked #2, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk KNRS-AM/FM is steady with a 2.6 share but climbs two spots to the #15 rank. In Kansas City, Audacy’s news/talk KMBZ-FM adds three-tenths to finish with a 5.6 share keeping it ranked #4, while Cumulus Media’s news/talk KCMO-AM falls half a share to wrap the survey with a 1.5 share, pulling it down to the #18 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Industry News

Santa Maria, California Talk Station to Go Dark

Knight Broadcasting’s Sandra Knight tells KSBY-TV that the company is shutting down talk KUHL, Santa Maria, California. Knight put the company’s three stations – KUHL-AM, adult contemporary KSYV-FM, and country KRAZ-FM – on the market after her husband’s death two years ago but has not had luck selling the three as a package deal. A station employee is buying KRAZ and the company is donating KSYV to California Lutheran University. Knight tells KSBY-TV, “I realize that KUHL is a long-standing station in the Santa Maria community and this pains me very much.” Read the KSBY-TV story here.

Industry News

FOX Sports Radio Adds Three Personalities to Weekends

FOX Sports Radio announces the addition of three new sports media personalities to its weekend programming. FOX Sports NFL Analyst Carmen Vitali joins FOX sports reporter Alex Curry to co-host “FOX Sports Saturday with Alex Curry & Carmen Vitali” on Saturdays (4:00 pm to 6:00 pm ET). Ten-yearim NBA veteran and current Houston Rockets color commentator Ryan Hollins will join Mike Harmon hosting the Sunday 9:00 am to 12:00 noon ET program, and 8-year NFL veteran and All-Pro safety Kerry Rhodes parnters with Dan Beyer hosting the Sunday 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm program. iHeartMedia EVP of sports programming Don Martin and FOX Sports Radio SVP Scott Shapiro comment, “Sports fans know that they can come to us live 24/7 for strong opinions, predictions and instant reaction to all of the drama taking place in the world of sports. We are fired up that our lineup of personalities continues to get stronger and stronger.  FOX Sports Radio is here to provide entertainment and companionships to sports fans all day, every day.”

Industry News

“NPR News Now” Stays Atop Triton Digital Podcast Ranker

Triton Digital releases its U.S. Podcast Ranker (based on weekly average downloads for participatingim podcasts) for April 2024 and NPR’s “NPR News Now” retains its #1 rank, followed by sister program “Up First” at #2 and audiochuck’s “Crime Junkie” at #3. Other radio related podcasts of note include Cumulus Podcast Network’s “The Dan Bongino Show” rising one place to #6, Salem Podcast Network’s “The Charlie Kirk Show” sliding back one place to #17, and Cumulus Podcast Network’s “The Mark Levin Show” also moving back one spot to #28. See the complete ranker here.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

New WZLX, Boston morning host Rich Shertenlieb announces the cast members for his program on the iHeartMedia classic rock outlet and they are going heavy on sports content from the looks of it. Joining Shertenlieb will be Boston TV personality and sports writer Michael Hurley, plus a rotating cast including former New England Patriot Ted Johnson; FOX Sports, ESPN and Sports Illustrated personality Charlotte Wilder; and NFL Network alumnus Mike Giardi.

Cumulus Media’s sports talk WMAL-AM, Washington, DC announces its partnership with National Women’s Soccer League’s The Washington Spirit that will feature the broadcast of 13 regular season matches. Bram Weinstein will serve as play-by-play voice while former Spirit player Gaby Vincent will serve as color commentator. Michael Minnich will provide additional commentary during broadcasts and serve as an alternate for both Weinstein and Vincent.

PodcastOne announces the new podcast, “We (Almost) Made It” with Bryan Greenberg and Victor Rasuk. PodcastOne will oversee the exclusive distribution, sales rights and production of the weekly TV & film podcast. Greenberg and Rasuk co-starred in the cult favorite HBO series “How to Make It in America.” PodcastOne president and co-founder Kit Gray says, “Bryan and Victor are the embodiment of making it happen. When they pitched us this podcast, their passion, their collaborative spirit and their excitement rivaled that of our own internal team at PodcastOne, and we knew instantly that this was a good fit.”

Industry News

Yesterday’s (5/15) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The attempted assassination of Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico; President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump agree to two debates; the Trump “hush money” trial; the Israel-Hamas war and U.S. military aid to Israel; the record high stock indexes, inflation and the U.S. economy; China’s Xi Jinping hosts Russia’s Vladimir Putin; the Russian advances in Ukraine; and the controversy over Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker’s stance on women in the workplace in a commencement speech were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

Round Two of April PPMs Released

imThe second of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s April 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis. The survey covered March 28 through April 24. Today, TALKERS managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Washington, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WMAL-FM dips two-tenths to finish with a 4.6 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) and slides back to the #6 rank, while Hubbard Broadcasting’s all-news WTOP-FM loses one-tenth to finish with a 7.8 share good for the #2 rank. In Boston, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WRKO declines one-tenth for a 3.3 share finish and holds steady at the #12 rank, while sister all-news WBZ-AM rises three-tenths to a 4.9 share, yet it falls one spot to the #7 rank. In Seattle, Bonneville’s news/talk KIRO-FM dips one-tenth to a 3.8 share and slides down to the #10 rank, while Lotus Communications’ all-news KNWN-AM/FM loses one-tenth to finish with a 2.4 share and remains ranked #18. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Industry News

FSR’s Doug Gottlieb to Coach UW-Green Bay Men’s Hoops

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay athletic director Josh Moon announces that FOX Sports Radioim personality Doug Gottlieb is the new head coach of the school’s men’s basketball team. In what is a first, Gottlieb will continue to host his daily, two-hour radio show for FSR while undertaking his new role with UW-GB Phoenix. Gottlieb was a standout point guard at Oklahoma State from 1997 – 2000. He’s coached AAU teams and coached at the Maccabiah Games in Israel. During time in the media, he’s been a studio and in-game commentator for college hoops over the years while serving with ESPN, CBS Sports and Fox Sports. Read the CBS Sports coverage of this here.

Industry News

Former WBZ, Boston DJ Dick Summer Dies at 89

Dick Summer, who is best known for his work at WBZ-AM, Boston in the 1960s and 1970s has died at 89. A story at the WBZ-AM website notes that Summer was born in New York in 1935 and he studied communications and psychology at Fordham University. He worked in several markets includingim Indianapolis where Art Vuolo – chronicler of radio history and operator of Vuolo video – fondly remembers him early in his career as “a very popular night DJ at powerful WIBC-AM 1070 in Indianapolis doing his show from a tiny studio atop a Mel’s Drive-Inn style restaurant known as Merrill’s Hi-Decker where listeners would vote for favorite songs by flashing their headlights! He also was Indy’s local Dick Clark with a teen dance show on WISH TV 8 called the RC Cola Rhythm Carnival.” After Indy, Summer landed the late-night show at WBZ in 1963. WBZ says, “His show, ‘Nightlight,’ was known for its humor, along with listeners calling in to give him the ‘password’ of ‘one hen, two ducks, and three squawking geese.’ He would also recite poetry on air.” Summer was inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2018 for his work in the industry. He was also known for his TV and radio commercial voiceover work and spent time as a podcast host.
Industry News

Edison Research Releases Top 50 Podcasts for Q1 2024

Edison Research’s ranking of the Top 50 Podcasts in the U.S. for the first quarter of 2024 (derived from data collected continuously during the first quarter of 2024, interviewing 5,300 weekly podcastim consumers ages 13 and older in the U.S.) and the top three remain unchanged with “The Joe Rogan Experience” at #1, “Crime Junkie” at #2, and “The Daily” at #3. The Taylor Swift effect helped propel “New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce” to the #4 position. Other podcasts of interest to the news/talk media industry include “The Ben Shapiro Show” at #13, “The Ramsey Show” at #16, “The Tucker Carlson Podcast” debuts at #24, and “The Dan Bongino Show” is at #27.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (5/14) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Michael Cohen’s testimony in former President Donald Trump’s “hush money” trial; the Biden administration’s weapons deal with Israel; President Joe Biden increases tariffs on numerous Chinese goods; the presidential race; inflation and the state of the U.S. economy; Tuesday’s primary elections; Russia ramps up attacks on Ukraine; the bird flu in cows were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

Dave Ramsey Releases 20th Anniversary Edition of Bestseller

Money expert, author and talk host Dave Ramsey is celebrating the 20th anniversary of one of the most popular personal finance books with a newly expanded and updated edition of The Total Moneyim Makeover. The book is named one of BookAuthority’s 20 Best Personal Finance Books of All Time and has spent more than 1,000 weeks on bestseller lists. To date, over 9 million copies have been sold worldwide, and every year, more than 400,000 readers buy the book. Dave Ramsey says, “The plan is still simple, and millions of people have done it. You can solve your biggest problem with the least-complicated finance book out there. It’s the stories of everyday people in TMMO that makes it so powerful and inspiring. They’re the real heroes. Their stories of real life-change are all the proof you need that this stuff really works.” The new edition offers Ramsey’s principles, along with updated statistics and examples. It now includes advice on topics like: Mortgages and car loans; buy now, pay later loans; saving and investing for retirement; and paying for college while avoiding mountains of debt.

Industry News

Round One of April PPMs Released

imThe first of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s April 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island), Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, San Jose, and Middlesex-Somerset-Union (New Jersey).  The survey covered March 28 through April 24. Today, TALKERS managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In New York, Red Apple Media Group’s news/talk WABC drops eight-tenths to finish with a 3.2 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) and falls to the #11 rank, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk WOR sheds two-tenths for a 1.4 share and remains ranked #20. In Los Angeles, iHeartMedia’s news/talk KFI surrenders nine-tenths to wrap the survey with a 4.6 share but remains ranked #3, as Audacy’s all-news KNX-FM rises four-tenths to finish with a 3.4 share and remains ranked #10. In Chicago, Nexstar Media Group’s news/talk WGN rises six-tenths for a 3.8 share and remains ranked #9, while Audacy’s all-news WBBM-AM/WCFS-FM dips two-tenths to a 5.2 share to stay ranked #4. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Industry News

Powerful Agenda Set for TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond

The 27th annual installment of the talk media industry’s longest-running and most important national event is only one month away. Set for June 7 at Hofstra University, just outside of New York City on Long Island, TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond is fast on its way to being another advance sellout. Don’t be shut out. The power-packed, one-day agenda is spectacular! Check it out – along with registration, sponsorship and hotel information – by clicking here. TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison states, “Because the entire agenda of this year’s event will take place on the state-of-the-art television soundstage ‘A’ at Hofstra University’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication and a special staging area for individual interviews will be set up on the adjacent TV soundstage ‘B,’ the opportunity to create an in-depth video time capsule of this remarkably transitional moment in talk media history will be unprecedented.” Harrison adds, “The number of heavyweight players from all ends of the business gathered in one place for one day on a television soundstage will be of tremendous historical significance. We will grab the opportunity to save everything we can for posterity. This conference will be more than just another industry ‘convention.’ It will be a ‘symposium’ for the ages reflecting and preserving a remarkably colorful and historic era in American media and culture. People all over the world and for years to come will bear witness to this ‘happening.’” This power-packed, one-day event will again be presented by TALKERS in association with the prestigious university’s multi-award-winning station WRHU Radio and the school’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication. To register for TALKERS 2024 or to obtain sponsorship information, call Barbara Kurland at 413-565-5413. 

Industry News

Newsmax Launches “The Leventhal Report”

Newsmax premiered journalist Rick Leventhal’s new hour-long news and interview program Newsmax2 last night (5/13) at 7:00 pm ET. “The Leventhal Report” streams nightly on Newsmax2. The company says, “Leventhal, known for his dynamic reporting style and in-depth coverage of breaking news stories,im will cover the latest on significant events from around the nation and the world.” Levanthal adds, “‘The Leventhal Report’ will bring the top stories to the growing Newsmax2 audience with an in-depth analysis of the ‘why’ and what it means to them and our nation. I am looking forward to bringing my global experience in covering the news that matters most to Newsmax2’s lineup of hard-hitting journalism.” Newsmax2 is the network’s free streaming channel available on the Newsmax App and FAST channel platforms found on most major OTT systems including Roku, Samsung, Amazon Fire, Pluto, Vizio, LG, Tivo, Plex and Xumo. Newsmax2 also airs on 20 television broadcast stations through digital channels.